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A Visit to Natural Fiber Welding: Demonstrating Green Chemistry in Action

Dean Campbell | Mon, 10/10/2022 - 09:00

The theme to the 2022 National Chemistry Week, observed October 16-22, is “Fabulous Fibers: The Chemistry of Fabrics”. A visit to Natural Fiber Welding, Inc. in Peoria, IL, revealed how that company is using ionic liquids to solvent weld cellulose fibers together to produce more durable yarn which can then be made into more durable fabric. The production method and “greenness” of the product is discussed, from the cellulose itself to the recycling of the solution used in the welding process. Macroscopic demonstrations of the fiber solvent welding process are also described. 

Motivating Students While In COVID Times: Striving “Above and Beyond” For Students And Teachers Alike

Yvonne Clifford | Mon, 08/22/2022 - 13:52

The Trials and Tribulations of a Teacher During COVID Times! - Part 2: In this four part series of articles, Yvonne Clifford seeks to provide readers with some tips and concrete, workable ideas that have helped to fulfill her desire to provide a chemistry programme that is both interesting and rigourous. 

Finding Flash Rocks

Dean Campbell | Sat, 08/13/2022 - 10:20

Flash rocks were discussed in a previous post as stones made of quartz that produce light by triboluminescence when struck together. This post provides some description of their origins and tips on how to find them, making connections to some of their properties.

Apply for the 2023 PAEMST Cycle

Ariel Serkin | Fri, 08/12/2022 - 11:10

The 2023 cycle for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching has opened. Read through to learn more about the application, the process, some helpful tips, and reasons why you should apply.

Using My Marbles: Connecting Surface Area and Calorimetry with Temperature Curves and Thermochromic Cups

Dean Campbell | Sat, 07/30/2022 - 15:02

The importance of surface area can be illustrated by adding spherical solids at known sizes and temperature to other substances at different temperatures and then monitoring the rates of temperature changes of the system over time. Larger spheres (with less surface area per sample) exchanged heat with water more slowly than smaller spheres, and less thermally conductive glass spheres exchanged heat with water more slowly than iron spheres. Additional, more colorful demonstrations are described in which small glass spheres cool thermochromic plastic cups more quickly than larger glass spheres.