Graphite

In graphite, the carbon atoms are only bonded in two dimensions. The carbon atoms form layered sheets of hexagons. Since there are no bonds between the layers, the layers can easily slip off one another. This is why graphite is a good material for

pencils - layers come off and get left on the paper as you write.

Fullerenes (Buckyballs)

In 1996 Richard Smalley, Robert Curl, and Harold Kroto were awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for discovering a new form of carbon - the buckminster fullerene, or buckyball. A buckyball looks like a nanometer-sized soccer ball made from 60 carbon atoms. It was named after Buckminster Fuller, an architect who created geodesic dome structures, like the one in the middle of Disney's Epcot Center.

Carbon Nanotubes

The structure of a carbon nanotube is like a sheet of graphite rolled up into a tube. Depending on the direction of hexagons, nanotubes can be classified as either zigzag, armchair or chiral. Different types of nanotubes have different properties. When scientists make nanotubes, they tend to get a mixture of several types. A major challenge in nanoscience today is finding a way to make just one type of nanotube.

(a) armchair, (b) zigzag, (c) chiral

Workshop 2: Nanotechnology Lab:

Sand is largely silica that has broken into small grains. At the atomic scale, silica consists of a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded silicon and oxygen atoms. Typically, silica surfaces contain mostly oxygen atoms, many of which are covalently bonded to hydrogen atoms. The surface contains many polar bonds and can hydrogen-bond to water molecules. Therefore water is attracted to silica surfaces, which are said to be hydrophilic (water loving).

Magic Sand also consists of silica grains, but the grains have been specially treated in a way that greatly reduces the attraction of water molecules to their surfaces . In addition, the grains are usually dyed a distinctive color. Water does not wet the surfaces of Magic Sand grains, which are said to be hydrophobic (water fearing).

Audience: Students that are interested in going on to a 4 year institution and students interested in science should take advantage of this field trip and the opportunities that the Early Academic Outreach program offers many high schools in partnership through the University of Santa Barbara.

• A chemistry teacher would benefit visiting UCSB because they could witness practical examples of material science at the Material Research Lab (MRL), and structures and properties of various materials.

• A biology teacher would benefit by a visit to UCSB because it provides local examples of organisms along the Pacific coast.

Science Concepts Addressed: Give examples of specific science concepts that may be addressed by visitng the field trip site and explain how they are addressed. For example, the following science concepts can be addressed by a field trip to the Mount Wilson Observatory.

• Students know the bonding characteristics of carbon that results in the formation of large variety of structures ranging from simple hydrocarbons to complex polymers and biological molecules.

• Students know atoms combine to form molecules by sharing electrons to form covalent or metallic bonds or by exchanging electrons to form ionic bonds.