March
2007
Size zero materials0
Links to free activities, resources and lesson plans
Teaching resources (UK US) designed specifically for this story at www.realscience.org.uk
“When Gordon Moore began working at Shockley Semiconductor in 1956, he barely knew what a semiconductor was. Within ten years he was well on his way to being one of the greatest visionaries of the semiconductor world.” Includes audio of Moore talking about the impact of the transistor.
“The Transistor was probably the most important invention of the 20th Century, and the story behind the invention is one of clashing egos and top secret research.” Portal to lots of good stuff for teachers and pupils. For example:
“To help students better understand the transistor and its impact on technology, the documentary and website are accompanied by this Teachers’ Guide… The Teachers’ Guide includes a range of activities, appropriate for middle-school or high-school use, plus a series of profiles of young scientists and their work.
All about Moore’s Law. From Intel.
“This interactive activity from NOVA describes the crystalline structure of metal and uses animations to illustrate the molecular changes that occur when a metallic substance is bent, heated, or otherwise changed by external forces.”
“Einstein’s relativity theory proven with the ‘lead’ of a pencil.” Earlier press release about graphene.
“Researchers have discovered the world’s first single-atom-thick fabric, which reveals the existence of a new class of materials and may lead to computers made from a single molecule.” Original discovery of graphene.
“Graphite, the material that gives pencils their marking ability, could be the basis for a new class of nanometer-scale electronic devices that have the attractive properties of carbon nanotubes – but could be produced using established microelectronics manufacturing techniques.”
“Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice. The material is made from splitting graphite apart into individual atomic planes, through a process similar to tracing with a pencil. The resulting atomic sheet is unexpectedly stable, highly flexible and strong, and very conductive.” Earlier press release about Graphene.
“The structure of a material may be divided into four levels: atomic structure, atomic arrangement, microstructure, and macrostructure.” Page on crystal structures with nice pics and links.
“Materials science and engineering : ‘never heard of it’ is a common enough response both from students at school as well as from the general public. Compared to other science and engineering subjects, it can be a bit of a mystery… However, it is a vitally important subject, underlying all the others and playing a key role in developments in science and technology… most major technological advances throughout history have only been possible through a better understanding and use of materials.”
Links to more links
Transistorized!
Animation gallery of nanotubes, fullerenes etc.
