Nano-stuff
We read a lot about nano-this and nano-that in the newspapers and occasionally see programmes about it on television, but what does nanotechnology really mean and why is it particularly important now?
Learning about nanotechnology is not only to do with finding out more about the science, it also means looking at the field with a critical eye and being sensitive to the debates about how this whole topic could change society.
Class materials
Here are copies of the files used in class:
Learning about nanotechnology is not only to do with finding out more about the science, it also means looking at the field with a critical eye and being sensitive to the debates about how this whole topic could change society.
Class materials
Here are copies of the files used in class:
| 2019_lioy_nanotechnology.pdf |
| memory_metal_v.pdf |
| nano-notes_v1.pdf |
Below are some links to materials that we are using or which serve as inspiration and background reading.
Ethics and commercial activities:
Virginia Tech monitor:
School activities.
This link contains some outreach activities and is a great source of ideas.
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (US):
Forces.
Mechanical forces change considerably on the nano-scale and forces like surface tension and viscosity of fluids dominate over gravity.
Self-assembly.
Things that make themselves, some of which have been inspired by origami.
Reactions and surface area.
Well known from reactions catalysed by heterogeneous catalyst from classical chemistry, the more surface area you have, the faster the reaction. Of course, if you want to go to the limit, that takes you into organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis in solution.
The Koch curve.
This explains the basic maths behind the Koch snowflake which has the mind-bending property of a clearly finite surface area bounded by perimeter of infinite length….?!! Nano? You bet. Just look at the gecko’s feet. Fractals.
Spider silk:
Spider silk is phenomenal stuff. Have a look at the dress made from silk spun by golden orb spiders, it is simply stunning. More prosaically, spider silk is the subject of a lot of research activy because of its physical and mechanical properties. Living in the small world, spiders have to deal with extreme forces and have evolved a material that is stronger than steel and yet flexible enough to help them survive: silk
Silver: One of the more common examples of nanotech which is widely available, silver is being touted as the wonder weapon against particularly resistant bacteria.
Ethics and commercial activities:
Virginia Tech monitor:
School activities.
This link contains some outreach activities and is a great source of ideas.
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (US):
Forces.
Mechanical forces change considerably on the nano-scale and forces like surface tension and viscosity of fluids dominate over gravity.
Self-assembly.
Things that make themselves, some of which have been inspired by origami.
- http://cnsi.ctrl.ucla.edu/nanoscience/pages/selfAssembly
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130213131845.htm
- http://phys.org/news/2012-08-origami-materials-self-assemble-exposed-video.html
- http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-06/mit-harvard-researchers-invent-self-folding-origami-sheets
- http://self-assembly.net/wiki/index.php?title=DNA_origami
Reactions and surface area.
Well known from reactions catalysed by heterogeneous catalyst from classical chemistry, the more surface area you have, the faster the reaction. Of course, if you want to go to the limit, that takes you into organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis in solution.
The Koch curve.
This explains the basic maths behind the Koch snowflake which has the mind-bending property of a clearly finite surface area bounded by perimeter of infinite length….?!! Nano? You bet. Just look at the gecko’s feet. Fractals.
Spider silk:
Spider silk is phenomenal stuff. Have a look at the dress made from silk spun by golden orb spiders, it is simply stunning. More prosaically, spider silk is the subject of a lot of research activy because of its physical and mechanical properties. Living in the small world, spiders have to deal with extreme forces and have evolved a material that is stronger than steel and yet flexible enough to help them survive: silk
- http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/g/golden-spider-silk/
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2658765/
Silver: One of the more common examples of nanotech which is widely available, silver is being touted as the wonder weapon against particularly resistant bacteria.