This days topic was Materials: coming to life. Throughout history, humans have measured ‘ages by which materials we utilize. Before, the most early humans simply used bones, rocks, and wood pieces to hunt and survive. However, today we have developed many new technologies that have proven to be more efficient and convenient.
Quantum mechanics are dots that are brighter and more photostable than other fluorescent molecules. Many artists have used this scientific discovery as a medium in displaying their artwork. They can be used in many different ways and incorporated with sound or other things…o_o
<- Silicon Solar Panel
We also made several lab visits; to see the background of solar panels and the use of a smaller electron microscope. The first lab, we were told that these blue solar panels were formed from Silicon and capture more natural light from the all powerful sun. A few months ago, when my dad first began working in China, he came home with one of these panels along with a computer chip. I never realized before what line of work he was in until I came to this lab and saw myself what he and his colleagues were attempting to accomplish. My own father was working in the field of Nano-technology and I didn’t even know. Quite shaming if I do say so myself….Anyways, so at this lab, more energy efficient technology is invented every so often, including hydrogen cars and solar devices [very snazzy :D]. We were also shown a form of algae that might, in the future, become a source of biological light energy! With this natural phenomenon and more, so much stuff can be done to accommodate the ever increasing human population.
<- Electron microscope image of a hair.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution
http://www.solarpanelinfo.com/
http://www.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1233115
http://www.mos.org/sln/SEM/