Fundamentals

Researchers at the London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) are asking members of the public to help unlock the secrets of magnetism at the molecular scale by taking part in a citizen science project. The project’s website invites volunteers from across the world to analyze microscope images of individual molecules, which have characteristic flower shapes. Anyone can take part, and only a few clicks of the computer mouse are required to collect valuable information. The Feynman’s Flowers project will allow volunteers to measure the position of a molecule in relation to a metal surface to help scientists understand how this can affect the molecule’s properties. Data that volunteers produce will contribute to a research project.

This series of museum labels are designed for general use in your museum or institution to highlight existing connections to nanoscale science, engineering, or technology. NISE Net partners are already coming up with creative ways to use these labels to showcase nano. For example, you can make a scavenger hunt or special tour to encourage visitors to find all the connections! Additional templates (.doc and .indd) are also provided so that you can create your own signage and content.

"Nanotechnology Spin-a-Prize!" introduces visitors to the basics of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology (“nano”) through a game show format. Visitors learn that nanometer-sized things are small and often behave differently than larger things do, and that work in this emerging field leads to new knowledge and innovations. Visitors also consider the ways that nanotechnology will affect our lives.

In this story time program, visitors actively listen to "Horton Hears a Who!" by Dr. Seuss. Before the story is read, children make paper “elephant ears” to wear. After the story, they use their sense of smell to explore scent molecules that are too small to see. This story time can also be presented in Spanish by using the Spanish-language story book.

"Exploring Tools - 3D Imaging" is a hands-on activity in which visitors use 3D glasses to discover what ordinary objects look like under magnification. They learn that researchers use special tools and techniques, including 3D imaging, to work on the nanoscale.

"Exploring Size - Moving Molecules" is a hands-on activity in which visitors use an air cannon toy to spin pinwheels. They learn that air is made up of molecules, which are tiny nanometer-sized particles.

"Exploring Products - Liquid Crystal Displays" is a hands-on activity in which visitors investigate temperature-sensitive liquid crystal sheets and liquid crystal displays from a calculator. They learn that liquid crystals change color as a result of nanoscale shifts in the arrangement of their molecules.

"Exploring Properties - Invisibility" is a hands on activity in which visitors investigate how glass objects can be "hidden" in some liquids. They learn that researchers can use nanotechnology to engineer new materials that interact with light in special ways.

Visitors will engage in a variety of survey type questions focusing on different aspects of nanotechnology. For each question posed, they will be provided short descriptions about the possible options. They will then place their vote using a marble in the container labeled with their selection. Throughout the day the public will be able to visualize how others have answered the same question by looking at the quantity of marbles in each container. Museum staff can use the data to chart trends in public knowledge about nanotechnology.

In the first part of the “Robots & People” program, visitors learn what robots and nanobots are, what they can do, and how they affect our lives. In the second part of the program, visitors imagine and draw a robot, designing it to do a particular task.