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Science Research Paper Format

Title should reflect your research area Examples of inappropriate titles

- A magical fertilizer - Save the world with vegetables

Examples of good titles - Investigations on the breakdown of Aspartame- Effects of refrigeration and room temperature on proliferation of yeast on honey

Present tense for discussing general facts or concepts, and past tense for methods and specific results observed in the experiment

Short summary of the project (< 300 words)

State the objectives of the project

Briefly describe the materials and procedures used in your project

Give a summary of your findings; discuss implications of findings

Evaluating different methods of synthesising biodieselBiodiesel technology is actually gaining popularity nowadays. Many

are interested in lowering the consumption of fossil fuel. Unlike fossil fuels, biodiesel produce fewer pollutants such as CO, SO2 and unburnt hydrocarbon. In the past, production of biodiesel engages the agricultural industries such as producing corn ethanol to develop crops for manufacturing biodiesel. However, it is energy- intensive [4], not renewable, not economical and its production contributes to pollution and global warming [5]. Lastly, it occupies cropland suitable for food production. However, what is special in the current biodiesel technology is that waste cooking oil (WVO) obtained from coffee shops is used as starting material to synthesize biodiesel. In this paper, the method of using acid- catalysed, base- catalysed and acid- base catalyzed transesterification to synthesise biodiesel is shown and the qualities of the biodiesel are compared. The best synthesized biodiesel will be eventually compared to commercially produced biodiesels to determine which one fares better.

Three types of transesterification processes (acid-catalysed, base-catalysed, acid-base catalysed) were compared and evaluated in terms of yield, total and bound glycerol content, density, viscosity, heat of combustion and combustion rate. The base-catalysed transesterification was carried out with methanol and sodium hydroxide as a catalyst while the acid-catalysed transesterification was carried out with methanol and 98% w/w concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The acid-base catalysed transesterification was carried out by acid pretreatment followed by base catalysed transesterification. For all processes, reflux was carried out at 65°C for a total of one and a half hours. Results showed that the conversion of waste vegetable oil to biodiesel was the highest through acid-base catalysed transesterification, followed by base-catalysed transesterification and acid-catalysed transesterification. Correspondingly, the quality of biodiesel synthesised from acid-base catalysed transesterification was also generally the best.

Call attention to the specific subject, define the problem or question that you are trying to answer with your investigation

Provide background information and present the results of other studies (literature review)

Fatty acid methyl esters originating from vegetable oils and animal fats are known as biodiesel. Biodiesel fuel has received considerable attention in recent years, as it is a biodegradable, renewable and non-toxic fuel. It contributes no net carbon dioxide or sulfur to the atmosphere and emits less gaseous pollutants than normal diesel (Lang et al., 2001; Antolin et al., 2002; Vicenteet al., 2004). There are four primary ways to make biodiesel, direct use and blending, microemulsions, thermal cracking (pyrolysis) and transesterification (Ma andHanna, 1999). The most common way is transesterificationas the biodiesel from transesterification can be used directly or as blends with diesel fuel in diesel engine (Peterson et al., 1991; Zhang et al., 2003).

Biodiesel from heterotrophic microaglae oilMiao, X., Wu, Q (2005). Biodiesel from heterotrophic microalgae oil. Bioresour.Technol. 97, 841–846.

Fatty acid methyl esters originating from vegetable oils and animal fats are known as biodiesel.

Introduction (Example)Introduction (Example)

Biodiesel from heterotrophic microaglae oilMiao, X., Wu, Q (2005). Biodiesel from heterotrophic microalgae oil. Bioresour.Technol. 97, 841–846.

Definition of biodiesel

Biodiesel fuel has received considerable attention in recent years, as it is a biodegradable, renewable and non-toxic fuel. It contributes no net carbon dioxide or sulfur to the atmosphere and emits less gaseous pollutants than normal diesel (Lang et al., 2001; Antolin et al., 2002; Vicenteet al., 2004). Advantages of biodiesel

There are four primary ways to make biodiesel, direct use and blending, microemulsions, thermal cracking (pyrolysis) and transesterification (Ma and Hanna, 1999). The most common way is transesterification as the biodiesel from transesterification can be used directly or as blends with diesel fuel in diesel engine (Peterson et al., 1991; Zhang et al., 2003).

Methods of synthesising biodiesel

Complete information of materials and methods used ,conditions present, actions, experimental design, etc.

Usually has sub-headings and matches those to be used in Results

Sufficient information must be given so that the experiments could be reproduced

2.1. Materials

Chitin (MW ¨ 310 kDa, degree of deacetylation 10%) prepared from crab shells was donated by Kitto Life Co. (Seoul, Korea). For the preparation of chitin derivative, 2-chloroethylamino hydrochloride purchased from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO). The microorganisms tested for antibacterial activity were obtained from KCTC (Korean Collection of Type Cultures). Onitrophenyl-h-d-galactoside (ONPG), 1-N-phenyl-naphthylamine (NPN) was obtained from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO). All other reagents were of the highest grade available commercially.

Antimicrobial action of novel chitin derivativeJe, J-Y., Kim, S-K (2005). 97, 841–846. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1760 , 104 – 109

Materials and Methods Materials and Methods (Example)(Example)Antimicrobial action of novel chitin derivative

Je, J-Y., Kim, S-K (2005). 97, 841–846. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1760 , 104 – 109

2.2. Synthesis of water-soluble chitin derivative

Chitin derivative was synthesized as shown in Scheme 1. Chitin was aminoalkylated using the method of Clifford and Naoyuki [13]. Aqueous 3.0 M (15 ml) 2-chlorethylamino hydrochloride was added to chitin (0.30 g) with stirring at 65 C. NaOH of 3.0 M (15 ml) was added to the reaction mixture dropwise, and continuously stirred for 18 h. After reaction, solid state chitin was removed using filter paper. Subsequently, the reaction mixture was acidified with 0.1MHCl, 0.0001MHCl, and dialyzed against water for 2 day. The product was freeze dried to give the amino-derivatized chitin (AE-chitin: 0.403 g).

Display data with logical development showing how your findings satisfy your objectives

Use tables and figures

Fig. 4. Release of 260 nm absorbing material from S. aureus suspensionstreated with 73.5 Ag/ml ( –.– ) and 147 Ag/ml (–o–) of AEC.

Antimicrobial action of novel chitin derivativeJe, J-Y., Kim, S-K (2005). 97, 841–846. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1760 , 104 – 109

Summarise your Results

Interpret and explain (where possible) the data and results of the experiment

Compare your findings to those of other studies – list similarities or differences observed

Discussion (Example)Discussion (Example)Antimicrobial action of novel chitin derivativeJe, J-Y., Kim, S-K (2005). 97, 841–846. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1760 , 104 – 109

As shown in Table 2, AEC markedly inhibited the growth of most Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli, S. typhimurium and P. aeruginosa. MIC values of AEC were 62.5 Ag/ml against E.coli and S. typhimurium, respectively. In the case of P. aeruginosa, AEC was more effective than other Gram-negative bacteria, MIC value was 7.813 g/ml. AEC also effectivelyinhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, MIC values were 125 g/ml, 62.5 g/ml and 62.5 g/ml against S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and E. faecalis, respectively.

Draw conclusions from results obtained

Summarize your evidence for each conclusion

Relate to objectives of research

Suggest future work

For better credibility, you have to review the literature and show that your contribution extends from a solid foundation of research

List only the references cited in your research paper.

At least 5 references are cited from various sources (at least 3 scholarly refs.)

Use citation builder (convenient to use) :http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/lobo2/citationbuilder/index.php

Thank people who helped you with your project

Length of report ( 3000 words)

Typed written, double spacing, Times New Roman font of size 12 or Arial Font of size 11

Proper citation (APA format)

Introduction

There are four primary ways to make biodiesel, direct use and blending, microemulsions, thermal cracking (pyrolysis) and transesterification (Ma and Hanna, 1999).

In-text Citation (Example)In-text Citation (Example)

References

Ma, F., Hanna, M.A., (1999). Biodiesel production: a review. Bioresour.Technol. 70, 1–15.

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