Updated September 2011 How can we determine atomic and nano structures when they are too small for any microscope?

Updated September 2011 Diffraction Cc by Nevit Dillman

Updated September 2011 dif·frac·tion –noun Physics. the bending of waves, especially sound and light waves, around obstacles in their path. Cc by KlaudiuMihaila

Updated September 2011 With diffraction, researchers do not see shadows or pictures of the atomic structures. They see patterns resulting from the light passing around the structures. Even thought they have a good diffraction pattern, significant analysis is needed to determine the true shape of the target. Image by Lawrence Berkly National Laboratory

Updated September 2011 In the 1950’s, Rosalind Franklin used x-ray crystallography to take a picture of the diffraction pattern of the DNA molecule. Her work helped to prove that the shape of the molecule was a double helix. Image byNational Institutes of Heath Image from Encyclopedia Britannica Cc by Richard Wheeler

Updated September 2011 Image by Othmar MartiOthmar Marti

Updated September 2011 This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable. The series was funded in part by: The National Science Foundation Grant DUE and the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.

Updated September 2011 Image Credits Dillman, Nevit. (Animator). Diffraction. [Animation]. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org) DNA X-Ray. [Photograph]. National Institutes of Health. Franklin, Rosalind. [Photograph]. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from KlaudiuMihaila. (Illustrator). Electron Diffraction [Illustration]. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org) Lawrence Berkley International Laboratory (Illustrator). X-Ray Diffraction Set Up. [Illustration]. Retrieved from up.jpg Marti, Othmer. X-Ray Diffraction Patterns [Computer-Generated Image]. Retrieved from ulm.de/snomweb/colloids/p2/node4.html Wheeler, Richard. (Illustrator). A-DNA, B-DNA and Z-DNA. [Illustration]. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)

Updated September 2011 References diffraction. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved April 03, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: Lisensky, George C., Nordell, Karen J., Condren, S. Michael, Widstrand, Cynthia G., Malone, Diana, Ellis, Arthur B. (2001). Exploring the Nanoworld Activity Kit. Wisconsin: Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin System. Williams, Linda and Dr. Wade Adams. (2007). Nanotechnology Demystified. [Kindle Version] doi: / Wilson, Michael, Kanangara, Kamali, Smith, Geoff, Simmons, Michelle, & Raguse, Burkhard. Nanotechnology: Basic Science and Emerging Technologies. (2004). [Kindle Edition] Retrieved from