Microchemistry is a method used in some teaching institutions and industrial labs to conduct testing and experiments using significantly smaller quantities of chemicals than traditionally used. This technique can potentially save on chemical costs, waste and pollution.<\/p>\n
Although microchemistry is sometimes referred to as small-scale chemistry, often there is a distinct difference between the two. Small-scale chemistry uses plastic labware and chemicals of reduced concentration, according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. It is a method commonly used in high schools to save on supplies. On the other hand, microchemistry uses glassware that is specifically designed for microchemistry and chemicals in smaller volumes. This method is preferred in university settings and reduces the quantities of chemicals used for each experiments without changing the outcomes.<\/p>\n
Microchemistry can be practiced with a number of procedures. Synthesis, filtration, distillation and measurement of physical properties are just a few classroom chemical procedures that can be done at a micro-level. However, when using microchemistry the benefits are not that it presents a variety of procedures, but rather that it has a variety of conservation-based advantages.<\/p>\n
Waste is reduced<\/strong> The Idaho DEQ also pointed out that microchemistry can save of space in storage areas.<\/p>\n Promotes safety<\/strong> Using these smaller amounts of chemicals in an experiment can also improve laboratory skills.Researchers will have to work with smaller equipment and materials, meaning that precision is that much more important. It is a good skill to develop before going out into the workforce where many labs use microchemistry at some level.<\/p>\n It cuts costs<\/strong> The smaller chemical sample sizes also allow people to work individually, whereas traditional experiments would be too expensive for students to do on their own. The Idaho DEQ also noted that Colorado State University's small-scale lab cost 25 times less to operate than more traditional large-scale labs.<\/p>\n It also saves time<\/strong> Microchemistry is a cost- and time-efficient method for teaching and studying chemistry that takes advantage of smaller amounts of chemicals to accomplish multiples goals that are important to many scientists including accurate results, streamlined procedures, improved safety and minimized waste.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Microchemistry is a cost- and time-efficient method for teaching and studying chemistry that takes advantage of smaller amounts of chemicals to accomplish multiples goals that are important to many scientists including accurate results, streamlined procedures, improved safety and minimized waste.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":74,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[51],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/intranet.chemservice.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/intranet.chemservice.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/intranet.chemservice.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intranet.chemservice.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intranet.chemservice.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/intranet.chemservice.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intranet.chemservice.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/intranet.chemservice.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intranet.chemservice.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intranet.chemservice.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nSafe disposal of lab waste is a critical part of operating a research space. Microchemistry makes disposing of lab waste simpler by reducing the amount of waste created without altering the purpose of outcome of the experiment. This is especially important in classroom settings where there are a number of chemicals being used each day by multiple classes making excessive waste.<\/p>\n
\nThe National Microscale Chemistry Center pointed to safety as one of the potential benefits that microchemistry can hold for classrooms and scientists. By using lesser amounts of chemicals, scientists may be able to prevent negative lab air quality or decrease their exposure to dangerous chemicals. The NMCC also pointed to microchemistry as having reduced risk of spills, fires and other adverse events that may occur in a lab setting.<\/p>\n
\nThe only time that microchemistry materials are expensive is when the labware is first purchased. However, this initial investment can last for years as the small and durable glassware rarely needs to be replaced. One reason that it lasts is because it's less likely to be stolen for drug production, Idaho's DEQ explained.<\/p>\n
\nIn a university, where classes can be under an hour, every minute counts, whether it's preparation, experimentation, lecture or clean up. Microchemistry can help reduce all of the chemical-related procedures to allow for longer lectures and better explanations. Professors and scientists may even have time to demonstrate or redo the experiment themselves after the students have already completed the project.<\/p>\n