ACS Releases Inventories of What Stood Out in 2009 and Holds Promise for the Year Ahead

A first-of-its kind inhalable measles vaccine for developing countries, where the disease remains a scourge. A "nanogenerator" that could recharge iPods and other electronic devices with a shake. And for Fido and Fluffy, a long-awaited once-a-month pill for both ticks and fleas.

It's list season, the time to prepare inventories of what stood out in 2009 and holds promise for the year ahead. Those three advances are among more than 250 research advances publicized in 2009 by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Office of Public Affairs. With 154,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society. The advances were selected from among 34,000 scientific reports published during 2009 in ACS's 34 peer-reviewed journals, and 18,000 technical papers presented at ACS's two National Meetings. For a look at more than 250 other advances, publicized in the ACS News Service Weekly PressPac or National Meeting press releases, click here. If you use any of these discoveries in articles, please credit the journal or the American Chemical Society. Here is a sampler:

1. Needle-free, inhalant powder measles vaccine could save thousands of lives

2. Toward home-brewed electricity with "personalized solar energy"

3. "Frozen smoke:" The ultimate sponge for cleaning up oil spills

4. New nanogenerator may charge iPods and cell phones with a wave of the hand

5. First broad spectrum anti-microbial paint to kill "superbugs"

6. Tobacco plants yield the first vaccine for the dreaded "cruise ship virus"

7. Once-a-month pill for both fleas and ticks in Fido and Fluffy

8.Toward the design of greener, more eco-friendly consumer products

9. A "shrimp cocktail" to fuel cars and trucks

10. Toward an "electronic nose" to sniff out kidney disease in exhaled breath