2006 Nanoquest

Outreach

Although we studied many aspects of nanotechnology, our research project focused on targeted medicine.  We proposed a way to prevent and cure AIDS by functionalizing a molecule similar to DNA.  HIV replicate using DNA, but are more attracted to our targeted medicine which traps and destroys the HIV.  We presented our play entitled 'A Nanocure for AIDS' to students in our classes at school. 

We had a booth at a festival to show Lego robots in action, talk about Lego Robotics, talk about Nanotechnology, and fundraising with a raffle and our game Nanomania. We had nanotechnology activities like How Big Am I?.

The Nanomania game can be downloaded and printed here.  You need to supply dice and game markers.
Gameboard  and   Rules and   Missions
Science Cards  /  Science Card Tops   (print on opposite sides of paper)
Technology Cards  /  Technology Card Tops   (print on opposite sides of paper)
People Cards  /  People Card Tops   (print on opposite sides of paper)

We donated the K'NEX Education: Real Bridge Building and the Discovery School Videos to our local public elementary school.

We learned about nanotechnology...

With interactive videos like How Big...  and Powers Of Ten (or check the Official Website or the Simpson's spoof), we compared sizes of objects to understand what nano-scaled means from sites like Orders of Magnitude and the How Big Am I? activity.  The team took turns playing the Duck Boy in Nanoland interactive on-line game. Our coach presented a powerpoint slide show entitled Atoms: Are They Real?.  

Nanoscale in:
3 Dimensions: Nanocomposites are formed from particles that are less than 100 nm in diameter.  Combining these particles in materials like ceramix or metal alloys yields composite materials with superior properties.  Nanoparticles are also used in targeted medicines.
2 Dimensions: Fibers of carbon or boron or other materials are less than 100 nm in two dimensions, and longer - even micrometers long - in the third dimension.  Carbon nanotubes are examples of a 2Dimensional nanoscaled structure.  The cloth of some pants are treated with Carbon Nanotube fibers to make them water and stain resistant.  We did some experiments with fabric that had Carbon Nanotubes.
1 Dimension: Thin fims are nanoscaled in one dimension and any extent in two dimensions.  Thin films of titanium dioxide are being explored for potential UV protection.

We studied bridges...



DVD and Video
Discovery School's Understanding: Bridges
Discovery School's Bridges: Design and Function
PBS show about the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

Web Resources
National Transportation Library
US Dept of Transportation: World's Longest Suspension Bridge Opens in Japan
PBS Bridge Basics: How Bridges Work
PBS Building Big Labs (Interactive Resource) *
PBS Bridge Building Challenge
Discovery's Famous Bridges
APL: New Sensors Promise to Drive Down Highway Maintenance Costs
Engineered Cement Composites: Bendable Concrete
Using Nanoparticles To Make Steel Creep Resistant
'Smart Concrete' for Levees
Better Roads for the Government/Contractor Team
* The team was challenged to use the words compression, tension, bend, shear, and torsion to describe actions of their robot  - in particular when manipulators failed.

Hands-On Projects
Our Amazing Bridges Architecture Kit
K'NEX Education: Real Bridge Building
Legos-We built and tested many different bridges, including a bridge for an RCX robot to go over and under.

Nanotech Connections
Self-Healing Pavements and Guards
Self-Cleaning Pavements and Signs
Stronger steel
Embedded sensors detect flaws and communicate to highway deptartment
Better traffic and surface condition reports
Better Concrete Mixing Procedures
Concrete defense against anti-icing agents
Nanotech for Bridge Construction

Our Project Idea
The Big Dig Ceiling Collapse was an event that shocked and saddened many people.  We thought that a better composite or nanotech system for bolting ceiling tiles might make the ceiling panals more secure.  We learned that each ceiling panel was secured to the top of the I-90 connector tunnel by tieback bolt fixtures.  These fixtures include the bolts, epoxy, metal plates, and tieback rods. Hang from the plate, the tieback bolds suspend steel beams which support the concrete panels.  First a hole is drilled in the ceiling, then bolts are inserted into the holes, and finally the bolts are glued into place using high-strength epoxy. The metal plates should fit tightly and flush against the ceiling of the tunnel.  We started researching new nano-based epoxies for adhering the bolts: How epoxy works.   

Upon Further Research...
We discovered that the tieback bolt system wasn't flawed by design, but that in many cases the epoxy was never put on after a bolt was inserted into its hole.  Inspections of the tunnel did not reveal the problem until after the ceiling collapse.   The team decided to look for a different problem to solve.

We studied fibers...

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We studied cancer and smart medicines...

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Then we proposed a nanocure for AIDS!

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Thank You!

Kevin Duhaime for generous donation of raffle HP IPAC for fundraiser.

Mary Harding Smith
Evergreen Holistic Therapy chair massage donated service fundraiser.

Lynne Ouellette for original artwork for fundraiser.

The University of New Hampshire Outreach Nanotechnology presentation to FLL Teams.

Thank you FLL!

Downloads

Research Chronology - A brief description of the many nanotechnology activities performed.
Atoms: Are They Real? - Powerpoint slide show.
Experiment 1 - Thin Film Study. This was part of our introductory work to nanoscales.
Experiment 2 - Fiber Studies.  This was part of a month long investigation into textiles including fibers and ropes.
Experiment 3 - Crystals and Carbon Nanotubes. We studied how crystals form.
Experiment 4 - DNA Extraction. We learned about DNA and observed it under the DigitalBlue Computer Microscope. We added CNT and observed alignments.
Bridge Notes - Summary of a month long investigation into bridges and road networks, and how they might benefit from emerging nanotechnologies.
AIDS Notes - Literature research about AIDS that lead to our nanotech targeted medicine to cure AIDS.
Script - A Nanocure for AIDS presented at the competition.
Robot Design - StepByStep Building Instructions for the NXT-based robot we used in competition.
Robot Software - Mindstorm NXT programs used for the competition.
Scoring - Excel spreadsheet of mission scoring.