Laboratory
Description:
Quantitative Laboratory studies and measurements including (i) the synthesis of nanoparticles, (ii) the measurement of absorption, emission, and fluorescence of nanoparticles, (iii) the imaging of nanoparticles with atomic force microscopy, (iv) the stress testing of nanocomposites, and (v) the evaluation of ethical concerns for the performance of experiments with nanomaterials.
Module 1: Synthesis of Nanoparticles
Objective: Learn to synthesize CdS quantum dots and gold nanoparticles.
Task 1: Synthesize cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots via reverse micelles.
Task 2: Synthesize gold nanoparticles according to Brust.
Task 3: Measure the absorbance spectra of the synthesized nanoparticles and calculate their diameter.
Module 2: Optical Characterization of Nanoparticles
Objective: Perform absorption and fluorescence measurements on nanomaterials, i.e., quantum dots (q-dots), and interpret spectra of q-dot mixtures.
Task 1: Operate a spectrometer and a light source.
Task 2: Set up absorption and fluorescence measurements and measure absorption and fluores-cence spectra of CdSe/ZnS core/ shell quantum dot dispersions
Task 3: Interpret absorption and fluorescence spectra of CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dot dispersions and mixtures.
Module 3: Imaging of Nanomaterials
Objective: Learn to use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) for the imaging of nanomaterials.
Task 1: Prepare samples for the AFM.
Task 2: Operate the AFM and image real samples.
Task 3: Interpret data obtained with the AFM.
Module 4: Mechanical Properties of Nanoparticle Composite Materials
Objective: Prepare nanocom-posites and operate the Instron testing machine.
Task 1: obtain the engineering stress-engineering strain curves for a nanocomposite and a plain polymer material under tensile loading.
Task 2: calculate modulus of elasticity (Young’s Modulus), Yield Stress, Tensile Strength, ductility (percent elongation or percent area reduction), etc.
Task 3: determine the effects of nanomaterials on the mechanical properties of polymers.
Module 5: Ethical Considerations for Nanomaterials Research
Objective: Learn about ethical & societal considerations for nanomaterials research
Task 1: review modules 1-4 and evaluate them using ethical considerations
Task 2: develop/perform short survey that determines society’s perception of nano-materials and their future potential.
