Solid-State Model Kit

The Solid-State Model Kit allows you and your students to easily build and study structural models of metals, ionic compounds, and even superconductors. See instantly how atomic packings determine physical properties — density, cleavage planes, conductivity directions. Our Kit is an excellent tool to present sphere packing, unit cells, coordination number, layering, radius ratios, and interpenetrating polyhedra.

The Model Kit comes in two versions and is designed for individual and laboratory use, tutorials, and lectures. Using the detailed manual that comes with each Kit, students can build structures one atom at a time. Completed structures are approximately 4" x 4" x 6".

Deluxe Version: It can be used to build more than 70 different molecular structures. Its main parts include the Instruction Manual, bases, templates that fit over bases, metal rods that insert into holes in the bases, and four different-sized spheres that slide onto the rods. Order No. 92-004

The Line of Resistance

The Line of Resistance is a kit that will help you teach your students to measure resistance using only a piece of paper and a graphite pencil! Included in the kit is a manual with 10 easy-to-do experiments that students will enjoy.

Some of the topics covered are: electrical resistivity of graphite and wire; resistance of serial and parallel circuits; and open and short circuits. The kit contains a piezoelectric ignitor, which allows your students to demonstrate how lightning rods work (the path of least resistance). A multimeter is required but not provided.

This kit is the first in a joint effort by ICE and General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation to bring hands-on materials and physical science to teachers and students. This kit is available as either:

•a teacher demonstration kit, including materials for one person. Order No. 97-002

•a classroom kit, including materials for 25 students. Order No. 97-002X

Explorations in Materials Science

Explorations in Materials Science, a joint offering from ICE and General Atomics, allows high school students to actively explore and compare properties of different materials. The core of the module is hands-on laboratory work, using elements of chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering. Students prepare working samples of the major classes of materials (metal, plastic, and ceramic) from molds included with the kit. They then investigate the mechanical behavior, the electrical, magnetic, optical, and thermal characteristics, the chemical stability, and other physical properties, including density and grain structure, of each material. The manual includes student directions for sample preparation and testing and a teacher's guide. Order No. 97-005 A classroom kit with enough materials for 5 lab groups is also available. Order No. 97-005X

Nanocrystalline Solar Cell Kit

The Nanocrystalline Solar Cell Kit uses natural dyes from berries to generate electricity from light. The solar cell has enough electrical output to power a small motor (not included). The kit provides an interdisciplinary context for students learning basic principles in chemistry, biology, physics, as well as environmental science. The kit contains the essential materials to build 5 reusable solar cells; for a full list of materials and supplies (not included) required to carry out the activities click here.

Note: This kit is intended for use by students properly supervised by a teacher. Teachers are expected to have extensive laboratory experience and a strong physical sciecne background. Both teachers and students are expected to respect normal laboratory safety precautions.

Order No. 98-001

DNA Optical Transform Kit

The DNA Optical Transform Kit uses a visible laser and two-dimensional patterns to simulate Rosalind Franklin's famous x-ray diffraction experiments that led to the discovery of the DNA double helix. The kit includes a manual with background information and directions, a 35-mm slide with patterns, and overhead transparency masters. A source of visible laser light is not included, but any laser pointer will work. Booklet and slide, Order No. 99-001. Additional 35-mm slides are available in lots of ten, Order No. 99-001S

Exploring the Nanoworld Kit

Nanoworld adventures await inside! Explore how we can accomplish the feats of "seeing" atoms, assembling them into a variety of novel structures, and customizing their properties to develop new technologies. This activity kit contains a color booklet, light emitting diode and circuit, magnifying glass, diffraction slide, magnet, memory metal, and a fiber optic. The kit requires a standard 9V battery (not included). Order No. 20-001

Nanoworld Presenter's Guide with "Try This" Packet

Audiences of all ages enjoy learning about the Nanoworld! The Nanoworld Presenter's Guide provides presenters and teachers with instructions on four simple nanotechnology-related experiments, as well as talking points and background information for each. The "Try This" Packet contains supplies for the experiments described in the Guide. Order No. 04-001.

Additional packets with an accompanying handout can be purchased separately:

10 packets = Order No. 04-002

30 packets = Order No. 04-002A

Amorphous Metal Demonstration Kit

Temporarily Unavailable

We are currently trying to find a new supplier for the amorphous metal disks. If you would like to be contacted once the kit becomes available again, please email ICE at iceorders@chem.wisc.edu and we will add your name to our customer list.

The Atomic Trampoline: Demonstrations with Amorphous Metal. Two stainless steel bases. Two stainless steel ball bearings. When dropped onto the bases, one ball bounces and bounces and bounces. One thuds to a halt. What is the difference?

On top of one base is a disk of a metal alloy with an amorphous atomic structure. That one causes the bearing to bounce. And bounce. And bounce. The amorphous structure doesn't allow much energy transfer from the ball bearings. You'll be amazed!

LED Color Strip Kit

The LED Color Strip Kit illustrates the properties of LEDs and semiconductor materials with a series of hands-on, minds-on activities that fulfill NSES Science Content Standards and STL Technology Content Standards. Because semiconducting materials found in LEDs are grown virtually an atomic layer at a time, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) represent an exciting application of nanotechnology.

Polyhedral Model Kit

The Polyhedral Model Kit simplifi es visualization of complex chemical structures that involve polyhedral shapes. It can be used to make many structures that would commonly be discussed in science and engineering courses such as inorganic and solid-state chemistry, chemical engineering, geology, environmental science, materials science, soil science, and physics. The kit provides an alternative view of how structural components fi t together, which cannot be represented by ball-and-stick, or space-fi lling models. Because structures are built with tetrahedral and octahedral units (shown at right) instead of individual atoms, models can be assembled quickly. Students focusing on units larger than atoms can more readily visualize and comprehend complicated structures.

The Polyhedral Model Kit (Order no. 06-002) nicely compliments the ICE Solid State Model Kit (Order no. 92-004). The kit's ability to provide a different viewing perspective is an important pedagogical objective, as it can produce new insights into structure-property relationships. More information about the kit and directions for assembling more than 40 structures- such as NaCl, ZnS, H₂O(s), rutile, perovskites, gibbsite, talc, muscovite, and quartz- can be found at http://mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/pmk/index.html. Order No. 06-002