Resumen de Electrolysis of Water in the Secondary School Science Laboratory with Inexpensive Microfluidics

T.A. Davis, S. L. Athey, M. L. Vandevender, C. L. Crihfield, C. C. E. Kolanko, S. Shao, M. C. G. Ellington, J. K. Dicks, J. S. Carver, L. A. Holland

• This activity allows students to visualize the electrolysis of water in a microfluidic device in under 1 min. Instructional materials are provided to demonstrate how the activity meets West Virginia content standards and objectives. Electrolysis of water is a standard chemistry experiment, but the typical laboratory apparatus (e.g., Hoffman cell) is best suited for group presentations. With microfluidics, the cell volume is reduced from 100 mL to 100 µL, making the electrolysis safer and easier to view by an individual. A single device is reusable and assembled for $5. This report describes the development of a microfluidic learning module that was implemented and assessed in the eighth-grade chemistry classroom.