A Buchner funnel is used in suction filtration. It is made of glass or plastic. On top of the funnel-shaped part there is a cylinder with a perforated plate separating it from the funnel. The Hirsch funnel has a similar design; it is used similarly, but for smaller quantities of material. The main difference is that the plate is much smaller, while the walls of the funnel angle outward instead of being vertical. The filtration material, usually filter paper, is placed on the plate, and the filter paper is moistened with a solvent to prevent initial leakage. The liquid to be filtered is poured into the cylinder and drawn through the perforated plate by vacuum suction. It is used in organic chemistry labs to assist in collecting recrystallized compounds. The suction allows the wet recrystallized compound to dry out such that the pure dried crystal compound is left remaining. However, it is often the case that further drying is required, by an oven or other means, in order to remove as much residual solvent as possible. It is used with a Buchner flask, Büchner ring and sinter seals.
Caffeine is a type of organic weak base called an alkaloid – alkaloid means ‘alkali-like’. Caffeine is a stimulant and is found naturally in tea, coffee and kola nuts. Some alkaloids are beneficial while others are harmful.
Panadol is also known as paracetamol, and Panadol Extra is just paracetamol with caffeine. Contrary to belief, caffeine does not enhance the effects of paracetamol, but as a study showed, only increased the number and frequency of side effects. Panadol Extra is a S2 Pharmacy-only medicine while Panadol is widely available through prescription to pharmacies.
I) Plenary Sessions-Key learning points
1) Importance of water - Dirty and Clean
I had learnt that we must not waste water and use it wisely as there are 1.1 billion people in the world that has no access to clean water and proper sanitation.
2) Revolution of Microelectronics Technology
Microelectronics helps to improve the lives of people as it saves time space and effort, together with convenience to all, even the handicap.
3) Innovative Breakthroughs In Nano-Science and Nano-Technology
Nanotechnology brings convenience to everyone and help to save lives.
4) IT for Animation by Prof Seah Hock Soon
There are two types of animation, 3D and 2D/drawn animations. 3D costs less to make, and therefore most movies nowadays are 3D animated.
5) Disappearing glaciers, rising sea levels, and why gravity is even more important than you think
Rising sea levels is caused by large amounts of mass like glaciers. When a glacier is near the sea, it a is pulled towards it by gravitational force.
The plenary session that leaves the deepest impression on me is Innovative Breakthroughs In Nano-Science and Nano-Technology
What I like about it is
That it clearly depicts the future of technology, where technology shrinks to the nano-level, and biotech actually becomes efficient enough to get larger until it reaches the nano level. The challenge is to create technology at the nano level but still serve the same function as what it is used for, like an iPhone. Biotechnology only has processes that can only happen at a very small rate, and is much smaller than a nano-sized gadget. Therefore, if biotechnology is able to be replicated by scientists, we will be able to make a larger sized version of it (nano-sized).
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II) My Personal Reflection
I chose this project because it was the only one left. Also, it was because I was fascinated with the fastest ball challenge. I wanted to know more.
My role in the group was to release the ball for project 3B, and I paired with Javin for Project 3A. I helped with the group presentation, and created this blog together with others.
Some of the challenges we encountered when working on this project in the last 2 days was that we were unable to collaborate and finish the group slides on time, and we overcame these challenges by creating those slides impromptu.
Through this project, I discovered that teamwork and coordination is very important. If an argument happens within a group, the results will be very bad.
As an individual, I have benefited from this programme as I have learnt more about the extraction of caffeine.
My aspirations is to be more patient and observant in order not to make mistakes.
