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When a Cell Talks, Everyone Listens!
06 May 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nicole Harper, NNCI Nano
This is a two part lesson focused on diffusion and cell communication. In Part 1, students will use the classic starch iodine diffusion activity. This activity can be done in any life science class. It can be used as an introduction to diffusion or as a refresher activity for advanced...
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Investigating the History of Biotechnology
06 May 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Samantha Andrews, PhD, NNCI Nano
This activity examines the history of biotechnology from 1920 to present day and its impact on human health. Students rotate through a series of ten stations to read about biotechnology achievements over the decades and answer questions at each station. The activity can be done similar to a web...
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Superhidrofobicidad: Un balance Entre Fuerzas (Superhydrophobicity: A Balance Between Forces)
25 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Thomas Deits, Kristi Jean, Deb Newberry (editor), Rodfal A. Rodríguez (editor), María T. Rivera (editor)
Este módulo demuestra y provee a los estudiantes un entendimiento de las fuerzas presentes en las interacciones hidrofóbicas e hidrofílicas. El balance entre las fuerzas cohesivas y adhesivas tiene como resultado una gota de agua casi esférica sobre una superficie,...
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Razón área Superficial a Volumen (Surface Area to Volume Ratio)
25 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Deb Newberry, Billie Copley, Rodfal A. Rodríguez (editor), María T. Rivera (editor)
Este módulo consta de una actividad simple que trabaja uno de los aspectos más profundos de la nanociencia: que, para un volumen dado de material, el área superficial total aumenta de forma no lineal a medida que el volumen se divide en partes cada vez más...
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Celdas Unitarias y Estructuras de Cristal (Unit Cells and Crystal Structures)
25 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Kristi Jean, Deb Newberry (editor), Jim Marti (editor), Rodfal A. Rodríguez (editor), María T. Rivera (editor)
En este módulo, los estudiantes preparan una solución saturada con bórax, acetato de sodio y sulfato de cobre. Al secarse, cada cristal tendrá una forma diferente. La forma que observamos en un cristal (a escala macro) depende de cómo están arreglados...
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Polímeros de Anillo (Ring Polymers)
24 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Deb Newberry, NISE Net, Rodfal A. Rodríguez (editor), María T. Rivera (editor)
Este módulo es una variación de la actividad sobre los polímeros entrecruzados o reticulados y presenta mucho del mismo trasfondo de la estructura y propiedades de los polímeros. En esta versión se utiliza una forma de poliacrilato de sodio con una...
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El Método Científico (Scientific Method)
24 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Thomas Deits, Deb Newberry (editor), Rodfal A. Rodríguez (editor), María T. Rivera (editor)
Utilizando el pez de celofán, los estudiantes aprenden y ponen en práctica el método científico. Observando, proponiendo y experimentando, los estudiantes ponen a prueba varias hipótesis del por qué el pez se dobla hacia arriba, se enrolla o no hace...
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Interferencia de Capas Finas (Thin Films)
24 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Deb Newberry, Christopher Kumm, Jim Marti (editor), Rodfal A. Rodríguez (editor), María T. Rivera (editor)
En este módulo, los estudiantes aprenderán sobre las propiedades ópticas de las capas finas. Realizarán un experimento en el que aplicarán una capa fina sobre un pedazo de papel de cartulina o de construcción. De esta forma podrán observar...
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Nanopartículas y Protectores Solares (Nanoparticles and Sunscreen)
22 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Thomas Deits, Jim Marti (editor), Rodfal A. Rodríguez (editor), María T. Rivera (editor)
En esta actividad, los estudiantes son introducidos a la función de los protectores solares y aprenden cómo se pueden utilizar las nanopartículas para proteger a las personas de la radiación ultravioleta (UV). Utilizan papel foto-crómico como sensor UV,...
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Polímeros Entrecruzados o Reticulados (Cross-Link Polymer)
22 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Deb Newberry, Billie Copley, Laura Arndt (editor), jim Marti (editor), Rodfal A. Rodríguez (editor), María T. Rivera (editor)
Este módulo les permite a los estudiantes investigar las fuerzas e interacciones a escala molecular mezclando diferentes líquidos con un polímero entrecruzado/reticulado. Este polímero (poliacrilato de sodio) comparte similitudes estructurales con la celulosa y...
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Understanding Movement of Molecules across the Cell Membrane
17 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Brandi Childress, NNCI Nano
This lesson uses a macro-model to demonstrate the diffusion of molecules across the cell membrane. A deshelled egg serves as the cell model to observe movement in and out of the “cell”. Students will learn that the cell membrane is composed of a complex nano-structured...
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Linear Diffusion and Cell Signaling
17 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: NNCI Nano
In this activity, students explore the concept of diffusion as a component of cell communication. Specifically, students will explore how the rate of diffusion varies with distance and concentration gradient. They will use a pipet with water and dye to observe a macro-model of diffusion....
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Using Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles to kill Antibiotic Resistant E. Coli.
17 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Michael Falck, James Marti, NNCI Nano
In this lab students will become familiar with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles, or bSNP’s. As part of the lesson, students will learn the potential of using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles for use as antimicrobials against antibiotic-resistant bacteria ...
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Cross-Link Polymer
16 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Deb Newberry, Billie Copley, Jim Marti (editor), Laura Arndt (editor)
This module allows students to investigate forces and interactions at the molecular scale by mixing different liquids with a cross-linked polymer. The polymer (sodium polyacrylate) is similar to the structure found in cellulose and collagen. The interactions are dependent upon the charge...
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Nanoparticles and Sunscreen
16 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Thomas Deits, Jim Marti (editor), Christopher Kumm
In this module, students are introduced to the function of sunscreen and learn how nanoparticles can be used to protect people from ultraviolet radiation. They use photochromic paper as a UV sensor, place samples of different types of sunscreen over this UV sensor, expose their samples to...
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Ring Polymers
16 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Deb Newberry, NISE Net
This module is a variation on the “Cross-Linked Polymers” activity, and presents much of the same background on polymer structure and properties. This version uses a form of sodium polyacrylate, the water-absorbing polymer often used in diapers, that has a different atomic...
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Scientific Method
16 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Thomas Deits, Deb Newberry (editor)
In this module, students will use cellophane “fortune telling” fish to walk through the scientific method. The students learn and practice the scientific method by proposing, testing and observing what happens with their "fish". Students will test various...
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Superhydrophobicity: A Balance Between Forces
16 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Thomas Deits, Kristi Jean, Deb Newberry
This module demonstrates and gives students an understanding of the forces behind hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions. The balance between cohesive and adhesive forces results in an almost spherical drop of water standing on a surface, such as a lotus leaf. This effect is called...
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Surface Area to Volume Ratio
16 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Deb Newberry, Billie Copley
This simple activity conveys one of the most profound aspects of Nanoscience – that for a given volume of material the total surface area increases non-linearly as the volume is divided into smaller and smaller pieces. This concept is being applied to creating better batteries and...
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Multifaceted Microfluidics: Three simple methods to create a microfluidic device
07 Apr 2020 | | Contributor(s):: Dixie Kullman, NNCI Nano
This module is open-ended to allow for use in a number of classroom settings. The importance here is to permit the teacher to choose the technique provided and tailor the technique to the scientific principle. The students will create their own microfluidic devices and utilize their devices in...