Coloring with temperature

Our display will demonstrate the effect of temperature on the perceived color of a unique molecule called Nile Red. A thin channel containing a liquid solution of Nile Red and various solvents and polymers will rest on top of a row of hot plates of varying temperature. When the liquid travels across the cooler hotplate, the color will be purple, and as it travels across the hotter plate, the color will change to pink. When temperature increases, the polymers in solution will change the polarity of the Nile Red’s surrounding environment. Due to the polarity change, Nile Red molecules will undergo a structural change which is responsible for the color change we see. The visitor will observe the liquid in the channel change from purple to pink as it flows across the hotplates and learn the chemistry behind this experiment.