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SI System and Nanoscale Science
21 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Linda Duke, NNCI Nano
This two-part unit provides activities for students to learn about the metric system of measurement. A connection to the nanoscale is made by having students read the How Stuff Works article –“How Nanotechnology Works” and answer questions about the article. Further...
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Nanomotors: Nanoscale Propulsion
15 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Paul Longwell, Chantelle Smith, Stephen Stillanos, NNCI Nano
This lesson is designed to engage students in hands-on experiments that explore nanoscale propulsion principles and guide students in recognizing and analyzing differences between macroscale and nanoscale propulsion systems.
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Nanoparticles Land to Ocean: Understanding the Effect of Nanoparticle Pollutants
15 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Chloe Figuerido, NNCI Nano (editor)
Pollution, both macroscopic and microscopic, is an important environmental issue for aquatic ecosystems. For this lab, students will model how nanoparticle pollution travels from land to water. This lab isa 2-part series of labs designed to help students understand the effect that nanoscale...
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Nanotechnology and Cosmetics
15 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Rochelle Lofstrand, NNCI Nano
This is a series of four lessons which build upon each other to explore the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics as well as the social and ethical issues associated with nano-based cosmetics. The purpose of these lessons is to familiarize students with the chemistry of cosmetics and the anatomy...
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Nanobacteria: How Fast do Bacteria Grow?
15 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Joe Donahue, NNCI Nano
Students will calculate surface area, draw graphs, and approximate the populations of bacteria and nanobes. Before starting this lab, the student should understand how to 1) calculate the surface area of a circle, 2) draw and label a graph, 3) define circumference and radius. This...
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Modeling Self Assembly Middle School Version
15 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Roquel Stanley, Angela Berenstein, NNCI Nano
This is the middle school version of a more complex high school lesson. There are two activities in this lesson, the Fly Prison and the Water Maze. The Fly Prison is a hands-on modeling activity designed to introduce students to the area of nanotechnology and give them a basic...
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Quantum Dots: Real-world Particles in a Box
15 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Joyce Allen, NNCI Nano
The purpose of this activity is to show that nanosize particles of a given substance often exhibit different properties and behavior than macro or micro size particles of the same material. The property studied in this activity is the absorption and reflection of light which is based on energy...
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Modeling Self Assembly High School Version
15 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Roquel Stanley, NNCI Nano
There are two activities in this lesson, the Fly Prison and the Water Maze. The Fly Prison is a hands-on modeling activity designed to introduce students to the area of nanotechnology and give them a basic understanding of how researchers build very small devices by the self-assembly of...
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Doping to Create a Semiconductor: Changing conductive properties through diffusion
14 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Kaye Sheets, NNCI Nano
In the semiconductor industry scientists take advantage of diffusion to “dope” or introduce atoms into a silicon wafer to change its conductive properties. The lesson simulates the diffusion of a gas phase substance (ammonia) into a solid substrate (gelatin) and compares the...
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Electrodeposition and Synthesis of Nickel Nanowires
14 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Stephen Stillanous, Paul Longwell, Zulekia Torres, Ronald Redwing, Mary Shoemaker, NNCI Nano
This is a two part lesson for high school chemistry students. In part 1, the lab is designed to introduce students to the applications of forcing a chemical reaction using an electrical current. Students will discover how a flow of electrons allows cations in solution to revert to a solid state...
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Exploring Nanotechnology through Consumer Products
14 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Robert Ehrmann, Nancy Healy, NNCI Nano
This lesson should begin with the Introduction to Nanotechnology PowerPoint or use any of the videos on YouTube that introduce nanoscale science. Students then extend their knowledge by exploring consumer products that have been developed with nanotechnology.
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Gelatin Microfluidics
13 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Javier Cervantes, NNCI Nano
This lab shows the importance of channel design in biotechnology and nanotechnology and the methods used to study the behavior of fluids as they flow through a channel. Students will create and test a microfluidic device by creating narrow channels in gelatin, injecting dye in the...
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Exploring the Properties of Magic Sand
13 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Amy Brunner, Nancy Healy, NNCI Nano
This lesson uses a hydrophobic material called Magic Sand to: 1. Explore the properties of molecular bonding; 2. Introduce students to the engineering of hydrophobic surfaces; and 3. Demonstrate the concepts of hydrophobic and hydrophilic behavior. It is suitable for high school students in...
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Hiding Behind the Mask: A Fabrication Activity Focused on Etching
13 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: John Gomm, NNCI Nano
This lab is designed to help students understand one aspect of semiconductor manufacture: selective layering. The activity focuses on electrochemical etching which is used in semiconductor manufacturing.
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How Big is a Nanometer?
13 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Chantelle Smith, Paul Longwell, Stephen Stilianous, NNCI Nano
The purpose of this activity is to help students conceptualize the magnitude of a nanometer compared to other metric units of length. At the end of this activity, students will be able to state the size of a nanometer, convert between nanometers and other metric units of length, and give...
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How Catalysts Work - A Nanoscale Phenomenon
13 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Manueal Casillas, NNCI Nano
This activity helps students understand how catalysts work on the nanoscale. Catalyst are more efficient when on the nanoscale because of the large amount of surface area in comparison to volume. This is a great way to introduce or review reactants, catalysts, and adsorption, desorption, and...
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Lab on a Slab: Microfluidics Activity
13 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: John Gomm, NNCI Nano
Microfluidics is a technique for manipulating liquid samples. With one drop of liquid sample, small devices and channels can be used with nanoparticles for sensitive detection of chemicals. In this lab, students will create a fluidic device with agar gel and use it to test and diagnose three...
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Learning Set on Size, Scale, Function and Measurement Systems
13 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Brett Criswell, David Oertner, NNCI Nano
This activity is designed to be used at the 9th grade level in a general science or physical science class setting in conjunction with a unit on measurement. However, it is flexible in design and could easily be adapted to other grade levels in other classes.
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CDs and DVDs as Diffraction Gratings
13 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Rama Balachandran, Karen Porter Davis, NNCI Nano
The objective of this lab is to compare the diffraction behavior of light waves between a CD and DVD. CDs and DVDs contain regularly spaced micrometer sized features which can act like a diffraction grating. Using commercial electronic storage devices like CDs and DVDs as gratings rather than...
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What Does Nanotechnology Have to Do with Magnetism? A Ferrofluids Activity
13 Jan 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Joyce Allen, NNCI Nano
Ferrofluid is a unique material that has both magnetic and liquid properties. It is a colloidal solution of nano-sized particles of magnetite suspended in a liquid. This activity will review what students know about magnetism and compares that knowledge to how ferrofluid behaves.