2006 Nanoquest
Outreach
Although we studied many aspects of nanotechnology, our research project focused on targeted medicine. We proposed a way to prevent and cure AIDS by functionalizing a molecule similar to DNA. HIV replicate using DNA, but are more attracted to our targeted medicine which traps and destroys the HIV. We presented our play entitled 'A Nanocure for AIDS' to students in our classes at school.
We had a booth at a festival to show Lego robots in action, talk about Lego Robotics, talk about Nanotechnology, and fundraising with a raffle and our game Nanomania. We had nanotechnology activities like How Big Am I?.
The Nanomania game can be downloaded and printed here. You need to supply dice and game markers.
Gameboard and Rules and Missions
Science Cards / Science Card Tops (print on opposite sides of paper)
Technology Cards / Technology Card Tops (print on opposite sides of paper)
People Cards / People Card Tops (print on opposite sides of paper)
We donated the K'NEX Education: Real Bridge Building and the Discovery School Videos to our local public elementary school.
We learned about nanotechnology...
With interactive videos like How Big... and Powers Of Ten (or check the Official Website or the Simpson's spoof), we compared sizes of objects to understand what nano-scaled means from sites like Orders of Magnitude and the How Big Am I? activity. The team took turns playing the Duck Boy in Nanoland interactive on-line game. Our coach presented a powerpoint slide show entitled Atoms: Are They Real?.
Nanoscale in:
3 Dimensions: Nanocomposites are formed from particles that are less than 100 nm in diameter. Combining these particles in materials like ceramix or metal alloys yields composite materials with superior properties. Nanoparticles are also used in targeted medicines.
2 Dimensions: Fibers of carbon or boron or other materials are less than 100 nm in two dimensions, and longer - even micrometers long - in the third dimension. Carbon nanotubes are examples of a 2Dimensional nanoscaled structure. The cloth of some pants are treated with Carbon Nanotube fibers to make them water and stain resistant. We did some experiments with fabric that had Carbon Nanotubes.
1 Dimension: Thin fims are nanoscaled in one dimension and any extent in two dimensions. Thin films of titanium dioxide are being explored for potential UV protection.
We studied bridges...
DVD and Video
Discovery School's Understanding: Bridges
Discovery School's Bridges: Design and Function
PBS show about the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
Web Resources
National Transportation Library
US Dept of Transportation: World's Longest Suspension Bridge Opens in Japan
PBS Bridge Basics: How Bridges Work
PBS Building Big Labs (Interactive Resource) *
PBS Bridge Building Challenge
Discovery's Famous Bridges
APL: New Sensors Promise to Drive Down Highway Maintenance Costs
Engineered Cement Composites: Bendable Concrete
Using Nanoparticles To Make Steel Creep Resistant
'Smart Concrete' for Levees
Better Roads for the Government/Contractor Team
* The team was challenged to use the words compression, tension, bend, shear, and torsion to describe actions of their robot - in particular when manipulators failed.
Hands-On Projects
Our Amazing Bridges Architecture Kit
K'NEX Education: Real Bridge Building
Legos-We built and tested many different bridges, including a bridge for an RCX robot to go over and under.
Nanotech Connections
Self-Healing Pavements and Guards
Self-Cleaning Pavements and Signs
Stronger steel
Embedded sensors detect flaws and communicate to highway deptartment
Better traffic and surface condition reports
Better Concrete Mixing Procedures
Concrete defense against anti-icing agents
Nanotech for Bridge Construction
Our Project Idea
The Big Dig Ceiling Collapse was an event that shocked and saddened many people. We thought that a better composite or nanotech system for bolting ceiling tiles might make the ceiling panals more secure. We learned that each ceiling panel was secured to the top of the I-90 connector tunnel by tieback bolt fixtures. These fixtures include the bolts, epoxy, metal plates, and tieback rods. Hang from the plate, the tieback bolds suspend steel beams which support the concrete panels. First a hole is drilled in the ceiling, then bolts are inserted into the holes, and finally the bolts are glued into place using high-strength epoxy. The metal plates should fit tightly and flush against the ceiling of the tunnel. We started researching new nano-based epoxies for adhering the bolts: How epoxy works.
Upon Further Research...
We discovered that the tieback bolt system wasn't flawed by design, but that in many cases the epoxy was never put on after a bolt was inserted into its hole. Inspections of the tunnel did not reveal the problem until after the ceiling collapse.
The team decided to look for a different problem to solve.
We studied fibers...
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We studied cancer and smart medicines...
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Then we proposed a nanocure for AIDS!
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