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Orlando ACS

I presented some of my research at the American Chemical Society meeting in Orlando and thought it would be helpful to have a central repository for some of the items I discussed, so here it is.

  • A copy of the powerpoint slides.
  • A link to my Hardwarex paper, which describes the project I discussed.
  • If you missed the big link in the header of my website, I’ve got an entire page devoted to OMIS (which does need updating).
  • The github page which contains the code for programming the Arduino.
  • Want to get started with Arduino microcontrollers (with the intent to build OMIS)? Start with picking up the Arduino and a stepper motor from Adafruit. Then, follow their tutorial on how to use it.
  • The ACS didn’t allow attendees or speakers(!) to access the internet while at the conference (at least the registration fees didn’t go up … oh wait). Ahem, in any case, I wasn’t able to show this video, which demonstrates that two liquids in a 3D printed channel undergo laminar flow.
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My first paper on 3D printing is published

Before leaving Chicago State University in 2017, I took a sabbatical to explore a very different avenue of research from which I was originally trained.  I became interested in learning how digital fabrication tools, such as 3D printing, can be used to create inexpensive or customized scientific instrumentation that could be used for education or specialized research applications.  Now at The College at Brockport, I’ve finally put together my first 3D printed scientific instrument, which was recently published in the journal HardwareX.  The article, OMIS: The Open Millifluidic Inquiry System for small scale chemical synthesis and analysis, is open access, which means that anyone can read and download the article by heading here.

I’d like to think that when people do something important (like publish an article) they get interviewed.  Unfortunately, it’s that time of the semester where students are so stressed out, the last thing they want to do is talk to professors about anything other than “what’s on the test.”  So, if I were to give an interview, here’s the questions I’d answer (and ask) about the paper.

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Students present at undergrad symposium

On April 28th, 2018, my first two undergraduate students at Brockport gave their first poster presentation at a professional meeting.

Shauna and Megan – ready to answer the tough questions.

The meeting was held at The College at Brockport this year.  There were 50 or so posters and about 100 attendees.  We also had a few oral presentations and the keynote speaker was Brockport alum Dr. Michael Nicholson of Precision BioSciences.

Megan and Shauna presented their first semester’s work on developing sensors and methods for OMIS: the Open Millifluidic Inquiry System.  Shauna is developing a method to perform alkalinity measurements in small volumes under dynamic flow conditions and Megan is working on a pH sensor based on anodically electrolyzed iridium oxide films.  They’ve made some great progress not only building confidence in their laboratory skills but also learning how to present their research (in addition to actually doing the work).  I’d consider that a good set of outcomes for their first semester in independent study (as Freshmen, no less).  Expect big things from these ladies.

P.S. Happy Star Wars Day.

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Introducing OMIS

I’ve been a little quiet lately; some of that was end of the semester and family activities, but part of it was that I’ve been trying to put the finishing touches on a new project.  I now think that OMIS – the open millifluidic inquiry system, is ready for display.

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