NANOTECHNOLOGY
IN
CONSUMER EDUCATION
KEY TERMS
 MEMS – three dimensional objects that perform a
mechanical function, whose dimensions are between
1 to 100 micrometers
 Nanoparticle – a particle of material at the nanoscale
 Nanotechnology – a material or structure
purposefully manufactured with dimensions
between 1 and 100 nanometers to leverage the
unique properties it has at that size
Inertial sensors – can detect and measure
acceleration, tilt, shock, vibration, rotation, and
multiple degrees-of-freedom (DoF) motion, and
enable a wide range of market-differentiating
industrial, medical, communications, consumer
and automotive applications.
http://www.analog.com/en/sensors/inertial-sensors/products/index.html
Gyro sensor –A gyro sensor is a measurement
device. Its uses include calculating angle and
rotation speed and controlling position. The
term "gyro" refers to a "ring" or "rotation“
http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/wiimotionplus/vol1_page1.jsp
 OLED – An organic light emitting diode (OLED) is a
light-emitting diode (LED) in which the emissive
electroluminescent layer is a film of organic
compounds which emit light in response to an
electric current. This layer of organic semiconductor
material is situated between two electrodes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oled
 Silicon Microphone - are more compact than
traditional microphone systems because they
capture sound and convert it to a digital signal on the
same chip.
 Carbon Nanotubes - (also known as buckytubes) are
allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure.
Nanotubes have been constructed with length-todiameter ratio of up to 132,000,000:1,[1] which is
significantly larger than any other material.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_nanotube
 MEMS Accelerometer - MEMS accelerometers detect
and measure motion, vibration, rotational spinning
or sliding, and gravitational acceleration.
 Silver ion – technically speaking, a silver ion is an
atom of silver that is missing one electron
www.silver-collids.com
 MyVu - refers to a product family of wearable video
display glasses released by Myvu Corporation
proving increased viewing usability and portability
for users
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myvu
UNIT OBJECTIVES
1. Why nanotechnology?
2. Identify technological advances in history.
3. Describe how cell phones use
nanotechnology.
4. Identify nanotechnology in digital cameras
and camcorders.
5. Discuss nanotechnology in computers.
6. Name ways nanotechnology is integrated in
printer paper.
7. Describe nanotechnology in gaming.
8. Identify ways nanotechnology is used in
subwoofers.
9. Discuss nanotechnology in televisions.
10. Describe nanotechnology integration in toys.
11.Name ways nanotechnology is used in MyVu.
12.Describe the impact of nanotechnology use
in segways.
13.Identify nanotechnology in Wii Motion Plus.
14. List expected salaries for skilled
nanotechnology workers.
15.List Oklahoma schools offering courses in
nanotechnology.
WHY NANOTECHNOLOGY?
Cell phones, ipads, and ipods play such an
integral part of our lives.
How did we ever communicate, entertain, or
even survive without them?
Today’s consumer electronics are modern
conveniences, but their technological roots
are ancient
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES TIMELINE
• 1826 – First photographic image taken with a
camera
• 1951 – First computer sold commercially
• 1962 – First computer game invented
• 1977 – First cell phone demonstrated
• 1981 – First laptop computer sold
• 1984 – First digital camera demonstrated
• 1994 – World Wide Web is born
CELL PHONES
• MEMS help cell phones
work more efficiently as
they switch between
different cell phone bands
and internal functions
• MEMS microphones made
their move into cell phones
as a higher-quality
replacement to the
condenser electrets
microphones currently used
http://www.phonecasestore.com/iPhone_3g_Case_iPhone_3
G_S_cases_accessories_online_s/3.htm
• Cell phones use
nanotechnology for
pedometers, texting,
and games
• Cell phones have an
anti-microbial coating
http://www.recyclersofoklahoma.com/services
• Cell phones use OLEDs
consisting of three
layers. It has a layer of
plastic or glass which
removes electrons
when current flows
through it, a layer that
emits light, and another
that injects electrons
when current flows
through it.
• The movement of
electrons through
these layers is what
creates light. The entire
structure is 100 to 500
nanometers thick.
DIGITAL CAMERAS AND CAMCORDERS
• MEMS inertial sensors
are used for image
orientation and
stabilization.
• Use of gyro sensors
detect and compensate
for camera shake in
camera
http://miniandminiall.blogspot.com/2011/03/jvcgrd230-minidv-digital-camcorder.html?amp
COMPUTERS
• MEMS device called a
silicon microphone is
being used in
computers
• Cooling fans used in
computers are coated
with carbon nanotubes
in order to reduce heat
http://buy-notebook.net/tag/computer-notebook/
PRINTER PAPER
• Nanotechnology plays a big
role in paper production.
Kodak’s Ultima Photo Paper
with COLORLAST technology
has 9 layers of ceramic
nanoparticles and other
coating materials that make
it far more resistant to heat,
humidity, light, and ozone.
As a result, the photos
won’t fade nearly as fast
and will last for more than
100 years.
www.officemax.com
GAMING
• Nintendo uses a MEMS
accelerometer sensor
built right inside the
game cartridge making
it an integral part of
game play.
http://www.jjmehta.com/products/nintendowii_console.html
SUBWOOFER
• MEMS accelerometers
are used in subwoofers
to measure and correct
for sound distortion.
http://www.subwoofersforsale.net/
TELEVISIONS
• MEMS inertial sensors
allow you to navigate
through on-screen
menus through pointing
and clicking.
http://www.electronicempire.co.uk/televisions/3d-tvs/lg-50px990-50-full-hd-600hz-3d-plasma-tv
TOYS
• Nanotechnology is
finding its way into
toys. Stuffed animals
are filled with memory
foam which is infused
with silver
nanoparticles to keep
them germ-free.
http://meghan-mccarthy.com/fair_stuffedanimals.html
MyVu
• MyVu relies on the use
of a tiny MEMS mirror
to project an image.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/travel/video-glasses.htm
SEGWAY SMART MOTION
• Segways have a cluster of
MEMS gyro sensors and
accelerometers to
provide balance just like
you are walking.
• The internal sensors
detect shifts in movement
and then make the
necessary adjustments to
maintain balance.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/0355
3.html
WII MOTION PLUS
• Wii Motion Plus, like in
the Wii Resort, uses a
gyro sensor to help
detect movement along
six different axes, such
as rotation and twist.
http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/09/03/black_wii_motion_plus/images/
2132390771/
 Nanotechnology is a young and growing field
 An estimated two million skilled nanotechnology
workers will be needed worldwide by the year
2015 – one million of them in the U.S.
 Graduates are receiving salary offers up to
$55,000 per year with a two-year degree
 Graduates with a baccalaureate degree can
expect salary offers up to $65,000 per year
 Students who choose to continue their education
can expect salary offers of $100,000
OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS OFFERING
COURSES
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma University
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa University
REFERENCES
•
•
•
•
www.azonano.com
http://www.digitivity.com/articles/2008/08/applications-of-nanotechnology
http://www.nanowerk.com/news
http://www.understandingnano.com
•
Richard Booker and Earl Boysen, Nanotechnology for Dummies, Indianapolis,
Indiana, 2005.
Marlene Bourne, A Consumer’s Guide to MEMS and Nanotechnology, Scottsdale,
AZ, 2007.
•
This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the
basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a PowerPoint presentation,
discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable.
The series was funded in part by:
The National Science Foundation
Grant DUE-0702976
and the
Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science
Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.