Chemistry Commons^™

Investigation Of Unexpected Purple Substance Extracted From Newsprint Paper [Poster], Raquel Wilhelm, Shoshanna Coon, Kirk Manfredi

Research in the Capitol

In an attempt to extract a green dye from newsprint advertisements, it was serendipitously discovered that a purple substance can be extracted from newsprint paper using methanol or acetic acid. Further investigations involving blank newsprint paper showed that the purple substance was a part of the paper itself rather than a component of the ink in the advertisements. Soxhlet extraction was used on the blank newspaper print to obtain the compound. Using different analytical instruments, characteristics of the compound can be determined such as the elemental composition, molar mass, and structure. The ultimate goal is to determine the compound and …

Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy Analysis Of Native American Pottery For Maple Syrup Residue [Poster], Alexis Wirtz, Joshua Sebree Ph.D., Donald Gaff Ph.D.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

The research conducted regards whether or not Native Americans understood how to create maple syrup before the influence of Europeans. Through the usage of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS), the identity of different maple syrup organic residues within pottery can be determined.¹ These organic residues tell us more about Native American history and culture. An analysis of organic residues was performed on the following types of pottery: proof of concept and weathered (an analog of the proof of concept). Organic residues were able to be identified within the proof of concept but not in the weathered pottery. This research also …

Extracting Lithium Using The Steric Bulk Of An Aminimide Functional Group, Jacob Parker, Martin Chin Ph.D.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

An aminimide is a zwitterionic group containing a cationic nitrogen bonded to an anionic nitrogen. The goal of this project was to use the steric bulk and electronic properties of the aminimide to block other species in a brine solution such as potassium, and selectively pick up lithium. To test this, polymethacrylate beads which contain carboxyl groups were modified to the desired aminimide. Three different aminimide groups were tested, a trimethylaminimide, aminopyridiniumaminimide, and a triethylaminimide. The modified beads would be introduced to a solution containing lithium and the lithium concentration was measured before and after exposure to the beads using …

Using An Aminimide Polymer To Extract Lithium From A Brine Solution, Austin Heidbreder, Martin Chin Ph.D.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Fast lithium isolation from water partly containing lithium ions would be an improvement over the current method of obtaining lithium in lithium mining water operations. The aminimide functional group can be used to selectively bind to lithium cations to extract lithium from brine. To characterize this uptake, the concentration of water containing lithium was measured with atomic absorption spectroscopy before and after the solution has been exposed to a polymer with the aminimide functional group. Three different polymers were used: trimethyl EGDM polymer, trimethyl TMPTA polymer, and the triethyl TMPTA polymer. Of the three, the trimethyl TMPTA polymer seemed to …

Attitudes Toward The Chemistry Laboratory Learning Environment Using Different Pedagogies And Assessment Protocols, Lydia Richardson, Dawn Del Carlo Ph.D.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

The Science Writing Heuristic (SWH) and Argument Driven Inquiry (ADI) are evidence-based laboratory approaches that emphasize the process of scientific argumentation (Burke et al., 2006; Rudd et al., 2001; Walker et al., 2011). The University of Northern Iowa utilized the SWH approach for over 10 years until research indicated that the cognitive load associated with the pre-lab, specifically, hindered students’ ability to participate in authentic scientific inquiry for the rest of the laboratory experiment (Bonde & Del Carlo, 2018). In response to this, a hybrid model of instruction integrating elements of both the SWH and ADI laboratory approaches was created …

Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy Analysis Of Native American Pottery For Maple Syrup Residues, Alexis Wirtz

Honors Program Theses

The research conducted regards whether or not Native Americans understood how to create maple syrup before the influence of Europeans. The analytical technique that was used is gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This technique assisted in understanding what organic residues resided within the pottery and what those organic residues tell us about Native American history. An analysis of organic residues was performed on the following types of pottery: proof of concept pottery, weathered pottery (an analog of the proof of concept), and Native American pottery. The residues used in analysis were obtained through the usage of different solvent systems - Acetone: …

Identification Of Natural Dyes In Ancient Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using Lc/Ms/Ms, Shailah Mathews, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes used and the results of analyzing the natural dyes used on cloth from Peruvian mummies.

Detecting Oceanic Salt In Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Alexis Wirtz, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes and the results of analyzing cloth from Peruvian mummies for the presence of ocean salts.

Determining The Presence Of Biological Fluids In Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using The Liquid Chromatography Quadruple Time Of Flight Instrument, Tim Perksen, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes used and the results of analyzing the cloth from Peruvian mummies for the presence of biological fluids.

Comparison Of Chalk Types And Their Ghosting Effects, Felicienne Alexandre, Shoshanna Coon, Kirk Manfredi

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Chalkboard ghosting is a faint image on a chalkboard's surface after writing is erased. Many types of chalk leave a positive image, while the Crayola An-du-septic Anti-dust chalk leaves a negative image. To better understand what cause the ghosting effects, two different types of Crayola chalk (regular and anti-dust) were investigated. Raman spectroscopy and infrared (IR) spectroscopy were used to determine the majority material the chalk was made of, by comparison with pure substances. To identify the organic compound binders holding the chalk sticks together, pulverized chalk was immersed in 40 mL of toluene for at least 30 minutes. After …

The Phosphorescence Of Wind Cave Cavern, And The Level Of Organics Associated With It, Steven Gomez, Joshua Sebree

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

An analysis of the level of organics in Wind Cave Cavern, South Dakota.

Analog Studies Of Organic Pathways In Wind Cave Through Cave Water And Crystals, Wilson Mcnaughton, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

In Wind Cave, organic molecules from the surface dissolved in water will slowly filter down into the cave through the porous limestone. While the water slowly proceeds down through the limestone, the water dissolves the limestone along the way. This dissolving of the limestone causes a quasi-equilibrium that deposits the organic molecules into the calcite structures found in Wind Cave. These large trapped organic molecules, mainly humic and fulvic acid, can be tracked by using UV light. The UV light causes these molecules to fluoresce blue, while the calcite structures generally do not have a strong blue fluorescence. The water …

Identification Of Fungi And Their Secondary Metabolites From Wind Cave [Poster], Kyle J. Biscoglia, Kirk Manfredi Ph.D.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Eighteen fungal samples were isolated from samples of water collected in Wind Cave, South Dakota. Ten of the samples underwent chemical extraction, a growth inhibition test, and were analyzed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. All eighteen of the fungal samples were able to be identified to the genus level using the ITS region of their DNA, however confident identification of the species level was more difficult to attain just looking at one portion of the sequence.

Nir Mapping Of The Mastodon Tusk Layers, Carli Jo Russenberger

Fall 2019 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This tusk was unearthed in September of 1933 in the town of Hampton, Iowa. About two feet from the proximal end, the tip broke upon extrication. In order to preserve this archaeological finding, many layers of lacquers, plasters, and varnishes were applied. 3 The layers of preservation are not well identified, as well as the timing of application.

By using the Near Infrared (NIR) technique, infrared light is applied to the tusk and wavelengths are absorbed. The absorbances can help determine the functional groups of the restoration materials in the NIR range of 4,000 to 10,000 wavenumbers.

The objective of …

Mapping The Exterior Of A Mastodon Tusk Using Uv-Vis Diffuse Reflectance, Teresa Feldman

Fall 2019 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

The 12-foot, 600-pound mastodon tusk was discovered in Hampton, Iowa, in the 1930s by a man digging in the gravel. It was the largest discovered mastodon tusk until the 1970s. The tusk was donated to UNI in 1933, under Dr. Cable, and put on display at the UNI Museum in the 1960s. Over the years, there have been many efforts to conserve the tusk, but it has still sustained breakage and water damage. It has also been subject to inadvertent degradation from some of the previous conservation efforts.

The purpose of the research conducted was to create a spectral map …

Identification Of Dye Compounds In Chinese Artifacts By Gc Ms, Pratima Raut

Fall 2019 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

UNI Museum homes wide variety of textile artworks.
Many of them have historical significance. Two of them are UNIM 2005.2.24 (Tapestry) and UNIM1986.14.1985.1.124 (Hanging)

Figure 1: UNIM 2005.2.24 (Tapestry)
Rectangular Textile
Dimension: 36cm × 69cm
Dark blue silk embroidery of an old bearded man believed to be Chinese god, Shou Hsing
Contrasting floral designed 1'' border
“Made in China” stamp on the plain cotton fabric back

Figure 2: UNIM 1986.14.1985.1.124 (Hanging)
Silk fabric
Dimension 158cm × 74cm
Dimension: 36cm × 69cm
Depiction of an elderly man like the one in Chinese folklore about prosperity
Assumed to be of Chinese origin

Fiber-Optic Spectroscopy Of Mandarin Square Textile Artifacts, Joseph Leonard Tibbs

Fall 2019 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Mandarin Squares were officially used from the Ming Dynasty (1391 AD) until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1912), though the tradition dates back even further

These badges were instruments of politics and courtly etiquette, and the animal subject denoted rank and position

Design subject to artistic movements as tastes changed

Common elements include symbolism, good luck charms, flight/motion, mystical beasts (below)

Traditionally worn as two panels on either side of a riding jacket, therefore split by a seam in the middle (see right)

Above: Data Collection using handheld IR Fiber Optic probe Below: A sample page from the Kusakizome …

Fluorescence Mapping Of Materials On Mammut Americanum, Shaylah Peyton Mccool

Fall 2019 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Mammut Americanum , more commonly known as the American Mastodon, is an extinct species found throughout North and Central America. Dated from either the Aftonian or Yarmouth age (120,000 to 200,000 B.C.E.), a 12 foot, 600 pound tusk of a mastodon was discovered in Hampton, Iowa in the 1930’s.

In 1933, it was brought to the University of Northern Iowa for comprehensive research and preservation. The tusk was covered in unknown materials such as varnish, spackle, lacquer, and shellac in an attempt to preserve it before putting it on display in the UNI Museum in the 1960’s. Currently, the tusk …

Development And Evaluation Of A Hybrid Adi/Swh Model Pre-Laboratory Curriculum, Tabitha Alitz, Dawn Del Carlo

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Previous Research:
• Students value each part of the pre-lab differently, struggle to connect all of the components, and therefore fail to see the big picture
• Students find the pre-lab moderately helpful in understanding both the concepts and mechanics of the lab, but find it less helpful at the end of the semester compared to beginning
• The cognitive load demands of the SWH pre-lab hinders students’ ability to participate in authentic scientific inquiry

Evidence For A Bind-Then-Bend Mechanism For Architectural Dna Binding Protein Ynhp6a, Manas Kumar Sarangi, Viktoriya Zvoda, Molly Nelson Holte, Nicole A. Becker, Justin Peters, L. James Maher Iii, Anjum Ansari

Faculty Publications

The yeast Nhp6A protein (yNhp6A) is a member of the eukaryotic HMGB family of chromatin factors that enhance apparent DNA flexibility. yNhp6A binds DNA nonspecifically with nM affinity, sharply bending DNA by >60◦. It is not known whether the protein binds to unbent DNA and then deforms it, or if bent DNA conformations are ‘captured’ by protein binding. The former mechanism would be supported by discovery of conditions where unbent DNA is bound by yNhp6A. Here, we employed an array of conformational probes (FRET, fluorescence anisotropy, and circular dichroism) to reveal solution conditions in which an 18- base-pair DNA oligomer …

Sem/Edx Analysis Of Bronze Disease, Brian Pauley, Nicole Bishop

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Bronze disease is a type of self-progressing corrosion of bronze. This degradation is thought to be caused by humidity but proliferated through the formation of chlorine containing compounds that further react with the air. The origination of the bronze disease in this artifact is thought to have arisen from the tanning process used in the surrounding leather. It is highly probable that potassium chloride was used in the tanning process, providing the initial chlorides that cause bronze disease. The damage that this corrosion can cause can destroy priceless artifacts. An understanding of the bronze disease structure and chemical composition is …

Determination Of Lead Content In Sidecar Coffee, Birk Shaikoski, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This project analyzed the amount of lead present in coffee beans from various parts of the world and decaffeinated beans.

The Characterization Of Leather Wwii Artifacts Using Gc/Ms And Raman Spectroscopy, Brice Houser

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Many museums face the challenge of protecting artifacts from deterioration. This process is often hampered by the history of the artifact, which can introduce factors that start or speed up the process of deterioration. An example of this is the method used during WW II to preserve leather. Mink oil or other fatty substances are used to help preserve and soften leather. A major component of mink oil is palmitic acid.

1 This fatty acid may have reacted with the brass in the same way that the oils from the hand react with coins to make that distinctive metallic smell, …

A Compositional Study Of The Uni Museum Benin Bronzes Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Elizabeth Akers

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

In 1897, the British empire annexed the kingdom of Benin in present day Nigeria.1 Many cultural artifacts, including a large collection of bronze statues and plaques, were taken and distributed among major museums

• Due to their increased demand, many sellers began creating fake bronzes to sell to tourists and collectors alike

• Four Benin bronze artifacts were donated to the museum in 1968 and have been questioned in terms of authenticity based on qualitative analyses

Raman Spectroscopy For Authentication Of African Tribal Masks, Huzaifa Islam Shah, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

University of Northern Iowa museum’s collection includes some wooden African tribal masks and African wood samples . Authenticity of the masks was doubted, therefore 5 of the masks and 27 different African wood samples were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy to determine the authenticity of the masks. The data obtained suggested that none of the masks were made up of the wood samples from Africa examined in the project.

Quantification Of Trigonellinefrom Coffee Beans And Its Correlation With The Ph, Kashif A. Shaikh, Jaspreet K. Rishi, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This project analyzed the amount of trigonelline preseent in coffee beans at various stages of the roasting process.

Compounds Of Coffee Over The Roasting Process, Alex Jaspering

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

The poster explores the changes in the concectration of chemical compounds as coffee beans are roasted.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Of African Tribal Masks, Jordan Smith, Huzaifa Shah, Kaitlyn Parrott

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

The project attempts to determine the authenticity of African masks using near-infrared spectroscopy.

African Masks: Are They Authentic Of Fake? A Fluorescence And Reflective Uv-Vis Spectroscopic Approach, Kaitlyn Parrott

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

This project was a search for a new way to determine the authenticity of their African Mask collection. The University of Northern Iowa Museum has allowed the non-destructive analysis of five of their African Masks and a collection of African wood samples. This study is investigating if fluorescence spectroscopy and reflective UV-Vis spectroscopy of the African masks Of the five masks two are authentic masks, two are fake, and one the authenticity is unknown.

Raman Spectroscopy Of Bronze Disease On Wwii Artifacts, Andrea M. Reutzel

Fall 2018 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Patina is a film that forms on bronze or similar metals over a long period of time due to an oxidation reaction. If cuprous chloride in copper alloys are present, it reacts with water to create hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid in the presence of metals will cause corrosions of the bronze and over time it will completely eat away at the metal. This reaction, known as Bronze Disease, is different than patina. Patina can act as a coat and preserver for metals. The University of Northern Iowa’s Museum is experiencing Bronze Disease on artifacts in the WWII collection. The Bronze …