a blog by the NSF Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology
There are many ways to interrogate molecular phenomena. You might think that this is restricted to physical measurements such as direct observation with a microscope, a laser, or more seemingly arcane observation with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). But I’m happy to report that observation of computer simulations is yet another, as long as our models …
What inspires people to do science? Perhaps you, Dear Reader, are interested in understanding how the physical world works. Maybe you saw a rainbow, or ocean waves on the beach, when you were a kid, and therefore have a love for optics, physics, or oceanography. Human-made objects can also inspire scientists. Quite a few people …
Continue reading "Art as Inspiration for Science"
Firstly, there are lots of scientists and very few lab coats or safety goggles — as they come to talk science instead of do science. There are lots of seminars — from the mind-shatteringly awesome to the "pretty OK". There are also "poster sessions" where people quickly describe their research to one another, and those can be great …
Continue reading "What Are Science Conferences Like?"
To me, one of the most interesting aspects of nanotechnology is how close in size the nanoparticles we can make are to the nano-sized components of living organisms. These nano sized proteins, lipids and nucleic acids have evolved to form the network of biological machines to support the abundance of life on this planet. Just as …
Continue reading "Nature’s Nanomachines Harnessed to Enable Healthier Delicious Ice Cream"
...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?"
Sustainable Nano 