Students are introduced to the physical concept of the colors of rainbows as light energy in the form of waves with distinct wavelengths, but in a different manner than traditional kaleidoscopes. Looking at different quantum dot solutions, they make observations and measurements, and graph their data. They come to understand how nanoparticles interact with absorbing photons to produce colors. They learn the dependence of particle size and color wavelength and learn about real-world applications for using these colorful liquids.

Students explore the applications of quantum dots by researching a journal article and answering framing questions used in a classwide discussion. This "Harkness-method" discussion helps students become critical readers of scientific literature.

Delve into a microscopic world working with models that show how electron waves can tunnel through certain types of barriers. Learn about the novel devices and apparatuses that have been invented using this concept. Discover how tunneling makes it possible for computers to run faster and for scientists to look more deeply into the microscopic world.

This lesson uses data that the teacher collected at INDI to help students understand resistance in an ICP class.  

This group of materials is designed to provide a framework to teach students in an introductory engineering course basic nanotechnology concepts. The materials use the NAE grand challenge “Provide Access to Clean Water” to underpin the need and potential for nanotechnology to address society’s needs.

This group of materials is designed to provide a framework to teach students in an introductory engineering course basic nanotechnology concepts. The materials use the NAE grand challenge “Reverse Engineering the Brain” to underpin the need and potential for nanotechnology to address society’s needs.

This group of materials is designed to provide a framework to teach students in an introductory engineering course basic nanotechnology concepts. The materials use the NAE grand challenge “Make Solar Energy Economical” to underpin the need and potential for nanotechnology to address society’s needs.

This group of materials is designed to provide a framework to teach students in an introductory engineering course basic nanotechnology concepts. The materials use the NAE grand challenge “Restore and Improve Urban Infrastructure” to underpin the need and potential for nanotechnology to address society’s needs.

Nanotechnology is an innovation with big potential even though it’s small in size. So small, it can’t be seen with the human eye or even your school’s microscope. In 1981, the Scanning Tunneling Microscope was invented and launched the age of nanotechnology. It can see individual atoms and even move them to create advanced nanostructures. Through an interview with Joseph Stroscio at the National Institute for Standards and Technology, students will learn about moving atoms, electron clouds and how temperature effects matter.

For more information: http://www.fcps.edu/fairfaxnetwork/innovation_nanotechnology/index.html
Twitter @FFXNetwork

This seminar will explore the purposes and development of Technology Roadmaps for systematically mapping out possible development paths for various technological domains and the industries that build on them. Data of importance for such roadmaps include rates of innovation, key bottlenecks, physical limitations, improvement trendlines, corporate intent, and value chain and industry evolutionary paths. The course will build on ongoing work on the MIT Communications Technology Roadmap project, but will explore other domains selected from Nanotechnology, Bio-informatics, Geno/Proteino/Celleomics, Neurotechnology, Imaging & Diagnostics, etc. Thesis and Special Project opportunities will be offered.

Students will be completing a serial dilution to gain a grasp of the parts per billion nanotechnology concepts.

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"The birth of nanotechnology can arguably be traced back to December 29, 1959, when Nobel laureate Richard Feynman laid down the ultimate scientific challenge to a roomful of colleagues: to control and build matter atom by atom. Though the ability to handle matter at this scale remains elusive, researchers are closer than ever to achieving it. This month’s issue of MRS Bulletin showcases how scientists are using particle beams to meet Feynman’s challenge and, in the process, revolutionizing how we view, understand, and build with atoms. In the decades following Feynman’s lecture, researchers were making significant headway toward atomic-level control of matter—even if they could only see the building blocks themselves at the time . Using a narrow stream of electrons or ions, researchers could resolve individual atoms in a material. Advances in electron microscopy have now made high-resolution imaging of atomic systems routine..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

#SugarChallenge! One of the cool things about nanotechnology is that there’s more surface area and more places for chemical reactions. It’s powdered sugar versus granulated sugar to experience the difference in surface area.

For more information: http://www.fcps.edu/fairfaxnetwork/innovation_nanotechnology/index.html
Twitter @FFXNetwork

Students will synthesis gold and silver particles and compare the UV spectra to determine the size of the nanoparticles.

Student teams conduct an experiment that uses gold nanoparticles as sensors of chemical agents to determine which of four sports drinks has the most electrolytes. In this way, students are introduced to gold nanoparticles and their influence on particle or cluster size and fluorescence. They also learn about surface plasmon resonance phenomena and how it applies to gold nanoparticle technologies, which touches on the basics of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, electrolyte chemistry and nanoscience. Using some basic chemistry and physics principles, students develop a conceptual understanding of how gold nanoparticles function. They also learn of important practical applications in biosensing.

This unit on nanoparticles engages students with a hypothetical Grand Challenge Question that asks about the skin cancer risk for someone living in Australia, given the local UV index and the condition of the region's ozone layer. The question asks how nanoparticles might be used to help detect, treat and protect people from skin cancer. Through three lessons, students learn about the science of electromagnetic radiation and energy waves, human skin and its response to ultraviolet radiation, and the state of medical nanotechnology related to skin cancer. Through three hands-on activities, students perform flame tests to become familiar with the transfer of energy in quantum form, design and conduct their own quality-control experiments to test sun protection factors (SPFs), and write nanotechnology grant proposals.

How small is small? And how can nanoscale matter improve our lives? Innovation Workshop: Nanotechnology explores this cutting-edge science and engineering of nanoscale matter. Nanotechnology involves manipulating and controlling matter from one nanometer to 100 nanometers. Just think, even a single sheet of newspaper is 100,000 nanometers thick. So, this technology is itty, bitty and teeny, tiny. Human DNA, the flu virus that makes you sick and molecules are all on the nanoscale.

For more information: http://www.fcps.edu/fairfaxnetwork/innovation_nanotechnology/index.html
Twitter @FFXNetwork

This lesson is designed to be used by science instructors wanting to expand their student's knowledge of nanotechnology. It builds upon students' prior knowledge of the SI units to discuss nanoscience. 

This lesson plan is designed as a student-created newsletter to evaluate resources from nanotechnology magazines.  The students will then present their newsletters to the class.  

Students are introduced to the nano-size length scale as they make measurements and calculate unit conversions. They measure common objects and convert their units to nanometers, giving them a simple reference frame for understanding the very small size of nanometers. Then, they compare provided length data from objects too small to measure, such as a human hair and a flea, giving them a comparative insight to the nanotechnology scale. Using familiar and common objects for comparison helps students understand more complex scientific concepts.