A Bridge to the Future - Understanding Nanotechnology - Deborah Gibbs Sauder

The lecture, Understanding nanotechnology a bridge to the future by Professor Deborah G. Sauder provides an introduction to the broad field of nanotechnology.  The content is geared toward non scientists and she explains many of the concepts by anchoring the description to common everyday objects.

Nanotechnology is currently being used to for packaging material keep food fresh longer allowing ethylene and other food spoilage gases to leak out and increase the shelf life of food.  Medical researchers are using it for the delivery of medicines and possibly in the design of nano machines to do nano surgery. 

Liquid armor - 10 minutes

Mixing polyethylene glycol with silica nano particles produces an non-Newtonian fluid that is flexible when moving slowly but firm like a ceramic solid when force is applied.  Combining this with Kevlar produces a flexible relatively lightweight material that is resistant penetration by sharp objects.  Applications include protective vests for law enforcement and protective gloves for hospital and sanitation workers. Commercially a product known as D-30 is also being used for this purpose and to protect cell phones.

Red dye corn starch plus water produces a non-Newtonian fluid.  4 min. Slow Mo Guys