of the University of Wisconsin Madison Materials Research Science and Engineering Center MRSEC on Na

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of the University of Wisconsin - Madison
Materials Research Science and Engineering
Center (MRSEC) on Nanostructured Interfaces
A Cutting-Edge Education Incorporating Nano
into the Undergraduate Curricula

• Greta M. Zenner
• Director
• Interdisciplinary Education Group
• MRSEC

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Outline

• Background of MRSEC and IEG
• Development process
• Scale
• Nano and materials science labs, movies, and kits
• Nano Society
• Integration

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UW MRSEC Vision
To understand and engineer interfaces that will
permit the creation of materials systems having
new capabilities, with applications in fields
ranging from advanced electronics to biology To
integrate discovery and the creation of knowledge
with dissemination through education and
state-of-the-art educational products
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UW MRSEC Structure

• Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) 1
  Silicon-Based Nano-Membrane Materials
• IRG 2 Functional Organic-Inorganic Electronic
  Interfaces
• IRG 3 Nanostructured Materials as Interfaces to
  Biology
• Interdisciplinary Education Group (IEG)

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IEG Vision
Education, outreach, and human resource
development require the same level of creativity
and dedication as research.
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IEG Vision

• Our focus Exploring the Nanoworld
• Use nanotechnology to explore science and
  engineering concepts at the college level
• Bring the excitement of nanotechnology to the
  public
• Our technique
• Development and dissemination of kits
• Dissemination of in-depth, high-visual content
  and instructional resources on the web
• Demonstration of innovative instructional
  materials at conferences and workshops

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Instructional Materials and Course Development-
middle school through graduate school -

• Nanoscale science and engineering and materials
  science
• Create and evaluate curriculum materials
• Laboratories and classroom materials
• Individual modules, classroom activities, and new
  courses
• Science, engineering, and societal implications
  of nanotechnology and materials science
• Materials available on MRSEC website,
  mrsec.wisc.edu/nano

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Highlights

• New educational materials based on cutting-edge
  research
• Online repository of nano and materials science
  educational materials
• Lab Manual for Nanoscale Science and Technology
• Nanotechnology and advanced materials kits
• Nano Society educational materials

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IEG Development Strategy

• Fundamental science concepts using cutting-edge
  examples
• Interdisciplinary expertise chemistry, physics,
  history of science, engineering physics, chemical
  engineering
• Iterative development process
• IEG staff available for consultation

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Toward making the nanoscale comprehensibleScale
and Tools
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Scale Activities Created by IPSE
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Cutting It Down to Nano

• You have a 15cm long piece of paper. In order to
  get it under ten nanometers long, you would have
  to cut it in half 24 times.
• The Challenge
• How many times can you cut it?

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(No Transcript)
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More Scale Activities

• http//mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/IPSE/educators/
• Educator Resources

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Nano and Materials ScienceLabs, Movies, and
Kits
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Web-based Education Tools
http//www.mrsec.wisc.edu/nano

• Laboratory Manual for Nanoscale Science and
  Technology
• Nanoworld Cineplex
• K-12 educator resources
• What is a Nanotechnologist?
• Nanotechnology courses
• Nanotechnology exhibits and programs

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Nanotechnology Cineplex and Lab Manual

• Cineplex Short videos about nano-related topics
  and demonstrations
• Lab Manual Video-based instructions for
  nanotechnology teaching experiments
• Access to nano-related materials
• Developed for educational use
• International availability via web

mrsec.wisc.edu/nano
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Video Lab Manual

• 37 experiments
• Labs developed by UW and other institutions
• Filmed by UW

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Liquid Crystals

• Phase of matter
• Optics
• Detection of invisible phenomena
• Pretty high student interest
• Labs
• Synthesis
• LCD pixel
• LC thermometer
• Disassembly of an LCD watch
• Activities
• LC sheets (www.teachersource.com)
• LCs as sensors

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Ferrofluid

• Acts like a magnetic liquid
• Nanoparticles of magnetite, 10nm diameter
• Fun high student interest
• Range of applications
• Particles follow magnetic field lines visible
  at higher resolution
• Lab
• Synthesis of Aqueous Ferrofluid
• Demos
• Cineplex videos
• Ferrofluid display cells (www.teachersource.com)

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Quantum Dots and Colloidal Gold

• Synthesis experiments from Lab Manual
• Optics
• Color change at nanoscale
• Nano Stained Glass

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Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

• Diodes
• Energy conservation
• Labs
• Organic LEDs
• Movies
• LED examples
• Color mixing
• Band gap tutorial
• Kit
• LED Color Strip Kit

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Braggs Law

• Labs
• Preparation of PMMA Nanospheres
• Diffraction of PMMA Nanospheres
• Movies
• Structure of DNA (diffraction)
• Kits
• Optical Transform Kit
• DNA Optical Transform Kit

Preparation of PMMA Nanospheres
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Nanotechnology Education Kits
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What is a Nanotechnologist? Web-site

• Six MRSEC graduate students profiled
• Lay audience
• Idea of what nano researchers do
• Give a face to nano

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Keeping Nanotechnology in ContextNano Society
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NanoVenture

• Board game about the interactions between science
  and society
• Nano content and Nano Society
• Summer 2008

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Nano Society Modules

• Rocks and Nanobots
• NanoCommunities
• Middle school through undergrad Intro to
  Engineering
• Range of class size

Sample identity sheet from NanoCommunities
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Undergraduate Course (STS 201)
Nanotechnology and Society
Student distribution from one of the Spring 2005
STS 201 sections Freshmen (4) Sophomores
(11) Juniors (4) Seniors (4)

• Syllabus
• Introduction to Nanotechnology and Society
• Topics in Nanoscience
• Nanotech in Culture
• Revolutions and the History of Science and
  Technology
• Technology and Society
• How Government Drives Technology
• Weighing the Risks
• Policy Reports and Reviews
• Thinking about the Future
• Congressional Mock Hearings/ Town Hall Meetings
• Nanotech Funding
• Public Participation
• Research Project and Presentations

Atmospheric Oceanic Sciences (1) Biology
(1) Biochemistry (4) Botany (1) Business/Marketing
(2) Chemical Engineering (1) Communicative
Disorders (1) Computer Science/Eng. (5) Legal
Studies (1) Mathematics (1) Nuclear Engineering
(2) Pharmacy (1) Zoology (1) Undecided (1)
http//tahan.com/charlie/nanosociety/course201/
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Undergraduate Course (STS 201)
Nanotechnology and Society

• Pre-assessment

Where did you first hear the term nanotechnology?
Define nanotechnology

• Study/tech of small particles/minute/very, very
  small tech (6)
• Study/design/manufacturing of products/objects at
  nanoscale (5)
• to make our lives easier/better/improve
  society (4)
• Technology involving microscopic particles
• minute scale
• Technology on nanometer scale
• Modification and altering of nanoparticles or
  atoms (1)
• Larger than a single atom and smaller than a
  living cell (1)
• 10-9 meters (1)

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Undergraduate Course (STS 201)
Nanotechnology and Society
Pre-assessment
Please rate your comfort level with the following
topics.
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Nanotechnology and Society
Undergraduate Course (STS 201)
Post-assessment
Please rate your comfort level with the following
topics.
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Nanotechnology and Society
Undergraduate Course (STS 201)
Outcomes

• A large majority of students (17/20) said they
  would take the class again and recommend the
  class to a friend (17/20).

• 17/20 students said the course has prepared them
  extremely well or very well to explain
  nanotechnology to another person.

• One-third of the students said the course has
  encouraged them to become active in the political
  aspects of science policy

• Before the course, three students said maybe
  they were considering a career in nanotechnology.
  After the course, half the students said maybe
  or yes that the course has encouraged them to
  pursue a career in a nanoscience or
  nanoengineering field

Before the course, I thought any/all
technological improvements were good. Now I
understand more of the social issues of new
technology.
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Acknowledgments
MRSEC Personnel and Collaborators
Wendy Crone Juan de Pablo George Lisensky Mike
Condren Karen Nordell Eric Voss Ken Gentry Dana
Horoszewski Katie Cadwell Kim Duncan Amy
Payne Olivia Castellini Anne Bentley Adam
Creuziger Clark Miller Karen Ellison Charlie
Tahan Stephen Rudisill Steve Ng John Kania RET
Teachers Chris Johnson
National Science Foundation
NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering
Center on Nanostructured Interfaces
(DMR-0520527) NSF Internships in Public Science
Education (DMR-0424350) NSF Nanotechnology
Undergraduate Education (DMR-0407075)
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of the University of Wisconsin - Madison
Materials Research Science and Engineering
Center (MRSEC) on Nanostructured Interfaces
www.mrsec.wisc.edu/nano Greta M.
Zennergmzenner_at_wisc.edu