Questions tagged [applied-chemistry]
Chemical processes and theories being used in practical and experimental applications.
88
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2
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19 views
Is mixing silicone oil with other types of oil safe?
I'm looking to lubricate some nylon gears in a servo motor, and online sources tell me silicone lubricants are one of the best ways to go.
However, when I opened up the servo, I found that it already ...
1
vote
0answers
36 views
Steel Wire Rusting & Glowing Orange
In my backyard I have a DIY wire trellis made in part by wrapping a steel wire around a water wellhead. I noticed out the window in the dark a tiny pinprick of orange / yellow light coming from the ...
-1
votes
1answer
20 views
Significance of enthalpy of hydration of salts [closed]
I've been researching for weeks but can't find anything on a real life process of hydration, as my experiment is determining the relationship between the enthalpy of hydration and different types of ...
4
votes
0answers
40 views
Carbohydrate Chemistry for Candy Making
I am trying to understand the different behaviors of sugar syrups when it comes to candy making. Specifically, maple syrup vs molasses.
In making maple candy, pure maple syrup is heated to soft ball ...
8
votes
1answer
136 views
Research-backed articles on cast iron seasoning
I've always seasoned my cast iron pans with vegetable oil because that was what I was taught. I'd done some research before, and even came across this StackExchange post on asking the best oil for the ...
-2
votes
1answer
53 views
What does 1:4 t-BuOH/H2O mean?
I've got a - probably rather not-so-smart question regarding chemical reactions. In many publications, the authors say that they used e.g. t-BuOH/H2O (1:4) as solvent. What exactly does 1:4 mean? Is ...
2
votes
1answer
68 views
Is sodium percarbonate the safest and by weight the most efficient oxygen generator? [closed]
I have been reading about $\ce{Mn}$-catalyzed reaction of sodium percarbonate and water to produce gaseous oxygen in medical emergency situations.
This seems safe due to its reagents and products, ...
0
votes
1answer
78 views
How to oxidize tantalum? [closed]
I am interested in learning how to oxidize tantalum. I have seen some tantalum rings that the sellers say is a permanent smokey blackish color. But I've spoken to some people that say tantalum cannot ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
Synthetic ruby - damaged by heat less than its melting point?
A bit of a jewellery question but chemistry related. I want to encase a synthetic ruby (corundum, Al2O3) in silver by melting the silver around it. Either in a furnace or by casting. The MP of silver ...
0
votes
1answer
126 views
What substance consumes oxygen from atmospheric air [closed]
I'd like to find an economical substance that will consume oxygen from a container. Steel wool comes to mind but I don't have an intuition how feasible it would be.
The chamber is 5 gallons in size ...
1
vote
2answers
74 views
Artificial nose sensors
I'm am doing research in creating an artificial nose. I need to know how this process works by someone with domain expertise; essentially, what technologies are available currently to detect a broader ...
0
votes
0answers
94 views
distillation of aqueous CAN solution for the purpose of a reversible and strong endothermic reaction in cool packs
I know calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is used for cold packs. By bending a small metal plate the salt gets dissolved in water (separated pack) and this process is endothermic.
I would like to heat ...
43
votes
1answer
6k views
Why can we still breathe in valleys? [duplicate]
Air is 1% argon. Argon is heavier than air.
Why doesn't the argon concentrate in low-lying areas, choking out life there?
2
votes
2answers
110 views
Good Alternative for Plasticized PVC [closed]
In my current job we use gloveboxes, but unlike most we use disposable PVC bags on the entry ports instead of fixed gloves. The bags have an O ring which is stretched onto a spigot proud of the ...
2
votes
1answer
245 views
Why was rhenium used as an igniter in flash bulbs?
It looks like it typically had a current passed though it to ignite zirconium threads.
What properties of rhenium made it the best metal to use for this?
4
votes
1answer
467 views
Why is antimony oxide used as a flame retardant?
What is the mechanism of action of antimony oxide as a flame retardant? Is this to do with radical absorption?
1
vote
1answer
563 views
Determination of hardness of water using EDTA
Finding hardness of water by using EDTA. For determining permanent hardness we take the sample of about $\pu{50 mL}$ and then add Eriochrome Black T (EBT) indicator that results in wine red color due ...
1
vote
0answers
104 views
Why is paper sometimes yellow?
Where I'm from, most paper you find/get at stores has this yellowish tinge. Why is it yellow and not white?
In my chemistry book it's mentioned that paper manufacturers "refine" paper from wood pulp, ...
2
votes
0answers
1k views
How to calculate resulting pH of mixing 2 fruit juices [closed]
I want to make jelly from a mixture of 50% fresh apple juice and 50% juice of another fruit. The resulting pH must be less than 4.6, otherwise the jelly will not be safe from C. botulinum.
Based on ...
0
votes
2answers
132 views
Using quantiative analysis to find empirical and molecular formula
A compound of Ca, C, N and S was subjected to quantitative analysis and formula mass determination, and the following data were recorded.
A $\pu{0.250 g}$ sample was mixed with $\ce{Na2CO3}$ to ...
6
votes
2answers
179 views
How can I make a better whiteboard cleaning solution?
I just started work as a lab assistant in a chem lab. The whiteboard the instructor uses for classes gets very dirty very quickly. The woman who started at the same time as I did spent over 3 hours ...
3
votes
1answer
342 views
How to determine fire hazard of heating ethylene glycol to dissolve borax and boric acid
I am looking to replicate instructions provided in the last paragrph of this article that requires dissolving borax (Sodium Tetraborate decahydrate ($\ce{Na2B4O7Ā·10H2O}$)) and boric acid in ethylene ...
14
votes
1answer
886 views
Are there any significant uses of the compound formed by magnesium and anthracene?
In an unusual reaction, magnesium reacts with anthracene in THF to form a grignard-like compound called, prosaically, magnesium anthracene:
I remember using it briefly in the 1980s. At the time there ...
3
votes
1answer
590 views
Does selenium sulfate corrode or otherwise react with metals?
I was just watching a cartoon called Motorcity, and they featured a real compound called selenium sulfate.
While I'm sure that the compound blowing up a detached steel [car part] on contact is just ...
4
votes
0answers
662 views
Is it possible to make Spider-Man like web fluid? [closed]
Is it possible to make a substance which has similar properties to that of the web fluid e.g. High tensile strength, sticky (can attach to most of the surfaces), evaporates within few hours etc. If so ...
2
votes
0answers
32 views
Bonding Carbon Fiber to Metal
I have an application for a very thin, strong, electrical conductor that need to act as a (almost) frictionless support "rope". Typically materials like tungsten wire or platinum-iridium alloys have ...
1
vote
0answers
33 views
Boron nitride polymerization with silicon based molecules
Since boron nitride is similar to carbon hexagonal structures and silicon is a main component of inorganic polymers. Is it possible to make it from a polymer under certain conditions, if so what ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
Baking soda + oil solubility
I have a question regarding the solubility of baking soda (bicarb soda) in oil. I am pretty sure that it has poor solubility, but I have a chemistry dilemma and cannot seem to solve it.
I make all-...
5
votes
0answers
132 views
Where is my antimony going?
I work in a trace metals laboratory operating an ICP-OES. I've been having some trouble with the recovery of antimony in a weak $\ce{HCl}$ solution post-digestion.
The antimony is part of a mix of ...
12
votes
2answers
424 views
Can olivine be used to make glass?
This concerns ongoing work to find a plausible approach to large-scale production of clear glass on the Moon. It's for an ultra-hard science fiction project and I really want to get it right.
Olivine ...
1
vote
0answers
28 views
Calculating amount of alkali additions to get desired pH in (hard) cider
This is linked to my question over on the HomeBrew SE site: https://homebrew.stackexchange.com/questions/18837/reduce-acidity-of-hard-cider
I haven't done chemistry since I was 17/18 but I remember ...
0
votes
1answer
231 views
What can be a harmless electrolytic additive for water for creating an oxy-hydrogen flame?
I was thinking of preparing a tiny oxy-hydrogen flame for soldering. I am going to use 6V DC and aluminum sheet as the electrode for this. Now, I have to add some electrolyte to water, that can be a ...
8
votes
1answer
201 views
Can glass be made with anorthite?
The lunar highlands are made mostly of anorthosite (90% anorthite, the rest oxides of magnesium, iron, a little titanium, and traces of others), and pretty pure anorthite ($\ce{CaAl2Si2O8}$) is common....
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4answers
3k views
What is CuCl · CO · 2 HāO?
What is the chemical $\ce{CuCl.CO.2H2O},$ formed via the reaction of copper chloride and carbon monoxide?
Does this compound have any use or appear in any noteworthy reaction?
2
votes
2answers
2k views
experimentally determine oxidation state of Iron compound
I need to make several Iron compounds but I am having a bit of trouble finding a decent way to determine the oxidation state of Iron.
I'm starting with a Iron(II) compound that I try to oxidize using ...
0
votes
2answers
57 views
How to desalinate seawater at freezing temperature or high pressure?
The deep ocean depths have very high pressure and freezing temperatures. Could one or both of these characteristics be used to desalinate seawater?
Reverse osmosis uses high pressure to separate salt ...
2
votes
1answer
582 views
Working with stainless steel in 3 M HCl solution
We are trying to mix a material using 316 stainless steel blades in a $3~\mathrm{M}\ \ce{HCl}$ solution for 4 hours in a PE container? Will the blades stand for 4 hours or do they start to corrode in ...
3
votes
0answers
43 views
Particle size-energy distribution
I am not chemist, I am mathematician and interested in Population Balance Equations. I have a question about particle size-(breakage) energy distribution which mentioned in this article: http://www....
4
votes
2answers
7k views
Could a lead-acid battery electrolyte be replaced by hydrochloric or nitric acid?
Hydrochloric acid, as well as nitric acid, are also strong acids like sulfuric acid. So, why are not they used commercially in lead-acid batteries?
2
votes
1answer
160 views
Why do cookies prevent toothpaste from foaming?
If I eat cookies and subsequently brush my teeth such that there is still small amounts of cookie material stuck to my teeth, the toothpaste will not foam as well as usually, making the process less ...
2
votes
1answer
3k views
formaldehyde strong odor neutralization
One of our customers used a very high dose of formaldehyde 37% solution (60 liter formaldehyde in 40 liter water) for disinfection in his chicken farm (saloon). Now he says the odor of formaldehyde ...
3
votes
0answers
35 views
Coating applied to plastic (polymer suitable for straws) to repel carbon dioxide to prevent “floating”
We are four students currently finalizing our last exam-project before our bachelor.
We confirmed our hypothesis that straws floating to the top of your drink is a "problem" from our survey.
Our ...
1
vote
0answers
59 views
Manufacturing coloured crystal glass using gold nanoparticles
I came across this video which shows how a crystal chandelier is made. I recommend that anyone reading this post should watch it; it is quite fascinating.
Anyway, at about the 2:15 mark, the video ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
Development of experiments to optimize HPLC-MS procedure using 2D central composite full factorial design [closed]
I have recently been studying development of experiments and how to statistically plan/optimize an experiment for x number of variables based on y number of responses.
To begin with, I am just going ...
16
votes
4answers
12k views
How could I cause metal to rust rapidly?
I'm writing a novel set in the mid-nineteenth century. One of my characters needs to cause an iron padlock to rust rapidly, ideally within a matter of hours.
The lock doesn't need to rust away ...
8
votes
3answers
244 views
Constructing a grenade (for a novel I'm writing.)
Ok, before any eyebrows get raised, this is for a novel that I'm writing and inspired by this answer from worldbuilding and this reference answer. I just want to make sure the device I'm trying to use ...
1
vote
2answers
76 views
Rotovapping Aqueous Solutions - Need a cold trap?
I am working on a large scale natural product Rotovapping project. There are two botanical extracts to evolve, combined in processing. The solvents are 50% EtOH and 50% glycerin. There is a large ...
2
votes
1answer
432 views
How do I create a transparent liquid for ferrofluid display?
Hello~ I am a media art artists working in Korea.
Recently, create a kinetic artwork using ferrofluid.
I need to create an artificial pond with a diameter of 3 meters. So I need a lot of suspension ...
4
votes
1answer
98 views
How may the water from rain be tested to determine it is natural, or from cloud seeding?
This article lists several mechanisms that may be used to control the weather and/or induce rainfall. Apparently many states, other than the one listed in the headline, have experimented with such ...
2
votes
0answers
91 views
Reactor mass balance with solid feed and overflow
I am modeling a lime slaker which is basically a stirred tank reactor with two separate feeds:
1. CaO feed screw (powder)
2. H2O binary valve (liquid)
These react according to the reaction:
$\ce{CaO(...
