Teaching system and method based on digital intelligence thin-layer chromatography experiment

Abstract

The invention discloses a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) experiment teaching system and method based on a digital intelligence technology. According to the system, a digital experiment platform comprising five functional modules including developing solvent selection, starting point setting, color development method, sample application concentration and standard operation is constructed through a virtual simulation and intelligent interaction technology. And a virtual-entity bidirectional feedback mechanism is adopted, so that the teaching mode conversion from experience driving to data driving is realized. According to the system, the operation error rate and the consumption of experimental consumables can be remarkably reduced, and the problems of nonstandard operation, feedback lag, high cost and the like in traditional TLC teaching are effectively solved. The invention provides an efficient, safe and environment-friendly digital solution for chemical experiment teaching, and has teaching application value and popularization significance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a teaching system and method based on digital thin-layer chromatography experiments, belonging to the technical field of chemical experiment teaching. Background Art

[0002] Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a chromatographic separation and analysis technique based on the adsorption principle. Due to its ease of use, rapid analysis, high sensitivity, and low cost, it is widely used in teaching and research. Component identification is often achieved by calculating the relative transfer value and comparing it with a reference substance. It is used for drug identification, impurity detection, and content determination.

[0003] However, there are three major pain points in traditional TLC experimental teaching: (1) Operations are prone to errors: Students often have difficulty obtaining accurate results due to problems such as improper selection of developing agent polarity (e.g., pure petroleum ether causes spot retention, pure methanol causes spots to move to the front), improper spotting (spots are too large or too thin), and improper color development methods; (2) Feedback is prone to lag: Traditional TLC experiments lack immediate feedback, and students need to wait until the experiment is completed and color development is completed before they can discover operational errors. They cannot correct errors in real time, which seriously affects the accuracy and repeatability of the experiment; (3) Costs are difficult to control: The use of large amounts of organic solvents, chromatographic plates, and corrosive color developers not only increases teaching costs, but also poses environmental pollution and health risks. These pain points restrict the improvement of experimental teaching quality and urgently need innovative solutions.

[0004] Documents such as the "Notice of the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education on Conducting Research on Experimental Teaching and Teaching Laboratory Construction" (Document No. 1 of the Ministry of Education's Department of Higher Education

[2024] ) and the "Opinions of the Ministry of Education and Nine Other Departments on Accelerating the Digitalization of Education" (Document No. 3 of the Ministry of Education

[2025] ) clearly call for in-depth research on experimental teaching and teaching laboratory construction in universities, leveraging the power of digital technology to promote experimental teaching reform. However, existing virtual experiment platforms lack dedicated TLC modules and intelligent interactive features for core operations such as developing agent optimization and sample application, color development, and starting points. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the technical problems of traditional TLC experimental teaching, such as easy errors in operation, delayed feedback, and difficult cost control.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: A teaching system based on digital thin-layer chromatography experiments, including five modules: 1) Developing agent module: used to receive user-designed operating instructions for developing agent selection and proportional experimental scheme design, and execute them to obtain experimental results.

[0007] 2) Set the starting point module: used to receive the TLC expansion starting point selection instruction designed by the user and execute it to obtain the experimental results.

[0008] 3) Color development method module: used to receive the user-designed color development method selection experimental scheme design operation instructions, and execute them to obtain experimental results.

[0009] 4) Spot concentration module: used to receive the user-designed spot concentration selection experimental program design operation instructions and execute them to obtain experimental results.

[0010] 5) Standard operation module: used to receive user instructions to watch TLC experimental standard operation videos and execute the playback of TLC experimental standard operation videos.

[0011] Optionally, the experimental program may include all five modules or any combination of modules.

[0012] Optionally, the developing agent module can select solvents by itself through the program interactive window, such as one or more solvents such as petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, methanol, chloroform, water, n-hexanol, hexane, acetone, cyclohexane, formic acid, propanol, and ethanol.

[0013] Optionally, the developing agent module can set the solvent ratio by itself through the program interactive window, which can be selected from 0% to 100%.

[0014] Optionally, the starting point setting module can design the height of the TLC expansion starting point by itself through the program interactive window, such as adjusting the height of the starting point through the "up" and "down" buttons, or setting various height buttons, such as very low, low, lower, medium, higher, high, very high, etc.

[0015] Optionally, the color development method module can select the color development method by itself through the program interactive window, such as ultraviolet light, potassium permanganate, iodine, ninhydrin, sulfuric acid-ethanol, Dragendorff reagent, potassium ferrocyanide-ferric chloride, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, bromocresol green, fluorescent amine spray and other color development methods.

[0016] Optionally, the spotting concentration module can select spotting concentration by itself through the program interactive window, such as very thin, thin, relatively thin, medium, relatively thick, thick, very thick, etc.

[0017] Optionally, the system realizes digital reconstruction of the entire TLC experiment process through virtual simulation and intelligent interaction technology, including developing agent selection, starting point setting, color development method selection, spot concentration adjustment and standard operation video playback.

[0018] Optionally, the system realizes the transformation of the experimental mode from "experience-driven" to "data-driven" virtual experiment through a two-way feedback mechanism of "virtual program interaction-physical TLC experiment".

[0019] Optionally, the system reduces the student operation error rate and reduces the consumption of experimental consumables through intelligent diagnostic procedures.

[0020] Optionally, the system is adapted to various TLC experimental teaching scenarios, strengthens students' independent inquiry capabilities, and provides a scalable practical solution for the digital transformation of experimental courses in the context of educational informatization.

[0021] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are: 1. Cost reduction: This invention digitizes the entire TLC experimental process, reducing the consumption of experimental consumables such as developing agents, spotting capillaries, and thin-layer chromatography plates by approximately 90%, greatly reducing the cost consumption brought about by exploratory experiments, while reducing the pollution of various reagents and consumables to the environment and greatly reducing safety risks.

[0022] 2. Improved efficiency: The developed intelligent diagnostic program can reduce students' operational errors by approximately 90%, effectively improving teaching efficiency.

[0023] 3. Integration of virtual and real: It can adapt to various TLC experimental teaching scenarios, strengthen students' independent research ability, and provide a scalable practical solution for the digital transformation of experimental courses in the context of educational informatization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is the system architecture diagram of the digital thin-layer chromatography experiment program.

[0025] Figure 2 This is an example diagram of the developer module.

[0026] Figure 3 This is an example diagram for setting the starting point module.

[0027] Figure 4 This is an example diagram of the color display method module.

[0028] Figure 5 This is an example diagram of the spot concentration module.

[0029] Figure 6 This is an example diagram of the standard operation module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. The following embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. These all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] Based on the concept of digital teaching, this invention employs a digital reconstruction of the entire TLC experimental process. This approach builds an interactive, intelligent virtual TLC experiment program, focusing on two key areas: optimizing developing solvent polarity and standardizing procedures (such as spotting concentration, starting point adjustment, and color development methods). Through a two-way feedback mechanism between virtual program interaction and physical TLC experimentation, this approach shifts the experimental model from "experience-driven" to "data-driven" virtual experiments, providing a new paradigm for chemical laboratory teaching.

[0032] The following uses the "TLC Identification Experiment of Para-Aminophenol and Paracetamol" in our organic chemistry course as an example to illustrate the digital thin-layer chromatography experimental program teaching system and its usage: Reference Figure 1 The digital thin-layer chromatography experiment program system first designs a system architecture diagram to identify the various steps in the TLC experiment that are prone to errors. In this embodiment, the system architecture diagram has five modules: the developing agent module, the color development method module, the starting point setting module, the sample concentration module, and the standard operation module. Users can enter the specific virtual experiment operation module by clicking on each module.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 In this example, the developing solvent module designed a mixed developing solvent system of petroleum ether (PE) and ethyl acetate (EA), as well as a mixed developing solvent system of methanol (MEOH) and dichloromethane (DCM). Users can enter the ratio of the mixed developing solvents in a dialog box based on their polarity judgment of the compounds being analyzed. In this example, 11 options are set: 0:100, 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20, 90:10, and 100:0. After entering the ratio, the user can observe the TLC separation results of the analyte using the designed developing solvent system, thereby determining the optimal developing solvent system and helping users optimize their developing solvent selection with zero cost. In addition, a "Back" button is provided in this module to return to the main interface of the system architecture diagram.

[0034] Reference Figure 3A starting point module is provided to receive user-designed TLC deployment starting point selection instructions. In this embodiment, the user can adjust the starting point height using the "Up" and "Down" buttons. Clicking the "Up" or "Down" button displays the results of TLC experiments at different starting points, helping the user determine the optimal deployment starting point height. In addition, a "Back" button is provided within this module to help the user return to the main interface of the system architecture diagram.

[0035] Reference Figure 4 The color development method module is used to receive user-designed color development methods. Users can select the color development method through the program's interactive window. In this example, four common color development methods are provided: ultraviolet (UV), potassium permanganate (KMnO4), iodine (I2), and ninhydrin. Users can select one of these color development methods based on the structural characteristics of the compound to be analyzed. By clicking a button, they can view the TLC experimental results obtained using different color development methods, helping them determine the optimal color development method. In addition, a "Back" button is designed within this module to help users return to the main interface of the system architecture diagram.

[0036] Reference Figure 5 The spotting concentration module receives user-defined spotting concentration selection instructions and executes them to generate experimental results. In this embodiment, three concentration settings are provided: "Too Concentrated," "Normal," and "Too Dilute." Users can select from a variety of concentrations. Clicking these concentration buttons displays TLC results at different concentrations, helping users determine the optimal spotting concentration and intuitively understand the impact of different spotting operations on experimental results. Furthermore, a "Back" button is provided within this module to return users to the main system architecture interface.

[0037] Reference Figure 6 The standard operation module is used to receive user instructions for watching the TLC experiment standard operation video. In this embodiment, after clicking this module, the TLC experiment standard operation video will be played for the user, helping the user to clearly observe the standard operation of each step in the TLC experiment.

[0038] Based on their knowledge level, users can independently select and complete the aforementioned developing agent module, color development method module, starting point setting module, sample concentration module, and standard operation module, thereby helping users independently design appropriate TLC experimental protocols through the digital thin-layer chromatography experiment program system of the present invention. Users can also combine the digital thin-layer chromatography experiment program system of the present invention with offline TLC experiments for comparison, helping them to perform actual TLC experiments efficiently, cost-effectively, environmentally friendly, and safely.

[0039] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in describing the embodiments. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. Those familiar with the technology in this field can easily make various modifications to these drawings and apply the general principles described herein to other drawings without creative work.

Claims

1. A teaching system based on digital thin-layer chromatography experiments, characterized by: It consists of five modules: 1) Developing agent module: used to receive user-designed operating instructions for developing agent selection and proportional experimental scheme design, and execute them to obtain experimental results; 2) Start point setting module: used to receive the TLC expansion start point selection instruction designed by the user and execute it to obtain the experimental results; 3) Color development method module: used to receive the user-designed color development method selection experimental scheme design operation instructions and execute them to obtain experimental results; 4) Sample concentration module: used to receive the user-designed sample concentration selection experimental program design operation instructions and execute them to obtain experimental results; 5) Standard operation module: used to receive user instructions to watch TLC experimental standard operation videos and execute the playback of TLC experimental standard operation videos.

2. The method of the teaching system based on digital thin-layer chromatography experiment according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The developing agent module can select solvents by itself through the program interactive window, such as one or more solvents such as petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, methanol, chloroform, water, n-hexanol, hexane, acetone, cyclohexane, formic acid, propanol, and ethanol.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The developing agent module can set the solvent ratio by itself through the program interactive window, and can be selected from 0% to 100%.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The starting point setting module designs the height of the TLC expansion starting point by itself through the program interactive window, and adjusts the height of the starting point through the "up" and "down" buttons, or sets various height buttons, such as very low, low, lower, medium, higher, high, and very high.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The color development method module can select the color development method by itself through the program interactive window, such as ultraviolet light, potassium permanganate, iodine, ninhydrin, sulfuric acid-ethanol, Dragendorff reagent, potassium ferrocyanide-ferric chloride, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, bromocresol green, fluorescent amine spray and other color development methods.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The sample concentration module can select the sample concentration by itself through the program interactive window, such as very thin, thin, relatively thin, medium, relatively thick, thick, and very thick.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The system uses virtual simulation and intelligent interaction technology to achieve digital reconstruction of the entire TLC experiment process, including developing agent selection, starting point setting, color development method selection, sample concentration adjustment and standard operation video playback.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The system achieves the transformation of the experimental mode from "experience-driven" to "data-driven" virtual experiment through the two-way feedback mechanism of "virtual program interaction-physical TLC experiment".

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The system reduces the student operation error rate and reduces the consumption of experimental consumables through intelligent diagnostic procedures.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The system is adaptable to various TLC experimental teaching scenarios, strengthens students' independent research ability, and provides a scalable practical solution for the digital transformation of experimental courses in the context of educational informatization.

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