MRI: Acquisition of Calorimeters for Chemistry Research

University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Oshkosh WI

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh will acquire an isothermal titration microcalorimeter for the study of solution-phase reactions, and a differential thermal analyzer for the thermal characterization of solids. The isothermal titration microcalorimeter will be used to enhance studies of the binding properties of heavy metal ions to polysaccharides such as capsules that are produced by certain cyanobacteria. The differential thermal analyzer will be used primarily for thermal characterization of nanoscale materials. Students at this primarily undergraduate campus will be heavily involved in these research projects. Calorimetry is an extremely useful tool in modern analytical chemistry. Calorimetric analysis is used to measure the thermal energy (heat) exchange that occurs during molecular interactions and reactions. The isothermal titration microcalorimetry studies have practial implications regarding the fate of heavy metal ions and possible bioremediation strategies on the Lake Winnebago/Fox River ecosystem.