2026 introductory course in materials analysis

The 10 participants in the introductory course and 2 participants from the Lower Saxony Technical College ("Niedersachsentechnikum") conducted chemical experiments and analyses in small groups at various stations.

The participants brought their own tap water samples for analysis. Using these samples, they performed individual tests to determine the presence of anions such as chloride, carbonate, and sulfate, as well as cations such as iron and copper. It was found that whether an anion or cation could be detected depended on the amount of detection reagent used and the concentration in the sample. Furthermore, water hardness was determined via titration. A wide range of hardness levels — from very soft to very hard — was identified depending on the origin of the tap water sample.

The participants took full advantage of the opportunity to learn about study and training opportunities in the field of chemistry and related disciplines. Thanks to the high proportion of hands-on experiments, the participants were able to expand their practical skills in the laboratory.