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About
The International Order of Nitrogen
What is ION?
We are an organization started by high school students (now college students) in Oregon, USA to do two things:
- Promote knowledge of the seventh element, N, which comprises the vast majority of our air, is one of the most critical elements in known life (as it is one of the indispensable elements in all proteins), can form a multitude of compounds, from ammonia to explosives to smog, yet gets little attention on the chemical stage.
- Provide chemistry resources for the public, especially high school and college students.
In reality, the website has become much more focused on the latter.
Additionally, we plan to keep with the original intention of the Internet as a medium for free exchange of ideas, sans advertisements, sans commercial solicitation. Our services are free.
The reader is welcome to contribute any advice in the Forum, and more than welcome to write any article on Chemistry, which we would be happy to archive here. All rights pertaining to documents published here will of course be retained by the original author, but please heed the notice "Page may be printed for personal or classroom reference." We believe in the free exchange of knowledge.
Membership
What does it take to become a member of ION? All that is required is that you write a chemistry-related article for us. The subject can be anything. A few ideas for article topics: the effects of smog, why the ozone is being depleted, any lesson on chemistry from 'Acid-base Reactions' to 'Zymurgy', any reference sheet that would be useful, organic bonds, biochemistry, etc, etc, etc!
Currently, our members are given no physical or tangible rewards. Membership is its own reward! Well, that and the satisfaction that you have joined an altruistic organization and written an article that certainly will help some person at some time in the inconceivable duration of the universe.
Officers
- Conrad Shultz (Reed College) - President, Programmer
- Jacques Rossignol (Macalester College) - Executive Vice President Emeritus
- Connelly Barnes (Oregon State University) - Executive Vice President and Lead Programmer Emeritus
What is the molecule on the ION menu?
The molecule on the ION menu (the bar to the left of this page) is the amino acid arginine. Arginine is an essential amino acid for humans during childhood (and indeed is a critical component of almost all proteins essential to all known life). It can be obtained through whole wheat products, brown rice, nuts and raisins. It also is used as a point of attachment for fluorescent protein tags. Coincidentally, it also contains nitrogen atoms, and looks rather stylish.
(amino acid arginine)
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