We’re taking a field trip from the backyard, garage, and
basement hacking in order to look in on what research scientists
are up to these days. A group from the Johns Hopkins Institute
for NanoBioTechnology has been manufacturing quantum dots for
use in the medical field. Made up of Cadmium Selenide, this is a
nanomaterial that you can think of as individual crystals of the
smallest size possible. Quantum dots have many uses. Here,
[Charli Dvoracek] takes the recently manufactured dots and
activates them with antibodies capable of targeting cancer
cells. Once mixed with a biological sample, the dots embed
themselves in the walls of the cancer, allowing the researchers
to find those cells thanks to the phosphorescent properties of
the dots. The video after the breaks walks us through the
various steps involved in growing these dots. [Charli] has the
benefit of a fully outfitted lab, using tools like an argon-
filled glove box to protect her from harmful off-gases. You’re
not likely have this sort of thing in yo