NUE: Undergraduate Course-Instrumentation for the Nano-World

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff AZ

Investigators

Abstract

This Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE) program entitled, "Instrumentation for the Nano-World," at Northern Arizona University (NAU), under the direction of Dr. Lawrence M. Fritz, is jointly funded by the Directorate for Engineering (ENG), Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC), the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), Division of Materials Research (DMR), and the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO). A multi-disciplinary team of faculty at NAU will develop and teach a new, lower-level undergraduate, laboratory-based course on modern instrumention for nanoscience and nanotechnology. The course will be comprised of lectures and hands-on demonstrations involving, electron microscopy, scanning force microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectometry, photelecron spectroscopy and engineering micro-fabrication. Lecture topics will include the history, theory, applications, resolution, limitations and future directions for each technique whiles hands-on demonstrations will investigate the propoerites of a nano-material common throughout the course; the physical properties of carbon nanotubes. Students will learn the applicability, advantages and limitations of each instrument in investigations on carbon nanotubes. NAU will recruit from its large community of Native American, Hispanic students for this course.