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Spy Code: A Learning Module Linking Nano-tubes Research Experience to

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Conference

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

San Antonio, Texas

Publication Date

June 10, 2012

Start Date

June 10, 2012

End Date

June 13, 2012

ISSN

2153-5965

Conference Session

NSF Grantees' Poster Session

Tagged Topic

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Page Count

11

Page Numbers

25.1173.1 - 25.1173.11

DOI

10.18260/1-2--21930

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/21930

Download Count

402

Paper Authors

biography

Mohamed Abdelrahman Texas A&M University, Kingsville

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Mohamed Abdelrahman received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering and engineering physics from Cairo University, Egypt in 1988 and 1992, respectively. He received an M.S. and a Ph.D. in measurement and control and nuclear engineering from Idaho State University in 1994 and 1996, respectively. He is currently the Associate Dean of Engineering at Texas A&M University, Kingsville. Abdelrahman's research focus is industrial applications of sensing and control with major research funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and industry. He has also focused on collaborative and innovative educational research. Abdelrahman is passionate about outreach activities for popularizing engineering research and education. His activities in that arena included NSF-funded sites for research experience for undergraduates and research experience for Teachers. He has published his research results in more than 90 papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings and 30+ technical reports.

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biography

Reza Nekovei Texas A&M University, Kingsville

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Reza Nekovei is a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Texas A&M University, Kingsville. He has many years of experience in developing graduate and undergraduate programs. Nekovei is currently co-PI for two NSF projects related to teaching by design research and development, one in nanotechnology (NSF-NUE) and another in robotics (NSF-CCLI). He was a senior Fulbright grantee at Bucharest Polytechnic University during 2008-09 academic year where he performed collaborative research in computationally complex circuits and studied “teaching by design” methodology. Nekovei was the recipient of university distinguished teaching award in 2008. He is a member of IEEE and Etta Kappa Nu honor society.

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Alexandra Chincarini RETainUS

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Abstract

Spy Code: A Learning Module Linking Nano-tubes Research Experience to Teaching Algebra This paper focuses on presenting the experience of a mathematics teacher participating ina Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program at Texas A&M University Kingsville. Theresearch experience was focused on carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) as suitable replacement oftransistors. As transistors, they would be smaller, faster, less resistant, and cheaper tomanufacture than anything currently in use. The greatest problem with studying CNTs andproducing new electronics with CNTs as the chief component has been their size. Littleexperimental research has been conducted on actual CNTs to measure their output currents whenvoltages are applied to them. This research focused on collecting and presenting data on theelectrical properties of bundles of CNTs, particularly in regards to how CNTs respond to thepresence or absence of light. Finding a link between this research experiences based on sophisticated equipment andadvanced electronics and teaching algebra has been a challenge. The paper describes a learningmodule that is based on simplified models of CNT. It challenges the students to use simpleelectronic circuits to design and implement secret codes of blinking lights. The modules arebased on the concept of legacy cycles. It covers various topics in algebra including graphinglines, finding relations and solving equations and manipulations of monomials.

Abdelrahman, M., & Nekovei, R., & Chincarini, A. (2012, June), Spy Code: A Learning Module Linking Nano-tubes Research Experience to Paper presented at 2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, San Antonio, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--21930

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