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| '''James M. Tour''' is a ] ], specializing in ]. He is well-known for his work in ] and molecular switching molecules. He has also been involved in other work, such as the creation of a ] and ], an interactive learning DVD to teach children fundamentals of ] and ]. |
'''James M. Tour''' is a ] ], specializing in ]. He is well-known for his work in ] and molecular switching molecules. He has also been involved in other work, such as the creation of a ] and ], an interactive learning DVD to teach children fundamentals of ] and ]. Tour was a founder of the Molecular Electronics Corporation; is a co-founder of NanoComposites, Inc. which specializes in nanotube-based composites; a co-founder of Tools for Industry, Inc., makers of corrosion inhibitor coatings; and founder and principal of NanoJTech Consultants, LLC, performing technology assessments for the prospective investor. Tour won the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award from the ] in 2007 for his achievements in organic chemistry. He also won the Small Times magazine’s Innovator of the Year Award in 2006, the Nanotech Briefs Nano 50 Innovator Award in 2006, the Alan Berman Research Publication Award, Department of the Navy in 2006, the Southern Chemist of the Year Award from the ] in 2005 and The Honda Innovation Award for Nanocars in 2005. Tour’s paper on Nanocars was the most highly accessed journal article of all ] articles in 2005, and it was listed by LiveScience as the second most influential paper in all of science in 2005. He holds joint appointments in the departments of chemistry, ], and ] and ] at ]. Tour received degrees from ] (BS, 1981), ] (PhD, 1986) and completed postdoctoral work at the ] (1986-1987) and ] (1987-1988).<ref></ref> | ||
| In the ] article "Better Killing Through Chemistry"<ref>{{cite journal |last= Musser |first= George |year= 2001 |month= Nov |title= Better Killing through Chemistry: Buying chemical weapons material through the mail is quick and easy |journal= ] |url= http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000E51F9-AA56-1C75-9B81809EC588EF21 |accessdate= 2007-09-06 |}}</ref>, which appeared a few months after the ], Tour is credited for highlighting the issue of the ease of obtaining ] precursors in the ]. | In the ] article "Better Killing Through Chemistry"<ref>{{cite journal |last= Musser |first= George |year= 2001 |month= Nov |title= Better Killing through Chemistry: Buying chemical weapons material through the mail is quick and easy |journal= ] |url= http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000E51F9-AA56-1C75-9B81809EC588EF21 |accessdate= 2007-09-06 |}}</ref>, which appeared a few months after the ], Tour is credited for highlighting the issue of the ease of obtaining ] precursors in the ]. | ||
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| ==A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism== | ==A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism== | ||
| {{details more|A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism}} | {{details more|A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism}} | ||
| In February 2006, the ] reported<ref name=NYT> , Kenneth Chang, ], February 21, 2006.</ref> that |
In February 2006, the ] reported<ref name=NYT> , Kenneth Chang, ], February 21, 2006.</ref> that Tour was one of a small number of nationally prominent researchers among ] whose names appear on ]'s controversial petition, "]", which states "We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged."<ref></ref> The two-sentence statement has been widely used by its sponsor, the ], and some of their ] in a ] to discredit ] and to promote the teaching of ] in public schools.<ref name=NYT/><ref></ref><ref name=ForrestMayPaper>{{citation | url= http://www.centerforinquiry.net/uploads/attachments/intelligent-design.pdf| title = Understanding the Intelligent Design Creationist Movement: Its True Nature and Goals. A Position Paper from the Center for Inquiry, Office of Public Policy| first = Barbara| last = Forrest| author-link = Barbara Forrest | date = ],]| month = May| year = 2007| publisher = Center for Inquiry, Inc.| place = Washington, D.C.|accessdate = 2007-08-06}}.</ref><ref name=meyer_seattle_times> Linda Shaw. The Seattle Times, March 31, 2005.</ref> | ||
| The New York Times article described Tour as saying that the explanations offered by evolution are incomplete, and he found it hard to believe that nature can produce the machinery of cells through random processes. Despite this, he said he remained open-minded about evolution. He was quoted as saying "I respect that work" and being open to the possibility that future research will complete the explanations.<ref name=NYT/> | The New York Times article described Tour as saying that the explanations offered by evolution are incomplete, and he found it hard to believe that nature can produce the machinery of cells through random processes. Despite this, he said he remained open-minded about evolution. He was quoted as saying "I respect that work" and being open to the possibility that future research will complete the explanations.<ref name=NYT/> | ||
| On his web page labeled "Evolution/Creation" , Tour writes that "I have been labeled as an Intelligent Design (ID) proponent. I am not. I do not know how to use science to prove intelligent design." He goes on to quote from Blaise Pascal |
On his web page labeled "]/]" , Tour writes that "I have been labeled as an ] (ID) proponent. I am not. I do not know how to use science to prove intelligent design." He goes on to quote from ], ], and ]. | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 23:27, 4 December 2007
James M. Tour is a synthetic organic chemist, specializing in nanotechnology. He is well-known for his work in molecular electronics and molecular switching molecules. He has also been involved in other work, such as the creation of a nanocar and NanoKids, an interactive learning DVD to teach children fundamentals of chemistry and physics. Tour was a founder of the Molecular Electronics Corporation; is a co-founder of NanoComposites, Inc. which specializes in nanotube-based composites; a co-founder of Tools for Industry, Inc., makers of corrosion inhibitor coatings; and founder and principal of NanoJTech Consultants, LLC, performing technology assessments for the prospective investor. Tour won the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award from the American Chemical Society in 2007 for his achievements in organic chemistry. He also won the Small Times magazine’s Innovator of the Year Award in 2006, the Nanotech Briefs Nano 50 Innovator Award in 2006, the Alan Berman Research Publication Award, Department of the Navy in 2006, the Southern Chemist of the Year Award from the American Chemical Society in 2005 and The Honda Innovation Award for Nanocars in 2005. Tour’s paper on Nanocars was the most highly accessed journal article of all American Chemical Society articles in 2005, and it was listed by LiveScience as the second most influential paper in all of science in 2005. He holds joint appointments in the departments of chemistry, computer science, and mechanical engineering and materials science at Rice University. Tour received degrees from Syracuse University (BS, 1981), Purdue University (PhD, 1986) and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1986-1987) and Stanford University (1987-1988).
In the Scientific American article "Better Killing Through Chemistry", which appeared a few months after the September 11 attacks, Tour is credited for highlighting the issue of the ease of obtaining chemical weapon precursors in the United States.
A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism
Further information: A Scientific Dissent From DarwinismIn February 2006, the New York Times reported that Tour was one of a small number of nationally prominent researchers among five hundred scientists and engineers whose names appear on Discovery Institute's controversial petition, "A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism", which states "We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged." The two-sentence statement has been widely used by its sponsor, the Discovery Institute, and some of their supporters in a national campaign to discredit evolution and to promote the teaching of intelligent design in public schools.
The New York Times article described Tour as saying that the explanations offered by evolution are incomplete, and he found it hard to believe that nature can produce the machinery of cells through random processes. Despite this, he said he remained open-minded about evolution. He was quoted as saying "I respect that work" and being open to the possibility that future research will complete the explanations.
On his web page labeled "Evolution/Creation" , Tour writes that "I have been labeled as an Intelligent Design (ID) proponent. I am not. I do not know how to use science to prove intelligent design." He goes on to quote from Blaise Pascal, Peter Kreeft, and Charles Malik.
References
- James Tour's Bio at James M Tour Group website
- Musser, George (2001). "Better Killing through Chemistry: Buying chemical weapons material through the mail is quick and easy". Scientific American. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Few Biologists but Many Evangelicals Sign Anti-Evolution Petition, Kenneth Chang, New York Times, February 21, 2006.
- Signatories of 'A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism'
- Doubts Over Evolution Mount With Over 300 Scientists Expressing Skepticism With Central Tenet of Darwin's Theory
- Forrest, Barbara (May,2007), Understanding the Intelligent Design Creationist Movement: Its True Nature and Goals. A Position Paper from the Center for Inquiry, Office of Public Policy (PDF), Washington, D.C.: Center for Inquiry, Inc., retrieved 2007-08-06
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link). - Does Seattle group "teach controversy" or contribute to it? Linda Shaw. The Seattle Times, March 31, 2005.
Exterior links
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