Uranium has been used as a colorant in the creation of glassware from the 1800s until as recently as the mid-1900s. Most glassware containing uranium exhibits fluorescence under ultraviolet light because the photons have enough energy to excite uranium’s electrons to an unstable, excited state; the electrons then return to their original, ground state, giving off excess energy in the glow we see. Our project will further explain this reaction and its use in the authentication of glassware pieces, as well as the history of uranium salts as colorants and the dangers which led to the depopularization of uranium glassware.
The Maillard reactions generally occur when amino acids and reducing sugars are heated, and are responsible for many of the colors, flavors, textures, and aromas associated with good tasting food. In pretzel baking, the kinetics of the Maillard reactions are manipulated by raising the pH of the pretzel’s surface. This accelerates the Maillard browning reaction and results in a brown pretzel. We will explore the kinetics of this relationship and show why this is the case, as well as how the Maillard reactions and their kinetics are utilized in cooking.
Onions are one of the most widespread ingredients across global human cuisine, ingrained for thousands of years world-wide. They are well loved for their flavor, renowned for their versatility, and feared for their ability to make one cry. This presentation will tell the exact lachrymatory method by which sulfur compounds interact with and irritate the eyes, and discuss myths and methods as to how to prevent this effect, such as freezing the onions prior to slicing.
Acid rain is a serious phenomenon in which water with a pH less than or equal to 4.5 gets deposited into various ecosystems through precipitation. Sulfur dioxide emissions have the ability to react with atmospheric oxygen and water creating sulfuric acid that ends up in topsoil, resulting in the acidification of soil. This disturbance of soil composition disrupts the growth and decay cycle of ecosystems. While the properties of the soil can help reduce the excess pH, the soil and surrounding organisms still suffer from this effect and ecosystems will continue to decay unless human pollution is lessened significantly.
Agent Orange was a herbicide used during the Vietnam War, working not only as a defoliating agent but also as a chemical weapon that devastated millions of people for generations. This project shows how the chemical impurities in Agent Orange affected millions of people in the Vietnam War, specifically focusing on the effects of the impurity TCDD, a byproduct of the manufacturing process. Furthermore, this project is aimed at relating the chemistry of Agent Orange to the chemistry in the classroom through the exploration of topics such as polarity and collision theory.
The elaborate chemistry behind fireworks allows us to create striking outdoor displays that signify celebration in popular American culture. This project will explain the scientific phenomena responsible for these colorful explosives and the metals used to create them. The combustion reactions of fireworks can create a beautiful range of colors, exploiting the emission spectra of different metal salts. The thrilling process of an atom and its changing electron configuration emits a photon that appeals to the eye with a colorful display.
Intoxicated drivers account for 30% of car crash fatalities. Breathalyzers have been proven to decrease the percentage by determining a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC), and therefore their ability to drive. A breathalyzer device operates through a redox reaction with two capsules, both containing potassium sulfate, acetic acid, and water. Ethanol is bubbled through the first capsule, reacting with the contents. This causes a color change as chromium (III) sulfate forms as the product. The concentration is analyzed and compared to the second capsule via a photocell and spectrum using Beers law, which produces the number known as BAC.
Silver halide film revolutionized photography by producing clear, artistic photos that people prefer over digital photography for the film’s precise coloring, sharpness, and durability. This project aims to educate peers on the chemistry behind the developer stage of silver halide film to better understand the impact this form of photography has on society. The light exposure that transports photos onto paper allows the hydroquinone developer, a solution of water and carbonates, to reduce silver halide crystals configured into metallic silver atoms that create latent images. This process creates photographs that achieve the life-capturing picture that many people prefer.
Insecticides are heavily used in modern agricultural practice, but current research has shown that the most common type of insecticide, neonicotinoids, are harmful to bee populations. This project will explain the composition and function of neonicotinoids against neurotransmitter receptors as well as their toxic effect on these key pollinators. One major concern is that these insecticides may be responsible for the phenomenon of Colony Collapse Disorder, in which large amounts of bees abandon their colonies leaving behind an otherwise healthy hive. Finally, the project will suggest ways to reduce the use of neonicotinoids and alternatives for the agricultural industry.
The incomplete combustion of carbon compounds creates carbon monoxide. Exposure to carbon monoxide in high concentrations results in loss of oxygen to tissue, causing brain damage through asphyxiation, and death. Carbon monoxide acts as a competitive binding agent that inhibits the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin The purpose of this project is to teach people about the chemistry behind carbon monoxide poisoning, so that they can be aware of the effects and why CO poisoning is important to be informed about.
This project investigates the history, current use, and chemical reactions associated with sulfonamide drugs as used in medical treatments. Sulfonamides, known as sulfa drugs, are a class of drugs commonly used to treat infectious diseases caused by bacteria. Sulfa drugs were first synthesized during the 1930s and used during World War II to prevent infection in injured patients. Sulfonamides function by inhibiting the production of folate, which is necessary for bacterial replication. Sulfonamides have greatly advanced the treatment of infections, and research suggests sulfonamides may be used to treat non-infectious diseases as well.
This project outlines the chemical processes involved in eutrophication and its impacts, distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic eutrophication. Anthropogenic eutrophication is result of human activities increasing concentrations of limiting growth factors in bodies of water. Agricultural activities have been linked to and increase the rate of eutrophication from a centuries-long process to decades. Increasing rates and severity of eutrophication are decreasing water quality, creating hypoxic dead zones, promoting harmful algal blooms, and disrupting natural ecosystems. Understanding human activities that contribute to eutrophication allows for management and mitigation of our environmental impacts in order to avoid potential detrimental effects of eutrophication.
This project discusses the chemistry, use, and side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Over 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and SSRIs are the most common treatment. SSRIs work by bonding to the 5-HT receptor stopping it from sending out the reabsorption signal to serotonin molecules. However, little research has been done comparing the efficacy of different SSRIs and their side effects. Much about brain synapses is unknown, and pharmaceutical companies producing these SSRIs have a vested interest in promoting their product and don’t want to reveal flaws within their SSRIs by further research.
Our purpose is to examine the chemistry of trinitrotoluene (TNT), its explosive properties, and explain why TNT is one of the safer explosives to work with. TNT is so explosive because there are formal charges on the nitrogen and oxygen atoms surrounding the toluene structure. Formal charges make molecules unstable, and TNT is particularly unstable because it contains oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon, elements high in electronegativity. Our project will look at both the positive uses like hydraulic fracturing and the negative effects like pollution and use these findings to explain why TNT is one of the safer explosives.
Depletion of the ozone layer occurs when compounds react with ozone (O₃) in the stratosphere. This project focuses on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which decompose when exposed to UV light (230-380 nm) in the stratosphere. The CFC fragments released catalyze reactions between chlorine and oxygen, which breaks down ozone in the stratosphere. The ozone layer shields Earth’s surface from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation; the destruction of this layer leads to increased amounts of UV radiation penetrating the atmosphere, causing an increase in global temperatures. Climate change resulting from higher temperatures leads to environmental disasters such as droughts, floods, storms, and ocean acidification.
Creatine monohydrate is a current subject of debate, as it has been proven to enhance muscle rehabilitation, muscle mass gain, and increases in strength. It is not a steroid, rather a naturally produced amino acid that is located in muscles in the body. The negative side effects of increasing creatine monohydrate levels are extreme levels of cramping due to dehydration, as well as kidney and liver complications if not enough water is consumed. There have been no studies done on the long term effects of creatine, as it is suggested to be taken in cycles.
ATP synthase is an essential enzyme that facilitates ATP production and is affected by pH. Metabolic acidosis is the lowering of pH below the body’s homeostatic range due to the increase of hydrogen ions. Positively charged hydrogen ions affect the charges of the amino acids that make up the enzymes, disrupting bonds resulting in a loss of shape. Changes in shape alter its function by changing the location of binding sites or becoming inactive. Inhibited ATP synthase leads to insufficient ATP production for cell function and greater decreases in pH resulting in serious health risks.
Within the last ten years, opioid overdoses have risen three hundred percent. Preventable deaths in America are decorating obituaries every day, and the numbers only rise. The situation is not hopeless, however. Narcan can deliver the public from the jaws of drug related death. The most devastating part of opioid death is how preventable it is. Narcan works, it's saved countless lives, and incredibly easy to use. The only reason why Narcan hasn't been able to prevent more deaths is because its distribution has been limited. With 80,000 plus deaths, that are all preventable, it is an unforgivable oversight to not continue the widespread distribution of Narcan.
The effects of lead poisoning are life-long and life threatening because the brain is heavily affected. The children in Flint, Michigan were exposed to water so contaminated, elevated blood lead levels had tripled. The structure of lead is very similar to calcium’s, which is used in control of synaptic and memory formation. Lead is not able to perform the same functions as calcium, so these skills are permanently affected. Lack of knowledge surrounding lead poisoning and the effects that it has on communities is what lead to this tragedy; something we aim to prevent by educating others.
First detection of emerald ash borer west of Colorado has been confirmed (2022) in Oregon. We hypothesize that N.A. mortality of ash, up to 99% of infected trees, may be exacerbated by fungal pathogens introduced by EAB infection. Pathogen vectoring may be indirectly initiated by opportunistic entry via boreholes, or directly through existing gut microflora in the adult and larval EAB in wood tissue.
Note: Attending OSU 3+2 Forestry MS program, invited by David Craig
Faculty Sponsor: Jim Kiser (advisor at OSU) Discipline: Chemistry
The stressful nature of the work of volunteer firefighters can result in mental health consequences (Tamrakar, et al. 2020). Previous research suggests firefighters with longer terms of service reported lower levels of social support (Carey, et al., 2011). Frequent exposure to critical incidents (CI) can impact mental wellness (Doley, et al, 2016). The present study examined relationships between recency and frequency of CI, and their impact on mental health. We assessed the impact of years of service on feelings of support and overall measure score. We didn’t find a relationship between years of service and mental health.
Faculty Sponsor: Jeremy Miller Discipline: Chemistry
Dog whistle language (DW) is a political tool used to speak in racially coded terms, typically targeting a White conservative audience, and which may, consequently, go undetected by a non-targeted audience (Bhat & Klein, 2020). Current research on DW has not examined the potential impacts on juror judgment and reasoning in legal contexts. In a study consisting of politically diverse, jury-eligible Americans, we examined how the inclusion of DW absent of political context impacted jurors’ judgements of guilt and written descriptions of a defendant and deceased and tested to see if political affiliations acted as a moderator for verdict scores.
Faculty Sponsor: Jeremy Miller Lab instructor: Meredy Goldberg-Edelson Discipline: Chemistry
The stressful nature of the work of volunteer firefighters can result in mental health consequences (Tamrakar, et al. 2020). Previous research suggests firefighters with longer terms of service reported lower levels of social support (Carey, et al., 2011). Frequent exposure to critical incidents (CI) can impact mental wellness (Doley, et al, 2016). The present study examined relationships between recency and frequency of CI, and their impact on mental health. We assessed the impact of years of service on feelings of support and overall measure score. We didn’t find a relationship between years of service and mental health.
Faculty Sponsor: Jeremy Miller Discipline: Chemistry
