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Light Emitting Diodes
Teaching Materials | 29 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Sam Levenson, James J Marti
This module demonstrates the concepts of semiconductor band gaps and the quantum nature of light using readily available and inexpensive LEDs. It uses a simple fact which surprises many students – LED can detect light (i.e., act as small solar cells) as well as generate light. The...
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Memory Metals
Teaching Materials | 29 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Matthew Shultz, Deb Newberry, James J Marti
This module explores the properties of shape memory alloys, commonly called “memory metals”. These alloys, when made into wires or thin structures, exhibit the shape memory effect: if bent or deformed, the metal will revert to its original shape upon heating. This module...
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Cross-Link Polymer
Teaching Materials | 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
Teaching Materials | 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
Teaching Materials | 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
Teaching Materials | 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
Teaching Materials | 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
Teaching Materials | 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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Nanocrete
Teaching Materials | 06 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: kim Grady, James Marti (editor), Deb Newberry (editor), Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
This module introduces students to the nanotechnologies, processes, and methods being tested by industry to prepare strong and lightweight cementitious products and systems. The module takes the learner through processing a material (called microgrinding or powder milling) to reduce its size...
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Photolithography (Option A)
Teaching Materials | 06 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: James J Marti, Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
This module presents an introduction and demonstration of photolithography, the process of copying a high-resolution pattern onto multiple substrates. Students replicate key steps in the process of photolithography and learn how these processes fit into the fabrication of micro- and nanoscale...
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Photolithography (Option B)
Teaching Materials | 06 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: James J Marti, Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
This module presents an introduction and demonstration of a key step in photolithography, the process of patterning a substrate used in the manufacture of integrated circuit chips. Students replicate some of the steps in the process of photolithography, and learn how these processes fit into...
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Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Teaching Materials | 06 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Frank Fernandes, University of Wisconsin MRSEC
In this module, you will construct a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC). This device is essentially a photo-electrochemical cell, which means that a photo-induced chemical reaction causes electrons to travel from one material to another. DSC’s consist of a nanostructured semiconductor film...
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Encapsulation & Controlled Release
Teaching Materials | 05 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: James J Marti, Kyle Forgette, Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
This module introduces the process of forming macrocapsules and the concept of self-assembly. Forming capsules at the macro, micro, and nano levels have very important applications in drug delivery, cosmetics, food technology, and cleaning up environmental toxins. The module includes a...
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Micelles
Teaching Materials | 05 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: Dr. Lisa Siedman, Jeanette Mowery, Kyle Forgette, James J Marti, Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
This module introduces micelles and the concept of critical micelle concentration (CMC). Micelles have important applications in biotechnology. Micelles are sometimes used to deliver drugs to their target in the body. Micelles are also sometimes used to deliver genes into plant cells in...
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Aerogels
Teaching Materials | 05 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: Carol Bouvier, James J Marti, Deb Newberry, Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
This module introduces aerogels, nicknamed “blue smoke.” Using exploratory activities this module introduces the nano structure of aerogels and the resulting extreme physical properties exhibited such as: thermal conductivity, transparency, and impact resistance. These properties...
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NanoFiltration
Teaching Materials | 05 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: Sandra Weeks, Laura Arndt, Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
Contaminated water supplies have become local problems in communities across the United States and the world. Though dramatic situations in Flint, Michigan, and in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina catch the headlines, neighborhoods, and communities across our country are facing water quality...
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NanoTreatment
Teaching Materials | 05 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: Sandra Weeks, Laura Arndt, Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
This is a module about nanotechnologies that use forces and interactions to treat water. Learners will select a water treatment problem, determine which contaminants are present in their water, and use the described nanotechnologies and their knowledge of intramolecular forces to identify the...
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Nanocellulose
Teaching Materials | 05 Feb 2020 | Contributor(s):: kim Grady, Richard Wilkosz (editor), Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
This module presents the nanotechnologies, processes, and methods being developed to produce strong and stiff cellulose nanofibers. The module is designed to take the student through processing a material (called feed stock or substrate) to break down and...
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Thin Films
Teaching Materials | 27 Aug 2018 | Contributor(s):: NISE Net, Deb Newberry (editor), Christopher Lee Kumm (editor), James J Marti (editor), Nano Link
In this module, students will learn about the optical properties of thin films. Students will perform an experiment where they will apply a thin film to a piece of card stock paper. The students can then observe the optical properties of the thin film. This resource contains multiple documents...
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Unit Cells and Crystal Structures
Teaching Materials | 27 Aug 2018 | Contributor(s):: Kristi Jean, Deb Newberry (editor), James Marti (editor), Nano Link
In this module students create a saturated solutions using Borax and sodium acetate. Upon drying, each crystal will have a different shape. The shape at the macro level is driven by the arrangement of atoms. This repeating arrangement of atoms – which defines a crystal structure –...