The Physical Science non-science major courses at Georgia Gwinnett College are theme-based in nature, allowing for an interactive and engaging curriculum with unique laboratory experiences. However, given that many themes are developed on our ever growing campus, the logistics and faculty/staff time required to develop, to implement and to store materials needed for the lab activities is notable. To address these concerns, we have developed a series of labs where students chemically etch a sheet of copper foil and then electroplate it with nickel. The students may then form an alloy with their Cu-Ni sheet to form a bronze coating. Finally, students may use the etched copper sheet as a lithographic template and transfer the image to paper. While forming two unique pieces of artwork for each student, this lab series incorporates ideas of reduction-oxidation reactions, electrochemical cells, metal-metal bonding/alloys, and physical vs. chemical reactions. These concepts apply to both the Nanotechnology and Chemistry of Art themes while also addressing the preparatory materials and space needed for the laboratory materials.

Engaging non-science majors in nanotechnology and chemistry of art laboratory classes through etching, electroplating and lithography of copper

247th National Meeting (2014)

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