University of Alberta professor Dr. Michael Serpe was recently selected as one of Avenue Edmonton's Top 40 Under 40. Below is a short excerpt from the article.
Probably the most important thing that students learn in Michael Serpe's chemistry class is the importance of curiosity and asking questions. Just because a lab project doesn't result in an expected outcome doesn't mean it is a failure. It might just mean they should look closer.
Photo credit: Curtis Trent/Avenue Edmonton
In 2009, a post-doctorate student was upset when her experiment didn't turn out as predicted but, when Serpe checked it out, he got excited. The mysterious change in the colour of the student's experiment led to the creation of a device that could potentially save lives. The device uses responsive polymers - long strands of molecules that can act like sponges, soaking up contaminants - to change colour in the presence of dangerous toxins in water, soil or even the human body.
Read the whole article at Avenue Edmonton.