3D printing lifts the lid on black box instruments

Within analytical chemistry, chemical instruments involve numerous
interconnected parts working cohesively towards a specific functionality.
However, these highly complex mechanisms cannot be fully depicted with a
2-dimensional textbook model or image, leading to confusion or
misconceptions during the learning process. To address this comprehension
gap, an array of chemical instrument components have been designed and
fabricated with 3D printing to create a hands-on learning experience. The
models developed were created in interlocking parts to allow disassembly
and investigation of the inner workings of each instrument component. This
work produced a series of teaching aids and dynamic models for common
instruments including a quadrupole, quadrupole-ion-trap, orbitrap, FTICR
mass spectrometer; a GC injection port, FID, and ECD detectors; an HPLC
injector; an ICP torch and nebulizer; a Michaelson interferometer; a basic
monochromator; and a shatterbox sample preparation device. These models
were designed to be interactive and hand-held 1:1 scale models of
commercial instrument components. Using these models, students’ learning
may be expanded from 2 to 3 dimensions; providing hands-on experience with
modern laboratory instrumentation impossible with commercial
instrumentation. Models were used in a small Analytical Chemistry lecture
(n = 8) which demonstrated positive student reception, especially for
models with kinematic relations to instrument functionality.