ACS UTM International Student Chapter

🎤 EMCEE WANTED! ✨

Ready to take the mic and own the stage? ACS UTM ISC is looking for passionate and confident individuals to be the voice of our upcoming event:

🚀 Employment Catalyst: Career Pathways Within and Beyond Chemistry

📅 6 June 2026
📍 Online Platform

💡 Perks of joining:
🏅 UTM Merit Provided
📜 E-Certificate of Appreciation
🎙️ Hands-on public speaking experience

This is your chance to boost your confidence, sharpen your communication skills, and shine in front of a live audience!

🔗 Registration Link: https://forms.gle/QzrwyhZtnLdXxBTy9
📌 Scan the QR code & APPLY NOW!

🧴 The Chemistry of Bleach
Household bleach is primarily an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).
In water, it forms an equilibrium system that generates hypochlorous acid (HOCl) , the active species responsible for its bleaching and disinfecting properties.

NaOCl+H₂O ⇌ HOCl+NaOH
HOCl further dissociates and participates in oxidation reactions:
HOCl ⇌ H⁺ + OCl⁻
Both HOCl and OCl⁻ act as strong oxidizing agents, responsible for bleaching and antimicrobial action.

A simplified oxidation of a chromophore (color-causing organic molecule) can be represented as:
Chromophore+[O]→Oxidized (colorless) products
They remove color by breaking down conjugated π-systems and disrupt microbial structures through oxidation of proteins and lipids.
Because of its strong oxidizing nature, bleach must be handled carefully. Especially never mixed with acids or ammonia, which can generate toxic gases such as chlorine or chloramine species

☕ Why can coffee make you sleepy?
Coffee is known for increasing alertness due to caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant. However, in some cases, it can have the opposite effect.
Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine is a neuromodulator that accumulates during wakefulness and promotes sleepiness. When caffeine binds to these receptors, it temporarily prevents the feeling of fatigue.

Adenosine receptor+Caffeine⇌Caffeine–receptor complex(inactive sleep signal)

However, adenosine production does not stop. Over time, it continues to accumulate in the background.
When caffeine is metabolized and its effect wears off, adenosine suddenly binds to receptors in large amounts, leading to a “rebound effect” of fatigue.

Rebound effect: Caffeine clearance↓⇒Adenosine accumulation↑⇒fatigue rebound

Additionally, several factors can contribute to post-coffee sleepiness:
Caffeine tolerance (reduced receptor sensitivity over time)
Fast caffeine metabolism (short-lived stimulation)
Poor sleep quality or sleep deprivation
Blood sugar fluctuations, especially when coffee is consumed without food.

🌸 Happy Easter 🌸
May this season bring hope, renewal, and new beginnings to all.✨