Computer Vision in Chemistry: Automatic Titration

Abstract

A novel technology that employs computer vision (CV) to carry out an automatic titration experiment is presented. The experiment is designed to facilitate understanding of the basics of the CV technology and its application in chemistry among undergraduate students. The standard chemical procedure of titration has been chosen, since it is well-known to students who completed general chemistry or similar foundation chemistry courses. A significant advantage of CV-based automation is the use of open-source software and readily available electronic devices, as no expensive specialized equipment or proprietary software is required. The experiment can be performed remotely, either live online or with prerecorded videos. The reported technology is accessible to virtually any educational institution as well as to individuals. The proposed technology provides affordable and safe means for remote execution of titration experiments for students with disabilities. Therefore, the proposed experiment is suitable for traditional laboratory instruction as well as remote synchronous or asynchronous course delivery which gained practical importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the proposed CV-based automation opens a new realm of opportunities for rethinking traditional chemistry procedures where computer vision is used to improve performance of standard laboratory instruments and techniques.