Energy conversion devices such as fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and electrolyzers have been envisaged as possible solutions for cutting down the continuous accumulation of greenhouse gases resulting from the combustion of fossil fuel. The bottleneck reaction for these devices is the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurring at the cathode. The…

This Article aims to share the results of a project that was developed with 80 students from Technical High School of Professional and Technological Education (PTE) at an institute located in the northeast of Brazil. The students discussed the global overview of fuel production and use, and how the introduction of green hydrogen into the market…

An active-learning approach was employed in a project for our chemistry major students on the synthesis of biodiesel (BD) from an Amazon region oil. The project, involving activities in class and in the laboratory, was given during 8 weeks of the spring semester of 2022. The students were asked about their previous contact with the synthesis and…

In this paper, a problem set activity focused on understanding and applying unsupervised and supervised chemometric methods for the analysis of biodiesel-diesel blended fuels is described. This problem set was utilized in two upper-level analytical elective courses aimed for junior and senior level students. The data set consists of peak areas…

A laboratory experiment was designed to provide students with an introduction to byproduct valorization by producing an analogue of biodiesel (fatty acid ethyl esters, FAEE) via lipid extraction and subsequent transesterification from spent coffee grounds (SCG). Valorization is the process of upgrading underutilized or discarded wastes or…

In this work, we introduce high school students to renewable energy through the exploration of the pyrolysis process, focusing on the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into bio-oil. Students undertake a sequence of straightforward experiments in four sessions, using a handmade reactor and various types of biomasses. Outcomes such as yield…

Calorimetry is a central concept in the first semester general chemistry curriculum, and constant pressure (coffee-cup) calorimetry is a common experiment in the laboratory. However, constant volume (bomb) calorimetry is traditionally reserved for the physical chemistry laboratory. This article describes the advantages of incorporating bomb…

Ultraviolet (UV)-visible (Vis) spectroscopy is widely used in all modern laboratories as a routine method of analysis. The monitoring of chemical reactions in an aqueous solution involving a gas product is a demanding task but particularly for oscillatory reactions which are obtainable in a narrow concentration range. In this work, the…

In recent years, solar-powered photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production has drawn great attention as a method to supply clean energy and reduce environmental pollution. This approach, driven by solar energy to synthesize hydrogen gas, is completely renewable and can be used to power hydrogen fuel cells to effectively solve the global…

This study presents a low-cost Arduino-based gas chromatography system that is suitable for teaching analytical chemistry in an undergraduate laboratory. The gas chromatography system is built with commonly available materials with a total cost less than $100. A Python code is also provided as a user interface that will record data and display the…

Trace metals when present in crude oil or fuels are of economic significance in refining and to the combustion engines that use them. Herein, we develop a laboratory activity that trains students on how to analyze crude oil samples for ash and trace metal content while giving them the opportunity to acquire skills needed as a quality control…

Organizing undergraduates in chemistry, energy engineering, and chemical engineering specialties to participate in an energy transformation experiment can encourage them to think about the impact of human activities on nature and stimulate them to learn more about the topic. This laboratory experiment demonstrates a general approach to the…

One of the most general aims of universities is to respond to the requirements of society. Health and safety are the most important aspects of professional work and play an important role in universities, as there, future professionals are trained for their future professional life. Scientific and technical degrees require adaptation to this…

Space-related activities remain a fertile environment for classroom applications of chemistry through both traditional lecture styles and through collaborative learning projects. With the resurgence of lunar exploration and the expansion of the commercial space sector, serious scholarship, planning, and resources have been focused on extracting…

This paper presents a case study examining the current controversial issue of palm oil production for manufacturing biodiesel in Indonesia. The study looks at how this issue was used as a context to teach chemistry at the undergraduate level. The lesson unit promotes general educational skills, which students need to develop in order to become…