600 CHEMISTRY

Quantifying Live Cell Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Condensates

By: Lilian G.Year: 2024School: University HighGrade: 11Science Teacher: Tim Smay Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a process where biomolecular condensates form from proteins or nucleic acids, plays a critical role in various cellular functions by housing diverse chemical reactions. However, the dysregulation of LLPS has been linked to severe health conditions, including tumorigenesis and neurodegenerative diseases. This underscores

Platinum Nanowire For Hydrogen Sensing

By: Madeline P.Year: 2023School: Los Alamitos HighGrade: 11Science Teacher: Lauren Helm In the vast landscape of scientific inquiry, even the smallest components can hold immense potential. In her award-winning OCSEF project, Madeline delves into the realm of nanotechnology, seeking to unravel the mysteries of platinum nanowires and their role in hydrogen sensing. With a carefully laid out plan

Orange Storage: “C” The Difference

By: Sophia W.Year: 2023School: McPherson MagnetGrade: 8Science Teacher: Danielle Garcia This fascinating science project investigates the effect of storage temperature on the concentration of Vitamin C in oranges. This research aimed to provide insights into the optimal conditions for preserving the nutritional quality of oranges. Using a redox-titration model, Sophia explored a range of temperatures,

Synthesizing Hydrophobic Carbon Dots and the Effect of Injecting Carbon Dots Into Methyl-terminated Polydimethylsiloxane on Gas Permeability

By: Teresa N.Year: 2023School: Westminster HighGrade: 12Science Teacher: Huy Pham In the realm of materials science, Teresa embarked on an intriguing science project aimed at synthesizing hydrophobic carbon quantum dots (HCDs) and investigating their potential as a fluorophore for polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone. By making PDMS fluorescent, Teresa aimed to address the challenge of detecting tears and leaks in

Glycerin Duration On Flooring Materials using Dunstan’s Test

From 2018, 9% of adults have said they occasionally vape, and from 2019 around 27.5% of high school students use vape products, both groups in the U.S. According to the FDA, 1 million youth e-cigarette users use it daily, giving an idea of how common vaping is. Tam’s OCSEF project sought to inquire about the

Effectiveness of Different Adaptive Image Steganography Methods

By: Sydney B.Year: 2021School: Portola HighGrade: 10Science Teacher: Jeralyn Newton Steganography is the practice of concealing secret information inside of an inconspicuous carrier object. Sydney explored different methods of concealing written messages in the pixels of a digital image. Writing multiple computer programs that each concealed a given message in a picture, Sydney then tested

Corrosion of Metals

By: Rakshana S.Year: 2020School: Lakeside Middle School, 8th gradeDivision: JuniorAdvisor: Mrs. Feng All structures we see outside are usually made of any type of metal, mostly steel. When it is exposed to any liquid and oxygen it creates a process called iron-oxide also known as rusting. Rust can change steel into different material, even material

Break the Tension

By: Geoffrey G.Year: 2016School: Davis Magnet School, 6th gradeAdvisor: Pam Brusic Geoffrey G., a 6th-grader at Davis Magnet School, entered his project in the Junior Division of the OC Science and Engineering Fair of 2015 – 2016. His chemistry project, entitled, “Break the Tension,” tested water surface tension. Geoffrey decided to participate in the science

Effect of Temperature on Solubility of Table Sugar and Table Salt

By: Ankita A.Year: 2016School: Venado Middle SchoolAdvisior: Bob EvansDevision: Junior Ankita, an 8th-grader at Venado Middle School, competed in the Junior Division of the OC Science and Engineering Fair of 2015 – 2016. She won third place with her chemistry project entitled, “Effect of Temperature on the Solubility of Table Sugar and Table Salt.” Ankita