Zoom into a Lotus Leaf video

Overview
Standards
Resources
Evaluations
Comments

Overview

Description:

In this film "Zoom into a Lotus Leaf," see an up close look at the tiny nanostructures that give the leaf its unique behavior. The Lotus Leaf is a symbol of purity because it appears to be perpetually clean. We now know that its self-cleaning properties are due to its ability to repel water very effectively; it's superhydrophobic. It gets its superhydrophobicity from tiny nanostructures. We start with a normal digital camera and zoom in using increasingly powerful microscopes as we explore this phenomena.

Objectives

Big Idea:

Nature, the master of nanotechnology, has created nanostructures that can repel water. Scientists can use this knowledge to understand how water interacts with nanometer sized objects. This knowledge can and has sparked new innovations in technology and material science.

Learning goals:

As a result of viewing this video, viewers will appreciate that nanotechnology can be found in living things like the Lotus Leaf.

NISE Net Content Map:

Nanometer-sized things are very small, and often behave differently than larger things do.

Scientists and engineers have formed the interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology by investigating properties and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.

Nanoscience, nanotechnology, and nanoengineering lead to new knowledge and innovations that weren't possible before.

Universal design:

Repeat and reinforce main ideas and concepts.

Provide physical and sensory access to all aspects of the program. Visitors can touch, see and hear different elements of the program.

Credits

Developed for the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers 0532536 and 0940143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

Owning institution:

Lawrence Hall of Science

Checklist

Scientist reviewed? check_reviewed

Peer reviewed? check_reviewed

Visitor evaluation? check_reviewed

Nano Topics

Art and nature, Bio and medicine, Materials, tools, and applications

Audience

All ages

Permissions

Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike

Standards

Life science:

K-4: Characteristics of organisms

5-8: Diversity and adaptations of organisms

5-8: Structure and function in living systems

Physical science:

K-4: Properties of objects and materials

5-8: Properties and changes of properties in matter

9-12: Structure and properties of matter

9-12: Structure of atoms

Science and Technology:

K-4: Abilities of technological design

K-4: Understanding about science and technology

5-8: Abilities of technological design

5-8: Understanding about science and technology

9-12: Abilities of technological design

9-12: Understanding about science and technology

Resources

Links:

See FAQ #10 to learn more about downloading NISE Net video

Zoom into a Lotus Leaf (with narration)

Zoom into a Lotus Leaf (without narration)

Video:

Evaluations

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