Science, Technology, and Society

MODULE 4: Specific Issues in Science, Technology, and Society

Module Overview:
This module contains the development of new technological tools that greatly improve different
aspects of our lives. The use of nanoscale is one important interdisciplinary area generated by
advancements in science and technology. Scientists and engineers were able to build materials with
innovative properties as they manipulate nanomaterials. Indeed, research and application of knowledge
on nanomaterials will continue to bring widespread implications in various areas of society, especially
health care, environment, energy, food, water, and agriculture.

Module Outline:

Lesson 1: The NanoWorld

Lesson 2: The Aspects of Gene Therapy

Lesson 3: Climate Change

Lesson 1: The NanoTechnology

Learning Outcomes:
a. Define what nanotechnology is.
b. Explain the status and major impacts of nanotechnology on society in the
Philippines.

Nanotechnology refers to the science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale,
which is about 1 to 100 nanometers (NNI, 2017). Nanoscience and nanotechnology employ the study
and application of exceptionally small things in other areas of science including materials science,
engineering, physics, biology, and chemistry (NNI, 2017).
Manipulation of nanomaterials needs an adept understanding of their types and dimensions. The
various types of nanomaterials are Classified according to their individual shapes and sizes. They may
be Particles, tubes, wires, films, flakes, or shells that have one or more nanometer-sized dimensions.
One should be able to view and manipulate them so that We can take advantage of their exceptional
characteristics.
How to View Nanomaterials
Scientists use special types of microscopes to view minute nanomaterials. During the early 1930s,
scientists used electron microscopes and field microscopes to look at the nanoscale. The scanning
tunneling microscope and atomic force microscope are just among the modem and remarkable
advancements in microscopy.
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1. Electron microscope
German engineers Ernst Ruska and Max Knoll built the first electron microscope during the 1930s. This
type of microscope utilizes a particle beam of electrons to light up a specimen and develop a well-
magnified image. Electron microscopes produce higher and better resolution than older light
microscopes because they can magnify objects up to a million times while conventional light
microscopes can magnify objects up to 1,500 times only. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and
transmission electron microscope (TEM) are the two general types of an electron microscope.
2. Atomic force microscope (AFM)
It was first developed by Gerd Binig, Calvin Quate, and Christoph Gerber in 1986. It makes use of a
mechanical prébe that gathers information from the surface of a material.
3. Scanning tunneling microscope
This special type of microscope enables scientists to view and manipulate nanoscale particles, atoms,
and small molecules. In 1986, Gerd Binig and Heinrich Rohrer won the Nobel Prize in Physics because
of this invention.

Nanomanufacturing
It refers to scaled-up, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing of nanoscale materials, structures,
devices, and systems. It also involves research, improvement, and incorporation of processes for the
construction of materials. Therefore, nanomanufacturing leads to the development of new products and
improved materials. There are two fundamental approaches to nanomanufacturing, either bottom-up or
top-down (NNI. 2017):

l. 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 of effective ways of
putting up together molecular components that self-assemble and from the bottom-up to organized
structures.
2. Top-down fabrication
It trims down large pieces of materials into the nanoscale. This process needs larger amounts of
materials and discards excess raw materials.

There are new approaches to the assembly of nanomaterials based on the application of principles in
top-down and bottom-up fabrication. These include:

 Dip pen lithography -It is‗ a method in which the tip of an atomic force microscope is "dipped" into
a chemical fluid and then utilized to ―write" on a surface, like an old-fashioned ink pen onto paper.

 Self-assembly - It depicts an approach wherein a set of components join together to mold an

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organized structure of components join it depicts an approach wherein a set on the absence of an
outside direction.
 Chemical vapor deposition - It is a procedure wherein chemicals act in response in response to a
form of very pure, high-performance films.

 Nanoimprint lithography - It is a method of generating a ‖stamping" or "printing" them onto a

surface.

 Molecular beam epitaxy - It is one manner for depositing extremely controlled thin films.
 Roll-to-roll processing - It is a high-volume practice for constructing nanoscale devices on a roll
of ultrathin plastic or metal.

 Atomic layer epitaxy - It is a means for laying down one-atom-thick layers on a surface.

With the use of these techniques, nanomaterials are made more durable, stronger, lighter, water-
repellent, ultraviolet or infrared resistant, scratch-resistant, electrically conductive, antireflective, antifog,
antimicrobial, self-cleaning, among others. The above-mentioned characteristics lead to the
manufacture of the present variety of nanotechnology-enabled products such as tennis rackets and
baseball bats to catalysts for purifying crude oil and ultrasensitive recognition and classification of
biological and chemical toxins.
It is not impossible that in the near future, computers that are better, more efficient, with larger storage
of memory, faster, and energy saving will be developed. Soon, the entire memory of a computer will be
saved in a single tiny chip. Moreover, nanotechnology has the potential to construct high-efficiency,
low-cost batteries, and solar cells.

Image Source: Nanotechnology&sxsrf=Alekko28_No_VuldtesSF41QqF8SvMszslw:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.azonano.com%2Farticle.aspx%3F
ArticleID%3D4992&psig=AOvVaw1r8tKxhRYfmY-
Uv2fQWUsw&ust=1627176704547000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCKjM7Ob

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Distinct Features of Nanoscale

Nanotechnology involves operating at a very small dimension and it allows scientists to make use of the
exceptional optical, chemical, physical, mechanical, and biological qualities of materials of that small
scale (NNI, 2017). The following are distinct features of nanoscale:

1. Scale at which much biology occurs.

Various activities of the cells take place at the nanoscale. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) serves as
the genetic material of the cell and is only about 2 nanometers in diameter. Furthermore, the
hemoglobin that transports oxygen to the tissues throughout the body is 5.5 nanometers in diameter. A
good number of modern researches focus on advancing procedures, therapies, tools, and treatments
that are more accurate and custom-made than traditional methods and cause no adverse effects on the
body. An example of this is the bio-barcode assay, which is a fairly inexpensive approach for the
identification of specific disease markers in the blood despite their small number in a particular
specimen.

2. Scale at which quantum effects dominate properties of materials.

Particles with dimensions of 1-100 nanometers have properties that are significantly discrete from
particles of bigger dimensions. Quantum effects direct the behavior and properties of particles in this
size scale. The properties of materials are highly dependent on their size. Among the essential
properties of nanoscale that change as a function of size include chemical reactivity, fluorescence,
magnetic permeability, melting point, and electrical conductivity.
One example is the nanoscale gold, which is not only the yellow-colored element we are used to
seeing but it can also appear red or purple. Gold‘s electrons display restricted motion in the nanoscale.
Practically, nanoscale gold particles selectively build up in tumors, where they permit both precise
imaging and targeted laser destruction of the tumor while avoiding damage to healthy cells.

3. Nanoscale materials have far larger surface areas than similar ' masses of larger-scale
materials.
As we increase the surface area per mass of a particular material, a greater amount of the material
comes in contact with another material and can affect its reactivity.
If 1 cubic centimeter is filled with micrometer-sized cubes-a trillion (1012) of them, each with a
surface area of 6 square micrometers-the total surface area amounts to 6 square meters, or about the
area of the main bathroom in an average house. When that single cubic centimeter of volume is filled
with nanometer-sized cubes-1021 of them, each with an area of 6 square nanometers-their total
surface area comes to 6,000 square meters.

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Government Funding for Nanotechnology in Different Countries (Dayrit, 2005)

1. the US. National Nanotechnology Initiative - The best-known and most-funded program is the '
National Nanotechnology Initiative of the United States. The NNI was established in 2001 to coordinate
the US. federal nanotechnology R&D. The NNI budget in 2008 and 2009 were $1.4 billion and $1.5
billion, respectively. Eur0pean Commission In February 2008, the EC officially launched the European
Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council (ENIAC).
2. Japan (Nanotechnology Research Institute, under the National Institute for Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology, AIST)
3. Taiwan (Taiwan National Science and Technology Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology)
4. India (Nanotechnology Research and Education Foundation) China (National Center for
Nanoscience and Technology)
5. Israel (Israel National Nanotechnology Initiative)
6. Australia (Australian Office of Nanotechnology)
7. Canada (National Institute for Nanotechnology or NINT)

8. South Korea (Korea National Nanotechnology Initiative)

9. Thailand (National Nanotechnology Center or NANOTEC)

10. Malaysia (National Malaysia Nanotechnology Initiative. NNI)

Possible Applications of Nanotechnology in the Philippines (Dayrit, 2005)

1. CT and semiconductors

2. Health and medicine

3. Energy

4. Food and agriculture

5. Environment
Nanotech Roadmap for the Philippines (funded by PCAS-TRD-DOST)
1. ICT and semiconductors 5. Agriculture and food

2. Health and biomedical 6. 'Héalth and environmental risk

3. Energy 7. Nano-metrology
4. Environment 8. Education and public awareness

Benefits and Concerns of Using Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology has various applications in different sectors: the society and environment. Salamanca-
Buentello et al. (2005) proposed an initiative called ―Addressing Global Challenges Using
Nanotechnology‖ to accelerate the use of nanotechnology to address critical sustainable development

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challenges. They suggested a model that could help figure out the possible contributions of the
community in overcoming global challenges that pose risks to health and other aspects of peoples‘
lives. However, there are concerns that need to be addressed before using and promoting materials
derived from nanotechnology (Dayrit, 2005).
l. Nanotechnology is not a single technology; it may become pervasive.
2. Nanotechnology seeks to develop new materials with specific properties.
3. Nanotechnology may introduce new efficiencies and paradigms which may make some natural
resources and current practices uncompetitive or obsolete.
4. It may be complicated to detect its presence unless one has the specialist tools of nanotechnology.
Benefits and Concerns of the Application of Nanotechnology in Different Areas.

Areas affected by Possible Benefits Concerns

Nanotechnology

Environment  Improved detection and removal of  High reactivity and toxicity

contaminants  Pervasive distribution in the
 Development of benign industrial environment.
processes and materials  No nano-specific EPA
regulation

Health  Improved medicine  Ability to cross cell

membranes and translocate
in the body.

 No FDA approval is needed

for cosmetics or supplements

Economy  Better products  Redistribution of wealth

 New Jobs  The potential cost of cleanups

and health care.

 Accessibility to all income

levels.

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Work Sheets

Name: Date :

Course & Section:

No Answer (no pt.) Needs Improvement Adequate (6 pt.) Quality (8 pt.) Exemplary(10 pt)
(4 pts)
Did not answer the Answers are partial Answers are not Answers are Answers are
question. or incomplete. Key comprehensive or accurate and comprehensive,
points are not clear. completely stated. complete. Key accurate, and
Question not Key points are points are stated complete. Key ideas
adequately addressed, but not and supported. are clearly stated,
answered. well supported. explained, and well
supported.
Activity 4.1a: Essay (10 points)
Define nanotechnology in your own words.

Activity 4.1b: Essay

Explain the status and major impacts of nanotechnology on society in the Philippines.

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Work Sheets
Name: Date :
Course & Section:

No Answer (no pt.) Needs Improvement Adequate (6 pt.) Quality (8 pt.) Exemplary(10 pt)
(4 pts)
Did not answer the Answers are partial Answers are not Answers are Answers are
question. or incomplete. Key comprehensive or accurate and comprehensive,
points are not clear. completely stated. complete. Key accurate, and
Question not Key points are points are stated complete. Key ideas
adequately addressed, but not and supported. are clearly stated,
answered. well supported. explained, and well
supported.
Independent Learning 4.1: Reflective Essay (10 points)
Make a reflective essay about the status of Nanotechnology in the Philippines and explain the major
impacts on society.

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