Workshop Program: Nanoscience in the Earth and Environmental Sciences: Research and Teaching Opportunities

Conveners: Michael Hochella, Virginia Tech University and David Mogk, Montana State UniversityGo to: Participant Workspace
(limited access)

Recommended Pre-Workshop Reading

To provide overall context for the workshop, and to facilitate our discussions, we encourage participants to read the following articles prior to the workshop:

Saturday August 12, 2017

Introduction to the Workshop

8:00-8:15 Registration, informal meet and greet

8:15-8:30 Welcome! Workshop Goals. Ice Breaker (organize small groups by: research area, primary use of instruments, academic/professional position) Introductory Slides (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 1.1MB Aug11 17)

8:30-9:00 Nanoscience: The Big Picture (Why Nanoscience is Different, Why is it Important) -- Michael Hochella; [Coffee service-get a quick cup for the first session] View the Slide Show (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 55.1MB Aug12 17)

How is Nanoscience Done?

This session will provide a sampling of current approaches to doing Nanoscience research; a) defining key research questions, b) applications of modern instrumentation, and c) examples of applications in the Earth and Environmental Sciences; overviews presented by invited speakers followed by group discussion.

9:00-9:30 Conventional and synchrotron based in situand real time methods for nanoparticles synthesis and characterization --Liane G. Benning View the Presentation (Acrobat (PDF) 13.2MB Aug12 17)

9:30-10:00 Laboratory X-ray Scattering Tools for Environmental Nanoscience--Marc Michel View the Presentation (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 24.2MB Aug12 17)

10:00-10:30 Direct imaging of nano particles during crystal growth using atomic force microscopy--Christine Putnis View the Presentation (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 91MB Aug12 17) and View Related Movies (MP4 Video 3.2MB Aug12 17)

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-11:15 Solving crystal structures of nanominerals and constructing size-dependent phase maps using transmission electron microscopy --Huifang Xu View the Presentation (Acrobat (PDF) 15.6MB Aug13 17)

11:15-11:45 Nano Auger Spectroscopy Applied to Corrosion Studies--David Mogk; view Power Point Presentation (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 17.3MB Aug4 17); An Overview of the PHI 710 Auger Nanoprobe (Acrobat (PDF) 4.5MB Aug29 17) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy Techniques (Acrobat (PDF) 2.1MB Aug29 17)--from Saad Alnabulsi, Physical Electronics (PHI)

11:45-12:15 Crossroads in Analytical Chemistry and Non-Classical Crystal Nucleation: Deciphering the Role of Inorganic Polymers in Poorly Crystalline Nanominerals Nucleation-- Manuel Caraballo View the Presentation (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 13.7MB Aug12 17)

12:15-12:30 Why is it Important to Teach Nanoscience? Given these exciting new advances in nanoscience, how can we integrate this new kind of science into geoscience courses?--David Mogk View slides (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 2.2MB Aug11 17)

12:30-1:30 Lunch (Networking--Make a new friend!)

A Focus on Nanoscience in the Earth and Environmental Sciences

1:30-2:00 How/why/where is nano important to the Earth sciences?--Michael Hochella

2:00-3:00 Birds of a Feather I Active Research: Work in small groups to discuss: a) key research questions, b) emerging approaches, c) instrumentation/experimentation, d) what is needed to successfully do this research? Record your discussions in the provided "work space", and report out at the end of the session. Compile resources (articles, URLs, etc) to add to resource collections. (facilitators and reporters)

3:00-3:15Break

A Focus on Application of Nanoscience in the Earth and Environmental Sciences

3:15-4:45 Birds of a Feather II Applications of Nanoscience to Address Societal Issues: Work in new small groups to share your experiences in applying principles and outcomes of nanoscience research to contemporary issues; Record discussions in work spaces and report out at end of session. Compile resources (articles, URLs, etc) to add to resource collections.

4:45 Wrap up; Daily Road Check; Preview of Day 2

Sunday August 13, 2017

8:00-8:15 Informal "Networking"

8:15-8:30 Welcome Day 2; Reflection and Overview (Followed by Coffee Service)

8:30-10:00 Birds of a Feather III: New Frontiers of Nano Processes (round Table discussion and report out): Future challenges and opportunities, what are the big questions, what are the implications of this research? Brainstorming session:

10:00-10:30 Online Resources Available to Support Teaching Nanoscience (and discussion)-- David Mogk

The following resources have been developed by the On The Cutting Edge Program for Geoscience Faculty Professional Development

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-12:00 Birds of a Feather IV: How are we going to train the next generation of Nano-Geoscientists? What are the opportunities, what are the best practices, what resources are needed? Record ideas in the workspaces provided and report out. (Self-organize by instructional interests; select a recorder and reporter)

12:00-12:30 Nanoscience Degree Program: theVirginia Tech Model--Marc Michel and Michael Hochella; an overview of the nanoscience degree program and examples of courses offered in the program. What is needed at your institution to a) offer dedicated nanoscience courses, or b) develop a degree program? View the Presentation (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 51.4MB Aug13 17)

12:30-1:30 Lunch (Networking, and identify a teaching activity you would like to design in the afternoon)

1:30-2:15 Demonstrations of Nanoscience Teaching Activities 

2:15-3:00 Birds of a Feather V: Design a New Nanoscience Teaching Activity--Now that you have seen what colleagues are currently doing in their courses, and what resources are available, use the template provided to outline a new teaching activity that utilizes nanoscience methods and outcomes, and that can be integrated into an existing Earth or Environmental Science course. Define targeted student audience, learning goals, resources available or needed, ... What new activity will be easy for faculty to adopt/adapt, and interesting to promote student learning? (Work in small groups--self organized)

Contribute an Existing Course Description (syllabus) or Teaching Activity Here

3:00-3:15 Break/Report Outs--short descriptions of new teaching activities

3:15--3:30 Opportunities to become involved in (US) National Nanotechnology Coordinated Network (NNCI) Facilities, and other related Nanoscience Facilities

  • Access to instruments and facilities
  • Establishing networks and collaborations.

3:30-4:00 Grand Challenges and Opportunities in Nanoscience: Final Reflections on Grand Challenges and Opportunities of Nanoscience in the Earth and Environmental Sciences--Michael Hochella, Christine Putnis

4:00 Closing Town Hall (General Discussion)

  • What do you need to continue the success of your nanoscience programs?
  • What can we do to help support your efforts?
  • How can we all work to expand awareness and participation in nanoscience in the Earth and Environmental Sciences?
  • End of workshop survey--will take only a few minutes; we need your feedback!

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