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