The creation and use of models in science is of great importance for knowledge production and communication. For example, toy models are often used as idealized explanatory models in physics education. Models can be a powerful tool for exploring phenomena in ways that facilitate learning. However, careful consideration of instruction and…

It may be asserted that there is no more effective deterrent to crime than the certainty of detection. Equally true is that there is no surer way to establishing identity than by fingerprints. The detection of fingerprints at the scene of crime is therefore one of the most powerful tools available in casework investigations. However, if the crime…

In this study, we analyzed how general chemistry students generated experimental designs corresponding to general chemistry questions such as the ones typically found in general chemistry textbooks. We found that students were very successful in including experimental design aspects that were explicitly mentioned in the general chemistry…

Here we showcase an undergraduate teaching laboratory in which students synthesize and characterize colloidal nanoparticles of organic semiconductors and assess their suitability for applications in printed electronics such as solar cells and bioelectronics. Scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy…

In view of the mounting requirements for courses in nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry, hands-on experience in the separations of radioisotopes is imperative. Three separation techniques commonly used were introduced, coprecipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, and ion-exchange chromatography. Their principles and the associated fundamental…

In chemistry, a eutectic mixture refers to a mixture of two or more components at which the lowest possible freezing point is observed. This phenomenon is covered in a wide range of curricula such as physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, and pharmacy to various depths. Despite the significance of this phenomenon in pharmaceutical compounding…

The pharmacologically active lignans sesamin and sesamolin are minor components of sesame oil and ingredients in OTC dietary supplement capsules. We report an introductory undergraduate organic laboratory experiment combining natural product isolation and spectral analysis in which students isolate a mixture of sesamin and sesamolin by either (1)…

Hydrogels are soft water-rich materials with physical properties that can be easily tuned by modifying their network structure. For instance, increasing or decreasing the cross-linking density has a profound effect on their water absorption capabilities and mechanical strength. These physical changes are showcased in a new experiment for organic…

Enzyme-like catalysis is the use of artificial catalysts to catalyze chemical reactions, which has the characteristics of enzymatic catalysis, such as high selectivity, high efficiency, and mild reaction conditions. In recent years, 2D materials, thickness ranging from a single to several atomic layers, have become a hot research topic in the…

In today's global economy, the origin of the food we eat is becoming more and more difficult to identify. Verifying the authenticity of products to protect supply chains is a complicated problem that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Chemical authentication of foodstuffs often includes a mass spectrometer detector; however, they are costly…

Learning in chemistry laboratories has long been challenging due to the complex nature of the learning environment and tasks that students engage with. Therefore, it is important to develop useful tools for prelab and follow-up activities besides the hands-on lab time for better management of the learners' cognitive load. In this paper, we…

Potash, an essential raw material of the 18th century, used to be produced from the ashes of plants. Known since antiquity, it was in 1807 that Humphry Davy put an end to the decades-long controversy about its nature as a compound. The technology behind potash production was implemented in Brazil by the Portuguese naturalist Frei Velloso. The…

We describe an experiment in which students use research-grade instrumentation to collect gas adsorption data in triplicate in a single 3 h laboratory period. The experiment reinforces the thermodynamic concepts taught in upper level physical chemistry courses and hands-on experience with instrumentation used in research laboratories. The speed of…

This article describes an enrichment and extension of a published applied chemistry experiment involving the use of distilled fragrant compounds of natural plants to prepare facial toner. The original protocol failed to consider quality evaluation of the self-prepared facial toner. Herein, an additional experimental section is included for…

Protein engineering represents a modern approach to generate novel proteins for the different fields of biotechnology. Here, we report about an 8-day laboratory activity in which students generate enzyme variants to degrade the herbicide glyphosate. The students conduct a true research experiment in an important field (bioremediation by novel,…