Two repulsive interactions lead to a strong attraction – who knew? The researchers at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPC PAS) in Warsaw, that's who.

According to a recent press release from the institute, "When two objects repel each other under the action of one force, we usually expect that addition of another force, also repulsive one, will accelerate separation. This intuitive view is, however, not always true."

In theory, everything will work as planned. It's not until a system is tested that manufacturers can be certain their processes are sound. Even better, an unexpected "test" to the system will expose all chinks in the process chain.

Enter Rocky Raccoon. According to Industry Safety And Security Source, a raccoon found its way into electrical equipment at the Delaware City, Del., refinery knocking a number of units offline, causing a large flaring incident in early December.

Hot dog! Now is my chance to have my name immortalized on the Periodic Table. I just have to decide on Tracionium or Purdumion. Well, it's not that easy. But, there are two elements waiting in the wings for approval on their proposed names.

I remember my first "a-ha" moment. I'm ashamed to say it wasn't until my early teens. But then again, I was amassing the information I needed to fuel the "a-ha" moment. Since then, I've had numerous "a-ha" moments – some not as earth-shattering as others. I file them away and smile as I realize my advanced age is at least good for gaining knowledge.

Scientists have isolated 63 unique dust particles from their laboratory. The unexpected discovery has launched the creation of a dust library. Had I known, I would have invited those researchers from The Ohio State University to my house to really build a dust library. I'm fairly certain they would have found more than 63 unique dust particles.

The chemists were testing a new kind of sensor when dust got stuck inside it, and they discovered that they could measure the composition of single dust particles.

I missed this year's Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony. I began to panic when I realized my mistake in planning for the event. I even instinctively went to my DVR menu to see if I remembered to record it. Silly me -- the Ig Nobels weren't on cable! But much to my satisfaction and relief, the entire ceremony is available for viewing on YouTube. 

I am a proud graduate of Ohio's Kent State University. I've been a proud graduate for a long time. But it wasn't until recently that my family and friends started taking my KSU alumni status as the mark of a great education. Not that they thought Kent was a bad school, they just never gave much thought to Kent at all.

You don't have to travel to London next year to partake in a historic Olympiad. Nope – you can make your travel plans around the Washington, D.C., area instead. What's that? You didn't realize the U.S. was hosting an Olympiad in 2012?

Reading like a who's who of the chemical industry, experts from around the world assembled for The Future of Sustainable Chemistry online conference held on Aug. 16.

The event touted 30 speakers in 60 minutes and host Nancy Jackson, 2011 American Chemical Society president, noted that chemistry is finding itself on the verge of a new era. "In 2011, chemistry must assume a much more profound and crucial position than before. To meet these challenges, we must endeavor to reinvent chemistry."

What would have happened if Gallagher chose chemistry instead of comedy? I bet he'd still find a way to smash watermelons – but with liquid nitrogen instead of his trademark mallet.

Why do I think this? Because I saw his alter-ego on a recent episode of Joe Genius – Backyard Science Goes Big Time. Joe Genius is hosted by Jonah Ray and it's an edgy look at science experiments gone wrong, gone right and gone wild.