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Development of nanotechnology experimental modules using ferrofluids for high school classrooms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 June 2013

Nitin Chopra ,
Wenwu Shi ,
Nikita R. Peramsetty  and
Victoria L. Evans
Nitin Chopra*
Affiliation:
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, Center for Materials for Information Technology (MINT), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, U.S.A. Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, U.S.A.
Wenwu Shi
Affiliation:
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, Center for Materials for Information Technology (MINT), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, U.S.A.
Nikita R. Peramsetty
Affiliation:
Holy Spirit Catholic High School, 601 James I. Harrison Pkwy, Tuscaloosa, Al 35405, U.S.A
Victoria L. Evans
Affiliation:
High School Physics Teacher, Northridge High School, 2901 Northridge Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406, U.S.A.
*
*Corresponding Author E mail: nchopra@eng.ua.edu, Tel: 205-348-4153, Fax: 205-348-2164
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Abstract

Nanotechnology and nanoscience have a strong potential to impact society and the commercial sector. It is critical to introduce this area to high school classrooms as a teaching tool. Here, we report the development of ferrofluid-based experimental modules in a team effort including a high school student and a high school teacher. The basic experimental modules were developed as follows: A) Electric motor-based patterning of magnetic nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes on a silicon wafer. Electromagnetically activated or ‘spiked’-ferrofluid was utilized here. B) Basic concepts of wettability, hydrophobicity, and oleophilicity were demonstrated by combining hydrophobic CNTs, water, and ferrofluids. C) Finally, the utility of ferrofluid-based environmental remediation was demonstrated for oil removal from oil-water mixture and organic dye separation from water-dye mixture. It is envisioned that the integration of the developed experimental modules into high school curriculum will motivate high school students to pursue degrees in science, engineering, and nanotechnology. Thus, this will assist in the development of future workforce in the area of nanotechnology and materials science.

Keywords

educationnanostructuremagnetic
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1583: Symposium EEE – Materials Education—Toward a Lab-to-Classroom Initiative , 2013 , mrss13-1583-eee01-04
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013 

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