Overview
Description:
"Exploring Products - Nano Fabric" is a hands-on activity exploring how the application of nano-sized whiskers can protect clothing from stains. Visitors investigate the hydrophobic properties of pants made from nano fabric and ordinary fabric.
Checklist
Scientist reviewed?
Peer reviewed?
Visitor evaluation?
Permissions
Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
Standards
Physical science:
K-4: Properties of objects and materials
5-8: Properties and changes of properties in matter
9-12: Motions and forces
9-12: Structure and properties of matter
Science and Technology:
K-4: Abilities of technological design
K-4: Abilities to distinguish between natural objects and objects made by humans
5-8: Abilities of technological design
9-12: Abilities of technological design
Science as inquiry:
K-4: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
5-8: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Another nano fabric option
WE have done a nanofabric exhibit at Impression 5 Science Center Nanoday in Lansing MI for the past 4 years (800 attendees this year!). The last two years we stationed myself as "Dr. Nano" adjacent to the activity - I serve as a kind of info resource and also chat with folks informally about their impressions of the exhibits and nanotech.
At the same time, I keep an eye on the fabric exhibit. When a group of children are near the end of the activity and have seen the fabric at work, I wander over and invite them to pour water on me! This totally surprises them, not only when they see the water run off (I got my clothes at Eddie Bauer - shirt and pants) but the very idea of being allowed to pour water onto a adult stranger is truly startling! We find this strongly reinforces the lesson about the reality of the product and the utility of nanofabrics.
Tom
Try fruit juices with nano fabrics
Veronica and I used tiny pants made from nano fabric at the SACNAS conference last October. In our demo we continuously spilled cranberry-grape juice on the facric and dabbed it away with tiny squares of paper towels. The result was more dramatic than water and brought visitors of all ages to our station. They strongly related to the visual idea of spilling real food and having it wipe away.
Fun with ketchup
If you're brave enough to experiment with substances other than water, ketchup is a fun one to try. We ask visitors to squirt a dime-sized squirt of ketchup onto a swatch of nanofabric (very important to specify a small quantity...). You can then hold the swatch over a bucket and use a squirt bottle of water to "chase" the ketchup off the fabric. Very cool effect! However, don't rub the ketchup in or let it sit for a long time, or maintenance will get to be a hassle.
Tiny nanopants
OMSI staff had great success with this activity, making doll-sized nanopants out of nano fabric. You can buy a pair of nanopants (larger pants for the same price means more fabric!) and cut out small swatches of cloth, and sew them into tiny shorts that fit in the palm of your hand.
Visitors love pouring water on the fabric, and tiny pants can fit in a bowl or tray to contain the mess!