Laser Engraving and Cutting

In the December of 2016, the Monmouth College Chemistry Department purchased a Full Spectrum H-Series 5th Generation 45W CO2 laser engraver/cutter. This instrument was purchased, in part, in anticipation of the 2017 MACTLAC meeting where Lon Porter of Wabash College will lead a breakout session on "Fabricating Applications in Chemistry" including 3D printing and laser engraving/etching/cutting. This new instrument will be installed in CSB 373 (Physical Chemistry lab).

Full Spectrum Laser

Company website: https://fslaser.com/

H-Series website: https://fslaser.com/Product/Hobby

Intro video: https://youtu.be/1ef78vSVo1o

Justification

We see this type of technology as "cutting-edge" (pun intended). MC would be an early adopter (but clearly after Wabash College) of a technology that will be mainstream in a few years. This fits in well with interests in "entrepreneurial" activities since the technology could be used (and current is) by both sciences and art. Many entrepreneurial businesses are using this technology to do personalized engraving, jewelry making, and paper cutting. This will strengthen our relationship with the Art department.
Most chemistry departments have a "laser." Although this is not a standard laser that is used to do spectroscopy, we can use this as a VERY interesting example of a laser to discuss the "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation" and other aspects related to lenses material (ZnSe). A search of J Chem Ed finds no publication related to laser engraving, but a search of J Chem Ed for "microfluidics" returns 9 papers, none of which use laser engraving as a means of preparing their microfluidic devices.
We would like to continue to explore microfluidic techniques as it applied to ESR sample preparation; this will be done in both research, quantum (pchem II), and summer research. Having a laser engraver will allow us to make ~300 um (possibly 50 um) channels with any pattern that can be drawn on the computer...or by hand for that matter.