Archive for the 'Chemistry' Category

Update

Another week, another update.

Over the last two weeks I had several interesting conversations. They all made me release one thing: I have to get better with Photoshop and Flash. To do this I`ve ordered 2 books; one for Photoshop and one for Fireworks. (Huh not Flash? Nope).

This week I`ve completed one project and I started with another one. I won`t tell you much yet but it has to do with porting a Joomla 1.0 site to WordPress without a change in the theme or functions of the site. I will be doing this project together with my brother.
The website is expected to be finished within 2 weeks.

About my minor project. I`m running onto several “”strange” issues with the MS detector which created several new problems which I have to solve before showing off some results. I have a proper separation by GC, I`ve discovered pollution in the solvent but I`ve been struggling with the detection limit and linear range. Hopefully I`ve solved this major problem and continue with the rest of the project as soon as possible.

This week there weren’t changes on the site except some plugin updates. The planning is to update several pages this week and also clean-up the old posts.

Minor

Last monday I started to begin with my minor.

My main question is:
How is it possible to analyse Benzene and MTBE in gasoline using a GC-MS and SPME?

I will split this question up into two seperate parts:

  • Analysing the chemicals (benzene and MTBE) in gasoline by using GC-MS
  • Analysing the chemicals in water and maybe oil with SPME

I will be blogging bits and pieces of results in the next couple of 15 weeks.

Flubber

Lab gear

Having proper tools and safety items are a must for working on a laboratory.

Here`s my recommendation list:

  • Uvex safety glasses for eye protection
    21mtosOXItL. SL160  Lab gear
  • Lab coat, essential
    41ZUoyvNoTL. SL160  Lab gear
  • Ansell Edmond Sol-Vex gloves; essential if you work with organic solvents
    31TV21LsdSL. SL160  Lab gear
  • Ansell Edmont disposabole nitrile gloves; essential if you know your going to get dirty
    41LmDJvnGeL. SL160  Lab gear
  • Qualitative filter paper, by Whatman
    The more different grades you have available, the better.
    21Trqd1BnXL. SL160  Lab gear
  • I normally carry a pocket full of these disposable transer pippettes
    01ctynSfaVL. SL160  Lab gear
  • pH paper; Whatman PH Ind 1-14 Paper Reel Traditional Test Paper
    31V3VGhka1L. SL500 AA280  Lab gear

Polymer chemistry

Tomorrow I`m expected to be on a 4 day training at an international chemical company.

The 4 days are split into 2 jobs;
The first job is to produce an acrylic resin.
The second job is testing the produced resin.

I won`t be able to tell you much more, because I don`t know more and I`m not going to tell you everything to keep the company`s identity secret.