hook up: (in chemistry) a semi-permanent bond between atoms (or groups of atoms) within a molecule. It is formed by the attractive forces between the atoms involved. When combined, atoms function as one unit. To separate the constituent atoms, energy must be supplied to the molecules in the form of heat or other types of radiation.
engineer: A person who uses science and mathematics to solve problems. As a verb, “engineering” means to design a device, material, or process that solves some problem or unmet need.
freshwater: A noun or adjective that describes a body of water with very low salinity. This is the type of water that is used for drinking water and makes up most inland lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and even groundwater.
hydrogel: “Smart” polymer-based materials that can change their structure depending on the environment, such as local temperature, pH, salinity or water concentration. The polymers that make up hydrogels have protruding edges that attract water. These edges help the hydrogel adsorb water molecules. Some hydrogels are used in baby diapers to retain urine. Some are added to potting soil to hold water near the plants until needed. Additionally, it may be used as part of a wound dressing to prevent the wound from drying out.
hypothesis: (v. hypothesis) A proposed explanation for a phenomenon. In science, a hypothesis is an idea that must be rigorously tested before it can be accepted or rejected.
liquid: A substance that maintains a constant volume while flowing freely, such as water or oil.
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering: A person trained in a field of research that uses physics to study motion and the properties of materials to design, build, and test devices.
molecule: An electrically neutral group of atoms that represents the smallest possible amount of a compound. Molecules can be made up of a single type of atom or different types of atoms. For example, oxygen in air has two oxygen atoms (O2) However, water has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2oh).
particle: A trace amount of something.
phenomenon: something surprising or unusual.
photon: A particle that represents the smallest possible amount of light or other type of electromagnetic radiation.
polymer: A substance made from long chains of repeating groups of atoms. Polymers produced include nylon, polyvinyl chloride (better known as PVC), and many types of plastics. Natural polymers include rubber, silk, and cellulose (found in plants and used to make paper, for example).
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: A prestigious journal founded in 1914 that publishes original scientific research. The journal’s content spans biology, physics, and social sciences. Today, each of his more than 3,000 papers published each year is not only peer-reviewed, but also approved by members of the National Academy of Sciences.
Ocean: Ocean (or area that is part of the ocean). Unlike lakes and streams, sea water, or ocean water, is salty.
technology: The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry, or the devices, processes, and systems resulting from such efforts.
visible light: A type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from 380 nanometers (purple) to 740 nanometers (red). Visible light has shorter wavelengths than infrared rays, microwaves, and radio waves, but longer wavelengths than ultraviolet rays, X-rays, and gamma rays.
water vapor: Water in a gaseous state that can float in the air.
wavelength: The distance between one crest and the next in a series of waves, or the distance between one wave and the next. It is also one of the “yardsticks” used to measure radiation. Visible light, like all electromagnetic radiation, travels as waves and includes wavelengths from about 380 nanometers (violet) to about 740 nanometers (red). Radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light includes gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet light. Longer wavelength radiation includes infrared radiation, microwaves, and radio waves.
Source: www.snexplores.org
