a blog by the NSF Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology
When Luke Skywalker receives his father’s lightsaber from Obi Wan in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, he learns that it is “not as random or clumsy as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.” Here at our Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, we don’t work with weapons, no matter how sophisticated …
Continue reading "“How do Lasers Work?” or “Not your father’s lightsaber”"
Prepare to embark on a colorful and illuminating journey. Before we begin: Did you know that there is a secret world that exists right in front of your eyes? Did you know that we scientists have tapped into this secret world and are exploiting it to push the boundaries of knowledge? Do you have a …
Just wanted to share a great Minnesota Public Radio story on our very own Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology! Featuring our very own Bob Hamers and Christy Haynes: Pretty clearly outlines what we're up to. Give it a listen! Link to MPR transcript and audio
In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, the evil emperor creates an army of “clones” that are exactly identical to one another, all the way down to their DNA. Similarly, we scientists use a little water flea called Daphnia magna for this same reason, however it is not for evil purposes. Daphnia, just like the …
...and what does that have to do with sustainable nanotechnology? As with all good meals of information, let's start this one off with ice cream! In an effort to grow out of my "slim fit" clothes, I've begun an ice-cream-after-every-dinner diet. Even the cat likes my diet! An added bonus is that I go through …
Continue reading "Why Does Old Ice Cream Get Crunchy?"
Now that you’ve somehow gotten to this blog, you’re probably wondering, “Where am I? What is this ‘Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology’?” Our “center” is actually a group of people who care about our environment and are doing collaborative research to help ensure that our planet will be habitable hundreds of years from now – in …
Sustainable Nano 