How Nanotechnology relates to all sciences

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During the Nanoscience Open House, LHU senior Jacob Cox, nanoscholar and Applied Physics major, demonstrated the concept of centripetal force using a glass of water on a board.

LOCK HAVEN, PA (02/06/2012)(readMedia)-- Lock Haven University welcomed high school students, teachers and parents to Nanoscience Open House on Friday, January 27. Among the participants were students from Cambria Heights Senior High School.

Nano students made presentations about Nanotechnology within the context of LHU's science programs. 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.

Another highlight of the day was a tour of the nanotechnology laboratories guided by LHU faculty. 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.

Students attending from Cambria Heights Senior High School were Jessica Bertram, Ashley Johnson, Heidi Kranz, Julien Panaro, Samantha Lechene and Justin Zerbee.  They were accompanied by teacher Michele Schirf.

Dr. Anura Goonewardene, Professor of Physics and Director of Nanotechnology, thanked all of the teachers for giving their students a chance to participate in this event and learn something about Nanotechnology as it relates to science.

The Nanoscience program at Lock Haven University is based in the sciences that include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Health Sciences, pre-engineering, pre-med, and other Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) disciplines). Dr. Goonewardene, Director says, "Nanoscience is the cutting edge for interdisciplinary sciences. No matter what branch of science a student pursues, whether it's biology or chemistry or physics or any other branch, nanotechnology has tremendous applications."

The LHU nanotechnology program emphasizes undergraduate research and prepares students in all science disciplines to use nanotechnology in their respective fields of study. Student engagement through undergraduate research is a key feature, offering students opportunities to publish or present their findings in peer reviewed forums. All nanotechnology program students attend a summer semester at Penn State's Nanotechnology Application and Career Knowledge Center (NACK) partly supported by grants from Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The National Science Foundation began funding LHU's nanotechnology program with grants in 2008 and 2009 amounting to nearly $700,000. The nanotechnology program has filed two provisional patents for discoveries made at LHU's laboratories, including one patent on which a student is co-inventor.

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.

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