Nanotechnology - a breakthrough in science - What is it?

By Dan O.

Instead of doing a broad post about how/why a new type of physics or physical idea is amazing, I think it's better to start at the very beginning. What is it? Nanotechnology is a broad field, with topics that can take days to cover.

Nanotechnology deals with the world of the very small, within the realm of 2 nanometers, 1000 times smaller than a red blood cell. This scale is very key because this is the first scale where things are able to be assembled, without changing chemical compositions. Within the nanoscale, is where the realm of physics and biology start to merge and blend with each other. For example, a process called quantum tunneling occurs where particles are able to teleport past energy walls. Within biology, this nanotechnology processing may be able to repair limbs, organs or other body parts at the microscopic level. Currently, nanotechnology occurs in antimicrobial bandages with nanoparticles of silver killing harmful cells.

However, nanotechnology can do so much more within the medical and biological field. In fact, nanotech may impact this field the most. Patients can drink fluids with nanobots to attack and reconstruct cancer cells and viruses. Nanobots can even help with dangerous surgeries, allowing a surgeon to become 1000X more precise than now. By working on a small scale, no visual scars would remain, in fact, nanobots could completely change one's appearance through cosmetic surgery.

Within current devices, nanotechnology can be found in very common materials such as sunscreen, containing nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium oxide. The nanoparticles allow the sunscreen to rub on clear without a white sheer. Nanoparticles can even be found in clothing, by coating cloths with zinc oxide, clothes can give better protection from the sun's harmful UV radiation, or can help make the clothes stain-resistant.

Nanotech is certainly not completely new, but it is a very recent discovery. Scientists are finding new uses of this technology and the uses are almost endless. Hopefully, within the next decade, more discoveries are able to be made about this illustrious device.

References:   Bonsor, K., & Strickland, J. (2007, October 25). How Nanotechnology Works. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology.htm

Image: http://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology.htm

Prompt Post #6 - Evaluating Science

   By Dan O        
          
        The field of physics is full of amazing things, from quantum mechanics, special relativity and neutrinos. It's a wonder why we don't start with the amazing stuff before everything students see as boring, such as newton's laws or electricity and magnetism. At MSU, these classes are PHY 183 and 184, They're the first classes many students will take when interacting with physics.
        However, Chad Orzel, from Forbes takes a new approach to this ideology. We teach physics in the way that we do, not because of preference, or because students HAVE to know it, but because it works. These topics are the topics that have real value to the students learning them, and this is true regardless of the student's major. Professors know, that most students taking these classes aren't taking them for a deep and utter love of physics -sadly- but because they need the requirement to graduate, to them, physics is only a formality to be overcome.

          For example, for engineers, physics is a daily part of their job, but only classical physics. Mechanical engineers need Newtonian mechanics to understand how everything operates, and gain a basic understanding of friction, force, and other physical concepts. For electrical engineers, electricity and magnetism is their entire career. E&M includes how a circuit operates, or how a conductor creates electrical charge.

         Physics has amazing parts of it, that should not be ignored. However, we must focus on what really matters first, before one mentions things such as special relativity or quantum mechanics, we must focus on what is important.

References: Orzel, C. (2016, April 8). Why Do We Teach 'Old Physics?' Because It Works. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/chadorzel/2016/04/08/why-do-we-teach-old-physics-because-it-works/#1430021c58a2

Image: http://www.forbes.com/sites/chadorzel/2016/04/08/why-do-we-teach-old-physics-because-it-works/#1430021c58a2


     

How Does Quantum Mechanics Affect Living Organisms?

by Mine G.

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see the word "quantum"? You would probably say it is something about physics, atomic particles, neutrons, protons and so on. And if I say quantum has also something to do with biology as well, you might say that it is non-sense. However, quantum mechanics is a part of a living life; for plants, for birds, and even for us.

As the technology goes further, researchers discover new fields that actually help us understand the world better. One of these new fields is called Quantum Biology. So, what does quantum biology refer to?

Quantum biology is an application of quantum mechanics to biology and biological problems. As you all would remember from high school biology books, energy conversions and transfers are involved in biological actions in organisms, such as light absorption, excited electrons, photosynthesis and so on.

Let me give an example from birds' annual migration. Each year more than ten thousand birds migrate to different locations on the Earth. One of the bird species that engages in the migration process is called European Robins. Every year, European Robins travel around 8000 miles. But, how do they navigate through migration?

Researchers hypothesize that birds navigate with the guidance of Earth's magnetic field. It is supported that the birds, especially European robins, can actually "see" the magnetic field by detecting the electron spin directions. For a further explanation, the electron in the receptor cells in retina sometimes change their spins in terms of the gravitational field. Therefore, electrons will absorb the photons coming from the Sun, or reflect it back to the optic nerves, depending on where the birds fly to.

European robins' navigation is just one example how quantum mechanics is applied to living organism. Other than birds' migration, photosynthesis, vision, enzymatic activities are some other fields of quantum biology. This fascinating relation between living organisms and the science of "the incredibly small" seems to become physicists' and biologists' new phenomena.

If you would like to learn more about birds' navigation, check out the video below:

References: Wikipedia, the free encylopedia. Quantum biology. Retrieved April 10, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_biology
ScienceAlertStaff. (2014, February 2). This is how birds use quantum mechanics to navigate. Retrieved April 10, 2016, from http://www.sciencealert.com/watch-this-is-how-birds-use-quantum-mechanics-to-navigate 
Takushi, S. (2014, June 29). Birds That Use Quantum Mechanics to Migrate. Retrieved April 10, 2016, from http://guardianlv.com/2014/06/birds-that-use-quantum-mechanics-to-migrate/

Images: https://neshealthblog.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/do-birds-see-with-quantum-eyes/

Prompt Post #5 Observing Community: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Club

by Mine G.

As a freshman studying in MSU, this year was the time for me to explore what is going around campus. In my opinion, studying in a big university like MSU gives students experience different communities as well as the diversity among them. 

In terms of my major, Genomics, I am interested in every field of biology, and the best way for me to learn more about them is the club organizations in MSU. One of the club organizations that I like the most is The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Club in MSU. BMB club is a student organization that helps undergraduate students discover the field, give information about research and internship opportunities, and graduate schools. Most importantly, the club is open for all undergraduate students as well as most of the student organizations in MSU.

Recently, I attended the "Science Career Talk – Recent Graduate Panel” held by BMB club. It was presented by 4 recent MSU graduates working at different companies and different positions. Graduates talked about variety of topics such as their work fields, what we should expect or what we should not, how we should prepare ourselves for a professional career, what tasks they normally do in a day and so on. After the panel, students got to ask questions to graduates. The questions were mostly about improving the resume, and applying for an internship. Since I didn’t know much about internships, I was interested in the talk. According to the panelists, internships are one of the most important elements to build a professional career and a resume, and most undergraduates think that senior or junior year would be better to get an internship. However, more internships will increase the chances of getting hired by companies, and probably the best year to apply for internships would be summer of the sophomore year.

As a conclusion, the panel was very informative for undergraduate students, especially for juniors and seniors. Hearing the facts from recent graduates created a sincere environment throughout the panel.  

More information about BMB Club and meetings: https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-club/

Image: https://smhs.gwu.edu/biochemistry/sites/biochemistry/files/styles/1170-x-variable/public/Biochemistry-Banner_770x320.png?itok=LzLWmc0q

Genome of the Brain

By Mine G.

Have you ever thought how a person can gain or increase cognitive abilities? Are there some parts in our body that positively affect our skills?


Your answer is probably “Yes, our brain.” And yes, you are right. However, what is special about the brain?


For years, scientist claimed there is a positive relation between the brain size and effectiveness of our cognitive skills. Studies now lead us new clues about our brain. According to the neurologists, our brains differ in size resulted from genetic mutations in some parts of our brain.


Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) are working on a project that may explain the genetic variation between human brains in cooperation with Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics Through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA).


Within the project, nearly 300 scientists brought brain scans and genetic data together to indicate key brain regions in people from 33 countries, more than 30,000 MRI images and genetic information from different people were used.

According to the study, the fundamental reason for growing parts of the brain is the genetic factors. As a part of the research, neurologists analyzed the DNA mutations that might be related to the brain’s key regions. “Our global team discovered eight genes that may erode or boost brain tissue in people worldwide. Any change in those genes appears to alter your mental bank account or brain reserve by 2 or 3 percent. The discovery will guide research into more personalized medical treatments for Alzheimer’s, autism, depression and other disorders.” says Paul Thompson, Ph.D., Keck School of Medicine of USC professor and principal investigator of ENIGMA.



Scientists indicate that most of 8 mutations are functioning during brain development and also could be related to neurological diseases such as autism and schizophrenia. The study is considered to be a possible key for neurological disorders.

References: Trinidad, A., & Perkins, R. (2015, January 21). University of Southern California. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from https://pressroom.usc.edu/usc-neuroscientists-lead-global-enigma-consortium-to-crack-brains-genetic-code/

Images: http://womensbrainhealth.org/think-about-it/scientists-isolate-genes-that-delay-alzheimers

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/schizophrenia-shares-genetic-links-with-autism-genome-study-shows/

Why do people can go back the past when they travel faster than the speed of light?

By Guangyao Qin

Why do people can go back the past when they travel faster than the speed of light? There are two important factors, which people should pay attention to. One factor is "faster"; the other one is "the speed of light". Why is the speed of traveling must faster than the speed of light? Why is the speed of light?

People know speed= space/time, so speed is relative with space and time. The change of speeds can have influence on space and time.

Speed is relative

The speed is not a absolute quantity. For instance, Jan is walking in a train, which is traveling at a speed of 15m/s. If Jan is walking at the same direction as the direction of the train at the speed of 1m/s, people will assume the speed of ground is zero, and Jan will travel at the speed of 16m/s. If Jan is walking at the opposite way of the direction of the train at the speed of 1m/s, Jan's speed will be 14m/s.

Speed is relative, so it is changeable.

However, the speed of light is never relative.

The speed of light is absolute

The speed of light is always a fixed value, which is 299,792,458m/s, and is a universal constant. For example, there is a light source at the top of a train, which is traveling at a speed of 15m/s. The speed of light is still 299,792,458m/s. Light speed is same to everyone.

How does it happen?

The speed of light does not change, so space and time must be changed. Follow the motion of the object; space and time need to be changed, relatively. Let have the same example. A train travels at  the speed, which is a little bit less than the speed of the light. Jan is at this train and is watching her watch. The watch works normally. When she looks at outside, the view is twisted. If an observer is on the ground and hears the sound of click of the watch,  the sound of clicks will be really slow(the effect of time). In the observer's view, the train is shorter than the previous size of the train because of the effect of the change of the space. It is also called as length contraction. People can make the conclusion that time goes slower as the speed approaches the speed of light.

The possible view of length contraction

Follow the logic chain. If people travel at the speed of light, the time will be zero. If people travel faster than the speed of light, the time should go back.

But it is only the hypothesis. No theories support a way to make a object faster than the speed of light. By now, people can only approaches the speed of light but can not reach it. Follow the next graph, it shows that infinity energy is required for speed up an object to the speed of light. It is impossible for human to make it happen.

Lorentz transformation

Thanks for reading.

Reference: Wikipedia. (n.d.). Lorentz transformation. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentz_transformation

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Length contraction. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Length_contraction

Robles, A. (2015, May 23). Defeating The Speed of Light. Retrieved April 5, 2016, from http://observationdeck.kinja.com/defeating-the-speed-of-light-1706575145 

 

Images: http://observationdeck.kinja.com/defeating-the-speed-of-light-1706575145

Prompt Post #1 - Breaking Assumptions

By Dan O.

Physics is a large field with a variety of people and personalities. However, many who go into physics have similar interests and dislikes because of the nature of the major. However, there are certain stereotypes about the major that are hard to break. People believe that physics is full of nerds. People with no social life, other than school and math. This stereotype exists as a harmful one, one that dissuades people from entering to STEM fields, ad especially physics because it is seen as uncool.
Another stereotype that exists about physics, that separates it from other fields, is that many people see it as difficult and soul-sucking. Looking at my current textbook for PHY 321, this is half-true. The mathematics reaches up to Advanced Linear Algebra, with my current class reaching up to calculus 4. However, this difficulty is a relative one, because many different fields have their own relative difficulty, including both memorization and comprehension. Yes, physics is difficult, but it is relatively so. To me, biology or engineering is difficult because I do not understand the intricacies of those fields nor am I passionate about learning as people in other majors are.