MC Chemistry Department to celebrate National Chemistry Week

By Rebecca Bell
Dean of Community Relations & Special Events

Saturday, October 27
2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Midland Park Mall (J. C. Penney Court)

It’s a big celebration of small things! Tomorrow, the Midland College Chemistry Department will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of National Chemistry Week by demonstrating the applications of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology (sometimes shortened to "nanotech") is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology works with materials, devices, and other structures with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers.

Midland College Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Pat Nandakumar explained, “At tomorrow’s demonstration, we will be showing a video demonstrating the power of nanotechnology and will be demonstrating how chemical properties change when materials are made in “nano” size. Visitors to the exhibit will receive a newsletter explaining the importance of nanotech and how it has become a key technology for the future.”

Through its National Nanotechnology Initiative, the United States has invested $3.7 billion in nanotech research and its applications in medicine, electronics, biomaterials and energy production. Midland College faculty and students will be showing some of these applications as part of Saturday’s mall exhibit.