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Spectrophotometry of Metal Nanoparticles
Teaching Materials | 16 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: Chris Kaus, James J Marti, NNCI Nano
This activity has students chemically synthesize gold and silver nanoparticles, measure the spectra of light absorption and transmission by these particles, compare these spectra to those of known-sized particles, and then estimate the size distribution of the particles they have made. By using...
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Celdas Solares con Tintes Fotosensibles (Dye-Sensetized Solar Cells)
Teaching Materials | 16 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education, Frank Fernandes, Rodfal Alberto Rodriguez (editor), María Teresa Rivera (editor)
Este módulo trabaja con la fabricación de una celda solar con tinte fotosensible (“DSC”, por sus siglas en inglés). Una “DSC” es, esencialmente, una celda foto-electroquímica; significa que una reacción química foto-inducida...
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Simulating a Controlled Drug Delivery System
Teaching Materials | 11 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: Rebekah Ravgiala, NNCI Nano
In this activity, students will learn about alternative drug delivery methods and then prepare a controlled drug delivery system using sodium alginate and glucose to mimic the behavior of a controlled release drug delivery system. The purpose of this investigation is to model a controlled drug...
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Efficiency of Nitinol Wire
Teaching Materials | 11 Jun 2020 | Contributor(s):: John Nice, NNCI Nano
This lab activity focused on nitinol or muscle wires which are shape memory alloys. These wires can be used to lift a weight up a height. Students will explore how the work performed lifting a load with the nitinol wire compares to the energy pumped into the wire by an electrical current....
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Supermarket Science: Investigating Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Teaching Materials | 06 May 2020 | Contributor(s):: Samantha Andrews, NNCI Nano
In this activity, students will use mock gel electrophoresis data to identify some common organisms that have been genetically modified. Gel electrophoresis is a technique that separates DNA, according to size, using an electric field. Students are introduced to the process by watching a...
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When a Cell Talks, Everyone Listens!
Teaching Materials | 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
Teaching Materials | 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)
Teaching Materials | 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)
Teaching Materials | 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)
Teaching Materials | 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)
Teaching Materials | 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)
Teaching Materials | 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)
Teaching Materials | 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)
Teaching Materials | 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)
Teaching Materials | 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
Teaching Materials | 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
Teaching Materials | 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.
Teaching Materials | 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
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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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...