Introducing Nanotechnology through Investigations of Groundwater A Curriculum for Secondary Biology, Chemistry, and Earth and Environmental Science Teachers
Jan 11, 2016
Introducing Nanotechnology through Investigations of Groundwater
A Curriculum for Secondary Biology, Chemistry, and Earth and Environmental Science Teachers
An NSF research grant “Broader Impacts” effort
Vital statistics for Nano2Earth:
• $200K investment (within $1M program)• Four years to develop and test• Awaiting commercial publication
So who developed and wrote Nano2Earth??
• 6 professors• 7 HS teachers!!• 8 grad students• 3 staff members
It took “a cast of thousands . . .”
What are Nanoscience and Nanotechnology?
NanoGeoscience and Technology Laboratory
• How will the Earth and environmental sciences respond?
Field
Relationship Description
Newtonian physics
F = ma classical mechanics
matter/wave duality
= h/mv de Broglie relationship
diffraction physics
n = 2dsin Bragg’s law
quantum mechanics
H = E Schrödinger equation
nanoscience Pi,q = f (lx, ly, lz ) property i of material q is a function of 3-D
NanoGeoscience and Technology Laboratory
Nanoscience in everyday life
Quantum dots
Alivisatos (1996) Science.
CdS/CdSe
PhysicalProperty
Macroscale-CdS
Nanoscale -CdS
Reference
meltingtemperature
1,600C 400C Goldstein et al.,1992
transformationpressure
2 GPa 9 GPa Tolbert et al.,1995
band gap 2.5 eV 4.5 eV Vossmeyer etal., 1994
5 nm
Historical and Societal Aspects of Nanoscale
Science and Technology
The Lycurgus
Cup
There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom
Source: NSF
20
15
10
5
0
U.S
. B
ud
get
(billion
s o
f $)
2000199019801970
Year
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
The Link Between Nanoscale Science, Technology, and a Vital Environmental Issue:
Groundwater Pollution
The Scanning Tunneling Microscope
8
2.5 2
4
6
Pyrite (100)
nm
Fe
Oxidized patches
NanoGeoscience and Technology Laboratory
The Scale of the Earth SciencesThe Scale of the Earth Sciences
Nano
Nanotechnology and the National Science Education
Standards
Nano2Earth Curriculum Overview
Microbes, Minerals, and Water
http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2003/2003-03-17-01.asp
http://who.org
http://www.kinetico.com/residntl/proddrnk.htm
1. Introduction to nanotechnology 2. Introduction to groundwater pollution3. Microbe-mineral interactions4. Investigations of bacterial transport5. Nanoforces in nature
Lesson 1: Introduction to Nanotechnology
NanoGeoscience and Technology Laboratory
The Scale of the Earth SciencesThe Scale of the Earth Sciences
Nano
Introduction to Nanotechnology
Scaling Activity Answer Key
Lesson 2: Introduction to Water Pollution
Water Pollution Webquest Activity
Lesson 3: Microbe- Mineral
Interactions: Using the
Winogradsky Column to
Demonstrate the Microbial Reduction
of Iron3+
Purpose of the activity
The ecosystem will be used toObserve general visual changes that take place in the column Simulate eutrophicationObserve effects of excess nutrients on the system and dissolved oxygen concentrationMeasure and follow changes in DO concentrationsRelate changes in DO to water quality and microbial activityObserve changes in Fe3+ to Fe2+ when the column becomes anaerobicRelate mineral-microbial activity to water qualityConnect nanotechnology to high school sciences
ProcedureDay 1
1.Build column using plastic bottles, creek mud and water.2. Measure the DO concentration.3. Add sugar (+ nutrients) to the column.4. Place column in indirect light or under grow lamp.
Day 21. Observe changes in the appearance of the column.
2. Measure the DO concentration.
3. Add pea sized amount of iron (III) chloride to the column. 4. Replace column in indirect light location.
Following DaysContinue to make observations
Continue to measure DO concentrations
What changes will take
place in the column? DO concentration drops dramatically (Column becomes anaerobic.)
Water color changes from brownish to red/orange back to brownish
(Fe3+ -> Fe2+) in column.
Examples of student results
Lesson 4: Investigation of Bacterial Transport in Groundwater
Introduction to Bacterial Transport
• Pathogenic microorganism is a leading cause of death in the world
• 10 million people die every year from waterborne diseases, such as Salmonella, Cholera, and E. Coli.
• One out of every six people lives without regular access to safe drinking water
Scenario
Column Experiments
Why does pH matter?
5. Nanoforces in Nature: Using Atomic Force Microscopy to Explore Mineral-Microbe
Interactions
mineral
solution
Atomic Force Microscopy
x,y,z piezo
cantilevercomputer
photodiode detector
laser
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)F)
G)
Cantilever
Sample Top of Scanner
Build an AFM in your classroom
paper
magnet
magnet
mirror
3/4 plywood
ruler
Biological Force Microscopy
Images by Steven Lower
mineral
solution
mineral
bead with bacteria covering it
cantilever
Evaluation scenarios