Abstract Environmental problems, especially those of world‐wide dimension such as the increase in global warming by an exacerbation 'greenhouse effect' caused atmospheric pollution, are becoming increasingly significant. Education about issues is therefore important. Although educational strategies and resources best designed based on appreciation children's preconceptions, little known ideas this area. We have undertaken a questionnaire interview study secondary school children aged 11 to...

Understanding the oxidation and reduction mechanisms of catalytically active transition metal nanoparticles is important to improve their application in a variety chemical processes. In nanocatalysis can undergo or situ, thus redox species are not what observed before after reactions. We have used novel environmental scanning transmission electron microscope (ESTEM) with 0.1 nm resolution systematic studies complex dynamic copper nanoparticles. The has previously been reported be dependent...

One aim of environmental education is to enable people make informed decisions about their behaviour; this particularly significant with problems that are believed be both major and imminent, such as climate change resulting from global warming. Previous research suggests no strong link between a person's general attitudes knowledge, his or her willingness undertake pro-environmental actions, so study focuses on some specific issues. Using survey methods produce quantitative data students'...

A new mechanism for reactivity of multiply twinned gold nanoparticles resulting from their inherently strained structure provides a further explanation the surprising catalytic activity small nanoparticles. Atomic defect structural studies surface strains and quantitative analysis atomic column displacements in decahedral observed by aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy reveal an average expansion nearest neighbor distances 5.6%, with many more than 10%. Density functional...

Abstract Advances in atomic resolution situ environmental transmission electron microscopy for direct probing of gas‐solid reactions, including at very high temperatures (∼2000°C) are described. In addition, recent developments dynamic real time studies the Angstrom level using a hot stage an aberration corrected environment presented. data from Pt/Pd nanoparticles on carbon with corresponding FFT/optical diffractogram illustrate achieved 0.11 nm 500°C and higher double TEM/STEM instrument...

ConspectusMany heterogeneous chemical reactions involve gases catalyzed over solid surfaces at elevated temperatures and play a critical role in the production of energy, healthcare, pollution control, industrial products, food. These catalytic take place atomic level, with active structures forming under reaction conditions. A fundamental understanding catalysis single atom resolution is therefore major advance rational framework upon which future processes can be built. Visualization...

Abstract This work sets out to quantify the dominant models that 13 and 14 year‐old children hold of causes greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion. In particular, it attempts assess prevalence those ideas which, in minds some, link two phenomena. It would seem about twice as many (around 80%) think holes cause than damage. The most common suggested connection 60% children) appears be somehow allow more solar energy arrive at earth, no distinction being made between heat rays ultra‐violet...

In view of the potential significance global warming to society, education about this issue is important. However, little known preconceptions and misconceptions young adults in area. study ideas a group first year undergraduate students “Greenhouse Effect” have been studied by questionnaire. The results show that although some erroneous detected previous studies with secondary school pupils do not predominate these undergraduates, other persist. One such misconception use lead‐free petrol...

Heterogeneous gas‐solid catalyst reactions occur on the atomic scale and there is increasing evidence single atoms very small clusters can act as primary active sites in chemical reactions. Aberration corrected environmental scanning transmission electron microscope (AC ESTEM) has been developed for novel studies of nanoparticle catalysts with Angstrom (0.1 nm) resolution gas. It extends high vacuum analyses full analytical facilities unrestricted angle annular dark field (HAADF) imaging...

A 44-item questionnaire was designed to determine students' views about how useful various specific actions might be in helping reduce global warming, their willingness undertake these and the extent which two related. The instrument administered students Grades 6 12 (N = 1532) from schools Sultanate of Oman. findings indicated that majority Omani believe warming is happening now, are concerned it. Students willing some actions, such as switching off unused domestic appliances, more than...

The prevalence of the ideas Year I undergraduate biology students about consequences, causes and cures 'greenhouse effect' was determined using a closed-form questionnaire, results compared with parallel study undertaken nearly 10 years ago. Many in present were unaware potential effect global warming on distribution crop pests, or that ground level ozone acts as gas'. Prevalent misconceptions is caused by increased penetration solar radiation, it connected holes layer, would result skin...

Abstract In this investigation the dominant beliefs of students aged 13–14 years about possible links between increases in skin cancer and global environmental effects are quantified. The results indicate that a high proportion were aware depletion ozone layer leads to higher penetration ultraviolet (UV) rays, which, turn, may cause an increase incidence cancer. However, large these confused action heat rays with UV rays; they also thought raised temperatures (i.e., greenhouse effect)...

Summary The ideas of trainee primary teachers about the ozone layer have been examined. Students were well informed nature and location appreciated that it screens Earth from ultraviolet (UV) rays, although some thought protects acid rain. Most identified real causes depletion, but many radioactivity factory vehicle emissions cause degradation. Almost all realised depletion might more skin cancers; fewer recognised other potential biological problems. Many confused with global warming....

This questionnaire‐based study explored school students' ideas, both scientific and idiosyncratic, about the extent to which various actions might contribute towards reducing global warming. Many students appreciated that a decrease in industrial vehicle emissions could play major role this reduction, producing energy from renewable sources was another popular idea. Fewer by individuals, such as "saving" electricity recycling paper, play; perhaps suggesting young people feel disempowered...

Greek high school students between the ages of 11 and 16 have been questioned about their perception ozone layer. In particular, they were asked what where think it is, does, will damage it, might be result any further damage. The ideas 1161 investigated using a closed-form questionnaire which had devised after interviews with smaller group. This was used previously in study involving over 1700 UK. From results present study, appears that good understanding position purpose layer terms...

Single-walled carbon nanotubes are efficiently cut to precise submicrometer lengths and very narrow length distributions. Chemical functional groups placed selectively only at the ends without nanotube walls being modified or damaged. The new methodology includes lithography place protective photoresist patterns over reactive ion etching remove unprotected nanostructure. This approach enables critical dimensional chemical control for integrated nanodevice manufacturing based on self-assembly...