Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shane Harrypersad, John P. Canal
Summary: This article describes a convenient synthesis method for preparing ruthenocene in undergraduate chemistry teaching labs, incorporating elements of green chemistry and introducing students to air sensitive reactions and sublimation as a purification method. Students can explore the characterization of ruthenocene through experimental and computational approaches.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Juan F. Araneda, Thais Mendonca Barbosa, Paul Hui, Matthew C. Leclerc, Jonathan Ma, Alexander F. G. Maier, Susanne D. Riegel
Summary: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is commonly taught in classrooms, but its hands-on use in undergraduate laboratories is limited. Benchtop NMR spectrometers offer a cost-effective and space-saving alternative, but concerns about resolution and second-order effects remain barriers to their incorporation into undergraduate curricula.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrea M. Munro
Summary: This article introduces a laboratory course on food chemistry designed for nonmajors, which can be delivered in either a traditional or fully remote, asynchronous format. The course aims to help students develop an understanding of how chemists view the world and generate knowledge. By using food as a medium for scientific exploration, the course connects to students' lives and has been well-received by students in summer terms from 2019 to 2021. Instead of focusing on content, the course emphasizes learning the scientific method, allowing assessments to evaluate students' understanding of posing and testing hypotheses, identifying sources of error, determining uncertainty, analyzing results, etc.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhe Chen, Haodong Yang, Xinpeng Men, Lei Yao, Qiuming Fu, Zhidong Lin, Shenggao Wang
Summary: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a rapid and powerful method for evaluating membrane pore structure. This paper suggests a laboratory experiment to improve engineers' understanding of electrochemistry and materials engineering. The experiment focuses on characterizing the pore structure in a membrane using EIS and exploring the correlation between membrane resistance and water flux. Students are trained to collect impedance spectra under different conditions, allowing them to understand the effects of operating parameters on the impedance spectrum.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Keira D. Naff, Jeri L. Tyler, Dima H. Hamza, Jonathan D. White
Summary: This study presents an experimental activity that allows students to observe the interaction between small-molecule drugs and biomolecular targets by investigating the binding of platinum drugs to DNA structures. Students choose platinum drugs, perform Pt-DNA binding reactions, characterize the samples, and rationalize the results based on drug and DNA structures. Additionally, students use molecular visualization software and structures from the Protein Data Bank to identify other drug-nucleic acid interactions. This activity provides a valuable opportunity for students to manipulate macromolecular structures and connect their experimental observations to important concepts in drug chemistry and chemical biology.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yizhen Jia, Prasad Nithianandam, Tzu-Li Liu, Jinghua Li
Summary: This report describes an interdisciplinary approach used in undergraduate laboratory classes to bridge the gap between scientific advances, engineering efforts, and practical applications in daily life. The field of biointegrated electronics is highlighted as an excellent opportunity for interdisciplinary learning models. Wearable glucose sensors are presented as a promising application requiring knowledge from multiple research areas. The laboratory experiment module provides students with hands-on experience in designing, testing, and integrating wearable glucose sensors. This lab class serves as an example of how interdisciplinary research can be integrated into undergraduate education and offers valuable skills and experiences for future careers.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Charis A. Roberts, Seth Allen, Sameh Helmy
Summary: This experiment introduces a straightforward and robust approach for undergraduate students to explore organic photochromism through multistep synthesis, optical characterization, and UV-vis data analysis. Students can isolate and characterize pure products at each stage of the synthesis, while also calculating kinetic parameters based on the collected data. An inquiry-based variant of the experiment is also provided for further exploration and understanding.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiang Peng, Rong Li, Qiangqiang Zhao, Peng Wang, Min Yan, Feifei Li, Jing Wen, Liwei Xiong, Zhanhui Zhang
Summary: Hydrogen production through electrochemical water splitting via hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), powered by sustainable energy, is seen as a promising alternative to fossil fuels. A proposed experiment design aims to prepare HER electrodes and evaluate their electrochemical performance for materials science undergraduate students, by integrating knowledge of chemistry, electrochemistry, and materials science with practical application and scientific frontier. The experiment is conducted using conventional equipment and non-toxic chemicals in a materials science comprehensive laboratory. The experimental design covers various aspects, including the mechanism of water splitting, reaction routes in HER, crystal structure of electrocatalyst, electrode preparation protocol, electrochemical evaluation methods, and their relationships, providing students with cutting-edge concepts related to new energy materials and devices, and facilitating the design of electrocatalysts with exceptional comprehensive properties for future green hydrogen production.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stellan Holgersson
Summary: The study presents a simple hands-on model for isotope dilution analysis (IDA) using beads to represent analyte atoms, which can mimic phase separation and detect results based on bead color. Three IDA methods were illustrated using this model, showing methodological differences without the need for expensive radioisotopes or irradiation facilities. The model was also demonstrated as a tool for engaging students in meta-modeling activities.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adrian R. Hilts, Jason Cooke
Summary: The addition of a small excess of triethyl orthoformate to the reaction mixture of NiCl2.6H(2)O and triphenylphosphine (PPh3) in ethanol significantly increases the yield of [NiCl2(PPh3)(2)] from below 50% to over 85%. The impact of water on the reaction system is discussed, and similar syntheses of [NiBr2(PPh3)(2)], [NiCl2(dppe)], and [NiBr2(dppe)] are presented. A simplified synthesis of NiCl2.2H(2)O by dehydration of NiCl2.6H(2)O at 80 degrees C can be performed to reduce the amount of triethyl orthoformate required for the preparation of [NiCl2(PPh3)(2)] and/or [NiCl2(dppe)]. The experiments are flexible and can accommodate various laboratory schedules and student skill levels, with each synthesis achievable within a 3-hour lab period.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shegufa Shetranjiwalla, Nicole Leach, Lori Van Belle, Kassidy Kingdon
Summary: Students evaluated the effectiveness of different sunscreens by combining analytical chemistry and organic chemistry knowledge, identifying the reasons for variations in photoprotection levels among sunscreens with the same SPF values.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alyssa L. Pirinelli
Summary: This process helps students discover their interests in novel research areas, craft hypotheses, design experiments, and learn to anticipate experimental outcomes before participating in peer evaluation.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bailee Wathen, Emily Lanehart, Lena A. Woodis, Anthony J. Rojas
Summary: This three-part laboratory experiment explores key aspects of the Buchwald-Hartwig amination cross-coupling reaction through guided-inquiry learning strategies, including high-throughput experimentation techniques, result evaluation, preparative-scale reaction setup, and full characterization of target molecules. This experiment serves as the final experiment in the fourth-year undergraduate chemistry curriculum, providing students with a capstone learning experience.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Elizabeth E. Karlsson, Jia-Hao Hu, Michael J. Davern, Yidan Gong, Jin Yan, Jason D. Surratt, Aleksandr V. Zhukhovitskiy
Summary: The high demand for nonbiodegradable petroleum-based N95 and surgical masks due to SARS-CoV-2 challenges the recycling industry. This research explores alginate and soy-based materials as alternatives for mask fabrication, which are cheap and readily available materials that require no specialized equipment.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kelli M. Slunt
Summary: The qualitative sugar identification laboratory was adapted into a virtual experiment where students can choose their own adventure. They conduct virtual experiments on known and unknown carbohydrates, select positive and negative controls, and compare test results to identify unknown sugars. This virtual adaptation focuses on developing experimental design and problem-solving skills and can be used for similar exercises in other chemistry or STEM courses.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2022)
