Microscale Chemistry : Green Chemistry in Academia

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(1) Research on microscale chemistry through international activitiesThough there are many advantages in micro/small scale laboratorv, only few Japanese teachers know it well and therefore it is not popular in Japan. We aimed to popularize microscale chemistry in Japan, through international exchange of researchers.First, we visited National Microscale Chemistry Center (NMCC) at Merrimack College in Massatusettes U.S.A.We experienced the microscale experiments developed in NMCC and investigated the management of workshops. We found that some of the experiments are useful and can be introduced in Japanese high schools and universities. We recognized the importance of actual experience of microscale experiments through workshops.Second, we invited Professor M.Singh, director of NMCC.In several universities in Japan, he gave seminars which consists of both lecture and demonstration of microscale experiments.Then, we invited Professor R.Silberman of State University of New York and asked h … More im to give seminars in several universities. In his seminar, he introduced new trend in chemical education in U.S.A.including small scale techniques to assess laboratory learning, the techniques being developed by himself.Through these seminars, many Japanese teachers, of both universities an high schools, , have recognized the advantages of micro/small scale laboratory, especially the benignity to the environment. Now several universities are going to introduce microscale laboratory.(2) Development of Microscale Experiments for High School ChemistryWe have developed micro/small scale experiments for high school chemistry on following topics : (i) Buffer solutions, (ii) Amino acids and proteins, (iii) Separation of several organic compounds. Low price plastic equipment such as 12-and 24-well plates, vials, and bottles are used in these experiments. The characteristics of our experiments are : (i) They are colorful and attractive. (ii) The procedures are simple and safe. (iii) The amount of waste is small and the cost for disposing it is reduced. (iv) The results of various reactions can be compared easily by the use of appropriate work sheets. This is convenient for students to review and discuss the results.(3) Development of Microscale Laboratory for College ChemistryWe developed microscale experiments on ion exchangers previously. In this study by the present grant-in-aid, we made the scale further smaller. We also improved our microscale qualitative analyses of some metal ions. In College of Medical Sciences, Tohoku University, a new experiment on the measurement of boiling points of some liquids was developed by microscale techniques. Less