Instructional Units
Design Challenge: Incorporating Shape Memory Alloys into Rube Goldberg Devices
The students will analyze and reflect on the forces, motion and energy transformations that can be shown on a Rube Goldberg Device and experience the impact that Nitinol wire has on the device.
Reading and Analyzing Nanotechnology
Provides an opportunity for students to read and analyze materials outside of their textbooks. This unit addresses the field of nanotechnology and creates an opportunity for a discussion about nanotechnology's significance for the future. The complete set of books is available for loan at the NNIN Education Office at the MiRC.
Mixtures and Nanotechnology
Helps students make the connection that the classification of mixtures is based on the size of particles.
Size and Scale Unit
An instructional unit designed to help students better visualize the scale of nanoscience. Students will learn how small a nanometer is compared to everyday objects.
Ferrofluids: What does nanotechnology have to do with magnetism?
Ferrofluid is a unique material that has both magnetic and liquid properties. It is a colloidal solution of nano-sized particle of magnetite suspended in a liquid. This activity will review what students know about magnetism and compares that knowledge to how ferrofluid behaves.
Demonstrations for the Materials Science Classroom
A unit which highlights vital principles in materials science education. The kit contains experiments that cover all facets of a single semester introductory materials science lecture series.
Demonstrations for the Materials Science Classroom
The Bigger the Better: Exploring Size Effect on Chemical Reaction Times
Many physical characteristics effect how matter reacts with other matter. Size does matter. This lesson will explore the reaction time of different size grains of salt when added to soda water. The objective is to determine if surface area affects reactivity time.
Semiconductors
In the semiconductor industry scientists take advantage of diffusion to “dope” or introduce atoms into a silicon wafer to change its conductive properties. The lesson simulates the diffusion of a gas phase substance (ammonia) into a solid substrate and compares the lab model of diffusion to the doping process of silicon wafers. Students will examine how diffusion occurs and explore how the electrical properties of semiconductors are developed.
Nanotechnology and Cosmetics
This is a series of four lessons which build upon each other to explore the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics as well as the social and ethical issues associated with nano-based cosmetics. The purpose of these lessons is to familiarize students with the chemistry of cosmetics and the anatomy of the skin.
Lesson 1: Polarity
Lesson 2: The Chemistry and Anatomy of the Skin
Lesson 3: Nanotechology in Cosmetics
Lesson 4: Ethics
Introducing LEDs, Thermistors, and Transistors
A lesson in five consecutive parts.
Lesson 1: Ohm's Law With Light Bulbs and LEDs
The purpose of this activity is to illustrate ohmic and non-ohmic materials in a simple series circuit.
Lesson 2: The Effect of Temperature on the Electrical Resistance Properties of a Thermistor
A thermistor is a semiconductor, a group of materials classified as having properties of both conductors and insulators. This experiment illustrates how temperature affects electrical resistance of a semiconductor.
Lesson 3: Thermistor Circuit
The purpose of this activity is to show a thermistor’s usefulness within a circuit. This activity will introduce thermistors in a circuit so that future activities may build upon this idea to conclude with micro/nano-circuits.
Lesson 4: LED Circuit Combination
The purpose of this activity is to show an LED in a circuit. This activity will introduce diodes in simple circuits so that future activities may build upon this idea to conclude with micro/nano-circuits.
Lesson 5: Transistors as Switches and Amplifiers
The purpose of this activity is to become familiar with transistors and their uses as switches and amplifiers.
The SI System and Nanoscale Science
Provides opportunities for students to develop a working knowledge of the SI system of measurement as well as learn about the nanoscale and nanotechnology.
Learning about the nanoscale and the SI system of measurement
Helps students understand the size of the nanoscale. To relate the size of a nanometer to everyday objects. To refresh students on the SI system of measurement.
Exploring Factors Effecting Deposition, Morphology, and Thickness of Thin Metallic Layer of Copper
Students will create thin layers of copper and nickel in an electrochemical reaction to understand how an electric current passed through an ionic solution will result in a chemical reaction which will separate materials. In addition students will also explore the various parameters effecting deposition, morphology, and thickness of the film to be deposited.