How Can You Put a Rainbow in a Science Kit?
February 3rd, 2010 // 3:44 pm @ admin
We live in a very curious world; One that is recreating itself at the atomic level every second we breath. Our bodies are changing out cells with new ones, photosynthesis occurs in tree leaves to replenish oxygen in our atmosphere, and somewhere, right at this very moment, a child is marveling a rainbow. [...]
Category : Blog & Science Kits
Science Kits Can Help Save Our Educational System & Standardized Test Scores
January 27th, 2010 // 8:12 am @ admin
In the last few decades, American schools have fallen in rank in comparison to schools in other countries around the world. Math and science scores have plummeted in the same comparison. Today in the U.S., 6 out of 10 engineering doctorates are awarded to foreign students. It is a problem when 30% [...]
Category : Blog & Science Kits
A Surprising Little Trick to Get the Right Color From Your Photonic Crystals
January 26th, 2010 // 3:06 pm @ admin
How do your opal crystals look?
Here at NanoScienceKits.org, we have a really good lesson learned nugget to pass on.
When you set your opal science kit into motion and begin to watch your photonic spheres settle and the opal crystals start to grow in the bottom, it is really important to use the right light to [...]
Get Students Mesmerized With Photonic Crystals & Self Assembly
January 25th, 2010 // 10:01 am @ admin
Self-assembly alone is by no means a novel idea. Human beings are self-assembled for starters. That’s right, back when you were still in the womb your body, in a quite miraculous manner, simply knew how to assemble itself. And it doesn’t stop there. The earth is self-assembled. The universe is [...]
Category : Blog & Nanotechnology
How Can “Settling” Be Magic & What Does It Have To Do With Photonic Crystals?!
January 22nd, 2010 // 2:52 pm @ admin
“Opal is a crystal-like lattice of objects in space, in this case, silica microspheres”
One of the cool things about NanoScienceKits.org and our nano science kits is something called ‘natural order’ which is the way the photonic spheres settle into a lattice formation in the test tube. It is important for the nanospheres to be almost [...]
Category : Blog & Nanotechnology
The Building Blocks of Opal Explained
January 15th, 2010 // 7:11 pm @ admin
Silicon Dioxide or “Silica” is an oxide of Silicon. Under a scanning electron microscope, silica looks like tiny spheres. Although they range in size and shape naturally, the image below shows silica that is extremely uniform. Imagine trying to stack these little spheres into a pyramid. Because they are the same size and shape it [...]
Category : Blog
Settling Exhibit
January 14th, 2010 // 4:42 am @ admin
A clear tube with lid holds the experiment while the opal is forming and acts as an viewing window for observations.
Category : Featured Work
Funnel
January 14th, 2010 // 4:41 am @ admin
The polypropylene funnel and reservoir holds and gathers the solution while it settles gradually and delicately into place.
Category : Featured Work
Transfer Tube
January 14th, 2010 // 4:40 am @ admin
A polypropylene transfer tube safely seals the silica solution from the air while in transit.
Category : Featured Work
Decorative Glass Test Tube
January 14th, 2010 // 4:38 am @ admin
The decorative glass test tube receives the solution and allows the formation of opal in the bottom. Afterward, it can be put on a chain and worn as a pendant
Category : Featured Work