GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society

Student Activity Sheet

Lesson #15

Lesson title: The Nano World Materials:

Student Activity Sheets, ballpen
Lesson Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. Define and describe Nanotechnology. References:
2. Identify the possible impacts of nanotechnology to health, Serafica, Janice Patria J. et al.
environment and society. (2018). Science, Technology and
Society. 1st Ed. Philippines
1.
Online Materials:
https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-
101/what/definition

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
1) Introduction (2 mins)
Welcome our dear students to our new lesson for this day. We will deal with Nanotechnology. How small is nano-
small? We will continue to explore the effect of technology as we were done discussing about Information Age
during our previous meetings. Stay connected!

B.MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 1: Content Notes (13 mins)

Nanotechnology is the convergence of science, technology, and engineering where the observation,
characterization, design, and controlled fabrication of materials and devices are at the scale of less than 100 nanometers (1
nanometer = 10-9 m). The ideas and concepts behind nanoscience and nanotechnology started with a talk entitled “There’s
Plenty of Room at the Bottom” by physicist Richard Feynman (the father of nanotechnology) at an American Physical
Society meeting at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) on December 29, 1959, long before the term
nanotechnology was used. In his talk, Feynman described a process in which scientists would be able to manipulate and
control individual atoms and molecules. Over a decade later, in his explorations of ultraprecision machining, Professor
Norio Taniguchi coined the term nanotechnology. It wasn't until 1981, with the development of the scanning tunneling
microscope that could "see" individual atoms, that modern nanotechnology began. There are two fundamental approaches
to NANOMANUFACTURING:

1. Bottom-up fabrication – it manufactures products by building them up from atomic- and molecular-scale components.
However, this method can be time-consuming. Scientists and engineers are still in search for effective ways of putting
up together molecular components that self-assemble and from the bottom-up
organized structures.

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 GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson #15

2. Top-down fabrication – it trims down large pieces of materials into nanoscale. This process needs larger amounts of
materials and discards excess raw materials.

Concept graphic organizer

Nanotechnology

Nanoscale

Nanomedicine,
Nanoelectronics,
etc.

Health,
Environment and
Society

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 GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson #15

Nanotechnology is already making today’s products, such as:

Medieval stained Lighter, stronger, Transparent Sunscreen: Nanoplex biomarker detection:

glass windows faster, smaller and conductive coating: provide broad- robust, ultrasensitive, highly-
more durable photographic film, spectrum UV multiplexed biomarker
touchscreen protection

BENEFITS AND CONCERNS OF THE APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

Example of Areas
Affected by Possible Benefits Concerns
Nanotechnology
 Improved detection and removal of  High reactivity and toxicity
contaminants  Pervasive distribution in the
Environment  Development of benign industrial environment
processes and materials  No nano-specific EPA regulation

 Ability to cross cell membranes and

Health  Improved medicine translocate in the body
 No FDA approval needed for cosmetics
or supplements
 Redistribution of wealth
Economy  Better products  Potential cost of cleanups and
 New jobs healthcare
 Accessibility to all income levels

2) Activity 2: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (18 mins + 2 mins checking)

Directions: Read the article below. Determine the advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology to the society.

What is the Societal Impact of Nanotechnology? (By Meet A. Moradiya September 18, 2018)
The societal impacts of new technologies are easy to identify but hard to measure or predict. Nanotechnology will
have significant social impacts in the following areas:

Military applications. A high proportion of nanotechnology research is sponsored by the military and thus focused
towards military applications. The potential military applications include nanorobotics, magnetorheological fluid (MRF),
artificial intelligence and molecular manufacturing. The advanced developments in the military technology may have
implications for societal and political relations within the community. Modern defense armies are protected from today’s
civilian threats in a way that never had before. It is likely that nanotechnology will further widen the gap between the means
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 GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson #15

of political violence available to the military and those available to the civilian population. The advancement of
nanotechnology might contribute to terrorism, as it can exacerbate existing trends towards asymmetric warfare. If the
military forces of the industrialized world become more difficult to attack and defeat due to nanotechnology, this may force
those involved in the war with them to adopt new strategies, including sabotage and attacks on civilian and other targets.
The enhancement of military application in nanotechnology may thus indirectly increase the occurrence of terrorist attacks
in the future.

Intellectual property issues. The patent attorney must establish uniqueness and obviousness in the process of
nanotechnology patent application. A patent examiner may state that a nanostructured product lacks novelty because the
relevant nanostructure material was present in an existing product, even though the nanostructure material was not
recognized. Pundits have warned that the resulting patent creates an adverse effect in progress in technology and have
argued that there should be held patents on "basic" nanotechnologies. IBM hold an early and basic patent on single-wall
CNT which can identify as one of the most significant patents that could have an impact on the future development of
nanotechnology. CNT have great potential to replace major conventional raw materials. However, as their application
expands, anyone manufactures or sell CNT, no matter what the uses, must first buy a license from IBM.

Effect on employment. The nanotechnology impact on labor is in its use of particular factors of production. During the
improvement of nanotechnology, firms are likely to have high demands for the scientists, engineers, and technicians who
have to build and integrate the new ideas into processes and products. In addition, there is a need for supporting labor
services, which creates career opportunities. Nanotechnology is likely to have even less impact on labor market inequalities.
This is because most of us not need literate in nanotechnologies any more than we are literate about computer circuit design.
The balance between the citizens and governments. The nanotechnology can be expected to concentrate political power
in the hands of governments. Nanotechnology can be expected to be applied to further miniaturize and advance surveillance
technologies such as cameras, listening devices, tracking devices, and face and pattern recognition systems. The
improvements in the field of electronics and computer memory that nanotechnology makes possible capacity of government
to collect, store, and examine data. Developments in nanotechnology, can therefore, be expected to increase significantly
the ability of governments to keep track of their citizen.

(Source: https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4992)

Tabulate your answer here:

Advantages of Nanotechnology Disadvantages of Nanotechnology

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 GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson #15

3) Activity 3: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

Directions: Complete the table below.

Characteristic Definition

NANOTECHNOLOGY

Example Impacts (Health, Environment and Society)

C. LESSON WRAP-UP

Activity 4: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)

Directions: Summarize the topic into one sentence that incorporates all of who/what/when/where/why/how creatively.
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FAQ
1.What is nanotechnology in simple words?
Ans. Nanotechnology is a part of science and technology about the control of matter on the atomic and molecular scale -
this means things that are about 100 nanometres across. Nanotechnology includes making products that use parts this
small, such as electronic devices, catalysts, sensors, etc.

2.What is nanotechnology and its application?

Ans. Nanotechnology is being used in developing countries to help treat disease and prevent health issues. The umbrella
term for this kind of nanotechnology is Nanomedicine. ... In industry, applications may include construction materials,
military goods, and nano-machining of nano-wires, nano-rods, few layers of graphene, etc.

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KEY TO CORRECTIONS
{*Teacher lists answers to activities #2 (+) and #3
** give answer key for quizzes in Teachers’ Guides only
***This can be a rubric for open-ended activities.}

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