Chemistry of Textiles and of Fuels

Sat, Jan 25 Full Day [9:00 am – 5:00 pm] 0.5 sem hrs / 7.5 contact hours

Presenters: Dr. Gary Balaich, Dr. Ron Furstenau, Dr. Abby Jennings, USAFA Chemistry Department

Description: Looking for connections between chemistry and our world? Look no further. Join Drs. Balaich, Furstenau, and Jennings as they take you on a learning journey through the chemistry of both textiles and fuels. Learn about how textile fibers (polymers) are made, analyzed and dyed. You’ll even get to make, analyze and dye some textiles yourself! Hear about the differences between gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels. Synthesize and analyze biodiesel and some fuel blends using various lab techniques (viscosity measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS), and calorimetry).   

Tentative Agenda: “Chemistry of Textiles” and “Chemistry of Fuels”

• 0915                Meet participants on the south steps of the Cadet Field House; escort to Chemistry Conference Room (2N189)
• 0945-1015       Introductions, refreshments, admin items in Chemistry Conference Room
• 1015-1115       Presentation:  “Chemistry of Textiles” (Dr. Abby Jennings)
  • Dr. Jennings will talk about how major types of fabrics for textiles are made and dyed. This talk will include a discussion behind the chemistry of fiber synthesis and dye synthesis and selection.
• 1115-1130       Break, Chemistry Conference Room (2N189)
• 1130-1330       Laboratory Experiments
  • Group A:  Synthesis and Analysis of Fuels (Dr. Balaich & Dr. Furstenau)
    • “Synthesis and Analysis of Fuels”:  In this series of labs, participants will synthesize biodiesel and biodiesel petroleum diesel blends.  Different techniques will then be used to analyze the fuels, including viscosity measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS), and calorimetry.
  • Group B:  Synthesis, Analysis, and Dyeing of Textiles (Dr. Jennings & Dr. Furstenau)
    • “Synthesis, Analysis, and Dyeing of Textiles”:  In this series of labs, participants will synthesize several polymers, analyze the polymers/textiles using a variety of methods, and dye some fabrics.
• 1330-1430       Working Lunch Break in Lecture Hall 
  • Presentation:  “Chemistry of Fuels” (Dr. Gary Balaich)
  • During lunch, Dr. Balaich will discuss the chemistry behind fuels, including the differences between gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels, as well as octane number.
• 1430-1630       Laboratory Experiments
  • Group A:  Synthesis, Analysis, and Dyeing of Textiles (Dr. Jennings & Dr. Furstenau)
  • Group B:  Synthesis and Analysis of Fuels (Dr. Balaich & Dr. Furstenau)
• 1630-1700       Final wrap-up of the day’s events (2N189), including door prizes and evaluations
• 1700               Depart chemistry area for Cadet Field House