Integration of Nanoscience into a Seventh Grade Science
Course
Peter J. WattsRiverside Middle School
Watertown, [email protected]
From Earth Science to Life Science
Nature uses efficient means to create the many unique properties found in the structures of minerals, plant and animals
It is impossible to separate geology and biology. The biotic and abiotic components of the environment interact constantly and are often dependent on one another
Animals and plants have many surprising adaptations making them especially successful in their respective niches
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~meroaldi/images/snowshoe%20hare.jpg
http://www.lpzoo.com/animals/FACTS/mammals/images/giraffe.jpg
Nature has adapted structures to suit the needs of the organism. These help the organism survive
Camouflage is a color adaptation while extremely long necks is a physiological adaptation
http://www.ent.iastate.edu/images/lepidoptera/monarch/monarchonalf.jpg
http://www.cirrusimage.com/butterfly/viceroy_06.jpg
Animals sometimes mimic other animals. On the left is a Monarch butterfly and on the right is a Viceroy
butterfly. Look closely for subtle differences
Why would a Viceroy want to look like a Monarch?
Nature has produced some fantastic survival designs that include behavior, color, and body morphology which can
be observed on the MACROSCALE…
But what about NANOSCALE adaptations?
Can scientists look at organisms at the tiniest levels and learn from these
designs?
Humans can learn from natureWe can build more effective tools
and develop better technologies for solving problems by observing nature’s designs
Instead of ‘reinventing the wheel’ we can use those designs already found in nature
We refer to this as Geomimicry and Biomimicry
Biomimicry
“Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a new science that studies nature's best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems.
Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an example. I think of it as "innovation inspired by nature.”
Janine Benyus
http://www.lclark.edu/~autumn/PNAS/PNAS_images/GeckoFeet_300.jpg
Nature’s array of structure and design is amazing.
These are just a few examples of Gecko feet
Geckos have millions of
microscopic hairs on the bottom of their feet that act like an adhesive, allowing them to
climb up walls and even on glass
(Kellar Autumn/Lewis & Clark College)
http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2005-04-05/azimi-biomimicry/Gecko01.jpg/asset_small
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050108/a5757_1486.jpg
When the underside of a gecko toe (left) was dusted with microspheres and pressed onto
glass, millions of sticky fibers in the thin, plate-like structures shed microspheres
onto the glass, leaving a print visible under laser light (right)
“In fact, the adhesive is so strong that a single seta can lift the weight of an ant. A million setae, which could easily fit onto the area of a dime, could lift a 45-pound
child.”
Dr. Kellar Autumn, a biologist at Lewis and Clark College
http://www.vigyanprasar.com/comcom/feature50.htm
Researchers have figured out the secret to Gecko design:
Dirt weakens adhesive bonds.If we can find a way to shed
surface dirt we could improve surface-attachment design for mountain climbers and even robots!
Scientists have made Carbon Nanotubes that
mimic Gecko Feet
http://news.rpi.edu/update.do?http://news.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=1020&setappvar=page(1)artcenterkey=1020&setappvar=page(1)
The Lotus Effect: Another of Nature’s designs
This is a lotus leaf that has been covered with a sprinkling of fine red powder (Sudan-III pigment powder: 1 - 20 microns,
Merck)
It cleans itself after a rainBarthlott and Neinhuis
http://www.bath.ac.uk/~ensab/B-man/tr_11_00/
Diagram showing a droplet cleaning a hydrophobic surface by rolling off http://lotus-shower.isunet.edu/the_lotus_effect.htm
Lotus leaves are HYDROPHOBIC which means they don’t like water and
repel it. As the water slides down the leaf it picks up debris. This effect is caused by nanosized ‘bumps’ on the surface
of the leaves
Self Cleaning Windows?Copying the
nanostructures on a Lotus leaf, scientists and engineers have developed a bumpy glass that is self cleaning.
Sprays have also been produced that coat almost any surface to keep it clean and dry
http://www.physorg.com/news2730.html
http://www.prlog.org/10154998-sharklet-technologies-wins-early-stage-shootout-at-southeast-bios-investor-forum.html
This pattern improves shipping efficiency by reducing barnacle
growth
http://www.sciencelov.com/?p=3640
If we look closely at nature we might be able to solve almost any problem facing humankind…
Think about this:You’re an inventor…How will you use Nanoscience & Nanotechnology in some new invention?