BATON ROUGE – LSU Department of Physics & Astronomy and LSU's Center for Computation & Technology will host an afternoon of family friendly activities for “NanoDays,” which will take place Saturday, March 27, from 2-6 p.m. at Highland Road Park Observatory, 13800 Highland Road. This event is free and open to the public.
What is Nanoscience?
When reduced to the width of a human hair or smaller, ordinary materials often take on extraordinary properties. But it is just now that scientists have the tools and technology to understand these fascinating phenomena and their potential uses in everyday life. Research in tiny scale systems and phenomena is called nanoscience, and it could lead to advanced information processing and storage, new medical treatments and much more.
NanoDays will feature several hands-on activities for children of all ages! Visitors can:
• See how big they are compared to nanoscale objects
• Understand how a scanning probe microscope allows scientists to explore the nanoworld
• Experience the effect of reducing the size of regular objects by trying to pour water out of a nano-cup
• Learn about nanomaterials used in the manufacture of stain-resistant clothes
• Build models of nanoscale structures
• Play with liquid crystals
• Make some fluids magically part in the middle by applying magnets to them
NanoDays will also feature presentations from two prominent nanoscience researchers:
• 3 p.m., Kristen Buchanan, Colorado State University, will talk about "Nanomagnetism" and its application to hard drives.
• 4 p.m. Jayne Garno, LSU, will present "Nano Theater,” showing images of nano-objects captured in her lab.
More information: http://www.cct.lsu.edu/LSUnanoday
Publish Date:
03-26-2010
