Discusses direct chemical information that can be obtained from modern nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods, concentrating on the types of problems that can be solved. Shows how selected methods provide information about polymers, bipolymers, biochemistry, small organic molecules, inorganic compounds, and compounds oriented in a magnetic…

Discusses danger of explosions with molten salts baths, commonly used as heat-transfer media. One such explosion involved use of a bath containing 3-lb sodium nitrite and 1-lb potassium thiocyanate. Although most commercially available mixtures for heat transfer contain oxidizers, a reducer (thiocyanate) was included which possibly triggered the…

Describes a microscale laboratory course in which students perform many classic organic reactions using only one-hundredth to one-thousandth the amount of starting material usual in student experiments. Reduction of toxic chemicals concentration in laboratory air and savings in chemical costs and experimental time are benefits of the novel course.…

CHEMPAC, a computer-based chemistry course developed for high school students, bridges the gap between textbook and laboratory to provide greater quantitative accuracy to laboratory experiments. This course and experiments (involving pH) illustrating the CHEMPAC approach are provided. (JN)

Announces the incorporation of a laboratory information management system (LIMS) into the academic environment. Describes the applications of a computer-automated laboratory system at one university. Stresses the benefits to students of the use of such a system in terms of entry into the industrial environment and to professors in grading. (CW)

Describes the "Project 1-2-3" levitation kit used to demonstrate superconductivity. Summarizes the materials included in the kit. Discusses the effect demonstrated and gives details on how to obtain kits. Gives an overview of the documentation that is included. (CW)