NANOWIRE

Dear Colleagues:

The Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge (NACK) network is committed to bringing the excitement and visual impact of nanotechnology to pre-college and college classrooms. In cooperation with our partners, NACK has developed the Remotely Accessible Instruments for Nanotechnology (RAIN) initiative. This program allows students to access and manage modern nanotechnology instrumentation at no cost. Students actually control Scanning Electron Microscopes, Atomic Force Microscopes, and other instruments of nanotechnology to examine nano-sized materials from the ease of their classrooms and home computers all across the country. With the assistance of an experienced operator/educator at the microscope, advising over video conferencing software, students direct the tools using an internet connection in real-time.

Regards,

The RAIN Leadership Team

Welcome Back

RAIN is pleased to welcome you back to the 2016/2017 academic year. As we continue in our efforts to provide valuable resources that help to start, foster, or enhance nanotechnology programs across the country, all of our partner locations are currently scheduling remote access sessions with community schools and organizations. Schedule a session for your students today!

RAIN & SHINE – Remote Access

The image was captured by one of our former students Jonathon Eaton. Biofuel-producing algae Botryococcus braunii.

RAIN's Northwestern most partner is Seattle’s Hub for Industry-driven Nanotechnology Education, or SHINE. Located at North Seattle College, the SHINE Remote Access site brings innovation into classrooms through microscopy and lab instruments at no cost to schools. College and high school students now have the opportunity to study materials on cutting edge microscopy equipment through Remote Access using an internet connection and free downloadable software.

Students may study their own samples or samples provided by SHINE. The image featured here is of Botryococcus braunii, a biofuel-producing algae. The image was taken by John Eaton using a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope.

Interim Center Director, Kristine Schroeder, provides expertise on a wide variety of instruments housed in the nanotechnology lab at North Seattle College. These instruments include: Scanning Electron Microscope, Atomic Force Microscope, Profilometer, and a Confocal Microscope. SHINE not only partners with colleges and schools, but with community organizations and industry as well. Visit http://www.nano4me.org/remoteaccess to schedule an appointment with SHINE or any of the RAIN partners.

RAIN in the Community

The spring 2016 Student Research Conference, sponsored by Millersville University, focuses on student development through research inquiry and scholarly activity. RAIN’s Penn State location provided conference guests with a remote connection to a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). This dedicated booth allowed conference goers the opportunity to view topographical and elemental information of samples. Pictured here is one of the images taken by guests during the conference of an ant’s eye. Periodic hexagonal lattice formations are clearly visible on the ant’s eye.

RAIN in the Classroom

Image no. 1

In cooperation with Fulton Montgomery Community College, Penn State carried out remote access imaging for students from PTECH High School in Johnstown NY. Image no. 1 shows an FESEM image of Gold Nanoparticles. These gold nanoparticles were synthesized in a lab environment using a colloidal solution and they come in different sizes, as a result. Some of the measured nanoparticles are shown on the image.

Image no. 2

Image no. 2 shows an FESEM image of a blood sample. Students were able to zoom into the details of the cell membrane, which are very difficult to capture by using an optical microscope.

RAIN Partners Around the United States

Contact any member of the RAIN leadership team if you too would like to become a RAIN partner.

The RAIN Forecast - Upcoming RAIN events

Each year our RAIN partners provide unique community outreach at signature annual events. Beginning with our next newsletter, you will find information regarding RAIN events from across the country right here!

Featured Resources

Image courtesy of:
www.phenom-world.com

The Scanning Electron Microscope

This free resource by Semitracks gives a broad overview of the basics and technical details at a fairly high level.

The particular focus is the application of SEM to semiconductor device failure analysis.

Resource Link: http://www.semitracks.com/reference-material/failure-and-yield-analysis/failure-analysis-die-level/scanning-electron-microscope.php