Nanotechnology

With this kit, the intangible, nanoscopic world becomes accessible with hands-on experiments using both scaled-up models and real nanomaterials.

Nanoparticles can be made of different materials and exist in a wide variety of forms. These particles can be coated onto surfaces, enhance other materials such as paint, or used as a delivery method for pharmaceuticals in the body. Some applications include self-cleaning house paints and water-repellent clothes, anti-fog coatings on glasses, UV protection components in sunscreen, environmentally friendly antifouling coatings for ships (to prevent algae growth, thereby reducing fuel consumption), antibacterial coatings for medical devices, and materials to more effectively filter dirty water.

Students begin by conducting experiments concerning size, scale, and orders of magnitude in the International System of Units to develop an understanding of how small a nanometer is. With filtering experiments, they can explore how charcoal is similar to a nanoscale sponge. They can also conduct experiments with the hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-hating) properties of different surfaces, which illustrate nanoscale properties. Other activities include stirring up suspensions to examine exotic mixtures and study the nanoscopic particles suspended in them. Students learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, laser light, electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.