Creating and Testing Silver Nanoparticle Socks

This lesson will allow students to use the pure silver nanoparticles they synthesize to create antibacterial socks. They will compare their socks with socks that have been treated with a commercial silver spray, socks that have been treated in a factory, and a control that was not been treated. After a 24-hour period in which the bacteria will be allowed to grow on the agar plates, each culture (which will contain a piece of sock) will be observed for a zone of inhibition. Socks are easy for students to relate to and demonstrate how nanoparticles can have simple relevant applications.