"A Hands-on Introduction to Nanoscience and Technology"

or

"We're not in Kansas Anymore!"

ENGR-2500

So what will the class cover? First, at the nanoscale, we must confront the fact that Newton’s sensible laws are replaced by the weirdness of quantum mechanics (hence the class’s Wizard of Oz subtitle). The details are bewildering, but for this class you only need to know that electrons begin to act like waves. But all waves act basically the same way. And that means to anticipate how weird electron waves might behave, we can (literally) start by experimenting with water waves (for instance, water waves will explain why manufacturers are putting nanoparticles into sun block).

The second thing that changes at the nanoscale, is that WE can no longer manufacture things directly. Micro-assembly techniques (such as those used in making the integrated circuits of your computer/cell phone/PDA) are based on micro-photography. And images just won’t focus to smaller than a wavelength of light (something we’ll also show with the water waves). But light’s wavelength is at least 10X too large to pattern things at the nanoscale. Instead we have to rely on a process called “self-assembly.” That is, we have to design the parts so they know how we want them to finally come together. The ultimate example of self-assembly? DNA synthesis of protein. But DNA might also someday help us to self-assemble nano electronic circuits. Some people spend years studying self-assembly and DNA. But in this class you’ll find that we can learn the essentials in just a few classes.

But after you’ve programmed the parts to “self-assemble” at the nanoscale, how do you know if they got it right? One way is to use distant cousins of the old-fashion record player called the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and Scanning Tunneling Microscope (whose invention earned two researchers Nobel Prizes). We used the NSF grant to buy six of these instruments. In the labs, you will use these tools to see individual atoms. (To view our full virtual reality recreations of these instruments, click on the photos above).

Finally, we’ll also discuss the boundary between nanoscience and nanotechnology. There is a heck of a lot of the former but not, as yet, a whole lot of the latter. The distinction has produced immense confusion in media from Scientific American to science fiction. What is real? What stands a good chance (or virtually no chance) of ever becoming real? And for the things that do become real, how might they affect us, and the other inhabitants of this world?

For this class, you should enroll in the lecture/discussion meeting plus one of the four lab sections.

Lab equipment and space limitations mean that we can only accommodate a total of 36 students per class.

Image Gallery of STM & AFM Micrographs Obtained by Previous Students

Links to Nanoscience Education Resources We've Found Elsewhere on the Web Nanoscience lesson plans for elementary & middle schools

Hands-on Nanoscience - Fall 2013

Instructor: John C. Bean

Lecture / Discussion Schedule:

Wk	Class Date	Link to Lecture Notes	Link to supporting webpage with embedded animations, simulations, links to readings & other resources
1	Aug 27	What is Nanoscience?	---------------
2	Sept 3	Waves (generic)	Supporting Webpage
3	Sept 10	Waves (electron)	Supporting Webpage
4	Sept 17	Microfabrication / Micromachining	Supporting Webpage
5	Sept 24	Great Science vs. Viable Technology	Supporting Webpage
6	Oct 1	The Need for Self-Assembly	Supporting Webpage
7	Oct 8	Molecular Self-Assembly	Supporting Webpage
8	Oct 15	Reading Day	----------------
9	Oct 22	DNA Self-Assembly	Supporting Webpage
10	Oct 29	DNA Fingerprinting	Supporting Webpage
11	Nov 5	How We See and Measure at the Nanoscale	Supporting Webpage
12	Nov 12	The Bleeding Edge I (Nanomechanics)	Supporting Webpage
13	Nov 19	The Bleeding Edge II (Nanoelectronics)	Supporting Webpage
14	Nov 26	Nano Molecular Machines	Supporting Webpage
15	Dec 3	Nanotechnology Challenges and Fears	Supporting Webpage
		Bonus / Retired Class Lectures
		The Fictions of Nano Science Fiction	---------------

Lab Schedule and Manuals:

NOTE: To prepare for many labs there are homework assignments. These are given in the Homework Assignments table.

Wk	Lab Dates	Topic / Activity	Lab manual / Links to supporting animations, readings and lab equipment used
1	Aug 28, 29	Brief lab orientation meetings: Thornton Hall, Room E114a (basement level, adjacent to loading dock between Thornton and Olsson Halls. Chance to meet undergraduate lab assistants One-on-one opportunity to ask further questions about class and labs, or to discuss personal suggestions or requests about the class's content
2	Sept 4, 5	Waves in Springs Lab Bring to the lab: Spring Lab Manual Quiz: Lab will begin with quiz on this "Review of Waves" webpage. Wear jeans or slacks: You'll be working on the floor	Spring Lab Manual / Report Supporting Materials
3	Sept 11, 12	Waves in Water Lab 1 Bring to the Lab: Water Wave Lab Manual / Report Quiz: Lab will begin with quiz on the Waves (generic) Lecture Note Set and the Ripple Tank Manual	Water Wave Lab Manual / Report Supporting Materials
4	Sept 18, 19	Waves in Water Lab 2 Bring to the Lab: Water Wave Lab Manual / Report	Water Wave Lab Manual / Report Supporting Materials
5	Sept 25, 26	IC Fab Lab Tour / Demonstration of Photolithography Quiz: Lab will begin with quiz on these UVA Virtual Lab presentations: How Semiconductors and Transistors Work, How Integrated Circuits are Made, and Optical Photolithography	Supporting Materials
6	Oct 2, 3	Self-Assembly Lab Quiz: Lab will begin with a quiz based on the lecture note set: The Need for Self-Assembly	Student Lab Manual Instructor's Guide
7	Oct 9, 10	Scanning Electron Microscopy Demonstration Quiz: Lab will begin with quiz on these UVA Virtual Lab presentations: Scanning Probe Microscope, SPM Piezoelectrics, and Scanning Electron Microscope	Supporting Materials Our Insect Micrographs
8	Oct 16, 17	Atomic Force Microscope Lab Quiz: Lab will begin with a quiz on this UVA Virtual Lab presentation: easyScan AFM (quiz must be passed before using the AFM),	Animation of easyScan AFM AFM Lab Manual Supporting Materials
9	Oct 23, 24	Scanning Tunneling Microscope Lab 1 Quiz: Lab will begin with quiz on this UVA Virtual Lab presentation: easyScan STM (quiz must be passed before using the STM).	Animation of easyScan STM STM Lab Manual Supporting Materials
10	Oct 30, 31	Scanning Tunneling Microscope Labs 2 & 3 Use the STM to image atoms on the surface of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) Enhance images using image processing software Bring to the lab: USB stick to save copies of the STM images you obtain. Paste your best images into the STM lab report and submit in next class.	STM Lab Manual STM Lab Report Supporting Materials
11	Nov 6, 7
12	Nov 13, 14	Super Hydrophobic Surfaces Lab Bring to the Lab: Hydrophobicity Lab Manual Quiz: Lab will begin with quiz on Part I (hydrophobicity) of lecture 11 + Hydrophobicity Lab Manual. (WARNING: For the quiz you will need the results of a calculation specified on page 5 of the lab manual)	Hydrophobicity Lab Manual Supporting Materials
13	Nov 20, 21	Charlottesville CSI: DNA Fingerprinting - Lab 1 Bring to the Lab: UVA DNA Fingerprinting Lab Manual Quiz: Lab will begin with quiz on the DNA Fingerprinting Lecture Note Set Do not eat for at least one hour before lab	DNA Fingerprinting Lab Manual / Report Supporting Materials
14	No 27, 28	No labs this partially holiday week	-
15	Dec 4, 5	Charlottesville CSI: DNA Fingerprinting - Lab 2 Bring to the Lab: UVA DNA Fingerprinting Lab Manual Wear blue (we'll be making heavy use of blue stains)	DNA Fingerprinting Lab Manual / Report Supporting Materials

Homework Assignments

General Notes on Assignments:

Assignments are to be typed and submitted in paper form on the indicated due date

Late assignments will not be accepted (ONLY exceptions: certified illness or personal emergency)

ANY assigned reading may be the subject of an in-class pop quiz on its date

To avoid confusion, below I will add assignments only as their due dates approach.

Wk	Due	Assignment
1	Aug 27	Read: Newspaper Article on Gecko Grip (link) Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of the above newspaper article Bring to lab: Yourself
2	Sept 3	Read: Textbook's chapter 1 Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Bring to lab: Printed copy of Spring Lab Instructions / Report Document (link) Lab Quiz: On this "Review of Waves" webpage
3	Sept 10	Read: Textbook chapter 2 (through page 36 - because remainder of chapter is either of questionable relevance or is already well covered in our lectures and labs) Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Students in Lab 1 (Wed 2 pm): Pick-up Nanocarbon kits and submit in lab next week a model of graphite, nanotube or C60. See descriptions in lectures 7,8, or UVA Virtual Lab presentation on Nanocarbon Bring to Lab: Copy of our Ripple Tank Lab Instructions / Report Document Lab Quiz: On the Waves (generic) Lecture Note Set and the Ripple Tank Manual
4	Sept 17	Read: Textbook Chapter 3: Nanophysics Submit: Problems 3.9, 3.10 a, c, d (not b), 3.25 (to be pledged / no sharing) Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Students in Lab 1 (Wed 2 pm): Return Nanocarbon kits, with bag, at lab meeting. Students in Lab 2 (Wed 3:30 pm): Pick-up Nanocarbon kits and submit in lab next week a model of graphite, nanotube or C60. See descriptions in lectures 7,8, or UVA Virtual Lab presentation on Nanocarbon Bring to the Lab: Water Wave Lab Manual / Report
5	Sept 24	Read: Chapter 4: Nanomaterials Submit: Problems 4.5, 4.6, 4.9, 4.17, 4.26, 4.27 (should be a blank to fill in at end of the sentence) (to be pledged / no sharing) Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Students in Lab 2 (Thurs 3:30 pm): Return Nanocarbon kits, with bag, at lab meeting. Students in Lab 3 (Thurs 2 pm): Pick-up Nanocarbon kits and submit in lab next week a model of graphite, nanotube or C60. See descriptions in lectures 7,8, or UVA Virtual Lab presentation on Nanocarbon Lab Quiz: On UVA Virtual Lab presentations How Semiconductors and Transistors Work, How Integrated Circuits are Made, and Optical Photolithography
6	Oct 1	Read: The first half of the textbook's chapter 5 is about classic, Newtonian, MACROmechanics (rather than nanomechanics), leading to this abbreviated assignment: READ textbook Chapter 5 - Nanomechanics: Page 160 to end ONLY AND "Rupturing the Nanotech Rapture" (w/ more reasons for the abbreviated textbook assignment) Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Students in Lab 3 (Thurs 2 pm): Return Nanocarbon kits, with bag, at lab meeting. Students in Lab 4 (Thurs 3:30 pm): Pick-up Nanocarbon kits and submit in lab next week a model of graphite, nanotube or C60. See descriptions in lectures 7,8, or UVA Virtual Lab presentation on Nanocarbon Lab Quiz: Quiz for Self-Assembly lab based on lecture note set: The Need for Self-Assembly
7	Oct 8	Read: The textbook's chapter 6 pulls way too many advanced equations out of thin air, giving you little/no idea of how they are derived or correctly applied. Instead, think back to my lecture 3 description of the "Quantum Size Effect" based on the wavelengths and energies of waves that will fit in a small box. Leading to this abbreviated assignment: READ textbook's Chapter 6 - Nanoelectronics: ONLY pages 185-192 (sections 6.1 - 6.4) AND pages 197-215 (sections 6.7-6.9.1.1). Submit: Problems 6.6, 6.8, 6.16, 6.24, 6.37 (to be pledged / no sharing) Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Students in Lab 4 (Thurs 3:30 pm): Return Nanocarbon kits, with bag, at lab meeting. Lab Quiz: On UVA Virtual Lab presentations Scanning Probe Microscope, SPM Piezoelectrics, and Scanning Electron Microscope
8	Oct 15	Reading Day - No Lecture Lab Quiz: On UVA Virtual Lab presentation easyScan AFM Bring to Lab: USB stick to save copies of the AFM images you obtain. Paste your best images into the AFM lab report form and submit at Oct 22 class.
9	Oct 22	Submit: Mini-Midterm on "Nanotechnology: Getting it Right the First Time" Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted December 2011 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Students in Lab 1 (Weds 2:00 pm): Pick-up DNA atomic model kits (one kit per pair of students). Completed model to be submitted in lab next week. Follow instructions given at this link, making use of UVA Virtual lab presentations DNA: Big Picture & DNA: Do it Yourself Submit: Completed AFM lab report form. Bring to Lab: USB stick to lab to save copies of the STM images you obtain. Paste your best images into the STM lab report form and submit at Nov 12 class. Lab Quiz: On UVA Virtual Lab presentation easyScan STM
10	Oct 29	Read: Textbook, Chapter 7: Nanoheat Transfer / Submit: Problems 7.1, 7,2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7, 7,8, 7.9, 7.15 (to be pledged / no sharing) Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Students in Lab 1 (Wed 2 pm): Pick-up DNA atomic model kits, with bag, at lab meeting. Students in Lab 2 (Weds 3:30 pm): Return DNA atomic model kits (one kit per pair of students). Completed model to be submitted in lab next week. Follow instructions given at this link, making use of UVA Virtual lab presentations DNA: Big Picture & DNA: Do it Yourself Bring to Lab: USB stick to lab to save copies of the STM images you obtain. Paste your best images into the STM lab report form and submit at Nov 12 class.
11	Nov 5	Read: Textbook, Chapter 8: Nanophotonics / Submit: Problems 8.5, 8.15, 8.23, 8.26, 8.29 (to be pledged / no sharing) Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Students in Lab 2 (Wed 3:30 pm): Pick-up DNA atomic model kits, with bag, at lab meeting. Students in Lab 3 (Thurs 2:00 pm): Return DNA atomic model kits (one kit per pair of students). Completed model to be submitted in lab next week. Follow instructions given at this link, making use of UVA Virtual lab presentations DNA: Big Picture & DNA: Do it Yourself Bring to Lab: USB stick to lab to save copies of the STM images you obtain. Paste your best images into the STM lab report form and submit at Nov 12 class.
12	Nov 12	Submit: A declaration of your tentative choice of final exam research topic. This should include a typed one paragraph long description of why you chose this topic and what you hope to learn. (If a more interesting topic occurs to you later, I will allow for a change - but I want you to have at least one hard idea in mind by this date). Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Students in Lab 3 (Thurs 2 pm): Return DNA atomic model kits, with bag, at lab meeting. Students in Lab 4 (Thurs 3:30 pm): Pick-up DNA atomic model kits (one kit per pair of students). Completed model to be submitted in lab next week. Follow instructions given at this link, making use of UVA Virtual lab presentations DNA: Big Picture & DNA: Do it Yourself Submit: Completed STM lab report form. Lab Quiz: On Part I (hydrophobicity) of lecture 11 + Hydrophobicity Lab Manual. (WARNING: For the quiz you will need the results of a calculation specified on page 5 of the lab manual)
13	Nov 19	Read: As in chapter 6, the math in this chapter is daunting. But it gets us to formulae that are key to understanding the movement of nanoparticles as well as chemical communication within cells. Leading to this abbreviated assignment: READ textbook's Chapter 9 - Nanofluidics: pages 275-296 (sections 9.1 - 9.2.3) ONLY Submit: Problems 9.2, 9.5, 9.9, 9.10, 9.12 (to be pledged / no sharing) Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Submit: Completed AFM lab report form. Students in Lab 4 (Thurs 3:30 pm): Return DNA atomic model kits, with bag, at lab meeting. For Lab: Do not eat for at least one hour before lab Lab Quiz: On the DNA Fingerprinting note set
14	Nov 26	Read: Textbook, Chapter 10: Nanobio / Submit: Problems (to be pledged / no sharing): 10.4, 10.7, 10.8, 10.18 10_john_1: What is the efficiency of the ATP recharging motor? Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). No labs this week
15	Dec 3	Read: A nanoscience news article of your own choosing (posted June 2013 - present) / Submit: One page ANALYSIS of the scientific content of that nanoscience news article (include URL for article in your report, or if from print article, a copy of it). Bring to Lab: Copy of at least pages 17-21 of the lab manual, and wear blue (members of Lab 4 students will also need to turn in their assembled DNA kits)
		Final Exam due on date/time assigned by the university for a Tuesday 2pm class, in Professor Bean's office (Thornton E-223)