Cutting edge research by HND scientists

Students working towards the Higher National Diploma in Applied Chemistry are currently undertaking their own in-depth research projects, the likes of which are not usually carried out until the second year of university.

The strength of the projects will go a long way in determining the scientists’ final HND score, which if high enough can be topped up into a full degree with further study at university.

Programme area leader for Applied Science, Eleanor Wood, said: “Most scientific discoveries are the result of years of study by lots of people investigating lots of different things, so you never really know what you’re going to end up with. But fingers crossed we’ll get some interesting results.

“Most of our students who go on to university have sailed through their degrees thanks to having already taken part in projects like this, with some even helping to teach Masters students.”

Among the research projects being undertaken by the young chemists is one looking at the antibacterial properties of honey – in particular how much more effective the New Zealand-produced Manuka honey is compared to cheaper high street brands.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Chatham resident Miles Balderston is attempting to devise a scientific scale for measuring the temperature of chilli peppers.

He said: “The most common scale used at the moment is the Scoville scale, which is completely unscientific because it relies on different people tasting the chilli peppers.

“The other way to test their temperature is to use a technique known as HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography), but that’s still not an exact science. I want to combine the two methods to find a base unit and then work things out from there.”

In addition to the HND in Applied Chemistry, MidKent College also offers the Foundation Degree in Life Science Laboratory Technology & Bio-Manufacturing as part of its Higher Education course portfolio.

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For all media enquiries, please contact Steve Knight, Marketing and Communications Officer, on 01634 383277 or email steve.knight@midkent.ac.uk.