Properly made solutions are critical in testing hypotheses and in reproducing results of those tests. However, in our observations in various laboratories and collaborative environments, we noticed a lack of proper technique for making solutions. Instead of measuring the correct amount of moles of solute then filling up to the needed volume with solvent, we observed many individuals would measure out the correct moles of solute then simply add a pre-measured volume of solvent. This incorrect technique, adding the volume rather than filling up to that volume, actually results in more dilute solutions. This disturbing trend is particularly of importance for high molarity solutions, such as sucrose solutions that are common in the field sensory science, as the higher the molarity the more the incorrect technique skews the final concentration. Therefore, we designed a survey to establish the prevalence of improper solution making techniques among scientists. We utilized both free response and multiple-choice questions to investigate this issue. The survey was shared on social media and open for anyone to participate. In the end we had 811 participants of which 186 we determined likely to make solutions based on their field of study and job description. The 186 participants were categorized by their current position in science as Faculty, Post-Doctoral fellow, Research assistant, or graduate student. Our results alarmingly indicate that a third of scientists may be making molar solutions incorrectly. Given the current crisis of reproducibility in science, and the importance of concentration in a variety of applications from chemical kinetics, to pharmaceutical dosing, to sensory perception, the possibility of the concentrations being mismatched from one research group or even one lab member to another is terrifying. We urge all members of the scientific community to establish better baseline training methods, and to check their own methods frequently, to ensure better consistently and accuracy in their science. Moreover, we urge principle investigators (who were most likely to correctly respond to our question) to be more involved in the day-to-day work in their laboratories, ensuring than staff are properly trained on basic procedures before allowing them to work independently.

Molarity crisis: Third of scientists may be making molar solutions incorrectly

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.