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 UV light, and determine the level of exposure through each type of sunscreen.  Using these tools, students compare the effectiveness of conventional (chemical-based) and nanoparticle-based sunscreens.

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Disponible en Español: Polímeros Entrecruzados o Reticulados.

National Science Foundation

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Thomas Deits, Jim Marti, Christopher Kumm (2020), "Nanoparticles and Sunscreen," https://nanohub.org/resources/33165.

  BibTex | EndNote

1. ATE Centers
2. educator resources
3. English
4. K-12
5. lab experiment
6. light
7. materials science
8. nanobio applications
9. Nano-Link
10. nanoparticles
11. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
12. nanoscience/technology education
13. sunscreen
14. wave nature of light