Tag Archives: instrumental analysis

Instrumental Analysis with 3D Printers

Gravitational potential well

For the last 3 years, Professor Deanna Donohoue has included 3D printers with her instrumental analysis chemistry course. In addition to 3D printers, students use other innovative tools such as Arduinos. For the 3D printing portion, students receive training and access to the space and are instructed to print a chemistry-related object from the Journal of Chemical Educationthe NIH 3D print exchange, or a general 3D object repository like Thingiverse.

After completing a print, students answer the following questions:

  • How can we use 3D printers with other instruments or instrument development?
  • Draw a black box model of the 3D printer. Include the computer and steps involved on the computer.
  • Find an application of 3D printing that you think is interesting.
  • Find a scientific publication which uses an instrument made with a 3D printer, or has parts from a 3D printer.

The students are encouraged to think of the printers as they would any other laboratory tool or equipment. This approach as a scientific instrument gives the students beneficial insight and understanding when it comes to troubleshooting. Professor Donohoue described these printers as exciting tools to allow for citizen science as well as creating inexpensive custom tools that allow for previously cost-prohibitive field work.

Carbon nanotube

Cuvette stand

3D Printing in Classes Winter Term

The makerspace has been getting a lot of use with coursework this term. In addition to the classes below, a handful of students have been working on really interesting independent studies (more details to come). Below are some photos from some of the classes that have used the makerspace equipment this term.

Students in Professor Hall’s Biochemistry class learn about proteins with 3D printed models and the app, PyMol. Photo by Liz Boutelle.

Professor Deanna Donohoue’s Instrumental Analysis class looks at the 3D printed SpecPhone. Photo by Liz Boutelle.

Professor John Shimon’s Photography class made exhibit letters with the electronic cutter. Photo from the LUMakerspace Twitter.

Professor John Shimon’s New Media in Art class learns about the 3D scanner and 3D printer. Photo by Liz Boutelle.