Electronic for Chemists_ Turbidimeter

This book is part of a series of publications on applying electronics and robotics to manufacturing chemical laboratory equipment. Building on the 'Electronics for Chemists' series, it is the logical next step after the previous three books on 'Conductimetry', 'Visible Spectroscopy' and 'Light Scattering Goniometer', which introduce chemists and physicists to the design of laboratory equipment for creating an autonomous, low-cost 'ChemLab'.

Colloidal science requires an understanding of particle size in both monopopulated and polypopulated systems. These sizes determine critical properties such as the coalescence of emulsions, the viscosity of slurries, and the opalescence of liquids and mists. When an optical or electronic microscope is unavailable, or when there is insufficient time to obtain reliable statistical measurements, optical methods such as light scattering provide an accessible alternative that offers precision and affordability. One such technique is measuring the turbidimetry of the colloidal solution.

This book is about the turbidimeter and its probes. By examining the physics of soft matter, we explore fundamental electronic operations (amplification and differential amplification) and their Arduino card alternatives. Advanced investigations are managed by an Arduino Nano board running the C++ programming language.

It is important to recognise that we cannot expect a chemist to become an expert in electronics and data processing. However, we can educate them in the simple, basic principles. We encourage chemists to participate in open-source movements to benefit themselves and the wider community of 'hackers' and 'doers'.