Science

During the Lent Term on Wednesday Afternoon activities, Tonbridge School and Tonbridge Grammar School collaborated in an interschool science investigation to form a Chemistry Research Group.

The Research Group

Five pairs of students were split into two smaller sets, with one investigating a method to measure the conductivity of ionic solutions and the other to synthesize ionic liquids (IL).

Ionic Liquid Synthesis

Through knowledge of basic chemistry, we know that ionic compounds tend to be crystals, e.g., table salt (sodium chloride). However, new discoveries found that it is possible to create ionic compounds in a pure liquid form. As ionic compounds can be easily modified, their properties can be changed by great magnitudes and thus be customised for many purposes, making ILs revolutionary in many industries. In the laboratory, this can be achieved by adding different anions which essentially change the chemical composition of the IL. Current applications include lubricants and electrolytes, and more research is still undergoing to find promising novel uses of IL. Within each individual group, students investigated various aspects of IL. For example, Rachel (from Tonbridge Grammar School) and I looked at different ways to synthesise ILs, whereas Chris Halford (PH) and his pair specifically investigated microwave synthesis. The entire project took over 7 weeks, and once we had finished all the experimental stages, the results were analysed at Queen Mary’s University London, using extremely advanced and expensive technology. Thankfully, all the products were exactly what we intended to synthesise.

Ben Zhao

Conductivity investigation

With a major feature of ionic liquids being electrolytes, Theo (my partner from Tonbridge Grammar School) and I set out to investigate how we could measure the conductivity of ionic solutions. Consequently, when the other group had synthesised ionic liquids, their conductivity could also be measured by our system. This would allow us to compare our synthesised ionic liquids with traditional solvents we were trying to replace. We started with graphite electrodes, measuring the conductance of potassium chloride solutions over varying concentrations. Our method was then changed with new conductivity probes, which we used to measure conductivity over varying concentration and temperatures. Working with students from Tonbridge Grammar School proved to be an exciting experience. It was a pleasure to collaborate with them, exchanging ideas and creating posters of our research. Throughout the investigation, we improved our method, which in turn improved accuracy in the results. This was partly due to the introduction of new conductivity probes and a change in measurement methods; we took measurements during cooling to avoid the effects of bubbles interfering with the probe’s sensor.

Tom Kwok (MH)

Tonbridge Science Conference

Tom Kwok

Spectroscopy experience

Apart from conductivity investigations, our group were able to synthesise ionic liquids following the other group’s instructions. It was our first time synthesising organic molecules. After the reflux process, there was great anticipation when the viscous brown liquid poured out of the round bottomed flask. To uncover the mystery of what we had synthesised, we went to Queen Mary’s University London and used their NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and IR (Infra-Red) Spectroscopy machines. What we had learnt from textbooks and in class came to life when we visited the laboratories. We got to see what researchers use in professional environments and what it was like to be a research scientist. We were incredibly happy (and relieved) when we found out what we synthesised under reflux matched up (mostly) with what we had hoped for. Being part of a research group was an incredibly gratifying experience and having the opportunity to conduct our own investigations beyond the classroom.

Tom Kwok

Each pair from the research group made a poster which combined the research and the experimental data, which was then presented at the Tonbridge Science Conference, where our projects were presented to multiple schools, both locally and internationally. Not only were we able to show case our research, but we were also able to attend multiple other fascinating presentations from other schools, including Sevenoaks and Judd.

Ben Zhao

After the investigations were conducted, Theo and I attended Tonbridge School’s Annual Science Conference. We were able to share our findings with twelve schools internationally. As a Science Ambassador, I also had the opportunity to introduce different keynote speakers, and host different presentations from other students. It was a wonderful experience to share and present my research on measuring the conductivity of ionic liquids with others who were also enthusiastic about science. It was the perfect occasion to discuss and present projects that we have worked hard on. To present at a Science Conference was a fantastic opportunity, let alone have the chance to host one.

The group preparing their IL samples for NMR analysis in the laboratory at Queen Mary University London

To prepare our IL samples for NMR analysis, we had to take a small sample of the IL and place it into a thin glass tube, we then added a small amount of chloroform to the tube using a long glass pipette. Our samples were ready to be examined in the NMR machine. Individually we placed our prepared samples into the giant NMR machine, which had mechanical arms to automatically load our samples, each sample was examined one by one. The NMR ran overnight and once the data was analysed, a spectrum of the results was generated and sent to the NMR’s PC, the results were forwarded to us at Tonbridge, and we all discussed the results. We were incredibly happy to see that the ionic liquids that we had synthesised were indeed what we had intended them to be!

On top of this, Rachel and I also created a podcast on our research at Tonbridge, which was a completely new and enjoyable experience for both of us.

Ben Zhao

Science Communication Competition

Tonbridge’s inaugural Science Communication Competition, Science Snippets: 4 minutes to win it! was held on the evening of 13th May, in the atrium of the Barton Science Centre (BSC).

The finalists invited to attend were: 16 years and under

Aditi Bajaj Weald of Kent

Harry Cordeaux Odin Holdom (PH2)

Ryan Ho (Sc2)

Minnie Hong

The Kings School Tonbridge School Tonbridge School The Kings School Martha Sams Weald of Kent Maddie Simpson Weald of Kent

Students from schools around the SouthEast were invited to send the Tonbridge School Science Department a 60 second video recording discussing their favourite topic in science, in the hope they would get through to the grand finale. With over 100 entries and after a long selection day during which all entries were viewed, fourteen finalists were chosen from two categories, 16 years and under and 17 to19 years. 17 to 19 years Nellie Ash Tunbridge Wells Grammar Leonie Chatterjee Woldingham School William Grantham (WH4) Tonbridge School O-Teen Kwok Caterham School Tom Kwok (MH4) Tonbridge School Jahnvi Nakrani Woldingham School Mahmudur Rahman Eton College Christopher Sneddon (OH4) Tonbridge School

The competition was hosted by Phil Deakin, Head of Science and Ollie Whittall (SH4), Science Ambassador. The judging panel composed of Head judge Sir Jim Smith from the Francis Crick Institute and Director of Science at the Wellcome Trust; our very own Headmaster James Priory; Dr Ali Galloni Head of Science at Sevenoaks School; Lisa Alford Science Coordinator at Tonbridge School and Alex Percival (CH4), Science Ambassador.

On the night of the grand finale, the finalists arrived and were looked after by the Science Ambassadors. The BSC atrium looked amazing lit with blue and red lights with science themed music adding to the electric atmosphere. As the audience took their seats the tension started to rise as the first finalist was called to give their talk. Competitors had just 4 minutes to talk about their specialism or

The Judges Left to Right: Alex Percival Science Ambassador; Lisa Alford Science Coordinator; Sir Jim Smith Francis Crick Institute & Director of Science at the Wellcome Trust; Dr A. Galloni Head of Science Sevenoaks School; James Priory Headmaster

interest in science with a specified age level aimed at first year students, 13 years of age. In the words of Richard Feynman - “If you can’t explain something to a first-year student, then you haven’t really understood”. The judges awarded marks for content, clarity, creativity, and captivation.

The under 16 years finalists were up first, their talks were truly inspirational, and they set an extremely high standard.

Refreshments were served, and the audience had the opportunity to meet and speak with Sir Jim and the other judges. It was then the turn of the 17 to 19 finalists to take their places. The last of the 17 to 19 finalists sat down, all having delivered talks of an exceptional quality. The competition was over, the finalists could do no more. The judges went off to convene and the tension mounted, who was going to win? The judges found it incredibly challenging to choose the winners, but after much deliberation, the judges made their decision:

16 years and under Winners

First Prize Odin Holdom for Winning at Wordle How using science can help one to win the game.

Second Prize Harry Cordeaux for Clear the skies Discussing space junk, the impact it has and why it is going to be a growing problem in the future.

Third Prize Aditi Bajaj for The ‘clean water’ journey How science helps clean water by the water system and could we be doing more?

17 to 19 years Winners

First Prize O-Teen Kwok for The Invisible Forces – Aerodynamics A presentation on how aerodynamics is not just about planes, bird use aerodynamics to fly, and it is used in football too.

Second Prize Nellie Ash for The Universe A talk on the Big Bang, dark energy and whether the universe will end.

Third Prize Tom Kwok for Bioprospecting A talk on the exploration of natural areas in search of native organisms that can be used in commercial products ranging from pharmaceutical and cosmetic technologies.

Sir Jim Smith handed out the prize book tokens and presented all the finalists with a certificate. The competition was a huge success, and everyone had a memorable evening, this will now be an annual event: “I was extremely impressed by the high standard of the students’ talks, many of which were truly inspirational. The finalists were so engaged and enthusiastic, they packed so much information into 4-minutes, and they presented their talks brilliantly, which showed they truly understood the science they were talking about. It was fantastic to see and hear young people enthralled by science and dedicated to talk about science, which is so incredibly important, and it was wonderful to watch a variety of presentations spanning the scientific disciplines, the future of science is clearly in good hands!”

Lisa Alford Science Coordinator

The Winners Judge, Dr A Gallon, Nellie Ash; Tom Kwok; Harry Cordeaux; Odin Holdom; O-Teen Kwok; Aditi Bajaj; Judge, Sir Jim Smith