Resumen de Enhancing Undergraduate Student’s Interest in Solid State Chemistry by Characterizing Kidney Stones Using Powder X-ray Diffraction
Infal Iqbal, Nazra Nawaz, Sajida Noureen, Maqsood Ahmed
A laboratory experiment has been designed for undergraduate students with a major in biology to provide experience-based learning in solid-state chemistry and powder X-ray diffraction using human kidney stones. In this laboratory experiment, students will learn sample preparation, gain hands-on experience with a powder X-ray diffractometer, monitor the factors that affect a diffractogram, and do some basic calculations. In addition to practical experience, the introduction and use of a powder X-ray diffraction database were used for this experiment. Students will gain insight into the phase-matching process, which involves matching the diffractograms of kidney stones with those of known phases from the database. Overall, this laboratory experience will provide a fundamental understanding of powder X-ray diffraction with a practical example of kidney stones. Beginning with sample preparation and ending with phase determination, students will develop a keen interest in solid-state chemistry by using human pathological samples in real-world applications of powder X-ray diffraction.
