The extracurricular innovation laboratories serve vital expansion and valuable complement to the traditional teaching laboratory and play a crucial role in developing students’ innovative abilities. Given the variety of experiments conducted, the open management of these laboratories presents significant challenges. This paper examines the issues faced by chemical extracurricular innovation laboratories which are opening to undergraduate students and explores corresponding management approaches involving the enhancement of institutional safeguards, the clarification of safety responsibilities, the optimization of resource allocation and opening up of new management models from managerial perspective. These efforts aim to provide robust support for the cultivation of innovative talents.

The effective integration of ideological and political education into the curriculum is the key to improving teaching quality and cultivating high-quality talent. Taking the experiment “Determining the Thermodynamic Functions of Chemical Reactions by Electromotive Force Method” as an example, we have constructed a deep exploratory laboratory inquiry combined with ideological and political education. Through the exploration of the principles and methods of electromotive force determination, as well as the derivation of thermodynamic quantities of reactions, students have not only deepened their understanding of related fundamental theoretical knowledge, enhanced their experimental skills and innovation ability to solve practical problems; they have also strengthened their patriotic sentiments and sense of responsibility.

To facilitate the integration of education and science, a specialized experiment has been designed to address the research hotspots in the field of energy. This experiment is characterized by collaborative innovation, ensuring both safety and operability. By starting with literature search and experiment design, students are guided to explore the advancements in zinc-air fuel cells, understand their working principles, assembly techniques, and methods for performance evaluation. Through a systematic training program that simulates the scientific research process, students are encouraged to pursue excellence and seek the truth in the scientific field. This program aims to gradually develop their scientific literacy and enhance their practical skills.

There are numerous hazards present in university chemistry teaching laboratories. Improper implementation of management methods and technical measures can result in injuries to both teachers and students, consequently disrupting the normal flow of experimental teaching. The negative list management system allows for a concise and comprehensive summary of issues encountered during various experimental teaching and laboratory management processes. Proper organization and continuous improvement of the negative list is one effective approach to strengthening the safety management of chemistry teaching laboratories in universities. This article, based on an analysis of the various factors impacting current university chemistry teaching laboratories, establishes a targeted negative list. It also promotes targeted laboratory safety education and training, the implementation of effective laboratory engineering and technical safety measures, and the reinforcement of mandatory laboratory safety measures. This approach, combined with the 3E method, forms a chemistry teaching laboratory safety model. The sustained development of this model, in conjunction with the negative list management system, has yielded positive results in the management of chemistry teaching laboratories and serves as a valuable reference for the safety management of such laboratories in universities.

The carbon capture technology is an important way for achieving the “Double Carbon” goal. Calcium-based absorbents are more suitable for the capture of CO₂ from high-temperature industrial sources. Based on the context of the “Double Carbon”, this work integrated cutting-edge carbon capture technology into instrumental analysis experimental course, and developed a designing and comprehensive experiment about “preparation, characterization and carbon-capture ability of eggshell-derived CaO”. Waste eggshells was selected as the calcium source, then pre-treatment with acetic acid yielded calcium acetate, which was calcined at high temperatures to produce CaO with good carbon capture ability. The purity, morphology, structure, and CO₂capture ability of as-prepared CaO were tested using various analysis methods such as EDTA compleximetry titration, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. This experiment adopts a project-based teaching approach, which guides students to independently design experimental plans, conduct practical work, and summarize their findings. It not only enhances students’ ability to comprehensively apply professional knowledge to solve practical problems, but also cultivates their scientific research literacy and teamwork spirit.

To address the issue of low selectivity in the benzene to phenol preparation process, a novel exploratory experimental design is introduced. Students are guided to investigate the performance of FeOOH-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composite aerogels prepared via the sol-gel method in the photocatalytic hydroxylation of benzene to phenol. The objective of this experiment is to achieve improved selectivity of benzene to phenol under mild conditions. This experiment plays a positive role in cultivating students’ innovative thinking, enhancing their innovation and practical abilities.

In order to address the current issue of the disconnection and poor integration between ideological and political education and experimental teaching in physical chemistry experiment courses, we have undertaken an exploration to seamlessly integrate the ideological and political elements into the teaching process. This exploration involves cultivating teachers’ awareness and ability in integrating ideological and political education into their curriculum, revising the teaching objectives of physical chemistry experiment, optimizing the teaching content, refining the teaching methods, and improving the assessment methods. The goal is to enable students to develop a close relationship with their teachers and have faith in their teachings, while also experiencing the enriching taste of ideological and political elements in their learning journey.

As one of the important concepts in the electrochemical part in physical chemistry, the determination of ion migration number is involved in the physical chemistry experiment course in various universities. Literature research and our past teaching practices have shown that the ion migration number measured using the Hittorf method differs significantly from the literature values. In order to reduce the measurement errors and investigate the influencing factors of the test results, this experiment made improvements in three aspects: controlling the amount of solution, the sequence of solution/electricity disconnection, and the calculation of the quantity of electricity. After minimizing the errors caused by experimental operations and concentration measurement, the factors that truly influence the measurement results of ion migration number were analyzed. The experimental results indicated that when using current multiplied by time as the data source for the quantity of electricity and calculating the ion migration number using the cathodic solution, the obtained results were closer to the reference value.

Experimental teaching is crucial for fostering the innovative capabilities of chemistry students. Through comprehensive experimental training, students can develop their problem-solving skills and cultivate a strong interest in researching photovoltaic devices, thereby instilling confidence in scientific research and nurturing their innovative abilities. The utilization of surface engineering enhances the performance of easily applicable carbon-based perovskite solar cells, facilitating interlayer hole transport and promoting contact between the perovskite and carbon interfaces, ultimately improving the efficiency of the devices. This experiment is highly practical and safe, allowing students to directly experience the conversion of light energy into electrical energy and gain a profound understanding of the operational principles of photovoltaic devices.

In the teaching process of laboratory course on chemical functional molecules, ideological and political elements were explored and integrated in the research experiment on synthesis and catalytic performance study of chiral Mn(III)Cl-Salen complex. Furthermore, combined with multi-link experimental teaching, such as group research and scientific reporting, the whole process of ideological and political education was implemented in the professional curriculum. This approach enriched the connotation of teaching and education, and realized the three functions of the course, including knowledge education, skill enhancement and ideological and political education.

The development of polymer chemistry experiment teaching for non-polymer major students of chemistry has been relatively slow, and it is urgent to keep up with the frontier of scientific research in the field and introduce advanced and practical contents. This paper summarizes our reform experience in experiment teaching over the past decade, using the preparation, solution property, optical performance, and application of thermo-sensitive polymers as an example. We demonstrate how to innovate the content of experiment teaching, experimental technology, and teaching methods, through which we design a series of polymer chemistry experiments that meet the training needs of science talents, conform to the times and scientific development, and are loved and valued by students. This approach effectively solves the contradiction between training needs and course load, allowing for the integration of these newly designed experiments into the teaching system of non-polymer major undergraduate students of chemistry, without the need for new courses, despite the limited class hours. This approach proves to be feasible and helpful in stimulating students’ interest in the field, and enhancing their ability for inquiry and innovation.

This paper focuses on the improvement and expansion of the experiment “Determination of the Rate Constant of Ethyl Acetate Saponification Reaction” in existing Physical Chemistry Experiment textbooks. Firstly, the saponification reaction vessel is replaced with a jacket beaker to ensure the uniform concentration and constant temperature of the solution during the experiment through constant temperature water circulation and magnetic stirring. Secondly, a certain volume of 0.01 mol·L⁻¹ sodium hydroxide solution is taken and the conductivity value is measured after reaching a constant temperature, denoted as κ₀. Then, an equal molar amount of ethyl acetate is added to the reactor using a micro sampler while simultaneously recording the conductivity values at different times, denoted as κ_t. Thirdly, the influence of electrode constant is eliminated through data normalization, providing clear physical quantities and intuitive experimental phenomena. The improved experimental procedure reduces steps and improves the accuracy of data measurement, allowing for the measurement of the rate constant of rapid saponification reactions under high temperature conditions. Within limited class time, students can obtain the apparent activation energy and pre-exponential factor through division of labor, collaboration, and data sharing.

In addition to their primary responsibilities in teaching support, technicians at the National Demonstration Center for Experimental Chemistry Education (Peking University) have been actively encouraged to engage in various endeavors that align with their professional expertise and personal interests. This paper aims to highlight specific approaches that have been implemented in recent years to enhance the technicians’ overall competence and foster their individualized growth. These approaches include engaging in teaching practices and reforms, advancing instrument development and enhancement, contributing to laboratory construction initiatives, as well as participating in social service activities.

Innovative talent cultivation is an inevitable requirement for achieving high-level technological selfreliance. The research training and experimental competitions of university students play a significant role in fostering innovative talents. This article combines the practical situation of the construction of the National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Chemistry at Sun Yat-Sen University to introduce and analyze the organization and implementation of innovative experimental projects and disciplinary competitions for undergraduate students in recent years, the problems encountered, and the achievements made. It explores how the experimental teaching center can leverage its resource advantages to better manage and organize the research training and disciplinary competitions of undergraduate students, effectively cultivating their research thinking and practical skills, and further enhancing the level of innovative talent cultivation.

Large-scale instruments play a crucial role in talent cultivation and research testing services in universities. A systematic training system is the fundamental guarantee for the efficient operation of the university’s large-scale instrument sharing platform, as well as an objective requirement for promoting first-class education and cultivating top talents. A systematic and standardized online training model is beneficial in enhancing the effectiveness of the training. This paper explores the construction of a network resource platform that integrates safety training and assessment, instrument usage training and assessment, instrument principles and application techniques, and interactive communication of instrument test results and cutting-edge displays. It also explores the development of a training management system and a comprehensive learning support system based on this platform, providing new insights for the construction of a large-scale instrument sharing and talent cultivation system in universities.

In order to cooperate with the new development layout: the coordinated development of five campuses in three cities， the National Demonstration Center for Experimental Chemistry Education of Sun Yat-Sen University has been actively promoting the overall relocation. With the strong support of the university and the school of chemistry, the center has completed the new space layout and laboratory optimization and upgrading, and comprehensively improved its comprehensive strength. The facilities and instruments have been greatly improved in two past years. Combined with the new situation and new layout of the university, a simple, efficient, and scientific management system has also been constructed. The above has promoted the sustainable development of the center and created a new development pattern of “high-quality schooling” in the center.

The technology of ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and ion chromatography (IC) with valve switching method is suitable for the simultaneous analysis of samples containing organic compounds and inorganic anions, which simplifies the pretreatment process, eliminates the complex matrix, enriches inorganic anions, realizes the simultaneous analysis of organic compounds and inorganic anions, and improves the efficiency of chromatographic analysis. The technology of ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography and ion chromatography with valve switching method is introduced into the undergraduate instrument analysis experiment class, which deepens the students’ understanding of the special advantages of the new technology, improves the undergraduates’ ability to solve complex practical problems, widens the field and enriches the content of instrument analysis experiment. Of course, it is conducive to the cultivation of innovative and comprehensive talents.

This comprehensive chemistry experiment utilizes vanadium trichloride and hexamethylenetetramine as precursors to synthesize a heterostructured composite material consisting of nano-scaled vanadium nitride particles embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon sheets through template-assisted heat treatment and nitridation methods. Furthermore, the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction performance of the composite material is thoroughly examined. The experimental procedure encompasses interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills in inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, and analytical chemistry, with a focus on cutting-edge scientific research. By stimulating students’ interest in learning and enhancing their application abilities, this experiment aims to cultivate students’ disciplinary literacy, research innovation capabilities, and sense of social responsibility.

In this paper, we designed a protein immunoassay using microfluidic technology to quantitatively detect procalcitonin (PCT). The experiment involved various steps such as solution preparation, microfluidic chip assembly, standard curve drawing, testing of unknown liquid samples, and other experimental processes. By conducting these experiments, students can gain a deeper understanding of the emerging scientific research field of microfluidics. Furthermore, this training helps to foster their scientific thinking, ability to innovate, and integrate knowledge.

To strengthen the management of laboratory safety, a comprehensive system for undergraduate chemistry laboratory safety is constructed from three aspects: the establishment of safety regulations and rules, safety training for laboratory experiments, and optimization of experiment teaching content, as well as safety emergency training. In terms of improving experiment content, this paper focuses on introducing methods such as designing green chemistry experiments, ensuring the safety of classic experiments, and virtualizing high-risk experiments. By integrating safety management throughout the entire teaching process, not only can students’ safety awareness be effectively cultivated, but also their overall quality can be enhanced.

This paper describes some of the problems in the teaching of organic chemistry laboratory, and introduces the exploration and practice of improving the teaching quality. In the decades, we have continuously innovated the teaching methods of organic chemistry laboratory from the aspects of strengthening students’ preview, strengthening teachers’ skill training, emphasizing the collective lesson preparation, strengthening the teachers’ guidance of the experimental process, and strengthening the evaluation and reflection after class.

Laboratory common instruments and glassware safety are necessary knowledge and skills for laboratory. In this case, the specialized knowledge is organically combined with ideological and political elements. The laboratory common instruments and glassware safety are related to the safety accidents in the laboratories of university and real life. The multi-integration teaching design and implementation centering on students' core competencies further strengthen the students' awareness of safety and environmental protection, stimulate the students' interest in learning. The corresponding knowledge of adopted online MOOC is extended, expanded and supplemented. These cultivate the students' knowledge transfer ability, make students fully realize the significance of laboratory instruments and glassware safety for the safe operation of laboratories as well as national security and stability, enhance the students' social responsibility, and play a good role in improving students' ability and quality.

The basic chemistry experiments not only serve to validate chemical theories and train experimental skills, but also focus on enhancing students’ analytical and problem-solving abilities. In order to cultivate outstanding students in the basic discipline, we have carried out reforms and practices in the teaching content, knowledge system, and teaching methods of the basic chemistry laboratory course, guided by the principle of individualized instruction. By constructing a student-centered and problem-oriented teaching model, we aim to systematically improve the effectiveness and impact of experimental teaching in talent cultivation.

Aqueous zinc metal batteries have promising potentials in electrochemical energy storage due to their inherent safety and low cost. However, their practical application is hindered by side reactions during Zn deposition/ stripping. In this experiment, we report a simple heat treatment to achieve preferred orientation of the Zn(002) plane in Zn foils. Then, the effect of this change on electrochemical properties is evaluated. This experiment is closely related to the cutting-edge research topics based on crystal chemistry and electrochemistry, which would greatly inspire students’ interest in scientific research.

The Diels-Alder reaction between anthracene and maleic anhydride is a classic experiment commonly performed in introductory organic chemistry courses. This article recommends a computational chemistry experiment for the Diels-Alder reaction between anthracene and maleic anhydride, utilizing density functional methods in the Gaussian 16 program to investigate the reaction mechanism. The aim of this experiment is to stimulate students’ interest in organic chemistry and computational chemistry, deepen their understanding of the chemical discipline, and enhance their ability to apply knowledge in scientific research.

Based on the binary system of ionic surfactant C₁₄TAB and water, the optical properties and phase behavior of them including isotropy/anisotropy, birefringence, and optical texture are studied by polarized light microscopy and visual observation. The structure and parameters of the lyotropic liquid crystal phase are characterized by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and the binary phase diagram is constructed. This experiment expands the research system, reduces the experimental cost, and improves the experimental accuracy based on the original comprehensive chemistry experiment. It is helpful to understand the microstructure and properties of lyotropic liquid crystals; master the principles and methods of characterization techniques; stimulate the interests of students in physical chemistry. Further, it contributes to help students expand their scientific logic and improve their experimental skills.

University physical chemistry experiments mainly focuse on classical foundational theory verification experiments, with a lack of independent design and comprehensive experiments. Based on the existing instruments and experimental conditions of the Center for Experimental Chemistry Education of Shandong University, a comprehensive physical chemistry experiment was designed to prepare cobalt-based metal-organic framework/copper(I) oxide micro-nano composites and study the photo-enhanced electrochemical oxygen evolution catalytic performance. This experiment involves aspects such as material synthesis, structural characterization, performance evaluation, and result analysis. It not only inspires students to discover the inherent laws between material structure and properties, but also consolidates their previous theoretical and experimental knowledge, mobilizes students’ enthusiasm and initiative in learning, and enhances their ability to solve problems and flexibly apply knowledge.

The rate constants in chemical reactions are highly temperature-sensitive. In kinetic experiments, the solutions are usually preheated respectively before transferring them quantitatively for reaction. This common practice often leads to temperature imbalances due to the solution’s exposure to room temperature during transfer process, causing significant initial data errors and distortion of kinetic curves. Moreover, the simultaneous operations required for quantitative transfer, initiation of timing, and solution mixing can overwhelm inexperienced students and lead to errors. Excessive reagent use during preheating can also result in waste. To address these issues, our group has developed a “trousers-shaped” kinetic reaction flask along with its supporting devices. This flask enables gradual solution transfer, preheating, and mixing, making the experimental procedure more logical and reducing both temperature-induced errors and student operation mistakes, while also saving reagents. The flask has been practically applied in our university’s physical chemistry experimental teaching, enriching the experimental content, improving students’ operational skills, and enhancing their ability to analyze and solve problems comprehensively. It also contributes to elevating students’ research literacy and the overall effectiveness of experimental teaching.

In response to the problems of lack of comprehensive and research-oriented experimental projects in traditional “Polymer Chemistry Laboratory” courses, which cannot meet the requirements for practical and innovative abilities of “emerging engineering” talents, a comprehensive experimental project on the preparation and characterization of rigid polyurethane foam materials has been developed. By using a fully water-based foaming system and adjusting the dosage of foaming agent and flame retardant, seven groups of polyurethane foam materials were prepared. Then, the apparent density, compressive strength, and oxygen index of the materials were characterized using national standard methods. The influence and reasons for different ratios of foaming agent and flame retardant on the properties of foam materials were analyzed. This experiment closely aligns with the development of the polymer industry, highlighting comprehensiveness and research-oriented nature. The teaching process integrates basic experimental skills with scientific research methods training, which helps enhance the “innovativeness, high-level thinking, and challenge” of the polymer chemistry laboratory course and support the cultivation of “emerging engineering” talents.

Based on scientific research, a comprehensive chemistry experiment was designed as “Carbon nanotube/SnS₂ photoanode catalyst materials were prepared using the solvothermal method”. Characterizations of the materials were conducted using SEM (Scanning electron microscope), XRD (X-ray diffraction), UV-Vis (Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy), etc. Transient photocurrent response, electrochemical impedance and linear voltammetry scanning were used to analyze the water decomposition properties of the materials. This experiment enables students to master the preparation, characterization, and application of materials, fostering their scientific research literacy. Through hands-on experimentation, students can validate their learned knowledge, enhancing their problem-solving abilities. By understanding the properties and applications of the materials, the experiment also nurtures students’ awareness of energy crises and environmental protection.

This study aims to foster students’ computational thinking by integrating research project-based teaching methods. It outlines a comprehensive series of computational experiments centered on the first-principles calculations of the LiFePO₄ cathode material, a prominent subject of study in lithium-ion battery research. The designed computational experiments encompass modeling of crystal structures, structure optimizations, electronic structure calculations, lithium-ion diffusion estimations, and post-experiment analyses. This approach ensures students gain a profound understanding of the foundational principles, processes, and analytical methods of first-principles calculations. Simultaneously, it bolsters both their grasp of theoretical methods and proficiency in software operations.

Traditional chemistry laboratories with a singular function, scattered distribution, and poor shareability, lead to the inefficient utilization of lab spaces and experimental equipment. This mode is not benefit to the crossintegration of multidisciplinary knowledge, and to some extent, it affects the development of students’ comprehensive quality. Following the guiding ideology of “building high-quality platforms, focusing on practical education, cultivating innovative concepts, and cultivating innovative talents”, teaching reforms has been carried out in the integration and sharing of the chemical laboratory, improving utilization rates, opening management, and improving the quality of innovative and applied talent cultivation. After years of exploration, an innovative experimental (training) platform with the focus on improving students’ innovative practical ability, the two main lines of teaching and scientific research, and the three sides of teaching and scientific research have been established. Some results have been achieved, which will provide references for the construction of innovative experiment (training) p

With the increase of exploratory projects of comprehensive chemistry laboratory in universities, the types and quantity of hazardous chemicals are increasing. Due to the frequent occurrence of safety accidents in university laboratories, the safety management of hazardous chemicals has become an important concern of chemistry laboratories in recent years. According to the present situation for management and existing problems, this paper proposes a series of countermeasures, including three-level linkage responsibility and safety inspection system, strengthening the construction of laboratory management echelon, refining the process of purchase, store and use of hazardous chemicals, and strengthening the information construction of management platform. It effectively improves the safety responsibility consciousness of the teachers and students, and gradually reduces the hidden danger of laboratory safety, which provides a reference for the safety management mode of hazardous chemicals.

In situ fluorescence imaging technology offers an efficacious method for garnering biochemical information at cellular and organismal scales. Prolonged in situ labeling techniques, using solid-state fluorescent probes, are particularly suited for precise imaging and surgical navigation during tumor resections. However, the inherent challenges, including extended research cycles, high costs, and substantial resource utilization, often preclude their inclusion in undergraduate teaching. To surmount these obstacles, we transformed the latest research findings into a "virtual simulation experiment of tumor in situ fluorescent labeling technology design and exploration" utilizing the U3D three-dimensional virtual reality technology platform. Through an interactive 37-step operation and exploratory teaching approach centred on crucial scientific issues, we aim to hone students' practical skills, foster scientific thinking and innovative awareness, actively guide the development of their scientific literacy, and instil values pertinent to scientific research.