CRITERION D RESEARCH TASK
Application of Nanotechnology
High-resolution image of a
polymer-silicate nanocomposite. This
material has improved thermal,
mechanical, and barrier properties and
can be used in food and beverage
containers, fuel storage tanks for aircraft
and automobiles, and in aerospace
components. (Image courtesy of NASA.)
Source: Nano technology
https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/wha
t/definition
REFLECTING ON THE IMPACT OF SCIENCE
What is nanoscience?
Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study
and application of extremely small things (in
nanoscale) and can be used across all the other
science fields, such as chemistry, biology,
physics, materials science, and engineering.
Facts
● 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.
● Professor Norio Taniguchi coined the term
nanotechnology.
Source: “Nano technology”
https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition
Fun Facts
● There are 25,400,000 nanometers in an inch
● A sheet of newspaper is about 100,000
nanometers thick
● On a comparative scale, if a marble were a
nanometer, then one meter would be the size
of the Earth
Source: “Nano technology”
https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition
APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS2Y8VxMlE
Final Product
Your work should be presented either as a:
●
●
●
Essay with 1200 - 1600 words
Website with less words but
images/graphics/statistics/…
Digital Poster
DUE DATE: Thursday, 23rd September
In this task you need to:
1. Identify an existing issue that can be solved with
nanotechnology.
2. Provide a scientific explanation of using nanotechnology to
address the specific problem you have chosen.
3. Discuss and evaluate the implication of using
nanotechnology and how the solution interacts with a
factor (choose one of the mentioned factors: ethical,
social, economical, political, cultural or environmental).
4. Apply scientific language effectively.
5. Document the sources of information used appropriately
(in-text citation and bibliography in MLA format .
How to structure your essay
Paragraph 1 - Introduction
Describe the issue briefly (⅓ of a page)
● Identify a problem that can be solved by the
application of nanotechnology.
● Explain why nanotechnology is the best solution to
solve the specific problem.
Remember: This section is not part of the grading
criterion; however, this is an important part which will
help you to establish the goal of your essay.
How to structure your essay
Paragraph 2 - Body
Explain ONE way in which Science has addressed to
solve the problem of your choice:
● Explain the scientific principle behind
nanotechnology.
● Discuss how nanotechnology is used to solve the
chosen problem.
Before making your choice, think about to which
factor for implications (ethical, social, economical,
political, cultural or environmental) you can possibly
connect this solution.
How to structure your essay
Paragraph 3 & 4 - Body
Discuss and evaluate how the scientific solution
you have described in the previous paragraph
interacts with one of the factors:
ethical, social, economical, political, cultural or
environmental:
• Paragraph 3: Strength/benefits
• Paragraph 4: Weaknesses/limitations
Both paragraphs need to be supported with
evidence (data/statistics).
How to structure your essay
Paragraph 5 - Conclusion
●
●
Summary of the main points
Course of action for the future
IMPORTANT:
Make sure to apply scientific language!
How to structure your essay
Bibliography
• Document all sources in MLA format
• List of sources in alphabetical order
• Include in-text citation: Every paraphrase
(sentence/paragraph) or every piece of information
that was researched and is not considered common
knowledge needs an in-text citation!
• Easybib
• MLA format
Criterion D - Strand 1
Criterion D - Strand 2
Criterion D - Strand 3 & 4