Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and stabilized using ammonium cations or poly­(vinyl alcohol) to produce amazing materials such as safer aqueous ferrofluids, ferrogels, ferromagnetic inks, plastics, and nanopowders illustrating how versatile materials can be produced just by simple modifications. The synthesis is fast, reliable, and efficient. It demonstrates many material properties such as magnetism, ferrofluidity, gelation, and so forth.

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In the field of "hydrogen energy", sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) is a potential hydrogen carrier able to release H 2 by hydrolysis in the presence of a metal catalyst. Our laboratory experiment focuses on this. It is intended for thirdyear undergraduate students in order to have hands-on laboratory experience through the synthesis of Co−Cu catalysts, X-ray characterization, and catalytic tests to qualitatively illustrate the Sabatier principle (volcano plot). The experiments require minimal preparation and are simple and instructive. Students gain experience in handling H 2 and a better understanding of the current issues hindering the development of the "hydrogen economy".

Ruby (aluminum oxide doped with Cr) powders were synthesized using a assisted microwave combustion method in an approach developed to involve students in a research-like experiment. The synthesis is fast (5 min) and efficient. It demonstrates many properties of ruby such as atomic structure, color, and fluorescence as a function of increasing doping content.