The Rise of Nanotechnology

Lecturer Information

Prof. David Tomanek
4231 Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building
E-mail: tomanek@pa.msu.edu
Phone: +1-517-355-9702
URL: http://www.pa.msu.edu/people/tomanek

General Idea of Frontiers Weekend Workshops

The premise for the Frontiers Weekend Workshop series is to give science teachers an introduction/overview into current scientific ideas and research to enable them to present hot topics in Science in a High School class environment. The presentation of the basic science and current research areas will be lightened up with mini-workshops and small projects that are suitable for class.

What Will Be Covered?

The presentation will put the emerging field of Nanoscale Science and Technology, often called Nanotechnology, into the context of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Engineering. The lecture will emphasize basic understanding of the physical phenomena on the nanometer scale and to keep any formal treatment at a minimum. Simple, conceptual and easy computational problems will be inter-dispersed in the lecture. Informal, open atmosphere should facilitate knowledge transfer: Your students will enjoy only what you enjoy.

What to Bring Along?

• A pocket calculator
• Scissors
• Scotch tape
• A smile and curiosity

Rough Lecture Outline

• What is nanotechnology?
• Nanotechnology is around the corner
• What to expect when things get small
• Nanocarbons and their role among nanostructures
• Where did nanocarbons come from?
• Nanocarbons are beautiful
• Nanocarbons and their structure
• Nanocarbons are different
• Nanocarbons are interesting
• Nanocarbons are useful

• Fullerenes
• Nanotubes