NanoDays Report: Lecture,

About the NanoDays event(s)

We have been giving a series of demonstrations related to nanoscience at ECHO Science Center (Burlington, Vermont). Here is the synopsis that appeared on the ECHO web site (www.echovermont.org):

Session 1: May 25 Forms of Carbon

Come learn about the amazing diversity in the phases of carbon - diamonds to buckyballs and nanotubes - from physicists at the University of Vermont. "See" carbon nanotubes being made in front of your eyes! Guests will get a chance to make their own buckyball model and explore the various properties of graphite and diamond.

Session 2: June 21 Nanosurfaces

Objects on the nanoscale often behave differently from those we are used to seeing at the everyday macroscopic scale. Come join physicists from the University of Vermont as they demonstrate some of these interesting materials that illustrate the promise of nanotechnology. Do you know sand can be made to "fear" water? We will explore some examples of nanostructured surfaces.

Session 3: July 10 Liquid Crystals

Join physicists from the University of Vermont and explore the mysterious world of liquid crystals. Liquid crystals are used in products all around us - from thermometers to televisions. Ever wonder how those LCD projectors work? Come see one "turned inside out" and discover the secret! Guests will be able to examine various types of LCD's and their fascinating properties.

Session 4: August 14 Nanomaterials and You

Along with physicists from the University of Vermont, come and experience the strange properties of a magnetic fluid and other nanomaterials. Did you know the size of a particle can determine its color? Guests will be able to "handle" seldom seen nanomaterials and learn about their surprising properties.

Lecture

We were able to recreate many of the demonstrations found on the U Wisconsin nano web site. They were very popular.

The public is obsessed with applications of the nanoscience, while our interests are more toward the scientific phenomena.

We should probably do a better job connecting the effects to future technologies.

While we learned from the information on the NISE web pages, we got the meat of our demonstrations from the UW web site.

We didn't learn of Nanodays until March. We couldn't schedule our events until after the formal window for NanoDays, but the idea has led us to cultivate a relationship with our local science center--something that we can expand on in the future.

Photos

Basic facts about the NanoDays event(s)

Dates

• NanoDays - April 6, 2008

Location: Burlington, VT

Contact person: Aadron Rausch

Title: No information available

Department: No information available

Professional Category: No information available

Type of organization: No information available

David Hammond, Department of Physics, University of Vermont

Linda Bowden, Program Coordinator, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center
(This relationship was precipitated by NanoDays.)

Dennis Clougherty, University of Vermont, Professor of Physics

The ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center took care of all the advertising. The events appeared on their web site and in the local newspapers (Burlington Free Press, Seven Days etc.) The ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center's web site is www.echovermont.org

Audience

Type of public served

• General Public

Additional information about audience: No information available

General comments about audience: Ages ranged from 8 up.