The New and Improved Nanotube: Fighting Breast Cancer
Can you design a carbon nanotube structure that holds outstanding optical properties, which will help scientists effectively detect and diagnose breast cancer?Copyright 2020 Shamial Allen, Rice University RET
This engineering challenge immerses students into the science fields of nanotechnology, biology, chemistry, technology and biomedical studies. Students explore the growing world of carbon nanotubes and their current impact to detect and diagnose breast cancer. Working in groups of four, students design a new and improved carbon nanotube.
Students begin by brainstorming and designing a structure that entails 100 carbon nanotube mini pieces per group. Students then have to select household materials that works best as heat conductors and applies them to their carbon nanotube structure. Once carbon nanotubes structure designs are complete, students test the thermal conductivity of models by using thermal conductivity guns. Models then sit under a heating lamp for three intervals of 10 minutes. When 10 minutes has lapsed for each interval, students gather their models and collect measurements of their structures using thermal guns. From there, students analyze data and think-pair-share on ways they can improve their carbon nanotube model.
- An assortment of materials that work as conductors, semiconductors, or insulators such as: aluminum foil, rope, wax paper, metal washers, plastic wrap, paper bags, pennies, tin pans, duct tape, black paper, white paper, twine, bubble wrap, etc.
- An assortment of materials to build, decorate, and test student designs such as: scissors, paint, glue, glue gun, markers, tape, colored paper, heating lamps (between 5-6), about 100- 200 carbon atom pieces per group to build a carbon nanotube structure (see Resources for purchasing options), and a non-contact digital thermometer guns.
- A complete carbon nanotube model (see Resources for building directions)
Contributors
Shamial Allen; Sima Tanner
Supporting Program
Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment System (NEWT) RET, Rice University
Acknowledgements
This maker challenge was developed in collaboration with the Rice University Office of STEM Engagement, based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number. EEC-1406885- Nanotechnology Research Experience for Teachers at Rice University, Houston, TX. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this maker challenge are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
This maker challenge was best inspired by the 2019 NSF summer research program and exposure to research conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Bruce Wiseman laboratory (George R. Brown and Chemistry, Rice University). I would like to thank the Wiseman Group for all their meaningful support and insight geared toward my summer research in nanotechnology. Special thanks to Isaias Cerdas and Christina Crawford for their guidance within the RET program as well as their encouragement geared towards lesson planning.
Copyright
2020 by Regents of the University of Colorado; original ©2019 Rice University