Concept mapping the primary literature: "Compositionally Tunable Cu2ZnSn(S1-x,Sex)4 nanocrystals"

Submitted by Benny Chan / The College of New Jersey on Thu, 06/27/2013 - 09:26
Description

Concept maps are a visual way to organize and represent information. In this literature discussion, we introduce a novel technique for teaching literature analysis to students where concept maps are used for establishing relationships between the key ideas, theories, procedures, and methods of a proposed literature article. Using the article “Compositionally Tunable Cu2ZnSn(S1-xSex)4 Nanocrystals: Probing the Effect of Se-Inclusion in Mixed Chalcogenide Thin Films” (Riha, S.C.; Parkinson, B.A.; Prieto, A.L. J. Am. Chem.

Kool-Aid analysis: Visible Spectroscopy and Paper Chromatography

Submitted by Megan Strayer / The Pennsylvania State University on Wed, 06/26/2013 - 13:55
Description

This lab experiment is designed to introduce the electromagnetic spectrum to non-science majors in a food chemistry course by using everyday food (i.e. Kool-Aid packets). Students will use a spectrophotometer to correlate wavelength to color, as well as determine the mass percent of certain colored dyes in a Kool-Aid sample. Paper chromatography is also introduced to determine the number of dyes in a Kool-Aid sample. This lab is adapted from Sigmann, S; Wheeler, D. J. Chem. Ed., 2004, 81, p. 1475.

Literature summary through student presentation - free choice of topic.

Submitted by Cameron Gren / University of North Alabama on Wed, 06/26/2013 - 07:59
Description

(1) Student choses and reads a journal article of his/her choice that is related to a topic we have discussed during the semester. (i.e. atomic structure, MO theory, group theory, solid state structure, band theory, coordination chemistry, organometallics, catalysis). Suggested journals include, but are not limited to JACS, Inorg. Chem., Organometallics, Angew. Chem., JOMC, Chem. Comm.)

(2) Student answers the following questions regarding their chosen article:

    (a) Describe, in 1 or 2 sentences the goal of this work. 

X-ray absorption spectroscopy and its applications to LFT

Submitted by Karen McFarlane Holman / Willamette University on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 09:43
Description

This series of (not five) slides introduces X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), specifically XANES (X-ray absorption near-edge structure).  There is background in basic theory, the general technique including synchrotron radiation sources, and two specific examples from the literature that apply XANES spectra to (1) oxidation state and effective nuclear charge of sulfur in various compounds such as sulfates, and (2) measurement of energy levels in MO diagrams of coordination compounds (i.e., LFT).  Point (2) is analogous to showing PES peaks alongside MO diagrams for diatomics.

Band Structures, Electronic and Optical Properties of Metals, Semiconductors, and Insulators

Submitted by Maggie Geselbracht / Reed College on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 00:32

I created this Collection of Learning Objects (LOs) at the IONiC VIPEr TUES 2013 Workshop: Solid State Materials for Alternative Energy Needs held at Penn State University.  The overall theme of the Collection is electronic and optical properties of metals, semiconductors, and insulators.  Most of the learning objects either require knowledge of or explicitly refer to band structures, either at a basic level or a more advanced level.  Some LOs also deal with extended structures, un

Synthesis and Analysis of the POM Ammonium Decavanadate, (NH4) 6V10O28*6H2O

Submitted by Sabrina Sobel / Hofstra University on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 20:35
Description

Synthesis of ammonium decavanadate, and analysis via IR, UV-Vis and quantitative titration. Time: 1.5 lab periods

 

Purpose

            The purpose of this lab experiment is to expose students to the synthesis of a colored POM, and to connect the use of standard analytical techniques to this new type of compound. It introduces the use of IR spectroscopy of inorganic materials.

 

Introduction

Online Courses Directory

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Mon, 04/01/2013 - 07:41
Description

This website is a free and comprehensive resource that is a collection of open college courses that spans videos, audio lectures, and notes given by professors at a variety of universities. The website is designed to be friendly and designed to be easily accessed on any mobile device.

Soluble Methane Monooxgenase Spectroscopy

Submitted by Gerard Rowe / University of South Carolina Aiken on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 09:37
Description

Determining the reactive intermediates in metalloenzymes is a very involved task, and requires drawing from many different spectroscopies and physical methods.  The facile activation and oxidation of methane to produce methanol is one of the "holy grails" of inorganic chemistry.  Strategies exist within materials science and organometallic chemistry to activate methane, but using the enzyme methane monooxygenase, nature is able to carry out this difficult reaction at ambient temperatures and pressures (and in water, too!).

Exploring the Nanoworld Innovating through Materials from the University of Wisconsin Madison

Submitted by Patricia Stan / Taylor University on Thu, 07/19/2012 - 13:29
Description

This is a great web resource for all types of nano materials.  There are lesson plans, demos, activites, labs and lots of background information.  It is very easy to navigate and there are videos of the labs so you can see each step - very useful when doing a type of synthesis or technique new to you.

Colored Note Cards as a Quick and Cheap Substitute for Clickers

Submitted by Chris Bradley / Mount St. Mary's University on Tue, 07/17/2012 - 10:23
Description

For many years I have resisted using clickers, mainly because at our university there is no standard universal clicker. I wanted to keep student costs as low as possible but also desired the type of live feedback during a lecture that clicker questions can provide. In both my general chem. (200-300 students) and upper division courses (50-75 students), I now pass out 4 or 5 colored notecards on the first day of class and make sure everyone has one of each color.

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