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…

This paper is an examination of a teacher professional development program in northeast Louisiana, that provided 30 teachers and their students with the technology, skills, and content knowledge to collect data and explore weather trends. Data were collected from both continuous monitoring weather stations and simple school-based weather stations…

A linearization method of the nonlinear differential equation for conservative nonlinear oscillators is analysed and discussed. This scheme is based on the Chebyshev series expansion of the restoring force which allows us to obtain a frequency-amplitude relation which is valid not only for small but also for large amplitudes and, sometimes, for…

Explores questions, dilemmas, and issues facing individuals who teach and/or development undergraduate curricula in chemical instrumentation. Areas addressed include the instrumental analysis course, the laboratory, the role of electronics, and computer use. (JN)

Describes a learning project in analytical chemistry in which students are required to select instruments from the manufacturers' literature that would be suitable for a given analytical problem. Several examples are given. (SA)

For colleges/universities, rapid instrument development poses a dilemma, since laboratory teaching instruments rapidly become obsolete and money available for replacing them is dwindling. Discusses role of sophisticated computer simulations, nontraditional educational materials, and part-time work-study opportunities as possible solutions to the…

Describes an experiment on a coupled system in which accurate timing is carried out using a Light Activated Switch (LAS) technique. LAS can be used for a wide range of periodic phenomena, provided the amplitude is sufficiently large to interrupt a light beam. (Author/SK)

Describes the trend toward the use of electronic instrumentation to monitor and measure various parameters in chemical reactions. Stresses that a knowledge of the operational relationships involved in such instruments is essential for students beginning in science. Discusses electrostatic charges, semiconductor crystals, electronic conductors,…

Presents the construction aspects of a simple but reliable colorimeter made from locally available components. Notes the absorption range to be 400-750-nm. Lists seven experiments done on the instrument. (MVL)

Instructional videocassettes can provide efficient learning about analytical instrument maintenance and usage for scientists and technicians. Advantages of this approach include low cost to consumers, step-by-step instructions, and quality control of training. The programs currently available from three companies selling gas chromatographs and…

Describes a procedure used to optimize instrument performance as taught in a fourth-year undergraduate instrumental analysis course. Gives rules for fixed and variable size simplex and discusses calculations. Also explains use of computer simulation of instruments as a tool in teaching the simplex technique. (JM)

Discussed are selected application and future trends in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). The greatest application for SFC involves those analytes that are difficult to separate using GC or LC methods. Optimum conditions for SFC are examined. Provided are several example chromatograms. (MVL)

Provides ideas for using the same port connection of personal computers to interface with laboratory instruments. Contains specific instructions on how to build transducers. Includes plans and diagrams for thermistors and light meters as well as computer programs for displaying instrument readings on monitors. (TW)

Discusses the value of electrophoresis in the fields of protein chemistry and biochemistry. Describes how to build an inexpensive electrophoresis setup for use in either research or teaching activities. Details the construction of both the separating device and the power supply. (TW)

Describes the construction of a low-cost (about $70.00) alternative to the commercial fraction collector. Outlines the separate parts of the collector and provides a schematic of electronic circuitry of the instrument. Lists special items required for the development of this project. (TW)