Exploring the Nanoscale: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Our facilitators in The Lab will be demonstrating hands-on activities that allow visitors the opportunity to explore the tools, forces, properties, materials and structures of the nanoworld. You can make your own liquid crystal sensor and learn how to use it, or you can use your sense of smell to explore the world on the nanoscale.

Exhibitor Booths: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• Dr. David Hinton (Duke University Professor, Nicholas School of the Environment) and Dr. Cole Matson (Executive Director of Duke’s Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology - CEINT) will display aquariums of fish, including medaka, zebrafish, and mummichog (NC native species). They will also discuss their work on the impacts of nanosilver on these fish and offer visitors a chance to view embryos and larvae of these species at different developmental stages using microscopes.
• Dr. Claudia Gunsch (Duke University Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering) will demonstrate her work on assessing impacts of commercial products treated with nanosilver on bacteria and engage visitors in discovering for themselves whether these materials were effective for bacterial clearing.  Dr. Gunsch and her team of students will also provide information on the importance of this type of research for impacts on water and wastewater treatment.
• Dr. Ben Colman (Duke University Postdoctoral Associate, Biology) will show examples of the many roles microorganisms play in food and natural ecosystems as photosynthesizers, nutrient providers, transformers, and recyclers. He will also show examples of how the antimicrobial nature of silver nanoparticles could influence those roles.
• MLS staff and volunteers will display our nanoManipulator and an interactive computer-based simulation to explore “and feel” the unique nanoscale properties exhibited only at the nanoscale.

Carbon Nanotube Balloon 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Help us build a giant balloon model of a carbon nanotube. Learn about carbon atoms and how they are arranged to form a carbon nanotube 

Other NanoDays Events in the Triangle

Museum staff and area scientists from across the Triangle are coming together for all kinds of hands-on programs and demonstrations about the science of the very small. The Triangle’s NanoDays events are appropriate for all age groups and are designed to engage North Carolinians in nanoscale science and engineering education, research and technology.

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center - March 27, 2010 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Celebrate NanoDays 2010 at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Saturday, March 27 from 11am-3pm. Join educators and UNC scientists in learning about nanoscience research, particularly as it relates to medicine and human health. Participate in hands-on activities, demonstrations and laboratory tours featuring big research at the smallest scale. Sponsored in conjunction with The UNC Institute for Advanced Materials and the Dept. of Physics and Astronomy.

Marbles Kids Museum - March 27, 2010 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

NanoDays at Marbles is a big day for little stuff! Atoms...molecules...particles, oh my! Meet nanoscientists from Duke University as they present hands-on programs and interactive demonstrations on all things small.

North Carolina State University - April 23, 2010 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

(Please note the date and time difference)

Explore amazing new applications and consumer products that have resulted from nanotechnology at NC State University's NanoDays to be held at Engineering Building 1 on Centennial Campus.  Events include demonstrations in nanoscale science, talks by leading researchers, and tours of laboratories that are doing cutting edge science. The grand finale will be the opportunity to sample nano ice cream made by our team of nano engineers.