Cornwall

Two Chemistry at Work events took place in October - at Bodmin Community College and at Camborne Science and Community College. Both were organised by Rachel Delourme of Cornwall Education Business Partnership on behalf of RSC. This was Bodmin's second event in succession but the first at Camborne.

A wide variety of organisations gave presentations, including:

Flann microwave who explained the chemistry in the world of manufacture of products for the telecommunications industry with demonstrations of electroplating / electroforming, and a titration.

Bodmin Fire Brigade  where, Greenwatch, a crew of six, who were actually on call during the event, gave students the chance to try on protective clothing.

The Cornish Lime Company who discussed building materials, demonstrated the 'Quicklime' reaction and showed the setting speeds of cements.

Royal Cornwall Hospital - Treliske Bio-medical Laboratory explained how chemistry is important in what they do - measuring blood sugar levels, for example. 

PALL Aero Materials gave a demonstration of electroplating and the dyeing of aluminium.

The North Cornwall Environmental Health Officer, Jason Drew, talked about recent incidents where Chemistry had been needed, for example, COSHH, air quality, pollution control and cleaning fluids. He also gave a demonstration to find out who had clean hands, using a chemical dye and UV light.

There were also presentations on cleaning, brewing and the chemistry of art. The last one involved paints, powders, paintings and comments on make up, photography and spectroscopy. The presenter, Steve Eddy, turned out to be a science graduate as well as an artist!