Lunar Chemistry: Lunar Mining, Space Exploration

In the near future, the return to the Moon, and its colonization, will require a large number of chemical processes to be brought together and used so that humans can survive in this harsh environment, and so that profitable operations can begin. This book examines what capabilities currently exist that can be brought to bear to this end. It also examines what advances will have to be made in the near future.

Professor of Chemistry, and Department Chairman, Dr. Benvenuto teaches all levels of general chemistry, as well as: inorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry and industrial chemistry. He continues to write pedagogical materials for general level chemistry courses.

He is currently performing research in two areas: first, the synthesis of highly multi-dentate ligands for metal complexes, water remediation, and possible use as molecular switches; second, the metallurgical analysis of copper-based artifacts.

Benvenuto is a six-time recipient of the UDM Science Teacher of the Year Award, and is one of two faculty named College Teacher of the Year for 2002-03 by the Michigan Science Teachers Association. He was awarded the American Chemical Society’s Detroit Section Distinguished Service Award in 2004, and has been the section chairman for 2006 and 2007.

He has authored several books, several bookchapters, papers and electronic publications.