Nanotechnology and
Just-in-Time Education
Akhlesh LakhtakiaDepartment of Engineering Science and Mechanics
Pennsylvania State University
IWC Forum
Iowa Wesleyan College
Mt. Pleasant, IA
April 2, 2009
Nanotechnology and
Just-in-Time Education
Akhlesh LakhtakiaDepartment of Engineering Science and Mechanics
Pennsylvania State University
April 2, 2009
Iowa Wesleyan College
Mt. Pleasant, IA
Nanotechnology for Researchers
George Smith (Oxford University):
Nano “comes from the verb which means
to seek research funding.”
Source: The Economist (Jan 1-5, 2005 issue)
2005 Survey:
Literature on Perceptions of Nanotechnology
2005 Survey:
Literature on Perceptions of Nanotechnology
Nanotech Economy
Total worldwide R&D funding = $ 9.6B in 2005
Governments (2005): $4.6B
Established Corporations (2005): $4.5B
Venture Capitalists (2005): $0.5B
Source: Lux Research, The Nanotech Report, 4th Ed. (2006).
Nanotech Economy: Scope
Source: Meridian Institute, Nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risk (2005)
Nanotech Economy: Available Products
Source: UNESCO, The Ethics and Politics of Nanotechnology (2006)
Perceptions of Nanotechnology
Source: Munshi et al. (2007)
Perceptions of Nanotechnology
Source: Munshi et al. (2007)
Prime Directive for Managers ofNanotechnology
Types of Risks
1. Employee Health
2. Operational Safety
3. Legislated Penalties
4. Customer Liabilities
5. Shareholder Dissatisfaction
6. Societal Disharmony
7. ……..
Essential Risk-Management
Tool
2005 Survey:
Literature on Perceptions of Nanotechnology
Five Questions
Q1: What is nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology: The term
Norio Tanaguchi (1974):
‘Nano-technology’ mainly consists of the processing of separation,
consolidation, and deformation of materials by one atom or one molecule.
N. Taniguchi, On the Basic Concept of 'Nano-Technology', Proc. Intl. Conf. Prod. Eng. Tokyo, Part II, Japan Society of Precision Engineering, 1974.
Nanotechnology: The termUS Patents and Trademarks Office (2006):
“Nanotechnology is related to research and technology development at the atomic, molecular or
macromolecular levels, in the length of scale of approximately 1-100 nanometer range in at least one
dimension; that provide a fundamental understanding of phenomena and materials at the nanoscale; and
to create and use structures, devices and systems that have novel properties and functions because of
their small and/or intermediate size.”
Nanotechnology
promises to be
• pervasive
• ubiquitous
Nanotechnology
promises to be
• pervasive
• ubiquitous
A broad and inclusive definition is needed.
Q1: What is nanotechnology?
A1:
At least 1 dimension has a length-scale
between 1 to 100 nm.
Q2: Why will nanotechnologybe pervasive and
ubiquitous?
Nanoworld: Founding Myths
1959 Feynman’s talk
“Plenty of room at the bottom”
Nanoworld: Founding Myths
1959 Feynman’s talk
“Plenty of room at the bottom”
1981 Binnig & Rohrer
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
Nanoworld: Founding Myths
1959 Feynman’s talk
“Plenty of room at the bottom”
1981 Binnig & Rohrer
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
1986 Drexler’s book
The Engines of Creation
Nanoworld: Founding Myths
1959 Feynman’s talk
“Plenty of room at the bottom”
1981 Binnig & Rohrer
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
1986 Drexler’s book
The Engines of Creation
Nanoworld: Founding Myths
1959 Feynman’s talk
“Plenty of room at the bottom”
1981 Binnig & Rohrer
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
1986 Drexler’s book
The Engines of Creation
1913/4 Wolfgang Ostwald’s 5 lectures
The World of Neglected Dimensions
Nanoworld: Founding Myths
Nanoworld: Other Initiators
1850s Colored glasses
(nanoparticles)
1880s Thin films
1960s Integrated circuits
1970s Supramolecular chemistry
Nanotechnology: Classification
• Incremental – nanoparticles, thin films
• Evolutionary – quantum dots, nanotubes
• Radical – molecular manufacturing
Nanotechnology: Classification
• Incremental – nanoparticles, thin films
• Evolutionary – quantum dots, nanotubes
• Radical – molecular manufacturing
Nanotechnology: Classification
• Incremental – nanoparticles, thin films
• Evolutionary – quantum dots, nanotubes
• Radical – molecular manufacturing, nanobots
Nanotechnology: Classification
• Incremental – nanoparticles, thin films
• Evolutionary – quantum dots, nanotubes
• Radical – molecular manufacturing, nanobots
Q2: Why will nanotechnologybe pervasive and
ubiquitous?
A2:
Because of its gigantic scope.
Q3: What is the common thread in all technoscientific
opportunities offered by nanotechnology?
A3: Nanomaterials.
Q3: What is the common thread in all
technoscientific opportunities offered by
nanotechnology?
Q4: What societal issues will emerge from the spread of
nanotechnology?
• Known knowns• Known unknowns• Unknown unknowns
• Known knowns• Known unknowns• Unknown unknowns
“Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always
interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns;
there are things we know we know. We also know there are
known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things
we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones
we don't know we don't know.” - Donald Rumsfeld (12 Feb 2002)
Nanotechnology:Societal Issues
Source: Susanna Priest and Victoria Kramer, University of South Carolina (2007)
Health ImpactsNanoparticles may be more toxic than larger particles
• High surface area• Enhanced chemical reactivity• Easier penetration of cells
Manufactured amounts are small, but will increase over time.
Human Health Impacts
Risk to workers and consumers
• Inhalation (Workers and consumers)
• Penetration of skin (Workers and consumers)
• Combustible nanoparticles may cause explosions (Workers)
Human Health Impacts
Life-cycle auditing of nanomaterials is essential.
US Federal funding of Environment Health & Safety Research on Nanomaterials is growing.
Nanodivides• Who controls the uses of
nanotechnologies?
• Who benefits from the uses of nanotechnologies?
Nanodivides• Who controls the uses of
nanotechnologies?
• Who benefits from the uses of nanotechnologies?
• Nanodivides
- Rich and poor in the same country
- Rich and poor countries
Convergence of Nano, Bio, and Information Technologies& Cognition Science
Convergence of Nano, Bio, and Information Technologies& Cognition Science
• New forms of surveillance and sensing- Invasion of privacy- Regulation of governmental and
private data-collection agencies
• Radical human enhancement
Privacy Issues
A4: Many, some foreseen but others
unforeseen.
Q4: What societal issues will emerge from the
spread of nanotechnology?
A4: Many, some foreseen but others
unforeseen.
Q4: What societal issues will emerge from the
spread of nanotechnology?
Q5: What must the public do to cope with and celebrate
nanotechnology?
A5: Educate children appropriately.
Q5: What must the public do to cope with and
celebrate nanotechnology?
Essential Curricular Features
• Integration across technology and sciences
• Integration with humanities-------------------------------------------------------• Flexibility to adapt to changing needs
• Modularity to mimic real-life situations
• Incorporation of diversity of skills and interests
Essential Curricular Features
• Integration across technology and sciences
• Integration with humanities-------------------------------------------------------• Flexibility to adapt to changing needs
• Modularity to mimic real-life situations
• Incorporation of diversity of skills and interests
Current Educational Practices
Supplementary Approach
Current Educational Practices
• to identify intersecting disciplines• to acquire necessary knowledge base• to synthesize an acceptable accomplishment• to assess needs for further progress• to contextualize the accomplishment
Students must learn
• to identify intersecting disciplines• to acquire necessary knowledge base• to synthesize an acceptable accomplishment• to assess needs for further progress• to contextualize the accomplishment
Students must learn
End-of-semesterEnd-of-yearEnd-of-school EXPERIENCES
(JITE)
JITE Experience• Spans > 1 science/math disciplines• Single-member• Team-based• Apportionment of tasks• Deadlines• Oral/written reports
• 4 Crucial elements
JITE Experience• Spans > 1 science/math disciplines• Single-member• Team-based• Apportionment of tasks• Deadlines• Oral/written reports
• 4 Crucial elements
JITE Experience• Spans > 1 science/math disciplines• Single-member• Team-based• Apportionment of tasks• Deadlines• Oral/written reports
• 4 Crucial elements
• Crucial Element No. 1Not all information be supplied to
students
Students will• search school books• search extracurricular books• search the web• interview practitioners• undertake site visits
• Crucial Element No. 2Introspection and reflection by students
Students will• keep a journal of activities and ideas• prepare a statement of personal
growth
• Crucial Element No. 3Socioethical contextualization
Students will reflect on relevance of projects to• their political unit and culture• the world• ecology, sustainability & diversity
• Crucial Element No. 4Dispersal of acquired knowledge
Students will • create project websites• write for newspapers and magazines• participate in local, provincial and
national conferences
Teaching staffs’ responsibilities:1. Form interdisciplinary teams to guide
JITE experiences2. Mathematics and sciences staffs must
learn about humanities and social sciences
3. Humanities & social sciences staffs must learn about mathematics and sciences4. Become lifelong learners
Teaching staffs’ responsibilities:1. Form interdisciplinary teams to guide
JITE experiences2. Mathematics and sciences staffs must
learn about humanities and social sciences
3. Humanities & social sciences staffs must learn about mathematics and sciences4. Become lifelong learners
Teaching staffs’ responsibilities:1. Form interdisciplinary teams to guide
JITE experiences2. Mathematics and sciences staffs must
learn about humanities and social sciences
3. Humanities & social sciences staffs must learn about mathematics and sciences4. Become lifelong learners
Teaching staffs’ responsibilities:1. Form interdisciplinary teams to guide
JITE experiences2. Mathematics and sciences staffs must
learn about humanities and social sciences
3. Humanities & social sciences staffs must learn about mathematics and sciences4. Become lifelong learners