Students in a typical instrumental analysis course may learn more than 30 analytical techniques. There are more than 150 components associated with the instrumentation that they learn. To help students organize this large amount of information, we classified these components into four categories: sources, samples, discriminators, and detectors. In…

Discusses: (1) the design of the Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectrometer; (2) the computation of the spectrum from the interferogram; and (3) the use of apodization. (Part II will discuss advantages of FT-IR over dispersive techniques and show applications of FT-IR to difficult spectroscopic measurements.) (JN)

The National Science Foundation's College Science Instrumentation Program (CSIP) provides four-year colleges with money to buy modern instruments. Accomplishments of the program during its first year (including 234 awards totaling $5.5 million) and future directions are summed up by Robert F. Watson, head of the CSIP program. (JN)

Describes an empirical method for tuning a piano by matching measured fundamental frequencies to values determined using a pocket calculator. (Author/GA)

Presents two lists: (1) important considerations for any total chemical analysis and (2) a condensed version that can be used by students to evaluate each analytical procedure. Benefits of using the condensed version (such as seeing that instrumentation is only one of several components of an analysis) are noted. (JN)

Describes a birefringence apparatus that can be assembled for less than $100 and can be used to measure both the dimensions and dipole moments of many macromolecules. Details are given of the construction and manipulation of the apparatus. (JN)

Examines trends in methods for deriving chemical information from a variety of systems and environments, focusing on improvements in sensitivity, specificity, speed and simplicity, and in sampling. Indicates that the increasing importance of analytical instrumentation requires reexamination of its coverage in educational curricula. (JN)

Voltammetry is used as a model for teaching chemical instrumentation to chemistry undergraduates at the National University of Singapore. Lists six criteria used to select a successful teaching model and shows how voltammetry satisfies each criterion. (JN)

The basic principles, current techniques, instrumentation, and possible chemical applications of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging are discussed. (JN)

The Nebraska Instrument Sharing Consortium (NISC) is a group of small colleges that have banded together to provide modern instrumentation to their students at an affordable price. Consortium activities are described, including how the instruments are moved between campuses. (JN)

Describes oscillograph-type laboratory recorders and accessory equipment such as paper drives, printing mechanisms, amplifiers, and integrators. (MLH)

Discusses instrumentation and describes such research areas as the albedos of the brighter planets, rotation rates and atmospheres of the larger and brighter satellites, brightness changes of outer planets, asteroid rotation rates, and variable stars. (GS)