Page Group Research Projects
The Page Group research projects focus on two main areas including Green Materials and Chemical Education. So we have a little bit for everyone! If you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss a project in more detail please contact me!
Green Materials
Reseach dealing with Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) [Biodiesel] has a special niche at a polytechnic university. Alternative fuel research blends hands-on education with emerging technologies. Seed oils from plants consit of trigylcerides that have demonstrated utility in the synthesis of Biodiesel. Value can be added to this budding industry by using organic chemistry to repurpose FAMEs as a feedstock in the synthesis of polymeric "Green" plastics, urethanes, ureas. It is our goal to provide addition avenues for the use of Biodiesel in consummer products in place of petoleum-based compounds.
Chemical Education
We have several projects that are analyzing the most effect teaching method for solving stoichiometry and mass-relationship problems. Currently Ratio and Proportions (RAP) is proving to lead to deeper student comprehension! This teaching method, based on proportional reasoning, is similiar to the more higly used method of Dimensional Analysis (DA). We have found RAP emphasizes the relationships respesented in the balanced molecular equation and leads to the development of better prepared students in general chemistry. If you have an interest in teaching, than consider completeting your undergraduate Senior Research project in Chemical Education!