John Young

Professor Emeritus
B.Sc., Ph.D. (Imperial College, University of London)
M.B.A. (New York University)
F.R.S.A.

Contact Information

John Young joined the Chemistry Department of Saint Mary's University in 1970 after fifteen years of experience as a scientist and research engineer for major industrial corporations in Africa, Europe and North and South America. During this period he carried out studies of ultrasonic atomization, pulp and paper processing, fault detection in artificial fibres, dense-phase pneumatic conveyance, fluidized bed hydrodynamics, solar energy conversion for large-scale weather modification and accelerated crop growth, artificial recharge of groundwater aquifers, direct reduction of iron ore and various technical and economic assessments of new ventures, and was awarded a number of patents for this work.

During the 1970's, he carried out numerous environmental and aquacultural research studies for government and industry; studies which provided many undergraduate students with summer and part-time employment and research experience. Based on this work, he created new courses in "Environmental Chemistry" (CHE 373/374) and "Marine Chemistry" (CHE 375/376).

His activities during the 1980's included studies of microcomputer applications in chemistry and computerized information searching, which led him to create courses in "Scientific Uses of Microcomputers I and II" (CSC 387/388). Also during this period, he obtained external funds to establish the Advance Fluids Research Laboratory at Saint Mary's University, which has also provided many undergraduate chemistry students with employment and research experience.

During the 1990's, this laboratory has carried out a series of annual research contracts for national and international agencies relating to the development of hydraulic drag reducing agents and other additives which modify the flow and storage properties of water, and Dr. Young and his students have been awarded several patents for this work.

Dr. Young is a 3M National Teaching Fellow and he has received several other awards for teaching and services to students. His current interests concern the development of chemical additives to modify the flow properties of water and the computerization of undergraduate natural science laboratories. He and Dr. Singer are currently involved in a project to promote the use of computerized data logging techniques in high school chemistry programs.