BY MERCY N. OFFOR, PhD. A TEACHING MODULE For 9 th grade DuSable Leadership Academy May 22, 2007

DUSABLE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

TOPIC: Introduction to nanotechnology OBJECTIVES: Students will define terms used in nanotechnology learn about the immense benefits and risks perform an experiment on electroplating tie and dye fabrics with spray guns

PRESENTATION / LESSON OUTLINE SUBJECT: Environmental Science Topic: Introduction to Nanotechnology Objectives: Ice breaker/ Do now: Student Engagement: Conclusion/ Results/Report of experiments Homework

ICE BREAKER / DO NOW ( Definitions) Define the following terms Nanoscale – having dimensions measured in nanometers Nanometer – one billionth of a meter Nanogram – one billionth of a gram Nanosecond – one billionth (10 -9 ) of a second

NANOBACTERIA the smallest known self- replicating organism about 100 times smaller than regular bacteria Have been implicated in diseases such as heart disease, kidney stone and HIV

Definitions - continued Nanotechnology – the science and technology of building electronic circuits and devices from single atoms and molecules Nanotechnology entails the construction of materials on the scale of atoms and molecules Nanotechnology typically deals with particles and structures larger than 1 nanometer, but smaller than 100 nanometers

Definitions - continued To put the definition of nanotechnology in perspective, A human hair is approximately 80,000 nanometers in width A nanometer size particle is 3 times the diameter of a gold atom and a very small fraction of the size of a living cell

Nanofabrics - definition Nanofabrics are specialized fabrics, products of polymer chemistry and nanotechnology new textiles which tap polymer science to both trap and kill toxins – all while wicking away sweat

Nanofabrics - goals Researchers are creating a new generation of clothes which more than look fashionable resist stains, thanks to coatings made of ‘nanowhiskers’ trap microbes using nanoparticles, and so are “odor-eating” use porous membranes to stop bacterial penetration in biological warfare

Nanotechnology - Exposition ‘Nanotechnology’ has gained public recognition in recent times as it plays an increasing significant role in the field of electronics, chemistry, biology, physics and materials science is providing solutions to problems in microelectronics, medicine, and material design

Nanotechnology and the Environment New nanomaterials and nanotechnology products are entering the market each week An adequate oversight system is necessary to identify and minimize adverse effects of nanomaterials and products on health or environment

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT Students work in their various groups to perform the experiment on “Electroplating”

MATERIALS 2.0M HCl Zinc strip Electroplating Solution – zinc sulfate, sodium hydroxide, and glycerine Voltmeter A cup of pennies Beakers

PROCEDURE Each penny was cleaned by dipping into the 2.0M HCl The penny was attached to the negative (black) lead from the power source A cut piece of zinc was attached to the positive (red) lead Both penny and zinc were submerged into the electroplating solution

RESULTS Tiny bubbles surround the penny as displaced zinc ions deposit on the penny The brown cupper coated penny quickly turns shinny grey as it becomes zinc plated

RESULTS CONT’D. Students display their electroplated pennies

STUDENTS EXPERIMENT

EXPERIMENT AND HAVE FUN

WORK IN PAIRS ON TYE AND DYE

NANOFABRICS

MORE ON TYE AND DYE