CHEM 454

Electronic devices have become an integral part of experimental chemistry and physics laboratories. This course provides an introduction to the development of custom instruments and data acquisition (DAQ) systems using basic electronic components. Topics may include passive and active analog electronics (RC circuits and op-amps), communication protocols, microcontroller usage and programming, component selection, graphic user interface (GUI) creation, and test and validation methods.

Although this course covers topics from the field of electronics, it is designed to help you be a better experimental scientist; it is not designed to help you become an electrical engineer. Hopefully it will help you develop a practical understanding of electronics and programming so that you will be better able to setup, troubleshoot, construct, and utilize scientific equipment. The course assumes no previous experience in electronics or programming, just a willingness to learn, experiment, and tinker.

This course is cross-listed with PHYS 454 and CHEM 554.

Code Example

abstract type Point end
struct PointR2{T<:Real} <: Point
    x::T
    y::T
end
struct PointR3{T<:Real} <: Point
    x::T
    y::T
    z::T
end
function len(p::T) where T<:Point
  sqrt(sum(getfield(p, η)^2 for η ∈ fieldnames(T)))
end

Lectures

1. Intro to Python and Raspberry Pi Pico [html] [pdf]

2. Serial Communication

3. RC Circuits

4. Op-amps I

5. Op-amps II

Lab Activities

1. Intro to Python and Raspberry Pi Pico

2. Serial Communication

3. RC Circuits

4. Op-amps I

5. Op-amps II

Practice Problems & Homework Assignments

1. Intro to Python and Raspberry Pi Pico

2. Serial Communication

3. RC Circuits

4. Op-amps I

5. Op-amps II

Project Info