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Exploring Materials - Hydrogel

In this activity, learners discover how a super absorbing material can be used to move a small object.

DESCRIPTION

"Exploring Materials - Hydrogel" is a hands-on activity in which visitors discover how a super absorbing material can be used to move a straw. They learn that hydrogels can be used on the nanoscale in a similar fashion to manipulate tiny structures.

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  • hand spooning white powder material into cup in Exploring Materials - Hydrogel NanoDays activity
  • hand spooning white powder material into cup in Exploring Materials - Hydrogel NanoDays activity

DESCRIPTION

"Exploring Materials - Hydrogel" is a hands-on activity in which visitors discover how a super absorbing material can be used to move a straw. They learn that hydrogels can be used on the nanoscale in a similar fashion to manipulate tiny structures.

JUMP TO BROWSE RELATED RESOURCES

TRAINING VIDEOS

OBJECTIVES

BIG IDEA

The way a material behaves on the macroscale is affected by its structure on the nanoscale.

LEARNING GOALS

  • The way a material behaves on the macroscale is affected by its structure on the nanoscale.

NANO CONTENT MAP

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.

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2011
OWNING INSTITUTION

Sciencetner

FUNDING

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.

PERMISSIONS

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).
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DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

NISE Network products are developed through an iterative collaborative process that includes scientific review, peer review, and visitor evaluation in accordance with an inclusive audiences approach. Products are designed to be easily edited and adapted for different audiences under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. To learn more, visit our Development Process page.