Microscale Chemistry Research Articles

Accessible chemistry: the success of small-scale laboratory kits in South Africa

Abstract Chemical innovations enhance our quality of life by responding to challenges in e.g., energy production, medical care, and material development. Studying and understanding chemistry is essential for future solutions. However, chemistry is not accessible to all learners. In South Africa, the challenge is to make chemistry accessible to all participants, especially in the North West province, in poor schools without easy access to resources and with inadequately trained teachers. One way to make chemistry more accessible is through micro-scale chemistry. With this goal in mind, the MYLAB small-scale chemistry kit was designed. The kit was developed around the 5 ml test tube (our size determinant). We wanted all learners and teachers to have hands-on, minds-on chemistry practical experience. Thus, workshops were organised to (i) train the teachers in the use of the kits and (ii) to allow learners to experience practicals hands-on. This article gives an overview of how the use of the MYLAB small-scale chemistry kit was successful in making chemistry accessible to all.

What is the Image of Microscale Chemistry Research for Chemistry Teaching in 2013-2023?

This research aims to reveal the distribution of microscale chemistry research related to publication output, document sources, microscale chemistry publishing countries; countries of correspondent authors on microscale chemistry; number of annual distribution of publication affiliations of microscale chemistry; distribution of microscale chemistry publication sources; the most relevant author in microscale chemistry publications; visualization of microscale chemistry research topics and trends. The method used is a bibliometric study sourced from the scopus.com database. Data were collected through searching publications with the keyword "microscale and chemistry" in the title, abstract, or keywords determined by the author, limited to the last 10 years (2013-2023), and managed and analyzed using Software R with Biblioshiny. The results show that there is a 10-year limitation, 196 publications were obtained. The top country to publish it is the USA. The country with the most correspondent authors of a single type is the USA. The distribution analysis result shows the research topic produces data on 1000 items with 19 clusters, with the most frequently used keywords being "microscale lab", "chemistry", and "green chemistry". The existence of microscale chemistry can make chemistry practicum activities easier, providing an alternative to chemistry practicum for those who are hampered by laboratory problems.

Chemistry in Retrieved Ryugu Asteroid Samples Revealed by Non-Invasive X-ray Microanalyses: Pink-Beam Fluorescence CT and Tender-Energy Absorption Spectroscopy

The Hayabusa2 space mission recently retrieved 5.4 g of material from asteroid Ryugu, providing the first direct access to pristine material from a carbonaceous asteroid. This study employs a novel combination of non-invasive synchrotron X-ray techniques to examine microscale chemistry (elemental distributions and element-specific chemical speciation and local structure) inside Ryugu grains without physically cutting the samples. Manganese primarily occurs in carbonate: Mn-bearing dolomite with minor earlier ankerite. Iron sulfides present as large single grains and as smaller particles in the finer-grained matrix are both predominantly pyrrhotite. At the 5 μm scale, Fe sulfides do not show the mineralogical heterogeneity seen in many carbonaceous meteorites but exhibit some heterogeneous localized oxidation. Iron is present often as intergrowths of oxide and sulfide, indicating incomplete replacement. Trace selenium substitutes for S in pyrrhotite. Copper is present as Fe-poor Cu sulfide. These results demonstrate multiple episodes of fluid alteration on the parent body, including partial oxidation, and help constrain the sequence or evolution of fluids and processes that resulted in the current grain-scale mineralogical composition of Ryugu materials.

MicroCycle: An Integrated and Automated Platform to Accelerate Drug Discovery.

We herein describe the development and application of a modular technology platform which incorporates recent advances in plate-based microscale chemistry, automated purification, in situ quantification, and robotic liquid handling to enable rapid access to high-quality chemical matter already formatted for assays. In using microscale chemistry and thus consuming minimal chemical matter, the platform is not only efficient but also follows green chemistry principles. By reorienting existing high-throughput assay technology, the platform can generate a full package of relevant data on each set of compounds in every learning cycle. The multiparameter exploration of chemical and property space is hereby driven by active learning models. The enhanced compound optimization process is generating knowledge for drug discovery projects in a time frame never before possible.

Strengthening Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Designing Laboratory Activity Based on Small-Scale Chemistry Practicum Approach

<p style="text-align:justify">The purpose of this research is to strengthen pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in designing laboratory activities based on small-scale chemistry approaches. This research is action research involving 60 trainee teachers with stages that include (a) Reflect; (b) Plan; (c) Act; (d) Observe; (e) Reflect (2nd); (f) Plan (2nd). Qualitative data were collected through (a) Questionnaires reflecting on experiences in practicing chemistry learning and responses to the importance of learning, (b) a Portfolio of chemistry practicum design, (c) documentation of the process of carrying out design, implementation, and practicum evaluation activities, (d) field notes, (e) reflection sheet, and (f) Portfolio of follow-up plans. The data is displayed through the R computation system with data pre-processing stages in the teacher's reflection text which includes basic cleaning, case folding, normalization, stemming, and deleting meaningless words. Display data in the form of word clouds, frequency expression diagrams, and tabulations. Descriptive narratives are used to analyze the documentation obtained in the action process. The teacher group demonstrated performance in implementing small-scale practicum activities. Teachers are increasingly skilled in modifying conventional laboratory equipment, minimizing the amount of chemical use, minimizing waste disposal, and increasing efficiency in the duration of practicum implementation. The follow-up plan for this activity includes quality improvement in aspects of (a) skill in using laboratory equipment, (b) understanding of chemical concepts, (c) equipment availability, materials, and work procedures, and (d) implementation of chemistry practicum.</p>

PELATIHAN PRAKTIKUM KIMIA SKALA KECIL ELEKTROLISIS AIR UNTUK GURU KIMIA DI WAE NAKENG, LEMBOR, NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR

Practicum is an activity that cannot be separated from chemical learning. Chemistry learning can be more meaningful through attractive practicum activities. One obstacle that arises in the implementation of the practicum is the availability of adequate practicum materials and tools. Small-scale chemistry practicum can overcome this obstacle, which is in the form of the use of materials that are environmentally friendly and available in the surrounding environment, as well as simple practicum tools that can be used. One of the small-scale chemistry practicums trained is the water electrolysis practicum. Simple practicum using sodium sulfate and water, able to explain the electrolysis of water well. Through this small-scale chemistry practicum training, teachers are expected to have the skills to carry out simple practicums and develop other practicum topics while still paying attention to the scientific field. Through this small-scale-based chemical practicum training, there is an increase in the mastery of the concept shown by an increase in the average score from 30.67 to 73.33. The teachers give a positive response regarding the implementation of this training activity.

Rapid Elaboration of Fragments into Leads Applied to Bromodomain-3 Extra-Terminal Domain.

The development of low-affinity fragment hits into higher-affinity leads is a major hurdle in fragment-based drug design. Here, we demonstrate the Rapid Elaboration of Fragments into Leads (REFiL) by applying an integrated workflow that provides a systematic approach to generate higher-affinity binders without the need for structural information. The workflow involves the selection of commercial analogues of fragment hits to generate preliminary structure-activity relationships. This is followed by parallel microscale chemistry using chemoinformatically designed reagent libraries to rapidly explore chemical diversity. After a fragment screen against bromodomain-3 extra-terminal (BRD3-ET) domain, we applied the REFiL workflow, which allowed us to develop a series of ligands that bind to BRD3-ET. With REFiL, we were able to rapidly improve binding affinity > 30-fold. REFiL can be applied readily to a broad range of proteins without the need for a structure, allowing the efficient evolution of low-affinity fragments into higher-affinity leads and chemical probes.

Designing Small-scale Chemistry for General Chemistry Practical Work Course

Hands-on chemistry activity or practical work is an important aspect of teaching at the high school and college level as part of the science education curriculum. This study aims to design Small-scale Chemistry (SSC) for general chemistry practical work. The product are laboratory work manual and practical kit. The development model used is ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). At the analysis stage, five experiment will be designed to become SSC. There are five experiments, namely determining the order of the reaction, observation the shift in chemical equilibrium, identification acid-base with indicators, determining the strength of the acid and water electrolysis. The feasibility of the manual and practical kit in content feasibility (0.84), language feasibility (0.90), presentation feasibility (0.84), graphic feasibility (0.90), and kit feasibility (0.94). All are categorized as valid based on the validity criteria of Aiken's V. The results of the implementation show that the SSC design can be implemented and the results can be observed for General Chemistry experiment learning activities. The chemicals used for the experiment are far less than the macro-scale practical work. This is in accordance with the SSC principle.

The value of synchrotron radiation X‐ray techniques to explore microscale chemistry for ecology and evolution research

AbstractSynchrotron radiation (SR) techniques, which use high‐energy photon beams to create high‐resolution images and spectra of a sample, are valuable analytical methods that have long benefited physical, geological, and biochemical research. Recent developments in synchrotron infrastructure have allowed SR techniques to become a more accessible resource for studying ecological and evolutionary phenomena at the micro‐ or nanoscale. Here we provide a synthesis to SR techniques, how they compare with other analytical techniques, how they have been used, and then discuss how this technology has significant potential for future applications within ecology and evolution research. A literature review demonstrates the growing use of SR techniques within environmental and ecological research communities, alongside the variety of organisms and target elements that have been prioritized since 2000. Clear gaps still exist within the imaging of lighter, biologically relevant elements (e.g., C, N, and P) for assessing their cycling within organisms, and also in the study of a wider range of microbial, vertebrate, and invertebrate species. While different organism types and target elements may require different sample preparation strategies, the selection of an appropriate elemental fixation method (chemical or cryogenic), embedding material, sample thickness, and mounting material is particularly important. We demonstrate the opportunities that SR techniques present to those in the fields of environmental biology, ecology, and evolutionary science who may be unfamiliar, while demystifying the caveats and sample preparation considerations that must be addressed to acquire high‐quality data. While these techniques are currently mainly employed within the context of environmental pollution and ecotoxicology studies, we argue that elemental imaging, X‐ray microscopy and spectroscopic analysis have a huge, largely untapped potential within agri‐ecology, paleoclimatology, and comparative and functional morphology studies.

PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN DISCOVERY LEARNING DENGAN MEDIA SMALL-SCALE CHEMISTRY UNTUK MENINGKATKAN AKTIVITAS DAN HASIL BELAJAR SISWA PADA KELAS XI IPA SMAN 1 TALUN

The concept of learning will be successful if students are actively involved in the learning process so that students not only accept ideas from the teacher but also participate in finding concepts. One of the efforts to find these concepts is the Discovery learning method carried out in the laboratory with Small Scale Chemistry media. This study aimed to determine whether the application of learning with the Discovery learning model with Small Scale Chemistry media on acid-base materials could increase the activity and learning outcomes of chemistry class XI science. This research is a classroom action research with two cycles. The subjects of this study were students of class XI IPA-3 even semester with a total of 36 students. This study found an increase in learning activities and student learning outcomes in learning chemistry on acid-base material by applying the Discovery learning model using Small Scale Chemistry media. This is evidenced by the average student learning outcomes completed: the first cycle is 69.4%, and the second cycle is 86%. While the moderate student activity in the first cycle reached 77% and the second cycle was 86.0%. And the average teacher activity in the first cycle is 77.7%, while the second cycle is 88.15%.

Determine the coordination of Al and Si of Fe-rich fly ash: The challenge in NMR and how we probe its heterogeneity using X-ray spectromicroscopy

Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) coupled with ptychographic imaging at Al and Si K-edge is a new probe to the microscale chemistry of heterogenous materials. Here, the combined techniques are applied to study local coordination environment of Fe-rich fly ash (FA). Ptychographic imaging at Al K- and Si K-edge highlights the fine Al- and Si-rich morphological features, respectively, at 6 nm pixel resolution. STXM visualizes the inter- and intra-particle variations in the silicate polymerization degree and two types of Al coordination environment in FA. The Si K-edge of SiO4 connected with four-fold coordinated Al is higher than SiO4 sharing oxygen with six-fold coordinated Al. The result is consistent with bulk nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurement of the Fe-rich sample which, however, is sensitive to paramagnetic Fe and time-consuming. We demonstrate that the combined method has great potential in the studies of chemically heterogenous aluminosilicates.

CO2 capture and conversion: A homemade experimental approach

During the SARS-2-Covid pandemic our institution sought to continue the teaching and learning of experimental laboratories by designing, assembling, and delivering a microscale chemistry kit to the students´ homes. Thanks to this approach students were able to perform ~25 experiments during each one of the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters in an elective Electrochemistry and Corrosion course offered to Chemical Engineering undergraduates. In addition to performing traditional experiments, students were encouraged to design some of their own and have the entire group reproduce them. One of such student-designed experiments involved the capture of CO2 and its reduction with a readily available active metal (i.e., Al foil) in aqueous media to generate potentially useful products. The highly negative standard potential of Al is exploited for the reduction of lab-generated CO2, and the products are chemically tested. Al as a foil has been reported to be electrochemically inactive for carbon dioxide reduction. However, encouraged by an earlier report of the reduction of CO2 to CO, the Al surface is activated in the present experiment by removal of its natural oxide layer with a solution of CuCl2 produced in an electrochemical cell. This procedure enables Al to react with CO2 and yield useful chemistry. This experiment turned to be a discovery trip. The detailed procedure is discussed here, as well as the teaching methodology, grading scheme, and student outcomes.

Measuring Students' Learning and Attitude as Exposed to Microscale Laboratory Experiments in Inorganic Chemistry

Microscale chemistry is an approach to conducting chemistry experiments which can help overcome increased concerns about environmental pollution problems as well as rising laboratory costs. It is accomplished by using miniature labware and significantly reduced amounts of chemicals. The main goal of this study was to explore whether the use of microscale chemistry experiments can increase student’s understanding of chemistry concepts and improve attitude towards chemistry practical work. Quasi-experimental design without control group was used to determine from purposively selected class of 40 freshman students of Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSE). The students worked in groups on eight microscale chemistry experiments in a period of 8 weeks. Pre and post-test were administered before and after the treatment. Results revealed that microscale approach significantly improved student chemistry academic performance. Students’ perception of microscale is positive. Findings showed that the microscale approach can increase understanding of chemistry concepts.
 
 Keywords: learning, students’ attitude, microscale laboratory

“Counting drops and observing color”: Teachers’ and students’ first experiences in small-scale chemistry practicum of acid-base solutions

This research introduced small-scale chemistry practicum techniques on the concept of acid-base identification, determination of pH with indicators, and neutralization reactions with the concept of titration. This research aims to reveal teachers’ and students’ first experiences in small-scale chemistry practicum. This research is action research to introduce a small-scale practicum technique for the solution of minimizing chemical tools and materials, as well as the availability of space for school chemistry practicum. This study involved 26 teacher participants and 36 student participants. The data collected in the form of quantitative data related to teacher responses to small-scale chemistry practicum workshops and student responses to small-scale chemistry practicum in the pilot class. The instrument used is an activity response questionnaire. Qualitative data is collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The practicum involves qualitative observations and quantitative calculations. The qualitative aspect relates to the observation of color changes that occur in the mixture of solutions made from acid and alkaline solutions with a certain composition. Teachers got a lot of inspiration in terms of practicing chemistry with fewer material requirements, as well as modifying the tools used for laboratory activities. The tool and material box package illustrated to them that practicum activities do not have to be carried out in a laboratory room, but can also be practiced in conventional classrooms, even done independently by students at home. Students have a unique experience in the process of counting the number of droplets because it requires concentration and careful observation.

Introducing the Small-Scale Chemistry Approach Through Inquiry-Based Laboratory Activities For Pre-Service Teachers

This study introduces a small-scale chemistry (SSC) approach to inquiry-based practicum activities. SSC was introduced to train PCTs' laboratory skills so that they can be creative when teaching in schools in situations where it is not possible to obtain standard lab facilities. The research method is an action research model that includes four stages in the inquiry training process, namely (1) prescription-based practicum learning; (2) small-scale practical demonstrations; (3) small-scale chemistry practicum mentoring; (4) design and implementation of small-scale practicum designs. This research involved 15 Pre-service Chemistry Teachers (PCTs) who were in the Basic Chemistry practicum course. Data collection used documentation techniques for practical activities with an SSC approach, activity response interviews, and open response questionnaires. Instrument validity used face validity, while reliability was obtained by stability of observations. The results of the documentation and interviews were described as narrative, while the responses to the questionnaire were recapitulated and analyzed to obtain a bar chart. Videos were checked using the adequacy rubric which includes performance and procedures. 15 types of chemistry practicums with the SSC approach have been obtained. PCTs have also been able to choose the types of materials that are not only found specifically in the laboratory, but also materials that are easily found in daily lives to be used in school chemistry practical topics. PCTs also reflected that their understanding of the concept is getting better with practicals that are easy to do and their interest in implementing it further.

THIẾT KẾ HOẠT ĐỘNG DẠY HỌC CÓ SỬ DỤNG THÍ NGHIỆM LƯỢNG NHỎ TRONG MÔN HOÁ HỌC Ở TRƯỜNG PHỔ THÔNG

Using microscale experiments in teaching Chemistry has been interested and studied worldwide. Microscale experiments bring many benefits such as using compact size equipment, flexible movement, saving chemicals, significantly reducing waste of chemicals into the environment, etc. Besides, using microscale chemistry experiments brings many benefits, such as developing students' chemistry competence, integrating green chemistry education, and enhancing students' learning interests while saving costs and time. This paper presents the theoretical and practice basis, fundamental principles, procedure, and ideas to develop competency-based teaching activities using microscale chemistry experiments in the chemistry classroom followed the General Education Program 2018.

Parameterizing the vertical downward dispersion of ship exhaust gas in the near field

Abstract. Estimating the impact of ship emissions on local air quality is a topic of high relevance, especially in large harbor cities. For chemistry-transport modeling studies, the initial plume rise and dispersion play a crucial role for the distribution of pollutants into vertical model layers. This study aims at parameterizing the vertical downward dispersion in the near field of a prototype cruise ship, depending on several meteorological and technical input parameters. By using the microscale chemistry, transport and stream model (MITRAS), a parameterization scheme was developed to calculate the downward dispersion, i.e., the fraction of emissions, which will be dispersed below stack height. This represents the local concentration in the vicinity of the ship. Cases with and without considering the obstacle effect of the ship have been compared. Wind speed and ship size were found to be the strongest factors influencing the downward dispersion, which can reach values up to 55 % at high wind speed and lateral wind. This compares to 31 % in the case where the obstacle effect was not considered and shows the importance of obstacle effects when assessing the ground-level pollution situation in ports.

Droplet Formation and Emulsification using Microfluidic Channels: A Review

For the production of simple to complex emulsions, Microfluidic channels are becoming encouraging devices for the future. Microfluidic provides an investigation platform where the fluid quantity is in micro scale or nano scale. So performing experiments and investigation with the help of miniature devices offers numerous benefits such as very small quantity requirements of reagents, reduced wastage, and high control. There are several significant fluid dynamic applications at the micro-scale level, for instance, drug delivery (pharmaceuticals), flow chemistry, food processing, biotechnology, Industrial and environment sciences, life sciences and microbiology, etc. For the synthesis of emulsions through bulk emulsion procedure, the required accuracy in size and structure of fluid droplets usually get scarified. However, an emulsion can form accurately by fabricating even a single drop at a time with the help of micro fluidic devices. Also, the formation of highly mono disperse emulsion droplets is possible by using various microfluidic channel configurations. Further, the fabrication of higher-order or complex emulsions with the precise control over their structures can also be possible with this technology. The present article is presenting a review on the mechanism of generation of stable emulsion byusing microfluidic channels. The droplet generation mechanism is complex process where interfacial tension, viscous force, inertia effect and other geometrical parameters collectively govern the breakup process. For emulsion generation, various passive methods like Flow focusing, Co-flowing, membrane emulsification and T-shape junctions with their governing mechanism are discussed. Also the effect of physical parameters such as temperature, viscosity and interfacial tension are summarized in this article.

Chemical Safety Concern Led to Small-scale Chemistry and Green Chemistry

My interest in chemical safety has led me to focus on small-scale chemistry and green chemistry, which enables me to introduce the low-cost and practical hands-on chemistry experiments to schools and universities in Thailand and ASEAN countries. These experiments include the organic chemistry using the Small-Lab Kit, the portable organic lab kit invented by me. It has the benefit of saving chemicals and energy, as well as reducing experimental time and waste, but most importantly increasing chemical safety to the students and laboratory staff. In addition, I have voluntarily serviced for several scientific and science-related non-profit organizations which I can contribute more to the scientific community and also learn some new things at the same time

Pre-service Science Teachers’ Impressions on The Implementation of Small-Scale Chemistry Practicum

This study aims to describe the implementation of the small-scale chemistry approach in the practicum, as well as to show various Pre-service Science Teachers’ impressions. This research is action research involving 69 Pre-service Science Teachers (PSTs), 15 males and 54 females. Collecting data using documentation techniques at each stage of practicum activities, as well as reflection sheets. The results of the documentation are presented and analyzed using narrative descriptions, while the results of the reflections from the PSTs are coded and grouped into (1) the most memorable experiment, (2) positive impressions, and (3) negative impressions. The practicum covers five topics, namely (1) separation of the mixture (filtration), (2) reaction rate, (3) oxidation and reduction reactions (electrolysis), (4) heat transfer (calorimeter), and (5) acid-base solution. The practicum that gave the most impressive was the practicum on acid-base solutions (41.2%), while the one that got the least impressive was the practicum on calorimeters (4.4%). Many positive impressions that appear in practicum activities are “low-cost”, “colorful”, “easy to carry”, “hard to break”, “material savings”, and “more understandable”. The most negative impressions that appear in the series of implementation activities are “limited tools”, “too small-scale tools” and “inaccuracy”. The result of the teacher's reflection finally considers the impression of "limited tools", "material limitation", and "too simple" to be a consideration in developing further practicum activities with the SSC approach.