Novel Experimental Modules To Introduce Students to Nanoparticle Characterization in a Chemical Engineering Course

Abstract

The increasing industrial and biomedical applications of nanomaterials have enhanced the need to educate a well-trained nanotechnology workforce. This need has led to efforts to introduce hands-on, nanotechnologybased, experimental modules into high school and college level courses in science and engineering. However, the majority of such efforts have focused on nanoparticle synthesis techniques, and an equally important aspect of working with nanomaterials, nanoparticle characterization, has received less attention. Herein, we report a series of nanoparticle characterization experiments, as part of a newly developed "Nano and Biointerfaces" course, to familiarize upper undergraduate students as well as graduate students in chemical engineering with nanoparticle characterization techniques. An inquiry-based approach was used in that the composition and properties of nanoparticles were not revealed to the students beforehand and students were asked to perform experiments to characterize nanoparticle composition, size, morphology, and surface area. The results of these experiments were compared with certificates of analysis for particles, provided by the vendor, and the differences in measured properties were discussed. Assessment was performed through evaluation of laboratory memos and presentations, a question in the end-of-semester final exam, and a student survey. The modular nature of these experiments allows for them to be implemented, with modifications as needed, in other higher education institutions or in high schools to familiarize students with nanoparticle characterization.

Examining Particle Size of Inorganic Active Ingredients within Sunscreens Using Dynamic Light Scattering

“…28,29 Some other publications suggest the use of the DLS as a sophisticated instrumentation technique to analyze nanoparticle dispersion, in conjunction with multiple other instruments, as an inquiry-based approach to teach students about characterization of unrevealed nanoparticles to determine their composition, size, morphology, and surface area. 30,31 However, some of these publications focus on multiple instrumentations based on graduate-level content that apply the DLS as a supplemental portion of the overall experimentation. 31 This laboratory experiment places emphasis on understanding the DLS as the main form of instrumental analysis and, if possible, will allow the use of a second instrument to assist students in understanding conceptually how the DLS works by creating a more complete analysis and comparison as shown in previous educational publications.…”

“…30,31 However, some of these publications focus on multiple instrumentations based on graduate-level content that apply the DLS as a supplemental portion of the overall experimentation. 31 This laboratory experiment places emphasis on understanding the DLS as the main form of instrumental analysis and, if possible, will allow the use of a second instrument to assist students in understanding conceptually how the DLS works by creating a more complete analysis and comparison as shown in previous educational publications. 1,3,25,32 This experimentation also shows a compar-ison between sunscreen samples and standards: both nanopowder and dispersions.…”

“…Even though there are various publications of experiments dealing with sunscreen analysis in a teaching lab, there are few laboratory experiments published in the Journal of Chemical Education that have used DLS with consumer and real world samples. ,,,− The majority of those experiments deal with analysis of particle sizing after synthesizing nanoparticles. , Some other publications suggest the use of the DLS as a sophisticated instrumentation technique to analyze nanoparticle dispersion, in conjunction with multiple other instruments, as an inquiry-based approach to teach students about characterization of unrevealed nanoparticles to determine their composition, size, morphology, and surface area. , However, some of these publications focus on multiple instrumentations based on graduate-level content that apply the DLS as a supplemental portion of the overall experimentation . This laboratory experiment places emphasis on understanding the DLS as the main form of instrumental analysis and, if possible, will allow the use of a second instrument to assist students in understanding conceptually how the DLS works by creating a more complete analysis and comparison as shown in previous educational publications. ,,, This experimentation also shows a comparison between sunscreen samples and standards: both nanopowder and dispersions.…”

Open Inquiry-Based Laboratory Project on Plant-Mediated Green Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles and Their Potential Applications

“…The approach emphasizes student participation in posing questions, proposing hypotheses, designing investigations, and making your own discoveries by drawing conclusions from the obtained results. , During this learning process, numerous essential skills, including critical and creative thinking skills, are developed by students. In chemistry, many activities and laboratory works have embraced this approach. − …”

Effects of Substrate Stiffness on Neutrophil Adhesion over L-selectin Coated Endothelial

“…Part of this process is also leukocyte-leukocyte interaction, which is L-selectin-dependent [4-6 same], when leukocyte roll over a layer of other leukocytes attached to the activated endothelial cells. L-selectin is also known to be related to some diseases like diabetes, sepsis, and meningitis [10][11][12][13][14][15]. L-selectins also guide lymphocytes to find lymph nodes [16,17].…”