Marvelous Mistakes

Throughout history, there are examples of world-changing scientific discoveries that happened completely by accident—penicillin, plastic, and the microwave, just to name a few. Eutectic solvents, which are liquids with an ionic charge, are another accidental discovery and the focus of the Creative Inquiry project Deep Eutectic Solvents Based on Halogen Bonding for Energy Applications and as Tunable Reaction Media. Led by Drs. William Pennington and Colin McMillen in the Department of Chemistry, the project focuses on creating crystals or eutectic solvents, which can be used for invaluable processes, such as metal extraction and biodiesel manufacture, and could significantly advance these fields.

This Creative Inquiry project itself arose from an accidental breakthrough by its faculty mentors. Pennington and McMillen are crystallographers; their research involves creating crystals with potentially valuable properties and predictable structures. When attempting to create these crystal structures, molecules in powdered form spontaneously create liquids as opposed to solids. They initially discarded the liquid waste product from these reactions until McMillen and Pennington realized it might be usable. The researchers recognized the reaction’s waste was similar to the newly discovered eutectic solvents. “And so, we have suddenly realized that we were throwing away a goldmine,” Pennington said about their own lab’s discovery of eutectic solvents.

Eutectic solvents have a charge similar to ionic solvents but a much lower melting point. In addition, they are capable of hydrogen bonding. These factors make it a possible, safer alternative to other solvents such as toxic organic compounds.

Eliza Haines, a general engineering major, learned about this Creative Inquiry project as an incoming student through EUREKA!—a program for rising first-year students entering the Clemson University Honors College. Before coming to Clemson, Haines knew she wanted to be involved in research. By participating in the project, she not only developed her research skills but also developed soft skills. “I developed some teamwork skills, as well as learning to work with professors, learning to work with mentors. Being able to communicate and do all of these things was really nice,” Haines said.

An unexpected discovery was the catalyst for this Creative Inquiry project that continues to advance and engage students from different majors, interests and even other universities.