The electrochemistry of edible metal leaves
Project Description
Metal leaves, usually made of silver-gold alloys, are routinely used to decorate dishes in fine-dining restaurants for the aesthetic appeal. The materials are assumed to be chemically stable and thus non-toxic. Yet, when materials are at nanoscales (leaves are around 100 nm thin), the chemical stability can be very different. The project will investigate the electrochemical stability of silver-gold leaves in simulated stomach acids (hydrochloric acid) to gain rigorous insights.
Supervisor
CHEN Qing
Quota
1
Course type
UROP1000
UROP1100
UROP2100
Applicant's Roles
To review the literature on the topic and carry out simple electrochemical experiments, following the guidance of a PhD student
Applicant's Learning Objectives
To understand the electrochemical properties of alloy leaves and to acquire basic skills of electrochemical experiments
Complexity of the project
Moderate