Understanding the physicochemical properties of organic compounds with potential biological uses is central in current research topics. Thus, students must pursue the integration of different fields of chemistry to obtain and understand the physicochemical parameters that characterize the mechanism of action of key organics compounds. This…

Proteins are "magical" workers inside our body, as they accomplish most of the cellular functions. Here we report on a novel approach to teach protein folding and unfolding, using magnets and flexible 3D-printed protein structures. To illustrate this physical process, we used colored circular magnets designed for whiteboards, connected…

Herein, two simulated electrochemistry experiments, namely, the (i) electrochemical series, using an electronic half-cell module, and (ii) citrus fruit battery series are demonstrated for undergraduate chemistry students. The demonstration can be performed for in-person and remote students by connecting the electronic half-cell module to a…

Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a powerful technique capable of characterizing large protein complexes that are otherwise impossible to characterize using traditional crystallography methods. Cryo-EM has played a pivotal role in our understanding of the structure--function relationship of the spike proteins on the COVID-19 viral…

We present a modernization of the undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory experiment for determining the speed of sound in various gases from resonant frequencies in a spherical resonator. The resonator (schematic IR = 7.5 cm) is constructed by 3D printing with eco-friendly poly(lactic acid), a commercially viable alternative to traditional…

Computational chemistry instructional activities are often based around students running chemical simulations via a graphical user interface (GUI). GUI-based activities offer many advantages, as they enable students to run chemical simulations with a few mouse clicks. Although these activities are excellent for introducing students to the…

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) allow students to apply the scientific method to novel questions, which can serve as a gateway for mentored research. Here, we present a model for using cross-disciplinary CUREs to vertically integrate courses from different disciplines. This approach creates opportunities for students to (1)…

A laboratory experiment characterized by a whole-class data-pooling approach to generate a data set that can be used to test a model of the influence of ionic strength on electrolyte solubility is described and discussed. The design of the experiment makes efficient use of the laboratory period and releases time for instructional and dialogic…

This technology report outlines the design and construction of a simple Arduino-based pH sensor using universal pH paper; it can be assembled for less than $40 and is ideal for use in laboratory classrooms teaching students with visual disabilities. The device is simple to construct and suitable for adoption in school chemistry laboratories…

Computer vision (CV) is a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI) that trains computers to understand our visual world based on digital images. There are many successful applications of CV including face and hand gesture detection, weather recording, smart farming, and self-driving cars. Recent advances in computer vision with machine learning…

An introduction to the Quantum Chemistry Package (QCP), implemented in the computer algebra system Maple, is presented. The QCP combines sophisticated electronic structure methods and Maple's easy-to-use graphical interface to enable computation and visualization of the electronic energies and properties of molecules. Here we describe how the QCP…

One of the unique advantages of electrochemistry is that the relationship between thermodynamics and kinetics is quantitative, which is the basis of voltammetry. Mathematical models of electrochemical systems take advantage of this relationship to predict the effect of changing a system property (e.g., concentration, scan rate, or rate constant)…

This paper describes a responsive, digital periodic table that has been specifically designed as a visual aid for high school or college chemistry classrooms and lecture halls. The periodic table runs in a web browser and can therefore be used in any classroom that has a digital projector and screen. It features click-to-highlight table cells that…

We demonstrate that the simplicity of preparing functional microfluidic devices using 3D printing is well suited for undergraduate laboratories. Educational experiments utilizing non-paper-based microfluidic devices are often relegated to well-equipped, resource rich universities because traditional fabrication techniques require specialized and…

Across the United Kingdom Higher Education system, the percentage of white students attaining a first or upper second-class degree exceeds the that of Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) students. This is known as the BAME degree awarding gap. Awarding gaps are also seen at the module level. The BAME module awarding gap is defined as the difference…