Lawrence Rocks (chemist)

Lawrence Rocks (August 27, 1933) is an American chemist and author who has written books on energy crises and biofuel. He has also written about chemistry and sports, specifically baseball.

Lawrence Rocks
Born (1933-08-27) August 27, 1933
New York, New York, USA
Alma materPurdue University (M.S.), Technische Hochschule Vienna(D.Sc)
OccupationChemist / Prof. Emeritus, Long Island University
Known forChemistry, Analytical chemistry, Energy, Environmental science
Notable work
The Energy Crisis (Crown Publishers, 1972), Fuels For Tomorrow (PennWell Publishers, 1980)
Spouse(s)Marlene Rocks (married 1968)
ChildrenBurton Rocks
Websitewww.rocksreports.com

His 1973 book The Energy Crisis coincided with the 1973 oil crisis. The book prompted public appearances and influenced the creation of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Rocks' has also worked with professional baseball player Paul DeJong on the role of chemistry in baseball.

Career

Rocks received his Masters of Science degree from Purdue University and his Doctor of Science from Technische Hochschule Vienna. He wrote his doctoral thesis in German in the field of analytical chemistry separating metal atoms in semi-aqueous solutions, which found that equilibrium constants are changed in semi-aqueous mediums.[1]

Rocks is Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Long Island University.[2][3]

Energy

Rocks wrote The Energy Crisis (Crown, 1972). The book called for the formal establishment of a national energy center,[4] which influenced the creation of the U.S. Department of Energy by the Carter administration.[5]

Following publication, Rocks was discussed by Time Magazine[6] and National Review. He addressed the United Nations, and appeared on The Today Show, To Tell The Truth,[7] and The Mike Douglas Show.[8] Rocks had a column in King Features Syndicate.[5]

After publication of The Energy Crisis, Rocks authored the chemistry textbook Developing Your Chemistry Fundamentals (The Petroleum Publishing Company) in 1979.[9]

In 1980 Rocks authored Fuels For Tomorrow (PennWell Publishers 1980), a sequel to The Energy Crisis, in which Rocks stated that the future of agriculture will be in fermentation chemistry, a process he asserted was far less hazardous to the environment.[10]

Sports

In 2017 Rocks conducted an experiment studying the effect temperature has on a baseball, with Paul DeJong as his laboratory assistant. The outcome of the experiment was that the optimal bounce of a baseball lies between 68-75 degrees Fahrenheit because at lower temperatures the elastomeres become more rigid and become softer at higher temperatures.[11][12][13][14]

While appearing on MLB Network during the 2017 winter meetings, Rocks defined sports chemistry as "the combination of modern analytical chemistry with sports metrics." [15][16][17][18] In 2018 Chemical & Engineering News interviewed Rocks, sharing his philosophy on learning science that, "Everybody can do it."[19] St. Louis Cardinals Cardinals Insider interviewed Rocks in 2018 as to whether music plays any role in science. "There is a molecular rhythm to life in terms of development. There are body rhythms that will one day be understood for the mind," Rocks explained.[20][21] In 2018 Topps referenced Rocks on the back of Paul DeJong's 2018 "future stars" series baseball card.[22][23][24][25][26][27] DeJong credited Rocks with affecting his thinking of "off-season training routines".[28][29] During the 2018 off-season Rocks and DeJong lectured at the Society of the Four Arts on the subject of tendons and respiration for athletic development.“Weightlifting is great – makes you feel like Superman," Rocks said. "But you lose the edge on flexibility.”[28]

Topps issued a collectible card for Rocks for its 2019 card set.[30]

Personal life

He and his wife Marlene have one son, Burton Rocks, who is a writer and sports agent.[31] He is a supporter of the Palm Beach Symphony.[32]

Bibliography
  • Rocks, Lawrence; Runyon, Richard P (1972). The Energy Crisis. Crown Publishers. ISBN 978-0-517-501641.
  • Rocks, Lawrence (1979). Developing Your Chemistry Fundamentals (1st ed.). The Petroleum Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-87814-041-1.
  • Rocks, Lawrence (1980). Fuels For Tomorrow (1st ed.). PennWell Books. ISBN 978-0-87814-135-7.

References
  1. Rocks, Lawrence (1964). Die Trennung von Mikromengen Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminium und Titan von grossen Mengen Eisen, Nickel und Chrom unter Anwendung von Pyrrolidindithiocarbamidat (D.Sc). Wien. OCLC 637130820.
  2. Drellich, Evan. "A professor's view on chemistry, muscles, bones and injury", ' 'Houston Chronicle' ', 20 August 2014. Retrieved on 20 August 2014.
  3. "Body Chemistry in Baseball". 2017-07-22. Retrieved 2017-07-22.
  4. Rocks, Lawrence; Runyon, Richard P (1972). The Energy Crisis. Crown Publishers. ISBN 978-0-517-501641.
  5. "A Golden Anniversary: Lawrence Rocks is First Faculty Member to Reach 50 Years of Service". Post Press (Press release). LIU.edu. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  6. ' 'Time Magazine' ' (May 7, 1973),
  7. , ' 'To Tell The Truth' ', 1972-73 Episode Guide (' 'To Tell The Truth' ' version two, season four)
  8. "The Mike Douglas Show". Season 12, Episode 87. 1 January 1974. syndicated.
  9. Rocks, Laurence. Developing Your Chemistry Fundamentals. ISBN 978-0878140411.
  10. Rocks, Lawrence (1980). Fuels for Tomorrow: Lawrence Rocks: 9780878141357. ISBN 978-0878141357.
  11. Cardinals' DeJong, Renowned Scientist Test Effects Of Heat On Baseball. CBS New York. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  12. "LIU Post Scientist Teams Up with Cardinals' DeJong". 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
  13. "DeJong's 'Epiphany' Came After A Full-Time Move To Shortstop". 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2017-12-13.
  14. Allen, Dave. "Paul DeJong shares his story, his time at Cardinals Caravan". Journal Star. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  15. MLB Now: DeJong and Dr. Rocks. MLB.com. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  16. "LIU Post Scientist Featured on MLB Network". Long Island University. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  17. Sports chemistry in baseball. MLB.com. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  18. Langosch, Jenifer. "Q&A: DeJong talks offseason, holidays & more". MLB.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  19. Davenport, Matt (July 29, 2018). "Science is in the (baseball) cards and comic books". cen.acs.org. Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  20. Paul DeJong at the Symphony. MLB.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  21. Paul DeJong at the Palm Beach Symphony. St. Louis Cardinals. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  22. Paul DeJong and Dr. Lawrence Rocks on baseball science. FOX SPORTS. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  23. "LIU Professor Emeritus Dr. Rocks Is a Hit as First Scientist on a Topps Baseball Card". Long Island University. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  24. Trezza, Joe. "Cards' DeJong happy on field and in science lab". MLB.com. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  25. "Paul DeJong and Dr. Lawrence Rocks on baseball science". MSN. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  26. Saxon, Mark (June 19, 2018). "The Ballplayer and The Scientist:Paul DeJong's love for science impacts how he thinks about the game of baseball". theathletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  27. Cafardo, Nick. "Sunday Baseball Notes". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  28. Goold, Derrick (March 7, 2019). "Taking the long view: DeJong intends to have staying power at shortstop". stltoday.com. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  29. Heather, Kade (June 26, 2018). "'Doctor?' DeJong talks baseball science after Topps 'Future Stars' card unveiling". videtteonline.com. The Vidette. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  30. Goold, Derrick (January 21, 2019). "Ankiel 'has nothing to lose' as he curves back to baseball". stltoday.com. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved Jan 21, 2019.
  31. Goold, Derrick. "Cards' DeJong talks chemistry (not the clubhouse kind) at winter meetings". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  32. "Palm Beach Symphony 16th ANNUAL GALA at The Breakers". Palm Beach Daily News. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
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