This instrument for describing writing is designed for use by teachers and researchers at the secondary and college levels. The two main sections are an outline of the complete instrument and the instrument itself. Various categories of the instrument can be used to describe general, descriptive, and explanatory prose; other categories are related…

Discusses two applications of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) in the undergraduate laboratory. They are the coulometric titration of thiosulfate with electrogenerated triiodide ion and the atomic absorption determination of calcium using both analytical calibration curve and standard addition methods. (JN)

Provides an overview of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and their implementation in undergraduate analytical laboratories. Basic components of a well-constructed LIMS system, hardware considerations, and software considerations are addressed. (JN)

Presented is a three-hour instrumental analysis experiment which allows study of software data-handling methods. These methods include sampling, boxcar averaging, smoothing, ensemble averaging, and digital filtering. Use of the program should provide students with a better idea of advantages and disadvantages of using such software data-handling…

Illustrates the state of the art in pyrolysis mass spectrometry techniques through applications in: (1) structural determination and quality control of synthetic polymers; (2) quantitative analysis of polymer mixtures; (3) classification and structural characterization of fossil organic matter; and (4) nonsupervised numerical extraction of…

Reports on the status of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) from theoretical and clinical perspectives, reviewing NMR theory and relaxation parameters relevant to NMR imaging. Also reviews literature related to modern imaging strategies, signal-to-noise ratio, contrast agents, in vivo spectroscopy, spectroscopic imaging, clinical applications, and…

Indicates that although the costs of sophisticated state-of-the-art instruments are needed for chemical research, federal agency funding assumptions lag far behind. Issues related to these costs, including an estimate of what the National Science Foundation departmental budget should be, are discussed. (JN)

In a modular approach, instruments are considered as systems composed of modules, each module performing a particular function. Examines process of relating specifications for instruments to those for particular modules, effect of microcomputers on modular approach, and extension of the approach to such devices as "hyphenated" or tandem…

This review covers fundamental developments in gas chromatography during 1982 and 1983. Literature is considered under these headings: columns; liguid phases; solid supports; sorption processes and solvents; open tubular column gas chromatography; instrumentation; high-resolution columns and applications; other techniques; qualitative and…

Reviews literature covering developments of column liquid chromatography during 1982-83. Areas considered include: books and reviews; general theory; columns; instrumentation; detectors; automation and data handling; multidimensional chromatographic and column switching techniques; liquid-solid chromatography; normal bonded-phase, reversed-phase,…

Describes an instrumental analysis experiment that utilizes spectrofluorimetry to determine as little as 0.02 percent glycine in commercial dietetic beverages. (MLH)

Readings from a nuclear roof moisture meter are fed into a computer. A roof moisture contour map is produced indicating the relative moisture present in flat roofs. (Author/MLF)

A controversy has arisen as to whether instrument vendors are providing sufficient information about instrument-associated software to permit users to understand invisible data transformations going on inside of the equipment. Topics addressed include software protection, user modifications, and publishing software. (Author/JN)

One undergraduate chemistry laboratory at the California Institute of Technology is described, including goals of the laboratory curriculum: (1) emphasis on modern instrumental methods of analysis, separation, and characterization; (2) integration of organic/inorganic experiments; and (3) preparing students in two years to begin work in a research…

A technician auto analyzer (consisting of six modules: sampler, multichannel peristaltic pump, dialyser, heating/incubation bath, colorimeter, and recorder) was modified by using key modules and substituting standard equipment for others; spectronic 20 with homemade flow cell for colorimeter module. Descriptions and diagrams of the apparatus are…