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AAMU Center for Learning, Teaching and Research in Nanoscale Science and Engineering

A. Teaching Programs In Nanoscale Science

I. 2009 Summer Program of grade 7-12 teachers
Dr. Matthew Edwards (matthew.edwards@aamu.edu)

AAMU-NCLT program is sponsoring a two-week long professional development workshop for grade 7-12 science and math teachers. The workshop will be taught using Socratic, didactic, and application based (hands-on) learning. This workshop begins on July 13 and ends July 24, 2009. For more information: NCLT or Workshop Application Form.

The Nine Big Ideas in Nanoscale Science AAMU-NCLT

  1. Size and Scale: As size and scale change, the properties of matter change, and different laws of physics are needed to explain these properties.
  2. Structure of Matter: All mater is composed of atoms (with electrons) that are in constant motion. Atoms interact with each other to form molecules. The next higher level of organization involves atoms, molecules or nanoscale structures interacting with each other to form nanoscale assemblies. The arrangement of the building blocks gives a material its properties.
  3. Size-Dependent Properties: the properties of matter can change with scale. In particular, as the size of a material approaches the nanoscale, it often exhibits unexpected properties that lead to new functionality
  4. Forces Or Chemical Potentials: All interactions can be described by multiple types of forces, but the relative impact of these forces changes with scale. On the nanoscale, a range of electrical forces with varying strengths tends to dominate the interactions between objects.
  5. Self-Assembly: Under specific conditions, some materials can spontaneously assemble into organized structures. This process provides a useful means for manipulating matter at the nanoscale.
  6. Tools Images/Launch Instrumentation: Development of new tools and instruments helps drive scientific progress. Recently development of specialized tools has led to new levels of understanding of matter by helping scientists detect, manipulate, isolate, measure, fabricate, and investigate nanoscale matter with unprecedented precision and accuracy.
  7. Models and Simulations: Because nanoscale objects and phenomena are, by their very nature, too small to see, models are needed to understand, visualize, predict, hypothesize, explain, and interpret data about them.
  8. Nano & Society: the field of nanotechnology is driven by the aim to advance broad societal goals. As with other technology advances, the products of nanotechnology may impact our lives in both positive and negative ways.
  9. Quantum Mechanics: All matter (the electron, etc.) is simultaneously both a particle and a wave. At the scale at which the bulk properties of matter are important, quantum mechanics is not needed to explain the behavior of matter. As the size or mass of an object becomes smaller and approaches the nanoscale, the wave character becomes more important, and quantum mechanics becomes necessary to explain its behavior.

II. 2009 Summer NANO-BIO Program (Headed by the School of Agricultural and Environmental Science)
Dr. Koffi Konan (koffi.konan@aamu.edu)

The Nano-Bio Summer Program seeks to expose rising 12th graders and graduating seniors to educational opportunities in the area of nanobiotechnology via summer enrichment activities. This program offers students a rare opportunity to work with bio and nano science researchers, science educators, and participate in hands on laboratory experiments to develop their skills in the STEM disciplines.

The overall goal of the Nano-Bio Summer Program is to enhance minority and underrepresented presence, participation and career development in the field of nanobiotechnology, a cutting edge and fast growing field of study. Emphasis is placed on minority and underrepresented students because these groups have the lowest rate of representation in the STEM workforce.

The program will encourage student interest in the STEM area by exposing them to biotechnology and nanotechnology via hands on laboratory activities. It will broaden student awareness of the STEM disciplines and the extensive nature and diversity of this field of study. It will also facilitate a venue where students can make the connection between these new sciences and job market opportunities, thereby increasing knowledgeable and skilled high school graduates that are prepared to enter the STEM disciplines in higher education. AAMU’s School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (SAES) will present an opportunity for students to explore their interests by developing undergraduate and graduate courses in the area of nanobiotechnology.

The summer workshop will include:

  1. Biotechnology hands-on activities; Jun 01- Jun 04; 9 am to 3 pm
    • Purifying DNA and RNA
    • Restriction enzyme analysis of DNA
    • Gel electrophoresis and nucleic acid hybridization
    • Generating nucleic acid probes
    • Cloning and screening for desired clones
    • DNA sequencing and PCR amplification
    • Protein analysis by western blotting
  2. Nanotechnology hands-on activities; Jun 08- Jun 11, 9 am to 3 pm

B. Research Programs In Nanoscale Science
Dr. Matthew Edwards (matthew.edwards@aamu.edu)

CIDEN (The Center for Interdisciplinary Discovery via Engineered Nanofabrication) is the newest of the Alabama Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (AL-EPSCoR) centers funded by the National Science Foundation Research Infrastructure Improvement (NSF RII) Grant Program. CIDEN's focus is on nanofabrication, specifically ion, photon, and electron writing and lithography, in order to support research using nanopatterning and nanostructuring on modifying materials properties to be tailored to specific applications. The research conducted at CIDEN is directed toward molecular sensors, regimented nanomaterials and nanostructures with applications in chemical, biological, and thermoelectric devices. Advances in nanoscale detection and manipulation will open new frontiers in the sciences and technology.

The current research areas within CIDEN are in line with the AL-EPSCoR strategic plan to increase competitiveness of Alabama's research institutions and are grouped as follows:

  1. The Sensors and Devices group: applies nanoengineering to develop novel nano-enabled sensors and devices that will provide revolutionary advance in sensors for biological and chemical detection. The research is mainly distributed across two campuses, AAMU and UAH.
  2. The Nanoscale Materials and Nanoscale Structures group: is built around the existing AAMU capability and expertise for modifying the structure of regimented thermoelectrics nanomaterials, magnetic information storage, nanopatterning and nanolithography, while also projecting the acquisition of a projection ion beam system, NLO materials sensor application, as well as studying crystals' pyroelectricity for X-ray nanolithography where each could potentially further support the center's research. The research is distributed essentially across three campuses, AAMU, UA, UAB.
  3. The Nano-Bio group: builds on research of cells and materials interface, with special focus on nanoscale interaction between cells and substrate material, with direct applications in heart valves and tissue regeneration scaffolds. A special focus will be ion beam nanopatterning and its applicability for eliminating hip joint implant failure, and nanopore fabrication for fast DNA sequencing. This research is distributed across four campuses, AAMU, UAB, UAH, TU.

CIDEN is expected to unfold as the primary vehicle in the state of Alabama for advancement of science in multifunctional nanocomposites and structures, nano-bio devices, and other nano-systems that are central to the current research themes. It will provide comprehensive capabilities in nanoscale research in line with the AL-EPSCoR priorities, without duplicating resources, to the educational, entrepreneurial, and established business communities across Alabama.

Page last changed: March 16 2009 12:19:45
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