In order to grow a bacterial culture in a lab, a growth medium has to be used to provide the right environment. Mannitol salt agar is a popular bacterial growth medium that biologists use to grow halphile bacteria (these grow fast in high salt concentrations) and can tell the difference between non-pathogenic and pathogenic Staphylococcus (ie parasitic to humans). Why Are Growth Media Important? Biologists use growth media in order to raise millions of bacteria in a colony. Some media are liquid – similar to a soup or broth, while Read More

Potassium benzoate is the potassium salt of benzoic acid. Benzoic acids are weak acids that are used as food preservatives. Potassium benzoate is also commonly used for preserving food. It is primarily used to inhibit mold and bacteria growth. This allows the product that potassium benzoate preserves to last longer on the shelf, thereby increasing profits for the company that produced it. The ideal pH for products using potassium benzoate as a preservative is below 4.5 because that is where it exists as benzoic acid. Acidic food or beverages such Read More

Bunsen burners are used in laboratories to heat materials or substances for experiments. The burners are gas-driven and have a flame that is adjusted by the amount of air and gas that is supplied to the unit. Many laboratories have started to use electric hot plates in place of Bunsen burners for experiments because they are less flammable and produce a cleaner heat. However, many academicians and researchers still use the traditional burner. How is a Bunsen Burner Designed? A Bunsen burner has a metal tube that is placed at Read More

Flocculation is when microscopic particles bind together to form larger particles in liquids. It occurs naturally or artificially in water as well as other solutions. Flocculation is used in applications such as water purification, sewage treatment, cheese production, and brewing. It is also used in surface and physical chemistry, biology, and civil engineering. The term “flocculation” generally refers to an actual effect while the term “flocculant” describes a chemical or substance that promotes flocculation and usually has a positive charge. How Flocculation Works Flocculation occurs when small particles in a Read More

WD 40 is a clever name for a waterproofing solution. WD-40 literally means “Water Displacement 40th attempt.” It contains hydrocarbons which propel the oils to prevent the wetness of water from reaching the coated surfaces. It has numerous uses as a household tool and is currently available worldwide. The hydrocarbons were then replaced with carbon dioxides as a safety measure later on. The company has been in business ever since 1958 when WD 40 was invented. It was originally designed to coat the SM-65 Atlas Missile to prevent rusting and Read More

Vegetable glycerin is a carbohydrate that is usually derived from plant-based oils and is used in consumer products like cosmetics and electronic cigarette liquids. A commonly used term for vegetable glycerin is vegetable glycerol. Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is organic. In order for it to be considered “food-grade” it must be 99.7% pure and the remaining percentage must be water. VG is naturally sweet, but since it is metabolized in a manner different from the way  sugar is, it is not known to raise the blood sugar level in people. It Read More

A plasma cutter is a device that directs an ionized gas at an object under extreme temperatures. Plasma cutters are often used for industrial purposes, such as cutting metal, and are dependent on plasma, an extremely hot state of matter. Plasma cutters are essentially a type of plasma torch meant for cutting metal rather than welding it. How Plasma Cutters Work A plasma cutter is comprised of one or more gas tanks, a negatively charged electrode, and a number of channels or internal hoses. As oxygen, nitrogen, or another gas Read More

The cause of a firework's explosion is a process known as oxidation. To have a successful fireworks show, there needs to be oxygen, different kinds of metals and a creative spark. However, the first two are what really are necessary for a firework to explode. Metal is ground up into tiny little fragments and then packed into the firework casing. They grind up the metal because, when large chunks of metal are oxidized, it creates a shield around the inner parts of the metal. This prevents complete oxidation. By grinding Read More

Mossbauer Spectroscopy is a multipurpose technique that is applied in various scientific fields including Physics, Biology, and Metallurgy. It is most useful in deriving accurate data about the chemical, structural, and magnetic properties of a material. This technique exists today due to the discovery of the resonant absorption and recoil-less emission of nuclear y-rays, now known as the “Mossbauer Effect.” Rudolph Mossbauer discovered this when he was a graduate student at the Institute of Physics at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg, Germany. He first observed this Read More

Acrylonitrile is a highly flammable and toxic chemical that is used in the production of acrylic materials and other plastics. In its pure form, acrylonitrile is a colorless liquid but impurities can give it a yellow appearance. Acrylonitrile is soluble in water and most organic solvents, boils at 77.3 degrees Celsius, and melts at 82 degrees Celsius. Acrylonitrile polymerizes spontaneously when heated, although polymerization inhibitors are often used to prevent this. Acrylonitrile releases hydrogen cyanide and nitrous oxide when burned, and is widely investigated and disapproved of due to its Read More