全國中小學科展

出國代表作品

大氣層厚度光學測量法之研究及創新

這個專題研究的目的是要發展出一套簡單可靠的方法和廉價自製的器材,在地面上即能有效估測大氣層的厚度。我們小組研究光學中雷氏(Rayleigh)散射的原理,針對空氣分子對光線散射作用和特定方向之偏極效應,利用一已知散射長度之路徑,測量其偏極光的強度,同時比對由大氣層散射而來,在同一偏極面上的散射光強度,即能估算大氣層的厚度,方法簡單新穎,自製器材經實際測量和改進,有發展和推廣的價值。\r The main idea of the experiment is to set a system in order to effectively estimate the thickness of the atmosphere. On the theory of “Rayleigh Scattering” (small air molecules sizing about 10-4μm), we developed an equipment that has two tubes. The tubes lead the scattered lights from two paths. One is called “air light” scattered in the ground air, and the other “sky light” is scattered in the sky and reflected by a beam splitter. The two paths are on the same plane; the scattered lights are perpendicular to the direction of sunlight and 100% polarized. We could adjust and measure the distance “d” of the air light path. We simultaneously observe and compare the intensity of the lights from the two paths with the electronic instrument made by ourselves. By using the known distance “d” and the reflection “x” of the beam splitter, we can calculate the thickness of the atmosphere. The experiment is simple, novel and easy to do in an extensive field at school. Researchers don’t have to use a bloom, radar or satellite to discover the atmosphere, but you could use a simple equipment to observe the features of it.

「金」枝「玉」葉—金奈米與葉綠素的交互作用

本實驗在探討,當金奈米粒子和植物中的葉綠素產生鍵結作用力時,能量轉移的結果是否能幫助葉綠素激發電子。經由兩者混合後光譜的變化,發現兩者之間發生能量轉移。為探討此轉移現象和濃度的關係,我們將大小不同的金奈米和不同毫升數的葉綠素作用,並將其結果和金奈米與葉綠素的吸收強度和作比較,使用正規化的計算方法算出比值,由此看出兩者之間能量轉移的效率。當金顆粒約大於30nm時,正規化的數值隨的葉綠素濃度的增加而變大;而當金奈米顆粒約小於30nm時,則隨著葉綠素的增加而變小。Much attention is currently focused on chromophoric molecules because they can not only mimic natural antenna systems but also exhibit unique optical and physical properties. Chlorophyll , produced by extracting from green leaves, has electrostatic interactions with Au nanoparticles through carboxyl groups. Herein, we report the charge transfer between chlorophyll and Au nanoparticles using UV-vis electronic absorption spectroscopy. The efficiency of charge transfer from chlorophyll to Au nanoparticles was estimated by the normalization of Q-ban absorption intensity. From the observation of absorption intensity versus concentration of chlorophyll curves, we find that the efficiency of charge transfer is increased while the size of Au-particle is larger than 30nm, but decreased while the size smaller than 30nm.

Why Spiderman cannot do without his silk?-The effects of dragline silk on jumping performance of jumping spider (Hasarius adansonl)

由於蜘蛛絲複雜的分子結構及產生過程,長久以來一直被視為一個特殊的生物材料(高延展性,高韌性,和高強度),此外,前人研究指出蜘蛛能自己調控絲的性質,並受到環境的影響。然而,大多數的研究多以結網性蜘蛛為主,只有極少數研究著重在探討非結網性蜘蛛,如:跳蛛。本研究中,以安德遜蠅虎為材料,分析跳蛛的跳躍行為,以及探討曳絲在跳躍過程時所造成的影響。我們初步的研究結果顯示: (一)曳絲在跳蛛跳躍過程中,對於安全降落扮演重要的角色,及(二)跳蛛會藉由改變身體的角度來維持身體的平衡。在跳躍過程中,蜘蛛的跳躍速度會因空氣阻力而減少,但是蜘蛛絲的彈性恢恢復力(根據虎克定律)會讓跳蛛跳躍速度更顯著的減少,並藉著身體的轉動與曳絲的作用達到身體平衡。對於一個非結網性蜘蛛是另外一個不可或缺的輔助工具。相對於其他跳躍動物,有絲的跳蛛具備另一項能減緩降落速度的工具以增加降落的安全性。

Equtatetor-新一代智慧型數學處理器

此研究的目的是要設計出一套完整編輯顯現數學式、加以計算,並求出解的一套方法與成品。而這項工作的執行者,在此稱之Equatetor 。一般的數學式子,若要計算的話,普通的計算機是不足夠的。原因是它們沒有辦法表現出數學式的「原貌」,例如分號、指數、函數、根號等數學符號混在一起時的情況。於是,我便擬定了一個研究,希望設計出一套更方便且實用的方法。換句話說,我要設計出一個功能強大的工程計算機程式。其中,自然牽扯到數學式子的顯現方式(以MathML 實現),以及計算機科學的演算法及資料結構。我主要的目的有四:(1) 顯示數學式(2) 方便編輯數學式(3) 計算數學式(4) 處理可以以不同形式輸出解答的計算(如輸出分數、根號、函數解等)。研究結果中,成功地運用XML 中的MathML 與二分逼近分數等演算法及若干資料結構,達到了以下實用的幾點:(1) 結構化的數學式編輯(2) 完整地顯示數學式(3) 正確運算並輸出運算式的答案(4) 提供一般數學形式之解(非小數之解);The object of this study is to design a method and processor which is able to edit, display a mathematical expression representing a number, calculate and output the answer. The executor of this task is called Equatetor. Normal calculators are not adequate for this kind of task. The main reason is that they can’t reveal the original expression, such as fractions, radicals, exponents or mathematic functions. Therefore, a simple and convenient method is needed. To perform the possible way of handling those tasks, a computer program has been written. Several techniques were used, such as MathML, computing algorithms, data structures, and so on. Following are main purposes: (1) Displaying mathematical expressions. (2) Editing mathematical expressions simply. (3) Calculating mathematical expressions. (4) Outputting the answers(in different expressions). And the achievements:(1) Structured methods of editing of mathematical expressions. (2) Displaying mathematical expressions completely. (3) Calculating mathematical expressions precisely. (4) Offering answers in different expressions.

阿拉伯芥AtYAK1 基因5'UTR 中的開放讀序框(uORFs)對基因表現調控之探討

在模式植物──阿拉伯芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中,AtYAK1(Arabidopsis thaliana Yak1-related protein kinase)是目前發現唯一屬於DYRK(Dual specificity Yak1-Related protein Kinase)的蛋白激?。雖然之前研究已證明,不同物種之DYRKs 和細胞的生長與發育過程有關。然而,其在植物中的生理功能卻尚未被明確地研究報導過。在先前的研究中,為瞭解AtYAK1 在阿拉伯芥內作用之位置,前人選取AtYAK1 基因ATG 上游約2.5 kb 的序列(Upstream Element, 2.5KUSE)建構至一含有GUS(β-glucuronidase)報告基因的質體中,並轉形至阿拉伯芥,進行GUS 組織染色分析。但在初步結果中,並沒有在轉殖株觀察到明顯的GUS 表現。進一步分析,我們發現在2.5KUSE 序列末端約0.5 kb 的5’非轉譯區(5’untranslated region, 5’UTR)中,有四組開放讀序框(Upstream Open Reading Frame, uORF)。有趣的是,許多研究也顯示,uORFs 會影響轉譯過程中的再起始(re-initiation)作用而調控該基因的表現。另一方面,前人亦透過構築好的2KUSE 轉殖株(即不含有5’UTR)進行上述GUS 實驗。結果發現,此2KUSE 轉殖株的GUS 表現非常顯著。本實驗即要瞭解AtYAK1 的uORFs 是否也會影響其蛋白質的合成。首先,我們以點突變的方式將四組uORFs 中之ATG 換成TTG,目的為構築不含有uORFs 之5’UTR(mutated uORFs, ΔuORFs)。在進行原生質體短暫表現分析法(protoplast transient assay)及GUS 組織染色分析後,將結果與含有uORFs 的結果作比較:當缺乏uORFs 後,其3’端報告基因的表現量確實比原來顯著。綜合以上,我們認為此uORFs 對於AtYAK1 蛋白質之表現佔有相當重要的影響地位。最後,我們對5’非轉譯區是否存在開放讀序框進行阿拉伯芥全基因組分析,相關結果亦於本研究報告中分析討論。AtYAK1(Arabidopsis thaliana Yak1-related protein kinase)is the first DYRK(Dual specificity Yak1-Related protein Kinase ) family member identified in the model plant ─ Arabidopsis thaliana and exists as one copy gene in Arabidopsis. Previous studies showed that many eukaryotic DYRKs are involved in regulating the growth and development of cells. However, the study of AtYAK1 in Arabidopsis is lacking to date. In order to understand where AtYAK1 expresses and functions in plants, a 2.5 kb fragment which is located upstream from the major ATG of AtYAK1(termed Upstream Element, 2.5KUSE)was previously constructed to drive the expression of a reporter gene, GUS(β-glucuronidase), in transgenic Arabidopsis. Much to our surprise, no GUS expression signal could be detected in such transgenic plants. When further analyses were performed, we found that there are four upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in the 5’untranslated region ( 5’UTR ) within the 2.5KUSE. Many studies indicating that the uORFs can regulate the translation of downstream ORF encoding the major gene product through the procedure of translation re-initiation. This action represents a mode of translational regulation for gene expression. Indeed, GUS activity could be readily detected in transgenic plants expression 2KUSE::GUS, a construct lacking the 5’UTR of AtYAK1. In this study, I have tried to elucidate whether the uORFs of AtYAK1 can regulate the translation of the downstream major ORF. First, in order to construct a 5’UTR fragment of which uORFs have been mutated(ΔuORFs), we apply site-directed mutagenesis to substitute ATG with TTG for the four uORFs and examine the expression of GUS driven by this mutated 2.5KUSE. After analyzing the results in both Arabidopsis protoplast transient assay and transgenic Arabidopsis, stronger expression of reporter genes in both systems were observed when the four uORFs were mutated. We have also confirmed that, in transient expression system, the increase of reporter gene activity was not due to the excess accumulation of the corresponding mRNAs. Rather, it is the four uORFs which play an important role in negatively regulating the translation of AtYAK1, possibly via inhibiting the translation re-initiation of major ORF. A genome-wide examination of uORFs in all Arabidopsis genes was also performed to assess the possible contribution of uORF in regulating gene expression.

氣泡在黏滯性液體中的運動

本研究目的在探索不同大小之氣泡在不同黏滯性液體中運動情形。實驗結果發現大氣泡向上運動的速度較大,其下方會漸漸向內凹。並且觀察到氣泡間結合時的相互作用:氣泡在相同黏滯性膠水中上升時,若下方氣泡體積較大,其較快的速率會使距離縮短。此時小氣泡的下半向內凹,大氣泡的下半則向外呈現流線型尖端並且在接近小氣泡時速率增加,最後與小氣泡結合。若上方氣泡體積很小,與下方大氣泡的距離縮短至相互貼合,小氣泡會先停留在大氣泡的上半表面,再沿大氣泡表面下滑至大氣泡的下半才與大氣泡結合。This research traces the motions of bubble with different volume in viscid liquid. The experimental results show that the bigger bubble rises at faster speed. The shape of the small bubble is round. As the volume of the bubble increases, it turns hamburger-like. And if the bubble is big enough, its underside would be concaved. In viscid liquid, the speed of the bubble is not smooth but waved. The smaller the bubble is, the more the variation in speed is. The interaction of two bubbles is also studied. There are two types of the combination of two bubbles. While the big one closes to the small one, it is accelerated. The underside of the small one becomes concave. And the big one becomes streamline shape. If the difference in volume between two bubbles is significant, the small one slides along the surface of the big one, and goes into the concave beneath it, then combines with it.

大安水蓑衣(Hygrophila pogonocalyx)的復育對黑擬蛺蝶(Junonia iphita iphita)食性偏好??

大安水蓑衣(Hygrophila pogonocalyx)為局限分佈於臺中縣沿海溼地之稀有植物。大量境外復育栽殖後,造成近年來黑擬蛺蝶(Junonia iphita iphita)利用此種新寄主植物的比例增加。本實驗比較黑擬蛺蝶在原寄主植物臺灣馬藍(Strobilanthes formosanus)及新寄主植物大安水蓑衣上之生長環境遮蔽度、幼蟲生長發育、雌蝶產卵偏好的差異,探討大安水蓑衣復育對黑擬蛺蝶族群可能造成的影響。實驗結果發現利用大安水蓑衣之幼蟲生長發育較佳、羽化後成蟲體型較大、有效積溫常數較低。雌蝶產卵行為可能存在兩種偏好性,且子代雌蝶對寄主植物的偏好性與親代一致,不受幼蟲期取食植物影響。偏好新寄主植物之雌蝶其子代的生長發育,利用新寄主植物者顯著較利用原寄主植物者佳,顯示其對原寄主植物的適應顯著下降。本研究認為大安水蓑衣的復育結果,造成黑擬蛺蝶族群在可能共域的情況下,因為利用新的寄主植物可能已產生初步分化的現象。Hypgrophila pogonocalyx is a rare plant species which is distributed in wetlands along seashore of Taichung County. Recently, I found that the common butterfly Junonia iphita iphita recognized H. pogonocalyx as a new hostplant because of the restoration practices of H. pogonocalyx. We compared the differences of forest overstory coverage, larval growth performance and female oviposition preference between J. iphita iphita individuals exploiting the H. pogonocalyx and those utilizing the original hostplant Strobilanthes formosanus. Possible effects on J. iphita iphita by restoration of H. pogonocalyx are analyzed and discussed. It turns out that better growing performance and longer adult forewing length were found on the larvae feeding on H. pogonocalyx than those on the S. formosanus. Besides, the larvae feeding on H. pogonocalyx demonstrated lower constant value of effective accumulated temperature, suggesting that the new host may provide more energy to the larvae than the original host does. Two types of female oviposition preference seem to exist. No matter which hostplant the larvae fed on, the female adults still maintained the oviposition preference of the parental generation. Offspring of H. pogonocalyx-preferring female had better performance on this new hostplant. Our studies showed that the restoration of H. pogonocalyx might have caused primary differentiation of J. iphita iphita by using new hostplant in sympatry with the original hostplant.

星系團照妖鏡

我們藉由電腦模擬來研究宇宙微波背景輻射中之Sunyaev-Zel’dovich 效應,以探討星系團及宇宙的一些根本性質。重要的發現有: 以上的結果,將可在短期的未來直接應用在許多期待中的觀測結果上,以揭開星團的總質量、質量密度、以及宇宙中的黑暗能量等神祕面紗。 We study the important properties of the galaxy clusters and our universe by using numerical simulations for the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effect in the Cosmic Microwave Background. We found that: These results can be applied to the observations in the near future, in order to reveal the total mass of clusters, their mass density profile, and the dark energy of our universe.

DNA Detection by EGFET using GaN Nanowires Gate

DNA感測器近年來蓬勃發展,應用層面包括基因工程,醫學及藥物的開發等,然而目前較常使用的感測方法,需要繁瑣耗時的標定過程,且所使用的化學藥劑對環境容易造成傷害,鑒於以上方法的不完善處,我們決定設計一套新的感測系統,此研究結合了氮化鎵奈米線(GaN Nanowires)及延伸場效電晶體(EGFET)的優點,成功的發展出創新的DNA感測系統,氮化鎵奈米線的高生物匹配性及高感測面積,能有效提高靈敏度,延伸式場效電晶體的設計,史感測器具由免標定及時感測的特性,且易於組裝及操作,我們將探針DNA(probe DNA)修是在氮化鎵奈米線作為之延伸閘極上,由於DNA在中性水溶液中帶負電,且DNA之間具有強烈的互補特性,因此當目標DNA(target DNA)與探針DNA接合,形成雙股DNA,氮化鎵奈米線(閘極)的表面電位即會有所變化,並造成FET特性的改變,藉由此性質及能成功感測DNA,研究結果顯示,此研究所發展出的DNA感測器,愈有相當高的靈敏度(10-18),相較於其他以FET技術所設計出的DNA感測器,靈敏度提升了三個數量極,此外此感測器亦具有高選擇性,即使單一鹼基對的突變也能成功辨別;-hybridization based detection techniques are widely developed due to their promising applications in genetics, medicine and drug discovery. However, current DNA detection techniques based on labels or reagents are time-consuming, environmentally-harmful and complex to implement. In this study, we have successfully demonstrated a label-free extended-gate-field-effect-transistor (EGFET) sensor utilizing a GaN-nanowires electrode with DNA probes immobilized, capable of specific DNA sequence identification. The principle behind the design is based on the change in surface potential and charge transfer after hybridization. GaN nanowires, being bio-compatible, provide direct transfer path and high surface area, thus offer an unprecedented opportunity of DNA sensing with high sensitivity. In addition, our EGFET design facilitates easy assembly and operation of DNA detection. Comparative studies on complementary and non-complementary DNA were performed to verify the specificity of the sensor. By adapting GaN nanowires structure, the assay time of DNA was shorten to within thirty minutes. Moreover, our sensor displayed an ultra-high sensitivity in the level of attoM: three orders of magnitude higher in resolution than that of other FET-based DNA detection methods.

酒杯發出之音符

When you draw a wet finger around the edge of a half filled wine glass, a sweet musical sound comes forth. The pitch of this sound is directly correlated to the amount of liquid in the glass- the higher the height of the liquid is, the lower the frequency is. It means that the shorter the air column in the glass is, the lower the frequency is. This phenomenon differs from the variance in pitch in a wind instrument. In a wind instrument such as a flute, the shorter the air column in its chamber is, the higher the resulting pitches are. In order to study the wine glass phenomenon, we used a piezoelectric crystal loudspeaker connected to an oscilloscope. We recorded the resulting data by using a digital video recorder to capture the images of the waveform of sound, and than analyzed the waveform by using the computer. Our conclusions are as follows: 1. The frequency of sound thus produced was the same whether we draw our finger around the rim, or we strike the glass rim. The higher the height of the liquid is, the lower the frequency is. But the frequencies vary when we strike the glass and when we blow on the edge. 2. When we used a glass without liquid in it, the frequency emitted when we drew our finger around the edge, this frequency varied inversely as the cube root of their weights. 3. In a glass with liquid, the emitted frequency did not have any correlation to the weight of the contents. By taking two identically filled glasses and placing in each a solid object of the same size but different weight, we were able to see that there was no change in the frequency emitted between the two glasses as long as the height of the liquid remained constant. 4. According to “The Flying Circus of Physics”, if we tap the side of a glass of beer, because of the air bubbles in the beer, the frequency emitted will be lower than that from a glass of pure water. This is according to the book, because the speed of sound is lower in air than in water, therefore the speed of sound in an air-water mixture would be lower than in pure water. The resonant frequencies of the mixture will also be lower. However, in our experiment, we discovered that\r when the glass contained air bubbles, the frequency emitted higher. Our explanation is that the sound emitted since the rim of the glass oscillated transversely, the frequency depends only on the retard of the rim and that the frequency is independent of the speed of sound. The intention of this research is to clarify the many misconceptions of this interesting phenomenon.以溼的手指在玻璃酒杯邊緣摩擦,會有悅耳的聲音,而且頻率會隨著內裝液體減少(空氣柱變長)而變高,這種變化與管樂器隨空氣柱的變長而音調變低不同,為了研究它的原因,我們利用壓電晶片喇叭連接到示波器上,並且利用數位錄影機錄下示波器上的訊號,再以電腦分析出瞬間的頻率,結果發現:一、摩玻璃杯與敲玻璃杯,杯所發出之頻率相同,都是所裝液體愈多發出之頻率愈低。但敲玻璃管與吹玻璃管所發出之頻率不同。二、不裝液體之高腳杯,摩擦時所發出之頻率與重量之立方根成反比。(與鐘相同)\r 三、裝液體之高腳杯發出之頻率,不再與總重量有關,而是與液體之高度有關,保持液體高度不變,即使在杯子中央加入不同重量之固體,杯子振動頻率還是不變。若改裝不同密度之液體,則密度愈大頻率愈低。四、在“The Flying Circus of Physics”書中提到輕敲裝有啤酒之杯時,會因杯中含有氣泡而聽到較低之音調,書中解釋是”空氣中之音速低於水中之音速,混有空氣之水中音速變低,其共振頻率也會降低。”但我們的實驗結果是有氣泡時頻率反而高。我們的解釋是杯子所發出之聲音是由於杯面之振動也就是杯壁的橫向振盪,振盪頻率與液體對杯壁之阻尼有關,但與液中聲速無關,密度愈大之液體阻尼愈大。有氣泡時接觸杯壁之液體變少,阻尼較少所以頻率高。希望本研究能使大多數人對這有趣之現象不再有誤解。