Connexions Conference Feb 5 th 2009

My Workgroups: Mary McHale, PhD Rice University Chem215 Spring08 Chem217LabsFall07 General Chemistry Lab Fall General Chemistry Lab Spring Honors Chemistry Lab Fall Honors Chemistry Spring

How did I hear about Connexions? General Chemistry I (col10263) General Chemistry I Author: John S. HutchinsonJohn S. Hutchinson Institution: Rice University Keywords: Chemical concept development, Freshman Chemistry, General Chemistry, Introductory Chemistry Summary: Concept Development Studies associated with the first semester of a two semester General Chemistry course at Rice University

Advantages of Connexions For the student: Cost Average experiment ~ 10 pages * 5c = 50c experiments per semester = $6.00 For Me: Flexibility Ability to update during the semester Publish new experiments – copyright protected

Funniest Interaction Professor in Italy: Title of Your experiment Send me key now!

Silver Nanoparticles: A Case Study in Cutting Edge Research Module by: Andrew R. Barron, Mary McHale, Alvin OrbaekAndrew R. BarronMary McHaleAlvin Orbaek Summary: Based on research performed in the Barron group by graduate student Alvin Orbaek Links – [hide links]hide links – Example links – AgnpPreLab08.doc AgnpPreLab08.doc – AgnpReport08.doc AgnpReport08.doc Silver Nanoparticles – A Case Study in Cutting Edge Research Alvin Orbaek, Mallam Phillips, Dr. Mary McHale, Prof. Andrew Barron, Objective To gain an insight into nanotechnology, what it is and how it can be useful, using silver nanoparticles as an example. We will look at what exactly nanoparticles are, see how they are made, and how they can be characterized. The characterization technique involves Ultra-Violet and Visible spectroscopy, so we will look briefly into the interaction of the nanoparticles and light, which will hopefully help you gain an appreciation for one of the special aspects of nanotechnology. When making the nanoparticles we will do a time study allowing us to graph the spectroscopic response - which will show the nature of the particle as it grows, i.e ripens. We can use some data to calculate the size of the nanoparticle at the beginning and at the end of our experiment.

Uses of Silver Nanoparticles No more smelly socks - inhibits bacteria that causes foot odour by resisting stains and water absorbance Antibacterial properties added to athletic wear, bandages (especially burn victims) and cleaning products Sterilizes water better than chlorine Curtains embedded with Ag nanoparticles reduce infectious microbes in hospitals Deactivates HIV by inhibiting the virus from attaching to the host with undetectable levels of cytoxicity

Seeing is believing Tunability – can make silver nanoparticles with various sizes – each size can absorb light differently – can make them for the visible spectrum Left to Right 10 nm 30 nm 100 nm