Cosmogramma

Year: 
2022
Ranking: 
Honorable Mention
Artist: 
Jack Hopper, graduate student
Department: 
Chemistry
Lab: 
Abu-Omar

Description

The use of renewable, bio-based molecules as building blocks for the future will reduce our petroleum dependence and create a more sustainable future. Erythritol, found in fruits, was modified to enable its use in greener plastic production. Purification enabled these crystalline needles to grow.

This image was taken through a 4x microscope and shows crystals of a primary hydroxyl-selective silyl ether protection of erythritol. After purification via column chromatography and removal of solvent, long crystalline needles rapidly formed by growing outward from circular regions. The head-on collision of the crystalline fronts formed an interesting dividing line. The success of the reaction and crystal purity was confirmed via nuclear magnetic resonance.

CSEPSchuller LabCNSIUCSBMOXI