Students are presented with a hypothetical scenario that delivers the unit's Grand Challenge Question: To apply an understanding of nanoparticles to treat, detect and protect against skin cancer. Towards finding a solution, they begin the research phase by investigating the first research question: What is electromagnetic energy? Students learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, ultraviolet radiation (including UVA, UVB and UVC rays), photon energy, the relationship between wave frequency and energy (c = λν), as well as about the Earth's ozone-layer protection and that nanoparticles are being used for medical applications. The lecture material also includes information on photo energy and the dual particle/wave model of light. Students complete a problem set to calculate frequency and energy.

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"Pain is useful. It’s a natural mechanism for protecting the body in humans and other animals. However, pain that is chronic and persists longer than it should is considered a disease. Research has revealed that pain is often the result of an important interplay between the immune system and the nervous system. When the body produces an inflammatory response to injury, or disease, inflammation can activate [pain circuits], sensitize them, and lead to increased and ongoing pain. Now, using nanosized particles of medicine that momentarily switch inflammation off, researchers have discovered new clues as to how chronic pain unfolds and how it might be relieved. The team began by inducing immune-based chronic pain in rats. They did so surgically by constricting the right sciatic nerve with loosely tied sutures, causing swelling and inflammation through the infiltration of white blood cells, immune cells including monocytes that become macrophages..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

These educational resources have been developed so that primary school teachers can introduce scientific concepts related to the field of Nanomedicine.The contents are a tool for teachers and are intended to be a guide for classroom work. These are contents designed to be adapted according to the needs and criteria of each teacher. They have been developed taking into account the spanish educational curriculum and can freely be adapted to other curricular programmes.This project has been promoted by the Spanish Nanomedicine Platform (Nanomed Spain). Nanomed Spain brings together the main Spanish stakeholders in research, industry and administration in the field of Nanomedicine, in order to promote a common strategy to accelerate the development and introduction of innovative, more effective and personalized therapies in the healthcare system. One of the aims of the platform is to raise awareness of the research and potential of nanomedicine in society by promoting educational projects such as this one.Different entities have participated in the development of this project:Funding: Ministry of Science and InnovationTechnical and didactic support: Institute of Bioengineering of CataloniaEducational advice and pilot test: Gayarre School, Barcelona's public school for infant and primary education within the framework of the Aliances Magnet project.Original content development: Eduscopi

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"Many eukaryotic cells make and release small pockets of membrane called extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs facilitate communication between cells in an organism and can transport many molecules like proteins, RNA, and lipids. Plants are no exception, and many types of EVs can be isolated from their juice, flesh, and roots. In the plants themselves, these EVs facilitate a range of critical functions like immunity, development, and plant–fungi communication. But EVs derived from plants could even have a place in human medicine. In particular, these EVS could be used to transport medications. Plant-derived EVs are more biodegradable and typically less expensive to generate than conventional synthetic carriers, as they can be extracted in bulk. This field is in its early stages, but studies have suggested that plant-derived EVs may also be less toxic and allergenic than conventional carriers..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Students explore the applications of quantum dots by researching a journal article and answering framing questions used in a classwide discussion. This "Harkness-method" discussion helps students become critical readers of scientific literature.

This group of materials is designed to provide a framework to teach students in an introductory engineering course basic nanotechnology concepts. The materials use the NAE grand challenge “Provide Access to Clean Water” to underpin the need and potential for nanotechnology to address society’s needs.

This group of materials is designed to provide a framework to teach students in an introductory engineering course basic nanotechnology concepts. The materials use the NAE grand challenge “Reverse Engineering the Brain” to underpin the need and potential for nanotechnology to address society’s needs.

This group of materials is designed to provide a framework to teach students in an introductory engineering course basic nanotechnology concepts. The materials use the NAE grand challenge “Make Solar Energy Economical” to underpin the need and potential for nanotechnology to address society’s needs.

This group of materials is designed to provide a framework to teach students in an introductory engineering course basic nanotechnology concepts. The materials use the NAE grand challenge “Restore and Improve Urban Infrastructure” to underpin the need and potential for nanotechnology to address society’s needs.