For the past century, humans have been increasingly dependent on plastics, but have not developed adequate disposal practices. In this lab, students are asked whether burning plastic for energy seems like a reasonable disposal technique. To answer the chemical aspects of this question, students use bomb calorimetry to quantify the combustion…

This experiment introduces undergraduate organic chemistry students to analysis and interpretation of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra through characterization of postconsumer plastics. Students use FTIR spectra to identify and differentiate the common recyclable polymer resins #1-6: polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), polyethylene (HDPE…

Harmful plastic debris found on beaches and in the oceans are not limited to drinking straws or bags. There are several synthetic organic polymers that can be used to make different kinds of plastic materials and have resulted in billions of tons of waste that can reach the aquatic biome and are harmful to freshwater and marine communities as well…

Buckminsterfullerene (C[subscript 60]), along with diamond and graphite, appears in many chemistry textbooks as an example of an allotrope of carbon. This communication describes a hands-on activity to explore the characteristic structure of C[subscript 60] through the construction of a structural model using transistors and plastic tubes…

With the enormous reliance on plastics in the world today, bisphenol A, an additive used in the synthesis of many plastics, such as polycarbonate, has been found almost everywhere in our environment including in soil, in natural waters, and inside organisms including humans. A multidisciplinary experiment is presented that involves using flatworms…

To prove that oxygen is irreversibly consumed in the blue bottle reaction, a manometer or a plastic bottle was used to show a permanent reduction in the gas pressure in a reaction vessel. This demonstration may be misleading because the change in gas pressure can be attributed to a number of other factors such as temperature change and involvement…

Semimicro pressure filtration is carried out by pressurizing a suspension through pushing the piston of a gas-filled plastic syringe whose needle perforates the closure of a cylindrical filter funnel. Basic features as well as pros and cons of vacuum and pressure filtration are pointed out and compared to support rational choice between the two…

A relatively large number of organic and inorganic chemistry reagents are air- or moisture-sensitive, and undergraduate students should be trained in their use. When handling such reagents, it is important to select the correct syringe and to use that syringe correctly. We have found that the best syringe for use in an undergraduate setting is a…

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and stabilized using ammonium cations or poly(vinyl alcohol) to produce amazing materials such as safer aqueous ferrofluids, ferrogels, ferromagnetic inks, plastics, and nanopowders illustrating how versatile materials can be produced just by simple modifications. The synthesis is fast, reliable,…

Although residues and resource shortages are major problems of modern living, these topics are not usually properly covered in university curricula. To tackle this situation, we have guided undergraduate students through the design of a group of active learning activities, to demonstrate the science behind separation and recycling: trash…

This article describes a simple setup of electrospinning using widely available resources. The Arduino board, an electronic platform that is commonly accessible was adapted for a controller. Specifically, recycled parts consisting of plastic gears and a lipstick case were incorporated for the construction of a syringe pump. A cheap DC-DC converter…

This experiment prepares a large (M[subscript r]: 1821 g mol[superscript -1]) triple helicate complex quickly in one pot from inexpensive starting materials. The protocol illustrates the power of self-assembly in a simple manner that is suitable for second-year general chemistry students using reversible imine bond and metal-ligand bond formation.…

Herein, we describe an accessible and safe organic chemistry lab experiment that can be completed at home. Liquid-liquid extraction is a fundamental organic chemistry lab experiment that touches on topics such as chemical structure, density, solubility, and acid-base chemistry. Given the increased demand for safe organic chemistry experiments that…

In early 2022, the Human Anatomy & Physiology Society (HAPS) Curriculum & Instruction Lab Survey subcommittee launched the third survey of instructors for introductory undergraduate-level courses in human anatomy and physiology. This manuscript presents analyses of questions regarding the laboratory activities and learning outcomes (LOs)…

Engagement of multiple learning modalities has been shown to promote learning. This study aimed to develop resources for anatomical sciences educators interested in adding additional teaching modalities into their repertoire. Three review sessions were created for the muscle anatomy unit of an undergraduate anatomy and physiology course, each…