More explorations on how to engage students in Science
This is part of my ongoing experimentation on how to deliver chemistry topics to students in a more engaging and contextually relevant way.
Co-authored by Engineering and Innovation in Chemistry students + Zach Swarth — Engineering and Physics faculty and me
I’ve started this experiment in class where I source a current science journal and as I read an article, I generate a vocabulary (list of words)
E.G.
Example of word list
The Methodology:
I give a word list (in the form of the Instagram influencer DUDE WITH SIGN) to the students and ask them to make sense of it. They can do this by doing simple searches, conversational searches, AI bots or all three.
Here’s an example:.
MAKE SENSE OF THIS:
Two- dimensional materials
Cubic crystal
Boron Nitride
Three-dimensional structure
Diamond, Graphene
Great conductor
2D Boron Nitride crystals Crystal Gem
Semiconductor
Carbon
Periodic Table
Boron
Nitrogen
High-power electronics
Cubic Boron Nitride
Diamond synthesis
Hydraulic press
30,000 tonnes of pressure
Hexagonal Boron Nitride
Luminescence
2D materials
Atomic monolayer
Electrical leakage
Dangling bonds
10 parts per million
10 parts per billion
Large area deposition
Galena’s Version of make sense of it: via Google search and her Dad (He’s a Geologist)
Diamonds are both considered a gem and a natural crystal. They are formed in deep earth layers by compression of the mineral carbon under very high pressure. Gemstones can be cut and polished into different shapes due to their composition and hardness levels (From 1–10, diamond has a hardness of 10 is the hardest element known on earth on the MOH scale). Diamonds are one of the hardest substances in the world. Even though Diamonds are very tough, with enough force a hydraulic press is able to crush a diamond. Nitrogen is the 7th element on the periodic table. Its scientific abbreviation is N and is a colorless, odorless element. Nitrogen is in the soil under our feet, in the water we drink, and in the air, we breathe. In fact, nitrogen is the most abundant element in Earth’s atmosphere: approximately 78% of the atmosphere is nitrogen. Boron is the 5th element in the periodic table and is a trace element that is naturally present in many foods and available as a dietary supplement. It is a structural component of plant cell walls and is required for plant growth, pollination, and seed formation. The scientific abbreviation for Boron is B.
Susan’s version via Google Search
nitrogen-
Colorless, odorless element
Lightest element of group fifteen in the periodic table
Continuent of all living matter — is the most common element in nature
Was first discovered by Scottish botanist Daniel Rutherford and English chemist Henry Cavendish.
Ella, Ayevah, and Scarlett’s version via (from Chat GPT)
Two-dimensional materials refer to materials that are composed of a single layer or a few layers of atoms arranged in a two-dimensional plane. Graphene is a well-known two-dimensional material, consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Boron nitride is another two-dimensional material, composed of boron and nitrogen atoms arranged in a similar lattice structure to graphene.
Cubic crystal refers to a crystal structure where the atoms are arranged in a cube-like shape. Diamond and cubic boron nitride are examples of materials that have a cubic crystal structure.
Diamond is a three-dimensional material that has a crystalline structure composed of carbon atoms arranged in a tetrahedral lattice structure. It is a good electrical insulator but has high thermal conductivity.
Graphene is a two-dimensional material that is a great conductor of electricity due to its unique structure and properties. It has high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength.
2D boron nitride crystals are a type of two-dimensional material that have a similar structure to graphene but are composed of boron and nitrogen atoms. They have unique properties, including high thermal conductivity, high electrical insulation, and good mechanical strength.
Crystal is a solid material that has a regular, repeating pattern of atoms or molecules. Diamond and cubic boron nitride are examples of crystalline materials.
Gem refers to a precious stone that has been cut and polished for use in jewelry or other decorative purposes. Diamond is a well-known gemstone due to its hardness and clarity.
Semiconductor is a material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. It is used in electronic devices such as transistors and integrated circuits. Boron and nitrogen are elements commonly used in semiconductor materials.
Carbon is a chemical element that is the basis of all known life on Earth. It is also a versatile element, forming the basis of many materials such as diamonds, graphite, and carbon nanotubes.
The periodic table is a table that organizes chemical elements based on their atomic number, electron configurations, and chemical properties. It is a useful tool for predicting the chemical behavior and properties of elements and their compounds.
Boron and nitrogen are elements found on the periodic table. They are commonly used in the production of materials such as boron nitride and semiconductors.
High-power electronics refer to electronic devices that can handle large amounts of power and current. Boron nitride and diamond are materials that have been studied for their potential use in high-power electronics due to their unique properties.
Cubic boron nitride is a material that has a crystal structure similar to diamond but is composed of boron and nitrogen atoms. It is known for its high hardness and thermal stability.
Diamond synthesis refers to the process of creating diamond from other materials. It is commonly done using a hydraulic press that applies pressures of up to 30,000 tonnes to carbon-based materials.
Hexagonal boron nitride is a type of boron nitride material that has a hexagonal crystal structure. It is often used as a lubricant due to its low coefficient of friction.
Luminescence refers to the emission of light from a material. It is a property exhibited by some materials, such as certain types of boron nitride.
Atomic monolayer refers to a material that consists of a single layer of atoms. Graphene and other two-dimensional materials are often referred to as atomic monolayers.
Electrical leakage refers to the unwanted flow of electricity through a material. It is a common issue in electronic devices and can lead to reduced performance or failure.
Dangling bonds refer to the unsatisfied chemical bonds on the surface of a material. They can affect the properties and behavior of the material and are often a concern in the production of electronic devices.
10 parts per million and 10 parts
Kaitlin — What connects all the materials in the list?
The words refer to various materials containing boron, nitrogen, and carbon, and their properties and potential applications in electronic and industrial settings. The theme is about exploring these materials, their characteristics, and precise methods for manufacturing and manipulating them, while ensuring reliability and performance in electronic devices.
Maya- CVD technology for 2D Materials (https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/ielaam/16/8469117/8452147-aam.pdf)
“A typical approach for the CVD growth of graphene or h-BN is to use the specific precursors either carried by or mixed with inert gases such as argon or hydrogen, to deposit these materials on substrates at high temperatures. Many factors such as metal substrate, precursor, growth temperature and pressure are crucial for growths.”
Gillian — via Notion AI
This document explores the connection between various words related to crystal structures and materials.
The words “cubic crystal,” “diamond,” “cubic boron nitride,” and “gem” all refer to crystalline structures, specifically ones that are three-dimensional. “Boron nitride,” “2D Boron Nitride crystals,” and “hexagonal boron nitride” also refer to crystalline structures, but these are two-dimensional.
“Graphene” and “atomic monolayer” are also two-dimensional materials, but they are not crystalline. Graphene is a great conductor, while boron nitride is a semiconductor, meaning it has more limited electrical conductivity.
Carbon is a key element in both diamond and graphene, and it is located on the periodic table. Boron and nitrogen are also on the periodic table and are key components of boron nitride.
“Diamond synthesis” commonly involves the use of a hydraulic press to apply 30,000 tonnes of pressure, while “large area deposition” is a method for growing thin films of materials.
“Luminescence” is a property of some materials that allows them to emit light when excited, while “electrical leakage” refers to unwanted electrical current flow. “Dangling bonds” are unpaired electrons on the surface of a material that can affect its properties.
Finally, “high-power electronics” refers to devices that require high amounts of power to operate properly. “10 parts per million” and “10 parts per billion” are measures of concentration, usually used to describe impurities in materials.
Overall, the various words in this list are linked by their relationship to crystal structures and materials, as well as their relevance to various fields like electronics and materials science.
Chat GPT4 via Zach Swarth — Physics and Engineering Faculty
The overarching theme of the given terms is “Advanced Materials and Their Properties,” with a focus on two-dimensional (2D) materials, crystal structures, and their applications in electronics and other industries. The terms encompass the study of various materials (e.g., graphene, boron nitride), their crystal structures (e.g., cubic, hexagonal), and their physical and electrical properties (e.g., conductivity, luminescence). This theme also includes the synthesis and characterization techniques used to study and develop these materials, as well as their potential applications in various fields, such as high-power electronics and large-area deposition.
- Two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene and 2D boron nitride crystals, are atomic monolayers with unique electrical, mechanical, and optical properties.
- Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, known for being a great conductor and having remarkable mechanical strength.
- Boron nitride, with the chemical formula BN, is a compound of boron and nitrogen, elements found in the periodic table.
- Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is an isomorph of graphene with similar layered structure and unique opto-electrical properties, thermal stability, and chemical inertness.
- Cubic boron nitride (c-BN) is a crystalline form of boron nitride, which has a cubic crystal system, similar to that of diamond.
don buckley Chemical Engineering Faculty via BARD
2D materials are materials that are only one atom thick. They are typically made up of a single layer of atoms that are bonded together in a crystal structure. 2D materials have a number of unique properties that make them attractive for use in a variety of applications, including electronics, optics, and energy storage.
Boron nitride (BN) is a 2D material that is made up of alternating layers of boron and nitrogen atoms. It is a very stable material that is resistant to heat and chemicals. BN has a number of potential applications, including in electronics, optics, and energy storage.
Cubic boron nitride (c-BN) is a form of BN that has a cubic crystal structure. It is a very hard material that is used in a variety of applications, including abrasives, cutting tools, and armor.
Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a form of BN that has a hexagonal crystal structure. It is a very stable material that is used in a variety of applications, including lubricants, coatings, and thermal insulators.
2D materials are a relatively new field of research, and there is still much that we do not know about them. However, the potential applications of 2D materials are vast, and they are likely to play an important role in the development of future technologies.
Here are some additional details about 2D materials:
- 2D materials are typically made by exfoliating bulk materials, such as graphite or h-BN.
- 2D materials are often used in thin films, which can be deposited on a variety of substrates.
- 2D materials have a number of unique properties, including high electrical conductivity, transparency, and flexibility.
- 2D materials are being explored for a variety of applications, including electronics, optics, energy storage, and catalysis.
This activity allows students to construct knowledge from a word list. Of course, I could give them the article from the journal where I found it, but taking the information out of context and generating a list of words makes it more challenging and pushes them to think deeper to make sense of the word list.
