There are five laboratory experiments scheduled for Chemistry 801. Two of them--the gold nanoparticle synthesis and the ferrofluid synthesis--will be for both Chemistry 801 and Physics 801. The labs will meet in room 2365 Chemistry at various dates during the semester (see Chemistry 801 syllabus) at a time to be determined. When a lab does meet, they will stand in place of the lecture. These will be synthetic chemistry labs, and will provide some hands-on experience with nanostructured materials.
Because some of the labs will be carried out by students in both courses, and because of the unusual time constraints, the experiments will be designed in such a way as to not require a great deal of training in laboratory techniques. Most experiments can be carried out on the benchtop. However, safety is as important as in any other chemical laboratory. Please begin by reading the chemistry department safety guide. Other considerations of particular concern to this course follow:
Goggles must always be worn. Some people always wear gloves in the laboratory, but everybody should wear them when handling strong acids or bases. Do not wear Latex examination gloves when handling organic solvents. They are not designed for such use. Also, do not touch doorknobs, faucet handles, etc. with gloves on, or wear them in the storeroom. As a general rule, treat everything as if it were toxic, and know any other particular hazards associated with the chemicals you are using. Wear long pants in the laboratory. Do not wear sandals or contact lenses.
If something you're working with catches fire, don't panic. If it is a beaker or other flask and the fire is contained within that flask, stand back and notify somebody. Do not try to put it out with a fire extinguisher; the flask may tip over and the fire will spread. The safest place for a fire is in the fume hood.
Metal powders are flammable! Take care when handling them. A metal fire is a class D fire and requires a specialized extinguisher.
Know the locations of eye washes, safety showers, and fire extinguishers. Other specialized things, such as sand and sodium bicarbonate, may be provided; know what these are used for. The fume hood is used for procedures that involve hazardous or smelly gases and vapors. Make sure the hood is working, and get in the habit of keep the sash at the recommended level (generally 18 inches).
Some substances will react with air; we may use these during the semester. When the occasion arises, we will explain how to handle these, and what will happen if they are exposed to air (usually a color change and the experiment not working).