What's new?
→ New Resources
A number of new programs have been added to the NISE Net Catalog. Some highlights include:
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Would You Buy That?: This program examines and explores social and ethical issues of consumer products from the past, present, and future. Audience members are asked to weigh the risks and benefits. The audience members are responsible for making choices on what products to buy, question, or not buy for themselves in this fun and interactive show.
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Cleaning Our Water with Nanotechnology: This public presentation is about our drinking water and how we can make contaminated water safe to drink using a variety of technologies - including three new nanotechnologies for water purification. The presentation includes a variety of demonstrations to illustrate how these technologies work and some models to help visitors visualize what's happening with these technologies at the nanoscale.
→ Mini-Grants!
There is still time to apply for one of a limited number of small, one-time awards to support initiatives by NISE Net partners to engage their local audiences in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology topics. Requests can be made for an award of up to $3,000 to fund a small project or be put towards a larger endeavour. Applications are due by November 1st, so be sure to get yours in.
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For more details, including a Program Overview that details eligible institutions and projects, go to: http://www.nisenet.org/blog/post/nise-network-announces-new-2012-mini-grants-partners-due-november-1-2011
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One great example from the pilot round of mini-grants comes from the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. As part of their "Cool Science Week," they hosted a materials scientist from Yale (NISE Net advisor Ainissa Ramirez) to help with a demonstration/workshop for children in one of their Innovation Studios, be interviewed by the local NPS affiliate, and present a lecture to an older audience. For more details about Fort Worth's "Cool Science Week" and their incorporation of nano into the event using a mini-grant, click here.
Ainissa Ramirez has contributed to many NanoDays presentations, and is often happy to speak to public audiences. So if you are starting to plan next year's NanoDays events, you may want to get in touch with Ainissa.
→ ASTC Conference
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The Baltimore Welcomes You! Reception - NISE Net Happy Hour is on Friday, October 14th from 5-7pm at the Metropolitan Coffeehouse & Wine Bar.
- Visit the NISE Net booth #801 in the exhibit hall, featuring a prototype of the Nano mini-exhibition. Stop by Saturday the 15th or Sunday the 16th from 10:30am-5:00pm.
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Don't forget to RSVP for the NISE Net Partner Breakfast. Please join us on Monday, October 17th from 7:45-8:45am at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center, Pratt Room
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ASTC will be announcing its support for a Community of Practice around Public Engagement with Science in an open session on Sunday, October 16 at 10:30 AM in room 315 at the convention center. This Community of Practice (CoP) focuses on "activities, events, or interactions characterized by mutual learning - not one-way transmission from 'experts' to publics - among people of varied backgrounds, scientific expertise, and life experiences who articulate and discuss their perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and values." The session will be an opportunity to provide input to ASTC about the specific direction of their support for the CoP.
→ Risk Conference at Michigan
The University of Michigan Risk Science Center recently hosted the 2011 Risk Science Symposium: Risk, Uncertainty, and Sustainable Innovation - New Perspectives on Emerging Challenges. Larry Bell and Rae Ostman of the NISE Net served on Panel 12: Risk, Uncertainty, and Social Engagement. For more on NISE Net's role at the conference, read Larry's Blog Post and watch the video of Panel 12.
→ Dance your PhD
Every year there is an online contest for grad students to "dance their thesis." The NISE Network casts its vote for Nanosensing protein allostery and peptide interactions using SERS!
→ Small World Photo Contest
The Nikon Small World photomicrography competition awards some of the most amazing microscopic photos of the year. Check out the gallery for some excellent images of the very small.
If you're interested in learning more about developing educational activities that are inclusive of the wide range of museum visitors, including visitors who are blind, check out the NISE Net's Universal Design guides for programs and exhibits.
→ NanoDays: The Italian Way!
Dozens of children participated in the second annual Nano Piccola event in Gagliato, Italy in July. It gave kids a chance to learn about nanotechnology and nanomedicine through hands-on activities and talks by researchers from the Methodist Hospital Research Institute in Houston, TX. Click here for the complete highlight from Rashmi Nanjundaswamy of the Lawrence Hall of Science.
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Nanorockets Could Deliver Drugs Inside the Body: Nanotubes filled with rocket fuel can act like guided missiles to deliver drugs to very specific locations in the body. Using a solution of hydrogen peroxide, researchers were able to propel the rockets faster than even the quickest bacteria. The team can steer the rockets using a magnetic field.
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A Heart of Gold: A new cardiac patch uses gold nanowires to enhance electrical signaling between cells, a promising step toward better treatment for heart-attack patients.
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Nanocables Light Way to the Future - Researchers Power Line-Voltage Light Bulb with Nanotube Wire: A power cable made entirely of iodine-doped double-walled carbon nanotubes is just as efficient as traditional power cables at one-sixth the weight of copper and silver, according to researchers.
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Stick-On Tattoos Go Electric - Micro-electronics, elegant design and existing tattoo tech combine to create a complex device that is far more than a novelty: Through a combination of careful theoretical modeling and precise nano-manufacturing, researchers have developed a new type of ultra-thin, self-adhesive electronics device that can effectively measure data about the human heart, brain waves, and muscle activity - all without the use of bulky equipment, conductive fluids, or glues.
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For more on nanosensing tattoos, Heather Clark from Northeastern University recorded this podcast interview about using a nanosensor tattoo and an iPhone to check glucose levels in the blood.
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Maybe someday your NanoDays stick-on tattoos will do more than simply express your love for nano!
Nano Haiku
Might one day shuttle drugs around
Our blood stream, not space
This haiku by Vrylena Olney, of the Museum of Science, Boston refers to the above article Nanorockets Could Deliver Drugs Inside the Body.