For a fascinating look at how nanotechnology can help save lives through ensuring people have access to clean water, read Pam Frost Gorder’s article on research at The Ohio State University.
This article highlights the research of Associate Professor Roberto Myers’ lab in materials science and engineering. Myers, along with doctoral candidate Brelon May, created a light emitting diode on a piece of thin foil. The thinness of the foil allows it to be easily utilized and accessible in a wide variety of locations.
Myers lab developed this as a contrast to the conventional use of mercury based lamps which of course are toxic.
Educators teaching high level science courses as well as marketing and business courses might find this article useful.
Questions for Discussion
- What was the innovation that Myers and May developed?
- What is molecular beam nanotaxy and how was it essential for this work?
- What niche field are they developing?
- Describe the importance of “scalability” in marketing/product development?
- How does UV light sterilize?
- Using this product as a case study- How would you market it?
- What else does this inspire you to “dream, learn, do?”
Wide Open Research 