Chapter 4 - Reactions

We met with Pedro again this week to discuss/consult with him about the procedure. The dye of choice was narrowed to tartrazine or potassium permanganate. Although a relation between the absorbance and time could be used to characterize the release rate, knowing the solution of the dye in water will also be valuable. To make this conversion, a stock solution of potassium permanganate will be created and solutions with varying concentrations will be produced from this. Their absorbances will be measured using a UV spectrometer to create a calibration curve for Beer's Law. We also set up another time with Pedro this upcoming weekend to meet to actually perform the experiment.

Chapter 3 - Practice

This week in lab, we prepared our first samples of hydrogels. First, we created a solution of sodium alginate by mixing it in water. Since no scales were available, the amount used was estimated in order to try to approximate a 1% solution. This solution was added to the calcium chloride to produce beads. The experiment was immediately successful, despite the fact that precise measurements and tools were not used. We acquired more familiarity with how to create hydrogels and will be able to use that knowledge to be able to perform the large amount of mixtures we will need to do when we perform our actual experiments with precise, varying concentrations.

This is a bead produced from mixing sodium alginate, calcium chloride, and tap water displayed at the tip of a pipette

Glen showed off the gel forming in the test tube.

The gel was removed from the test tube and placed in the cap.

Chapter 2 - Gathering Supplies

This week in lab, we explored hydrogels further and finalized some of our ideas. There was a demonstration that further showed how hydrogels were formed and helped provide a visual for what our group would experience. We also recieved the sodium alginate and pipettes we needed to continue our experiment. Because we are going to need lab space and lab equipment to perform the tests and design a delivery mechanism, we contacted a TA in the chemistry department, Pedro Amaral. We met with Pedro and discussed the possibility of using the labs and the feasibility of what we wanted to do.

Sodium Alginate

Pipettes... 100 for only $5.00!

Chapter 1 - Research and Project Proposal

This week in lab, we learned about what hydrogels were, methods of creating them, and how they are commonly used. The project was introduced, and we began brainstorming ideas for the project. Our current idea is to use hydrogels prepared using various methods to create a multi-stage oral drug delivery method designed to provide the drug at a constant rate to the person, despite the body's constant absorption of the drug. We also decided on what materials we would need to complete the experiment, and which ones we would need to order ourselves. We ordered sodium alginate and pipettes to perform the experiments, and contacted a member of the chemistry department to meet up about using the department's equipment. We plan to test the rate of delivery of the drug using a UV spectrometer, measuring the absorption when dye is used to represent the drug that would be delivered. The project proposal was also completed, giving us a better idea of how we plan to manage our time.