We developed several virtual instruments for different learning purposes. For example, the "GreenMachine" (https://claude-light.cheme.cmu.edu/gm) has only one controllable parameter for the green RGB channel, and the instrument returns only one output, the intensity of measured green light. The "RGB" machine (https://claude-light.cheme.cmu.edu/rgb) has three inputs for the red, green and blue LED channels, and three outputs for the intensity of light at red, green and blue wavelengths. Finally, an API machine allows access to all the inputs, and all the outputs.
This simple instrument can be used for a broad range of educational activities that range from statistics and reproducibility studies, activities with design of experiments, explorations of data science and machine learning, and studies of data structures and automation algorithms. We have used the "GreenMachine" instrument several times in the class room with first year students in collaboration with faculty teaching Introduction to Chemical Engineering. We have also used the instrument in research, for example exploring automation technology with large language models, and in solving inverse problems.
In this talk we will present Claude-Light. We will show applications that could be used across a 4 year STEM program to learn about statistics, design of experiments, data science and automation technology. Additionally, there are opportunities to learn about instrument design, web programming, and API design. Claude-Light clearly does not solve all the challenges in learning about automation and high-throughput data production and analysis, but it does provide a stepping stone towards more advanced instruments.