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Chemical Applications of a Programmable Image Acquisition System

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Paul J. Ogren , Ian Henry , Steven E. S. Fletcher and Ian Kelly

Department of Chemistry, Earlham College, Richmond, IN 47374

J. Chem. Educ., 2003, 80 (6), p 699

DOI: 10.1021/ed080p699

Publication Date (Web): June 1, 2003

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Image analysis is widely used in chemistry, both for rapid qualitative evaluations using techniques such as thin layer chromatography (TLC) and for quantitative purposes such as well-plate measurements of analyte concentrations or fragment-size determinations in gel electrophoresis. This paper describes a programmable system for image acquisition and processing that is currently used in the laboratories of our organic and physical chemistry courses. It has also been used in student research projects in analytical chemistry and biochemistry. The potential range of applications is illustrated by brief presentations of four examples: (1) using well-plate optical transmission data to construct a standard concentration–absorbance curve; (2) the quantitative analysis of acetaminophen in Tylenol and acetylsalicylic acid in aspirin using TLC with fluorescence detection; (3) the analysis of electrophoresis gels to determine DNA fragment sizes and amounts; and, (4) using color change to follow reaction kinetics. The supplemental material in JCE Online contains information on two additional examples: deconvolution of overlapping bands in protein gel electrophoresis, and the recovery of data from published images or graphs. The JCE Online material also presents additional information on each example, on the system hardware and software, and on the data analysis methodology.

Keywords (Audience):

Second-Year Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Analytical Chemistry

Keywords (Feature):

Computer Bulletin Board

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Computer-Based Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Instrumental Methods

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

Developing Investigation Skills in an Introductory Multistep Synthesis Using Fluorene Oxidation and Reduction
Mark G. Stocksdale , Steven E. S. Fletcher , Ian Henry and Paul J. Ogren , Michael A. G. Berg , Roy D. Pointer and Barrett W. Benson
Journal of Chemical Education2004 81 (3), 388
- Developing Investigation Skills in an Introductory Multistep Synthesis Using Fluorene Oxidation and Reduction
  Mark G. Stocksdale , Steven E. S. Fletcher , Ian Henry and Paul J. Ogren , Michael A. G. Berg , Roy D. Pointer and Barrett W. Benson
  Journal of Chemical Education2004 81 (3), 388
  A two-step reaction sequence in the beginning organic laboratory provides a useful introduction to the importance of multistep synthesis. In addition to introducing several common synthetic methods and techniques, a two-step preparation can quickly ...
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