Altoona Area H.S. Students Explore Nanoscience

Attend Nano Open House at Lock Haven University

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Ethan Shutika, sophomore Biology/Chemistry major and Nanoscience Scholar, prepares a hydrogen balloon demo.

LOCK HAVEN, PA (11/11/2011)(readMedia)-- Lock Haven University welcomed nearly 100 high school students, teachers and parents to their annual Nanoscience Open House on Friday, November 4.

From the Junior Academy of Science Club, Altoona Area High School, were Mariam Ahmad, Bernie Armstrong, Nathan Baker, Taylor Baronner, Anna Bistline, Ben Borst, Kade Bradley, Evan Cascio, Mark Cassarly, Conner Cavanaugh, Jared Dively, John Flanigan, Regino Flores, Devin Hainley, Dallas Hamlin, Sam Hand, Annie Keating, Ashley Lidwell, Colin Lingafelt, Jack Marx, Patrick McClure, Andrew Mingyar, Alex Misitano, Tori Misitano, Marissa Morgan, Jocelyn Over, Addie Rabold, Sierra Reighard, Leah Stoehr, Maggie Thompson, Kevin Tyack, and Taryn Walker. They were accompanied by David Borst, adviser.

Dr. Zac Hossain, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, gave welcoming remarks, following which Dr. Jackie Whitling, professor of chemistry, gave an overview of Nanotechnology. With the assistance of current students in all of LHU's science disciplines, visitors were able to see demonstrations of how the study of Nanoscience has application in all of the sciences.

Among the demonstrations was the LHU scanning electron microscope, which is used by students in all the science disciplines. In 2009, a National Science Foundation grant of $90,500 made it possible to acquire state-of-the-art equipment to attach to the university's scanning electron microscope, making it possible to identify the elemental composition of compounds in all of the sciences. In 2011, LHU received a $7,490 PASSHE Faculty Development Grant to extend the capabilities of the electron microscope with cathodoluminescence.

Another highlight of the day was a tour of the nanotechnology laboratories by Dr. Marian Tzolov, associate professor of physics and Dr. Indrajith Senevirathne, assistant professor of physics. LHU student ambassadors led visitors on a tour of the LHU campus.

After lunch in Bentley Dining Hall, LHU students presented physics and chemistry demonstration shows in Ulmer Planetarium.

At the end of the day, Dr. Anura Goonewardene, professor of physics and director of nanotechnology, thanked the members of the Nano Club, the Physics Club and the Chemistry Club for their contributions to the day's program. "I think the interaction between our undergraduates in these clubs and the high school students is one of the highlights of the Nano Open House Program," he said.

Nanotechnology is the study of science on the nanometer scale and can encompass anything from microelectronics to nanoelectronics to medicine. LHU's cutting-edge program takes a "hands-on" approach. As a result, LHU nano students have made 19 presentations on their research at national conferences. The National Science Foundation has given multiple funding awards to the program since 2008, totaling over $750,000. 50% of students in the Nano program are first-generation college students.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.