UNLV Photo

Seventeen Clark County high school students attended a hands-on, four-day nanotechnology camp at UNLV. Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Its cutting-edge applications can be seen in everything from computers to machinery to building materials to medicines tofood.

By Lauren Ruvo (contact)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012 | 2 a.m.

Camp last week for a small group of Clark County high school students didnt include swimming, hiking or any of the usual recreation activities associated with summer.

But then, these students werent attending a traditional summer camp.

Instead, they were participating in a nanotechnology camp at UNLV. Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Its cutting-edge applications can be seen in everything from computers to machinery, building materials to medicines and food.

The camp attracted 17 students, who attended lectures on various topics related to nanotechnology. Hui Zhao, a UNLV assistant professor of mechanical engineering, said enrollment in the camp was kept relatively low by design to allow the students to take a more hands-on approach. Once the opening day of lectures was finished, camp sessions were devoted to applying the lecture material in a laboratory setting.

Among other projects, campers made nano solar cells that generated electricity, Zhoa said.

UNLV sponsored the camp as part of a grant it received to broaden interests of high school students so that they are more likely to pursue the study of science and engineering in college.

Read the original:

UNLV nanotechnology camp aims to cultivate next generation of engineers