Our Research Center strongly believes in education for all. In an effort to bring nanotechnology to local high schools we have designed a program
that allows you, the teacher, to bring your class to our facilities and take part in hands-on activities. Our program includes an introduction to
nanotechnology, a tour of the Center's clean room, hands-on activities (see below), and student-led presentations for each activity. We can accomodate 30 students, max, within a 3 hour block. If time is a factor, we can also
accomodate a 2 hour block. Lunch room facilities are available if you wish to bring packed lunches and we can help schedule transportation for you and your students.
We offer six labs, each of which includes hands-on experiments. The six available labs are (click each title for a description):
- Diffractive Optics Fabrication
After learning the production procedures for manufacturing high-precision optics, each student will be given a simple mold with which to make a part. The parts will be tested for performance, and the groups will analyze the results.
- Polymer Nanofabrication
This group will be shown how to transfer micro- and nanofeatures into polymers to create devices capable of transporting fluids. They will mold polydimethylsiloxane chips from silicon wafer molds and then will learn how to study the flow in the chips using a confocal laser microscope.
- Microelectronics
This group will tour the research labs that are used for etching and fabrication of microelectronics. Each student will operate the spin coater, and the group will learn the steps involved in creating a circuit.
- Electrospinning
After seeing an apparatus used for producing polymer nanofibers, this group will learn some of the principles of electrospinning. The group will choose different operating conditions and observe their effects on performance.
- Ultrasonic embossing
In this polymer welding lab, the group will learn how to create micro- and nanoscale features in polymer parts using infrared lasers and localized ultrasonic heating.
- Femtosecond laser welding
This group will learn about the principles of lasers and the control systems. Each student will operate the laser to vaporize a channel below the surface of a polycarbonate disk in the shape of a flying eagle.
Request a tour for your class
