Unfortunately my partner has fallen sick, so I will be putting my own thoughts here.
Today's laboratory work is very similar to what I have learnt. They make use of the process of osmosis and in this case, it is termed dialysis. More advanced equipment are used to make the process more effient and make it a much quicker process. Careful measures are also taken to ensure the wanted proteins are not contaminated. Once again, this really lets me appreciate how the practices we do at our level are applied at this higher level. Stay tuned, for further information on the completed work!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Day 3 - FTIR (Spectroscopy) and Hydraulic Press
Hydraulic Press (Preparatory Steps)
Step1 : Cleaning all Equipment with Ethanol! So that samples made will not be contaminated.
Step 2: Placing the samples into a manual crusher!
Grinding it... HARD!
Step 4: Placing sample powders and making sure it is level!
Step 5: After encasing it, the equipment holding the sample is screw tightly into place.
Step 6: Making use of the (hidden) hydraulic system, up to 10 tonnes of Pressure is applied!
Removing equipment holding sample....Carefully!
The crushed powder under pressure forms into a clear circular sheet, allowing it to be placed into a FTIR sample holder.
Front view of the Hydraulic Press
The (lowest) peak are recorded and the graph is printed for analysis.
Post 3 - Engineering for thought
Benedict:
All of the experiments today, most were new and unusual to me.
Polymerisation on one hand was something that I have learnt a bit in 'O' level chemistry. This was the first time I am able to appreciate the physical process of polymerisation that I has only read in textbooks on. FIrst, the monomer was collected then extracted, then converted to polymer using chemical processes.
The precipitation was slightly more complex than what I had did in 'A' level experiments.
FTIR and hydraulic press were new processes to me. However I was unable to see the process of FTIR as it happened.
All of the experiments today, most were new and unusual to me.
Polymerisation on one hand was something that I have learnt a bit in 'O' level chemistry. This was the first time I am able to appreciate the physical process of polymerisation that I has only read in textbooks on. FIrst, the monomer was collected then extracted, then converted to polymer using chemical processes.
The precipitation was slightly more complex than what I had did in 'A' level experiments.
FTIR and hydraulic press were new processes to me. However I was unable to see the process of FTIR as it happened.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Day 3 - Precipitation and Polymerisation
In the afternoon, we went to meet LiHong in the Biomaterial Lab located at the basement of MSE building. She is working on a project to use amino acids to synthesis materials. Her work is on the polymerisation of Serine and Tyrorine with varying composition.
The process of polymerisation of proteins is similar to our A level syllabus where we learnt how amino acids chain up together using a peptide bond between the C terminal and the N terminal.
Firstly, a solution was placed within the Rotary Evaporator. Pressure was decreased so that water can be boiled off and removed at roughly 50 degrees Celsius. The solvent (in this case, water) is being removed so that residue can be obtained. The end product of this procedure is a concentrated glue like substance.
Rotary Evaporator
Next, she continued to precipitate out the amino acids from the solution using Hexine. In the picture below, Hexene is placed in a glass bottle with the drying agent.
Hexene with Drying Agent to Remove Water
However, the yield of precipitate using Hexine to precipitate out the amino acid is very low. She then tried using deionised water. Fortunately a clear precipitate was obtained using deionised water. She proceeded to use the whole beaker of the concentrated solution and placed it in a freezer at 4 degrees Celsius.
Precipitation in Progress
After the amino acids were precipitated, LiHong removed the excess water in the beaker. She placed the beaker containing the viscous amino acid into a vacuum oven to obtain the final reactant for polymerisation,
Her previous work in progress:
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Day 2 - Photos!
1000hrs
Reporting in to the E-learning Studio @MSE!
At the E-learning Studio and E-space@MSE, there are cosy studying places furnished with comfy chairs, tables and computers for use!
Outside, it offers the view of the lecture theatre just across!
The personal workspace of our mentors!
They share it among a few other students, completely filled with their notes and materials they use for their research.
Reporting in to the E-learning Studio @MSE!
Outside, it offers the view of the lecture theatre just across!
The personal workspace of our mentors!
Day 2 - Time to Xplore
Day 2
We arrived at the MSE faculty building to meet Dawei in the morning. He proceeded to take us to the conference room to witness the presentation of PhD confirmation. One student from his group was presenting his project with two examiners and the chairman of the committee.
This student's research is similar to Dawei's which is trying to replicate nature's creation into new applicable materials. Many procedures that were new to us to investigate and synthesize proteins were introduced. Steps like extracting, purifying and characterisation of protein all seemed foreign. Also, some techniques used like the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-ray Spectroscopy were presented.
His presentation was crystal clear and the general concepts are easy to understand. After that came the hard part, Q&A. The examiners were thorough in their questioning. Often, they queried him on his methods and results, questioning the credibility of his data obtained. This made him ponder over his procedures, interpretation of the statistics and observation from the sample protein.
Nearing the end of his presentation, he discussed the future works of his project.
Overall, it is a privilege to witness such an event. We have learnt that at this higher level of education, not only does one need to completely comprehend the subject, one must be able to apply and relate it to different areas of research.
We arrived at the MSE faculty building to meet Dawei in the morning. He proceeded to take us to the conference room to witness the presentation of PhD confirmation. One student from his group was presenting his project with two examiners and the chairman of the committee.
This student's research is similar to Dawei's which is trying to replicate nature's creation into new applicable materials. Many procedures that were new to us to investigate and synthesize proteins were introduced. Steps like extracting, purifying and characterisation of protein all seemed foreign. Also, some techniques used like the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-ray Spectroscopy were presented.
His presentation was crystal clear and the general concepts are easy to understand. After that came the hard part, Q&A. The examiners were thorough in their questioning. Often, they queried him on his methods and results, questioning the credibility of his data obtained. This made him ponder over his procedures, interpretation of the statistics and observation from the sample protein.
Nearing the end of his presentation, he discussed the future works of his project.
Overall, it is a privilege to witness such an event. We have learnt that at this higher level of education, not only does one need to completely comprehend the subject, one must be able to apply and relate it to different areas of research.
Monday, December 3, 2012
DSC procedure
Similar to the weighing procedure carried out in your school laboratory, place the pan and 'zero' or tare the electronic weight balance. This equipment is ultra sensitive and uses a pan of 3mm in diameter.
Step 2:
Measure and weigh the sample mass
Measure and weigh the sample mass
Step 3:
We proceed to investigate on the physical property.
Encase the sample powder in the Aluminium dish to form a pellet. Press HARD!
We proceed to investigate on the physical property.
Encase the sample powder in the Aluminium dish to form a pellet. Press HARD!
Removing.....
Step 4:
After turning on the nitrogen tank and calibrating the DSC, carefully remove the 3 different lids of the DSC machine!
After turning on the nitrogen tank and calibrating the DSC, carefully remove the 3 different lids of the DSC machine!
Step 5:
After placing the sample, put back the lids!!!
After placing the sample, put back the lids!!!
Step 6: Data is recorded and some characteristics are observed.
Extras: Using charts from TA instruments to observe characteristics and thermal behaviours.
Find out more on the machine:
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