Innovations TORONTO (CUP) — A Uni- versity of Toronto professor has won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry, for his pioneering research on molecular reactions. John Polanyi shared the award with two American professors. He becomes the third Canadian to be distin- guished with the award. Ironically, Polanyi’s research has been used for laser technology that will likely be used for the U.S. Strategic Defence Initiative, to which the quiet, modest Polanyi is vehemently opposed. “Yes, it is ironic,” Polanyi told an Oct. 15 news conference held at U of T just two hours after he received notice of the award. ‘And I don’t blanch if you say that there seems to bea contradiction. But basic research has always been. used for many, applications, some good, some ill.” Polanyi explained that he and his researchers had explored the ways in which molecules vibrate and collide and found a certain reaction which created “highly vibra- tion-excited molecules.’’ His discoveries led directly to the development of the first vibra- tional laser in 1964, and the first chemical laser in 1965. The vibrational laser has been used to produce the first intrument proposed in the development of SDI. Polanyi called Star Wars “a harebrained application” of his research, but maintains that for every such application, there are twenty benefical ones. “Just the morning I gota call from a young woman whose eye-sight has been restored through an operation with a laser,” said Polanyi. ‘She was calling to thank me.” Other beneficial uses for the vibrational laser include micro- circuity (making marks on microchips), repairing leaking blood vessels, freeing up clogged arteries, and stapling detached retinas. The laser has also been used by tailors for cutting cloth, and in the auto industry for: welding. Polanyi feels we should avoid the “‘obsessive fear of the by-products of technology”, and that the nuclear threat can be removed through politics, used for STAR WARS > negotiation and a new attitude toward the settlement of differences will.” not science. : “SDI is a_ gadget, and gadgets will not save us. Only ur SEE You, NEW missice SITES ... AND ULL Raise You ONE STAR WARS AND 4 Pain OF DIPLOMAT / SPIES. continued from page 1 strators were upset. because they believed the paper was making an international statement by soliciting the ad. “I talked to the president and he felt there might have been an element of malcontent held by the editors,”’ said Trainor, who claims McKinnon changed his paste-up flats before it went to mind when told the ad was sent press. by Campus Plus, a national The ad was part of a national advertising representative. campaign by Julius Schmid of It’s ironic that it is_ the Canada Ltd. The only paper to student union who is backing boycott the ad was The Mike, us up,” said Johnson. Two the student newspaper at St. years ago, councillors stripped Michael’s College in Toronto, a similar ad from the paper’s also a Catholic school. of the Field oid Stream. ri 2 ONE OF CHARLOTTETOWN’S MOST POPULAR DANCE SPOTS Monday Nights: Tuesday Nights: Wednesday Night: Thursday Night: Monday to Thursday — Happy Hour till 10:00 PM Super Flash Specials All Night ’Till Closing Dining from 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM Our 8 oz. Steak special for just $3.99 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM Daily Blast to the Past! Music from 1965-1985 Ladies Night: You could win a $100.00 CASH DRAW Student Night Birthday Night! Free cake for Birthday party of five or more Lounge Opens 11:00 AM to LATE 189 Kent Street, Charlottetown