CURE Examples



Current Search Limits:
Non-major
A few class periods

Results 1 - 3 of 3 matches

Laser spectroscopy of atmospherically relevant molecules and clusters in helium nanodroplets
Paul Raston, James Madison University
Superfluid helium nanodroplets present an ideal medium for the study of chemical dynamics at the molecular level. Their low temperature, enormous heat conductivity, and weakly interacting nature allow for the investigation of various things, such as how molecular rotation is effected by a solvent, and how molecules interact with each other. These two topics will be addressed in the lab by (1) measuring the spectra of unexplored molecules in helium nanodroplets and determining their rotational constants; this data will then be used to test known models describing the interaction between the molecule and helium solvent, and (2) synthesizing and characterizing unexplored molecular clusters in an effort to better understand molecular solvation; students will solvate the "unexplored molecule" with an atmospherically relevant species (O2, N2, H2O), and investigate the resulting clusters with laser Stark spectroscopy.

Discipline: Chemistry:Physical Chemistry
Core Competencies: Using mathematics and computational thinking, Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering), Analyzing and interpreting data, Developing and using models, Planning and carrying out investigations, Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
Nature of Research: Basic Research
State: Virginia
Target Audience: Upper Division, Non-major, Major
CURE Duration: A few class periods, Multiple terms

Polymer/Materials Structure-Property Relationship Investigations for General Chemistry Students
Zuleikha Kurji, Saint Marys College of California

Discipline: Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry
Core Competencies: Analyzing and interpreting data, Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering), Planning and carrying out investigations, Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
Nature of Research: Wet Lab/Bench Research, Applied Research
State: California
Target Audience: Introductory, Non-major, Major
CURE Duration: A few class periods, Half a term

General Chemistry II Water Quality labs at Adams State University
Christina Miller, Adams State University; Christopher Adams, Adams State University; Umesh Bhattarai, Adams State University
Adams State is conducting CURES in many of our lower divisional Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Math courses to increase the number and diversity of students who participate in undergraduate research. In General Chemistry II lab we will be replacing our normal labs concerning titration pH and ion solubility with CURES concerning water quality. These water samples will come from surrounding areas that have either been grazed or ungrazed to find out if there are differences in water quality between them. We will be using ion-specific probes to determine the presence and concentration of specific ions in the water samples. We will be using pH probes and titration to determine the acid concentration in water samples.

Discipline: Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry
Core Competencies: Planning and carrying out investigations, Analyzing and interpreting data
Nature of Research: Wet Lab/Bench Research, Basic Research, Field Research
State: Colorado
Target Audience: Non-major, Introductory, Major
CURE Duration: A few class periods