Science Project
Nanoparticles: Could they hold the answer to many of our future problems?
The science project I will be carrying out concerns the impact that nanoparticles could have on the world in the future. Nanoparticles are tiny particles that can only be seen with a very highly powered microscope (a nanometre is 10-9 of a metre – think 10,000th the diameter of a human hair!). Billions of pounds is currently being spent by industry and the government into the benefits these particles may hold for us in the future. You may have heard of nanoparticles in science fiction novels or TV programmes: one of the most famous is the idea that miniature robots could be engineered to travel around your body fighting cancer cells. Unfortunately, many of these claims only belong in fiction, however, there are a wide range of other applications where they could be particularly useful. A recent book on nanotechnology published by the Royal Society of Chemistry stated that there is currently “a global revolution in nanotechnology that is going to shape the future of our world”. I therefore wanted to use this opportunity to research into nanotechnology further and have decided on two main strands to my science project:
1) Could nanoparticles actually slow global warming?:
Global warming is currently a major global challenge. Rising temperatures are causing icebergs in polar areas such as Antarctica to melt, which could potentially cause sea levels to rise and threaten habitats of animals and human societies worldwide. However, recent research has suggested that when the icebergs melt, they may release tiny nanoparticles of iron oxides which are present in the sediment in the ice. Iron is needed by phytoplankton to grow, and is currently a limiting factor in the growth of phytoplankton in the seas around Antarctica. It is thought that the release of these nanoparticles may allow further growth of phytoplankton, and in doing so will enable the phytoplankton to remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is new and exciting research, with articles being released in The New Scientist, The Mail on Sunday and Der Spiegel in the last two months. As it is such new research, only a small number of samples of icebergs and glaciers have currently been analysed. Much more information is required before the actual impact this may have on future carbon dioxide levels and therefore global warming can be estimated. I am therefore planning to survey, collect samples and analyse the glaciers to determine if they do contain iron oxide, how much, and if this will have an impact on global warming.
2) Is clothing that contain nanoparticles really that good?:
The second part of my project involves testing some of the wide variety of clothing that now contains nanoparticles. These have been engineered specifically to produce specialised clothing with enhanced performance. The manufacturers claim to have made self-cleaning trousers, clothes which will never stain and socks that will never smell no matter how long you wear them. I plan to conduct a number of simple tests whilst in Antarctica to test these claims out. I’m particularly looking forward to testing the socks out, although I’m not sure how excited my tent mate is! Students from The Thomas Hardye School have been designing experiments for me to test these claims. The students were asked to design experiments that would be achievable in a four-week time frame and that did not remove anything from the environment of Antarctica (due to the Antarctic treaty, 1961). Any associated equipment must also be readily available, cheap, lightweight and easy to transport to the continent. I am pleased to announce the winners of the competition are:
* The Icicles. Team members: Peter Davidson, Jack Dutton, Laurie Stevens (9m1) Designed an experiment to see which material will keep me the most dry
* No name! Team members: Scarlet Furness, Holly Pollard, Claudette Peaker (9m1)
Designed an experiment to determine which base layers will insulate me the best at night
* No Name 2! Team members: Flora Phillips, Harriet Dal Din (9m4)
Also designed an experiment to determine which base layers will insulate me the best
* Triple S. Team members: Erin & Nicola (9m7)
Designed an experiment to see how long it takes for my different socks to get smelly
* F.D.E.G. Team members: Frankie Davison, Elizabeth Godfrey (10t3)
Designed an experiment to test the bacterial levels of the two types of base layer
* CEL. Team members: Caroline Goode, Lauren Read, Emily Bate (11j4) Designed an experiment to determine the UV resistance of the different base layers
I will carry out these students’ experiments whilst in Antarctica and will report on my findings in my daily blog.
Links to Relevant Articles:
The New Scientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16245-nanoparticles-from-melting-glaciers-could-trap-carbon.html
The Mail Online: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1104772/Amazing-discovery-green-algae-save-world-global-warming.html
Spiegel Online: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,599213,00.html
Planet Earth Online: http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=264
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