Ask Dr. Mst
Ask Dr. MST
"Dr. MST" is a web based activity created by MatEd, which provides the opportunity for anyone to pose materials science related questions and/or provide advice via the website. Working with Dr. MST the skilled teacher Teacher Ambassador Resource (S.T.A.R.) corps provides insight, guidance and regional support to answer your questions.
Examples
Question:
Many fibers are synthesized from a petrochemical base (from oil---a fossil fuel). Is it possible to make a comfortable, durable polo shirt from fibers that are synthesized
from corn, a completely renewable chemical feedstock?
Answer: A Benson, MN company is making shirts from corn that you can wear for work or play. The shirts look and feel like cotton, but they wick moisture away from the body just like shirts made from high-end synthetic fabrics, says Don Lenz, CEO of Future Products, Inc. The fiber is called Ingeo (In-gee-o), which means "ingredients from the earth." A totally renewable product made from corn, Ingeo contains no petroleum byproducts like synthetics and other fabrics. It doesn't peel, shrink, wrinkle or stain. It's 100 percent biodegradable, making it the perfect "green" fabric, Lenz says. "It's the fabric of the century." Cargill Inc. makes Ingeo at its new $120 million NatureWorks plant near Blair, NE. It mills corn kernels into starch, then sugar. Enzymes ferment the sugar to produce lactic acid, which is transformed into pellets and extruded into a fiber that can be used in everything from clothing and carpets to packaging containers.
More Info:
http://www.cargill.com/
http://www.natureworksllc.com/
Answer: A Benson, MN company is making shirts from corn that you can wear for work or play. The shirts look and feel like cotton, but they wick moisture away from the body just like shirts made from high-end synthetic fabrics, says Don Lenz, CEO of Future Products, Inc. The fiber is called Ingeo (In-gee-o), which means "ingredients from the earth." A totally renewable product made from corn, Ingeo contains no petroleum byproducts like synthetics and other fabrics. It doesn't peel, shrink, wrinkle or stain. It's 100 percent biodegradable, making it the perfect "green" fabric, Lenz says. "It's the fabric of the century." Cargill Inc. makes Ingeo at its new $120 million NatureWorks plant near Blair, NE. It mills corn kernels into starch, then sugar. Enzymes ferment the sugar to produce lactic acid, which is transformed into pellets and extruded into a fiber that can be used in everything from clothing and carpets to packaging containers.
More Info:
http://www.cargill.com/
http://www.natureworksllc.com/
Question:
I met a number of representatives from your organization at the ATE conference in Washington in October. At the time they mentioned a cake baking lab that could be used in material science. I have searched your web site but unfortunately have not been able to find it. Would it be possible to get a copy or a link?
Answer: This is your lucky day! MatEd has just posted the full presentation of "Materials Processing, a Piece of Cake" in the MatEd Modules section of website.
Answer: This is your lucky day! MatEd has just posted the full presentation of "Materials Processing, a Piece of Cake" in the MatEd Modules section of website.
Question:
I attended New 2007 and built a Tensile Impact Tester as Dr. Mir M. Atiquillah describes in his project description on the MatEd website. I tried using the tester on a Corelle plate and I couldn't get it to break. Do you know why?
Answer: Look at Lab 3-- "Fracture Resistant Ceramics" in the "Simple and Effective In-class Experiments and Demonstrations" section of the Labs & Demos folder for a full answer.
Answer: Look at Lab 3-- "Fracture Resistant Ceramics" in the "Simple and Effective In-class Experiments and Demonstrations" section of the Labs & Demos folder for a full answer.
Question:
I am building the Strength Testing machine as shown in "Properties of Fibers and Fabrics" module. I am having a problem finding a luggage scale. Any suggestions?
Answer: A weight scale, found at a local hardware store, or a game scale that can be found at a sporting goods store could be substituted.
Answer: A weight scale, found at a local hardware store, or a game scale that can be found at a sporting goods store could be substituted.
Question:
I was touring your website and found in the "New 2008" folder a session on "Project Based Learning for Technology Programs". The writer referred to a Power Point presentation that was given. How can I obtain a copy of that presentation?
Answer: Check the presentations file at the RapidTech website, www.rapidtech.org.
Answer: Check the presentations file at the RapidTech website, www.rapidtech.org.
Question: With the new Boeing 787 drawing such interest for my students, I would like to demonstrate composite airfoils and their uses in aviation. Any suggestions?
Answer: Go to the MatEd website home page and click on Curriculum Modules button and which takes you to the CWIS National Digital Library. Then do a search for curriculum/labs with key words including "composites" and "airfoils". You will find a lab developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) on this subject.
Answer: Go to the MatEd website home page and click on Curriculum Modules button and which takes you to the CWIS National Digital Library. Then do a search for curriculum/labs with key words including "composites" and "airfoils". You will find a lab developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) on this subject.
Question:
I see on the website a listing for the National Educators Workshop (NEW). How do I get information on NEW?
Answer: Check the NEW website at www.nationaledworkshop.com for more information.
Answer: Check the NEW website at www.nationaledworkshop.com for more information.
Question:
I am looking for something to "grab" my students into the composites world and help them understand this technology and make a lasting impression. Do you have any ideas?
Answer: Try the PNNL MST Composites 8.35 Peanut Brittle exercise in the composites curriculum modules. This will surely peak their interest and their appetite.
Answer: Try the PNNL MST Composites 8.35 Peanut Brittle exercise in the composites curriculum modules. This will surely peak their interest and their appetite.
