Cleanroom suits are necessary to wear when making nanotechnology because humans are constantly shedding microscopic particles - mainly skin cells, hair, and fabric fibers. These particles can contaminate micro- and nano-scale devices such as microchips and ruin experiments! A human can shed approximately 100,000 particles per minute when stationary. This includes skin cells, hairs, fabric fibers, and more. This number goes up even more with movement such as walking and gesturing - a walking human releases 7,000,000 particles per minute!
One of our most frequently utilized activities is the beloved cleanroom suit try-on. Students get the opportunity to wear the gear that scientists and engineers wear in cleanrooms in order to keep their nanotechnology as free from microscopic impurities as possible. Students can envision themselves as STEM professionals and learn about the different components of the suit and why each is necessary.
Students put on:
- Hoods
- Suits
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Masks