Booths: Chemistry Demonstrations and Experiments
Edible Nanochemistry
WCC
Alginate beads are large moleucules that self-assemble based on interactions each molecule has with each other and with a water solution that it is dissolved in. By creating the proper conditions in the solution, we will be creating nanocapsules filled with juice, which you will be able to eat! This is not unlike technology used by nanoscientists in the lab, who may fill capsules with other material, such as medicine, to carry drugs to the diseased cells of the body without affecting healthy cells.
Polymer Chemistry and its Relation to Green Chemistry
Seton Hill University Chemistry Club
We are still in the developing stages, but our poster is going to be an informational poster on green chemistry in everyday life. We hope to take a demonstration on making silly putty from borax and glue and extending it into green chemistry principles and polymer chemistry. The children will be able to take the silly putty home with them.
Density of Diet Soda compared to Sugared Soda
NETL
Demonstrations on two sealed cans of soda (one diet, the other sweetened with sugar), both in sealed cans and both containing 12 fluid ounces, have different densities. The diet soda will float in water while the soda sweetened with sugar will sink.
Electricity from Unlikely Sources
NETL
Demonstrations on how low voltage DC electricity can be generated from a potato using a nickel and a penny, generation of electricity from a citrus fruit, generation of electricity from wind, and generation of electricity from biological activity
Hot Ice: How to grow a crystal in seconds
MCS Future Leaders of Science (Recognized by Carnegie Mellon’s Chemistry Dept.)
Crystals are all around us in jewelry, radios, and even solar cells. Our demonstration will introduce visitors to the idea of a crystal lattice as well as how and why it forms. We will pour pre-made supersaturated sodium acetate solutions into petri dishes, and then we will add a sodium acetate crystal to begin crystal growth. Visitors will see the liquid turn into a solid before their eyes. They will also feel the heat given off during the crystallization. We will use this to discuss the spontaneity of crystallization as well as the use of the sodium acetate reaction in heat packs.
Molecular Gastronomy: Fruit Caviar
Hiram College
In the culinary realm, spherification refers to the process by which liquid is contained in a thin, round, gel-like casing. These spheres, often termed caviar, immediately release their liquid contents upon eating and offer a unique textural and flavor experience. They are a display of both fascination and curiosity on the serving plate.
Environmental Remediation Demo: Oxidation of Organic Dyes
ACS Pittsburgh Environmental Group
In this experiment, we demonstrate how TAML, the catalyst developed by the Collins group at CMU, can break down different molecules using colorful organic dyes such as Orange II, pinacyanol chloride (violet), and safranin O (red). The different dyes will show how some molecules are harder to break down than others and allow for the introduction of concepts such as catalysis, oxidation, and reaction rates, as well as environmental applications, making this demo customizable for all ages.
"Chemistry Is All Around You!"
DNAZone (Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology outreach program)
a) Edible Emulsions: Making Chocolate Mousse
Different materials or substances have different solubility. Some substances dissolve or mix with water like food color, salt and sugar while some substances do not, like oil and butter. Chocolate is made of cocoa butter and cocoa mass, and sometimes with milk and sugar. In this activity we will try to mix chocolate and water to make chocolate mousse. You will see in other chocolate mousse recipes, you have to add an emulsifier such as eggs. But, if you look closer at the ingredients of chocolate, it already contains lecithin, an emulsifier. An emulsifier is a molecule or substance that contains water-loving and water-hating parts and thus facilitates mixing of substances with different solubility.
b) Studying the components of light using CD/DVD Spectroscope
A spectroscope is a device that separates light into its component colors. The way a spectroscope does this is to make use of something called a diffraction grating, which works similarly to a prism. Light reflects and refracts through this diffraction grating, and the different colors of the spectrum all reflect and refract a little differently. In this experiment, we will use a DVD or CD as diffraction grating to separate the components of light. A DVD or CD contains concentric rings that can act as a diffraction grating if the light hits them just right.
c) Let’s Build Some DNA! The Synthesis of Artificial DNA
This demonstration will bring DNA molecules “alive” for students by substituting static textbook figures for tactile dynamic models that garner a deeper intuition about nucleotide strand behavior. This demonstration will depict various nucleotide secondary structures (stem loops). It helps promote the idea that nucleic acids are dynamic and the physical forms they take do indeed vary.
Polymers
Matyjaszeski Lab, Chemistry Department, CMU
a) Glue Putty
Polymers with different properties can be created by mixing craft glue with borax without or with addition of cornstarch or talcum powder. This polymer putty exhibits viscoelastic behavior — both liquid and solid properties.
b) Result of polymerization catalyzed by copper complexes depends on what kind of light is applied to the reactive mixture. Under red light there will be no polymer, while under violet light there will be a polymer formed.
c) Vitamin C present in orange juice can promote polymerization due to reduction of copper complexes, which induce polymerization process.
d) Nylon rope is formed on the interface of water solution and organic solution of monomers. Nylon can be pulled from the interface of the solutions.
e) Hard porous polyurethane foam is formed in a cup upon mixing two liquid components of a polyurethane foam system.
f) Sodium alginate forms a polymer upon addition of calcium chloride. It can form beads or “worm” like structures.
g) Shrinky Dinks® consist of thin, flexible sheets of polystyrene, a common polymer. Prior to heating, the thin, flexible sheets can be colored and cut into shapes. When heated in the oven, the plastic shrinks to approximately 1/3 of its original size, and becomes 9 times thicker and more rigid, while retaining the colored design.
Make Your Own “Funny Putty”
Society of Women Engineers
Participants will mix 2 parts Elmer’s glue with 1 part liquid starch and some food coloring to make their own ball of “funny putty”. The patented “Silly Putty” is a viscoelastic liquid. It acts primarily as a viscous liquid, though it can have properties of an elastic solid, too. Silly putty bounces like a rubber ball, will break from a sharp blow, can be stretched, and will melt into a puddle after a length of time. If you flatten it and press it over a comic book or some newspaper print, it will copy the image.
Fun with Ferrofluids
Duquesne University ACS
We will be demonstrating how the ferrofluid moves to align with the magnetic field lines as a magnet is brought near to it. We will also discuss the applications of ferrofluids.
Producing Oxygen Gas
Waynesburg University ACS
A reaction of yeast and peroxide produced an oxygen foam that kids can see and feel.
