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Raul Carrillo
Dr. Guenzel
ENC 1102-14
February 24, 2014
Research Dossier: Nanotechnology
Dossier Introduction
It is not hard to imagine the vast number of applications that the ability to manipulate the most
basic building blocks of matter would have. Although nanotechnology did not take root until the turn of
the century, advances in this field since then have life-changing implications. Microscopic robots and
cameras, human enhancement, all these are just the beginning of what research in nanotechnology has
discovered. So why do we not see examples of these inventions in our everyday life? While researching
this question, I discovered that the progress of nanotechnology walks a very fine line. This field gives
humans the ability to rearrange the world in a way that satisfies them. The issues that this brings up
cannot be taken light-heartedly. There is a price to be paid for this state- of-the-art technology, and since
it is only at its infancy, knowing what that price is hard to determine.
The growth of this line of study is no secret. Research shows that the number of patents relating
to nanotechnology increases by over 30 percent every year since 2000. However, just because the
knowledge of nanotechnology is expanding, it does not mean it is becoming any more popular. Although
its acceptance is stunted by a number of problems, the answer is not out of reach. The truth is we live in a
macroscopic world. Humans do not think about life at the microscopic level, so it is hard to envision how
people would react in a world where nanotechnology was as common as for example, cellular devices.
This is where most of the ethical issues arise surrounding nanotechnology. Even though strict regulations
are already in place to limit the use of this technology and solve some of these issues, an alternative
method to help in the advancement of nanotechnology and resolve solve of these problems would be to
increase the education of this field. Having components that are invisible to the naked eye having such
large effects on everything from the environment to human health can be hard to imagine, but bringing
nanotechnology into the classrooms at an early age would help in preparing the next generation of
students to become more accustomed to this idea. Not only would this help in accepting the concept of
nanotechnology in everyday life, it will also spark interest of students at an early age which could
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potentially lead to an increase in the study of nanotechnology, therefore increasing the number of
professionals in this field.
Nanotechnology will continue to grow, both in knowledge and industry. The setbacks that it has
might slow down this growth process, however it is impossible deny the global impact it will one day
have. In order for this technology to reach its maximum potential, it must first be accepted by the general
public. This acceptance will only happen if people are educated in the basic principles of nanotechnology,
the benefits and risks it entails, and the bright future that this technology has. What better way to begin
this education than by incorporating it into school programs, instilling a sense of what future technology
holds at an early age.
Research Map
Research Questions:
Why nanotechnology education is vital to the growth of this technology
Key Words:
Nanotechnology, nanoscience, benefits, education, history, risks, ethical issues
Research Type:
Internet, Library, Interviews
February
March
April
Library Instruction 2/7
Begin Draft 2/8,2/15
Workshop Draft 2/24
Reasearch Dossier
2/26
Rhetorical Work.
Draft 3/14
Rhetorical Analysis
3/21
1st Draft Research
3/31
Conferences 4/7
3rd Workshop Draft
4/16
Presentations 4/18
Annotated Bibliography
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Abuelma'atti, M.T., "Nanotechnolgy: Benefits, risks and ethical issues," GCC
Conference & Exhibition, 2009 5th IEEE , vol., no., pp.1,5, 17-19 March 2009.
This article does a good job of covering the different perspectives surrounding
nanotechnology. It provides a brief review of what nanotechnology covers, its
current uses, and its potential uses. The potential adverse effects of this technology
are then discussed.
Very good examples of health risks are shown, as well as research to support
the claims of these risks.
Jang-Long Lin; Horng, L.; Yu-Tai Shih; Jong-Ching Wu; Yu-Der Wen; ChunChuan Chang; Fu-Mei Lin, "Construction of concepts and proposition statements in
high school nanotechnology curriculum," Nanotechnology (IEEE-NANO), 2011 11th
IEEE Conference on , vol., no., pp.953,957, 15-18 Aug. 2011.
This article gives a model for what high school nanotechnology curriculum
could look like. It gathers the opinions of experts in nanotechnology, education, and
high school teachers. The objectives of the curriculum are described, followed by the
potential effects that this education can have on the perception of nanotechnology.
Jungwon Lee; Jungil Lee; Yoonsuhn Chung, "Societal and ethical issues in
nanotechnology," Nanotechnology (IEEE-NANO), 2010 10th IEEE Conference on , vol.,
no., pp.1201,1204, 17-20 Aug. 2010.
This article discusses the problems that occur with the applications of nanotechnology.
Issues vary from economic to personal problems that can rise from the mainstreaming of this
technology.
The information in this article is backed up by studies in Japan and Korea that
demonstrate the effects of nanotechnology in a controlled environment.
Pelleg, B.; Figueroa, M.; VanKouwenberg, M.; Fontecchio, A.; Fromm, E.,
"Implementing nanotechnology education in the high school classroom," Frontiers in
Education Conference (FIE), 2011 , vol., no., pp.F4D-1,F4D-6, 12-15 Oct. 2011.
This article covers a study in which high school students of a magnet high
school took an elective course on the basics of nanotechnology. The results of this
study show that students respond well when introduced to this technology. The
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focus of this study was to show that normal high school curriculum can still be met
while also inserting a nanotechnology course.
Results from this study came from surveys given to the students, as well as
from tests given to check the understanding of the material.
Roco, M.C., "Nanotechnology progress and future opportunities: 2000–
2020," Nanotechnology (IEEE-NANO), 2010 10th IEEE Conference on , vol., no., pp.11,12, 1720 Aug. 2010.
This article describes the focus of nanotechnology during the first ten years of the 21st
century. It provides details of the regulations and limits that have risen since nanotechnology
first broke ground. It also describes where nanotechnology is projected to be in the next ten
years.
This article shows how far nanotechnology has come, providing information
accompanied by graphs to show the growth of nanotechnology throughout recent years.