Chemical+Assay


 * PRODUCT LABEL ANALYSIS PROJECT **

Our everyday life is inundated with commercial products that contain some mix of chemicals listed on the label. What are they and why are they there? This project speaks to our curiosity about these questions. You will carry the project out by deciphering the labels of several products. The objectives are: (a) to characterize as accurately as possible what chemicals are present, providing structures wherever possible (some ingredients are indefinable mixtures) (b) to determine what role the ingredient serves in the products function.

The guideline for how many products and who many ingredients you should report on are somewhat indeterminate because products will vary in the number of ingredients. An **__approximate guideline__** is perhaps **two products** containing a **total of sixteen ingredients**. If you have any question on this, consult with me. In choosing products, use your creativity and follow your curiosity. There are an almost endless number of possibilities. There are some products, however, which are not eligible. If the product does not have enough of a mix, i.e., contains only 1-3 ingredients such as some pharmaceuticals, it is probably **//ineligible//**. Also **//__ineligible__//** are products __that do not contain definable individual compounds__, i.e., for which a structure cannot be drawn. An exception is an ingredient that is a polymer, as long as you are able to say something about its monomeric structure. Although you will work independently of each other in completing your final presentation, there will probably be some overlap among you of products and/or ingredients. Where there is such overlap, you may freely communicate and collaborate until **___1/13/12_.__** To facilitate this communication, I will set up a discussion board on my Wikipage and a Google Doc for my entire Chemistry section. Here you can indicate the products and ingredients you are looking at, find out what others are looking at, and communicate information and ideas where there are mutual interests. There are two pieces to the final presentation that will be graded; one written (submitted electronically) and one technology portion (yes, the minimum four references, cited correctly, will still apply…as always). Total points for the entire project will be 100points.


 * Steps for completing project: **
 * 1) Think of everyday household chemicals/consumables.(Example: Air Force Tire inflator)
 * 2) Determine the ingredients found that material. (Example: water, isobutene, propane…)
 * 3) Investigate what those materials do for that product (written table).
 * 4) Synonyms
 * 5) CAS number
 * 6) Formula
 * 7) Physical Properties
 * 8) Uses
 * 9) Structure
 * 10) Heath/Safety/Environmental Issues?
 * 11) Produce commercial/advertisement/PSA about some aspect of your project
 * 12) List of references
 * What to turn in: **
 * 1) Written Chemical Assay
 * 2) Word Document (attached at end)
 * 3) Other?
 * 4) Imovie, garageband (or some other technology application )advertisement, promotion, or positive/negative public service announcement
 * 5) 30 second audio clip (keep it to 30seconds!!)
 * 6) verbalizes some chemistry content of materials
 * 7) other??
 * 8) References—minimum 4 content
 * 9) All information and pictures need to be cited.
 * 10) Content cited using MLA format
 * 11) Wikipedia is not an acceptable source
 * 12) Images include URL address or general location

Suggested websites
 * [] **
 * [] **
 * [] **
 * [] **
 * [] (look at chemicals list in bottom left corner) **
 * [|http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/?gclid=CLTTttGUn58CFc5L5QodPg9ZJA] **
 * [|http://www.motherherbs.com/] **

Project Dates: 1) **Assigned**: ___1/9/12___

__ 2) **Research (general)** ____1/13/12___

__ 3) **Technology Project** ____1/20/12__ (45 points—counts for 2nd MP)

4) **Written Project** __1/27/12___ (45 points—counts for 3rd MP)

5) **References** __1/27/12__ (10 points—counts for 3rd MP)