One of the barriers to engaging with the community in outreach events is preparing content that is appropriate to the audience, which presents a different set of challenges than presenting research at a conference. This repository contains inspiration for demonstrations that can be used to engage with audiences and as a starting point for discussions about science and careers in chemistry.
We will write our own version of this demonstration eventually, but now here is a link to a ready-made kit.
Dye-sensitized solar cells convert sunlight into electrical energy using dye molecules that absorb the light and then transfer charge to an electrode. The resulting electric potential flows through an external circuit and is collected at the other side of the solar cell where it re-reduces the dye molecule back to its neutral state. There are highly specialized molecules designed to work in these devices, but you can also use naturally occurring dyes such as anthocyanin.
The Wimshurst machine is a simple, portable electrostatic generator that makes for a great demo for a variety of audiences. Tribocharging The triboelectric effect describes the development of net charge that develops when two dissimilar materials are brought into contact. Laser printing, which is based on Xerogrpahy uses this principle to charge toner particles that stick selectively to a drum that has been patterned with light. But the most familiar manifestation of tribocharging is the static electricity that gives you a little shock when you touch a metal object like a door knob. That electricity results from the net charge that develops from your feet repeatedly contacting the floor.
These are demonstrations that were curated by the Chemistry Graduate Student Association for National Chemistry Week.
