What is Technology?

Technology is comprised of the products and processes created by engineers to meet our needs
and wants.

Technology vs. Science

+ Study of our human-made world + Study of our natural world
+ Deals with “what can be” + Deals with “what is”

Technological Advancements
Filipinos and their use of gadgets and the Internet (Rappler,nd.):
+ Mobile phone subscription is at 119 million.
+ Filipinos spend approximately 3.2 hours on mobile and 5.2 hours on desktop daily.
+ Currently, the Philippines has one of the highest digital populations in the world.
+ There are about 47 million active Facebook accounts in the Philippines
+ The Philippines is the fastest-growing application market in Southeast Asia. Information Technology allows us to send signals around the world.
Examples: Television, Internet, satellite, GPS, cell phones
Science, Technology, & Society
POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS
The onward progress of science and technology should be a movement towards the good life. INTERNET –Information is stored for INTERNET – Harder to distinguish between reliable
easy access and unreliable sources
Ethical Dilemma Faced by Technological Advancements
It is for these reasons why there are people who call for the establishment of ethics of technology. This Communication Technology is giving or exchanging information.
will in one way or another guide people on how technology ought to be used in order to prevent abuse, Examples: Magazines, DVDs, photography, video games
misuse, and other unfortunate results. Digging deeper, it can be said that these reasons make such
devices somewhat unethical because they bring undesirable consequences to people. This is why the POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS
ethics of RESPONSIBILITY is an appropriate theory that can be used in these dilemmas. DIGITAL CAMERAS Allow you to edit and COMPUTERS, PRINTERS, & DIGITAL
print only the pictures you like CAMERAS Make forgery and plagiarism easier
The word “RESPONSIBILITY” in the sense of being accountable for, and accountable to is very
appropriate to the ethics of technology because it makes each and every person in the scientific- Biotechnology transforms living things into products or new forms of life.
technological development a proxy with reference to one another. It is also important for the people in Examples: Genetic engineering, bionics
the scientific world to inform the masses of the dangers of their contribution/s to the world of
technology. In this way, the people will be sufficiently aware of what to do and what not to do. In POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS
addition, the agents using the devices should also be accountable to and accountable for their use of their HEALTH – Improves quality of life, HEALTH – Side effects of some medications – nausea,
gadgets. vitamins, vaccines, medications shortness of breath, etc.

Agricultural Technology produces plants and animals for food, fiber, and fuel.
Examples: Irrigation, food preservation, weed and insect control

POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS

How Does Technology Address Human Needs and Wants? FERTILIZERS– can make plants FERTILIZERS– have found their way into ground water,
produce more food per acre polluting good drinking water
Medical Technology creates tools to treat disease and injury.
Examples: Lasers, prostheses, ultrasound, medications
 POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS
X-RAYS – Make it easier to diagnose X-RAYS – Too many x-rays can cause cancer. Transportation Technology: Provides a way for people, animals, products, and materials to
injuries be moved from one place to the next.
Examples:
Environmental Technology creates tools to minimize the effect of technology on the Flight →Airplane, rocket, space shuttle Water →Commercial, cruise ships
Land →Train, subway, automobile, bicycle Non-vehicle →Conveyor belts, pipelines
development of living things.
Examples: Hybrid vehicles, conservation, waste management (recycling) POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS
Traveling long distances faster Accidents
POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS
RECYCLING – Improves water and air RECYCLING – Disposal of garbage is more
quality complicated and time consuming Energy is the ability or capacity to do work.
Examples:
Chemical Energy → Gasoline Electrical Energy → Electricity
Production Technology is the manufacturing of physical goods on an assembly line and the
Mechanical Energy → Motion Radiant Energy → Light
construction of structures on a job site. Thermal Energy → Steam
+ Manufacturing changes natural or synthetic materials into usable products.
Examples: Clothing, vehicles, food Power is the rate at which energy is transformed from one form to another.
+ Construction Technology builds structures that support loads and protect us Examples:
from the environment. Electrical power – provides light and operates motors
Examples: House, bridge, roads Mechanical power – moves automobiles, trains, and airplanes
Fluid power – uses fluids to produce motion
POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS Hydraulic – uses a liquid
MANUFACTURING – New products help MANUFACTURING – Many industries use Pneumatic – uses a gas
to make our life easier and increase leisure materials that can harm the environment
time POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS
Without energy and power, most Overuse of nonrenewable resources
CONSTRUCTION – Provides shelter, CONSTRUCTION – Noise and debris, technologies would not exist or work
improves roads, creates employment traffic problems, accidents and injuries
opportunities Nanotechnology is manipulating materials on an atomic or molecular level.
Examples: Sensors, Nanobot, molecular manufacturing
Materials Technology: The development of materials with outstanding combinations of
mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties that make other advances possible. POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS
Examples: Mosquito repellent clothing, artificial skin grafts for burn victims, advanced building IMPLANTED SENSORS - Continuously IMPLANTED SENSORS - Impede privacy
materials such as composite decking sense and adjust medical treatment

POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are rapidly developing technologies that have the
NEW MATERIALS – able to reuse recycled NEW MATERIALS – don’t know how the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives. However, there is also a growing concern
materials to help the environment materials will behave over long periods of that these technologies could be used for harmful purposes, such as creating super intelligent
time. machines that could pose a threat to humanity.
- This article reviews the potential future impact of AI and robotics on society.
It discusses the potential benefits of these technologies, such as their ability to improve our
lives in many ways, including by automating tasks, providing healthcare, and solving complex
problems. However, the article also discusses the potential risks of AI and robotics, such as
their potential to be used for malicious purposes, such as creating weapons or surveillance
systems.
- The article concludes by calling for a more ethical approach to the development of AI and
robotics. It argues that we need to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of these
technologies before we deploy them on a large scale.
Advantages of AI and robotics:
+ They can automate tasks, freeing up human time and energy for other activities.
+ They can provide healthcare, such as by diagnosing diseases or providing physical therapy. What are the greenhouse gases (GHGs)?
+ They can solve complex problems, such as designing new drugs or finding new ways to generate
energy. + Carbon dioxide + Ozone
+ Methane + Water Vapor
Disadvantages of AI and robotics: + Nitrous Oxide
+ They could be used for malicious purposes, such as creating weapons or surveillance systems. These are naturally found in the atmosphere and they trap heat close to the Earth’s surface. But
+ They could lead to job losses, as machines become capable of doing more and more tasks that are by burning of fossil fuels to sustain our modern lifestyle, we increase their levels very fast.
currently done by humans.
+ They could pose a threat to human autonomy, as machines become increasingly intelligent and Carbon Dioxide: Combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas in power plants,
capable. automobiles, industrial facilities
What is the cause of climate change? + Accounts for 60% of the warming effect
→Volcanic Eruption and Forest Fires
+ CO2 is one of greenhouse gas caused by human activities.
+ CO2 traps solar heat in the atmosphere then air temperature is increased. Methane: 23 times more potent and 21 times more effective in trapping heat than CO2
+ Global warming increased about 0.3-0.6OC during 1860-1994. Sources – (enteric fermentation in livestock prodn)
→ Landfills, Natural Gas Systems, Coal Mining, Manure
Management, Wastewater Treatment, Rice Cultivation, Stationary Sources, Mobile Sources,
Greenhouse Effect Agricultural Residue Burning
+ Accounts for 20% of the warming effect
emitted by decomposing garbage and agricultural wastes
Nitrous Oxide: 296 times more potent than carbon dioxide  industrial countries are primarily responsible for causing the Earth’s climate to change
Sources – (fertilizers and manures) agricultural soil management, animal manure management,  developing countries and poor people in developing countries are most vulnerable
sewage treatment, mobile and stationary combustion of fossil fuel, and nitric acid production.  the actions of today will affect future generations
Nitrous oxide is also produced naturally from a wide variety of biological sources in soil and
water, particularly microbial action in wet tropical forests. Throughout Earth’s history, the climate has varied. Reflecting the complex interactions and
dependencies of the solar, oceanic, terrestrial, atmospheric and living components that make up
+ Accounts for 7% of warming effects planet Earth’s systems. It is the belief, f or the last million years, earth has experienced cycles
Emitted from the production and use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture and combustion of warming and cooling that take approximately 100,000 years to complete.
of fossil fuels
During each cycle, global average temperatures most likely have fallen and risen 9 deg F (5
Human activities that lead to the increase in concentration of GHGs include: deg C) each time. This took the Earth into an ice age and then warming it again. These cycles
+ Worldwide deforestation + Waste management practices are believed to be associated with regular changes in the Earth’s orbit that alter the intensity of
+ Increasing industrial activity + Intensive agriculture Solar energy the planet receives.
+ Motor vehicle emission
The sun is the most powerful driving force on the Earth’s climate. Solar variability is the main
Reason for climate change cause of climate change. When the sun activity is low, the cooler the Earth’s temperature. The
more active the sun, the higher the Earth’s temperature.
GREEN HOUSE EFFECT → GLOBAL WARMING → CLIMATE CHANGE
(Increase in Green House Gases) (Increase in Global Temperature) The climate is always changing in response to the influences of the Sun and the orbit of
the Sun.
Climate Change: Changes in regional climate characteristics, including temperature,
humidity, rainfall, wind, and severe weather events Climate change is the result of
 Earth's orbital eccentricities,
Any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human
 Earth’s axial wobble,
activity [IPCC]
 Solar brightness variation,
→Climate change is a significant and persistent change in the area’s average climate conditions  cosmic ray flux, etc..
or their extremes.
Other terrestrial drivers of climate change include:
→Climate has changed in the past, is changing now and will change in the future.  Super volcanic events
 Tectonic movement
→Change in climate attributable directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the
composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability Precession of the Equinox: the wobble of the earth as it rotates on its polar axis. This changes
observed over comparable time periods [UNFCC] the orbital timing of the equinoxes and solstices. This precession has a cycle of 26,000 years.
The Earth is closer to the sun in January [perihelion] and farthest from the sun in July
[aphelion].
Climate change is both an environmental and development issue, which threatens:
Variations in the earth’s orbital characteristics
+ environmental sustainability
+ poverty alleviation and the livelihoods of the poor Eccentricity: The shape of the Earth’s orbit around the sun. Over a 100,000-year period, the
+ human health orbit changes from being elliptical to nearly circular and back to elliptical.
+ national and regional security
The greater the eccentricity [more elliptical] the greater variation in solar energy at the top of
Climate change is an inter- and intra-generational equity issue: the atmosphere. Currently we are in a period of low eccentricity.
Another process that can change the Earth’s climate abruptly is a shift in the ocean’s Impacts of climate change to Tropical Asia:
circulations. This can happen due to massive volcanic eruptions.  Ecosytems:
 Water resources:
Climate has changed throughout geological history. + The Himalayas are expected to result in increased recession of glaciers and increasing
danger from glacial lake outburst floods caused by increased temperature and precipitation.
There have been many natural reasons:
 Food and fiber production:
 Changes in the Sun’s energy received by the Earth due to slow orbital changes + Climate change impacts could result in significant changes in crop yield, storage,
 Changes in the Sun’s energy reaching the Earth’s surface due to volcanic eruptions . production, and distribution
+ The net effect of changes in regionwide is uncertain.
Human activities vs climate change  Coastal systems:
 Major contributors: (80-85% of CO2 being added to atmosphere + Sea-level rise is the climate-related impact on large delta regions such as: Bangladesh,
 Coal, oil and natural gas through combustion and release CO2 Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia
 Modest contributors:  Human health:
 Deforestation: CO2 is released by wood burning + Some vector-borne diseases are expected to increase in Tropical Asia with global
 CO2 from deforestation in tropical regions are responsible for 15-20% of CO2 warming. Epidemic potential of
emission. Malaria (increase 12-27%) Schistosomiasis (decrease 11-17%)
Dengue (increase 31-47%)
 Paddy rice field, landfills produce methane and other greenhouse gas which causes
Global Impacts of Climate Change
about 30% of warming
+ Average global temperatures are anticipated to warm by somewhere between 1.5°C and 6.8°C from
 Fertiliser and other chemicals release N2O cause about 10% of warming
2000 to 2100, depending on human activities.
+ Sea level rises threaten the viability of many coastal zones and small islands.
The Earths climate has changed, and is predicted to continue to change, globally and + Temperature rises are predicted to change precipitation patterns - both seasonal and absolute - which
regionally: seem likely to exacerbate water supply problems.
+ Warmer temperatures + Higher sea levels
+ Changing precipitation patterns + More heat waves + A greater risk of both flooding and drought conditions in many parts of the world.
o More floods, droughts + Climate change also seems likely to increase the magnitude, frequency and risk of extreme climatic
+ More frequent extreme weather events events, such as storms and sea surges.
+ Accelerate melting of glaciers and increase of sea level
What are effects of climate change?
Example of changes: + Inundation/ Flooding of Low-Lying Areas and Small Islands
+ The amount of pattern of rain and snow + Millions of people will be affected by flooding, esp. Those located in mega deltas of Asia and Africa.
+ The length of growing season + Storm surge and coral reef destruction. Effects of sea level rise
+ The frequency and severity of storm
+ The change of sea level rise + HEALTH RISKS: - Variability in temperature > heatwaves & extreme cold fronts
- High risk for the old, the sick, children and the poor
How much warming will there be? - Ecosystems to be destroyed
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has projected further increase in global
Facts on climate change on biodiversity
surface temperature of 1-3.5 oC by the year 2100 as compared with 1990.
 Many animals have responded to local climatic changes
IPCC Projection: (Oct 2001)  According to studies CLIMATE CHANGE could drive a million of the world’s species to
extinction as early as 2050. Whether we lose a few species or more will depend critically on the
 CO2 concentration in 2100 of 540-970 ppm.
degree of warming.
 An increase in globally averaged surface temperature of 1.4-5.8oC.  Climate change is taking place because of human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels.
 An increase in sea level of 0.09-0.88m.
Highlights from 2003 WTO Conference on Tourism & Climate Change: Devastations from el niño and la niña
Beach Tourism will suffer damage:  Low productivity and food shortage
 beach erosion;  Loss of income of poor farmers and fishermen
 greater damage from sea surges & storms;
 increased sea levels; * The Philippines has not been spared from weather-related disturbances and disasters. The past
 decrease in water supply typhoons have been unusually strong and have brought devastation to the country and our
Whale sharks have a high degree of association with spawning of coral, fish and crab and other people.
important ecological processes.
 In December of 2003, at least 200 people died from landslides and flooding after we
Migratory birds…. experienced the heaviest rainfall in 25 years. In three days of storm, more than a meter of rain
 changes in migration & feeding patterns; fell in Surigao City – more than three times the monthly average.
 viewing times impacted  In 2004, the death toll stood at 412, with 177 people missing, after typhoon Winnie triggered
landslides and flash floods.
Climate change is already having an impact on all kinds of wildlife. Species worldwide are shifting their  In Quezon alone, 114 died in Real, 100 in Infanta, and 92 in General Nakar.
ranges, migrating sooner, and bearing young earlier than in the past.  In February of 2006, an estimated 1,500 to 2,500 people died after a school and an estimated
500 houses in the village of Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Leyte was buried by mudflow.
 Global Warming will melt polar ice caps and glaciers. Arctic temperature twice the global rate.  In February of 2006, an estimated 1,500 to 2,500 people died after a school and an estimated
 13,500 sq. km. ice shelves disintegrated in Antarctica 500 houses in the village of Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Leyte was buried by mudflow.
 Threaten Earth’s permafrost
WORLD’S SUPER TYPHOON: TYPHOON HAIYAN / TYPHOON YOLANDA
Philippine response to climate change  Nov. 8, 2013; Tacloban, City
Adaptation measures to Mitigate effects of climate change:  deadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 6,109 people
 strongest storm recorded at landfall
 Geo-hazard mapping – identify areas most vulnerable to Landslides and forewarn  originated from an area of low pressure several hundred kilometers east-southeast of Pohnpei in
Communities. the Federated States of Micronesia on November 2, 2013
 Completed geo-hazard mapping of 27 provinces located in Eastern seaboard (most Vulnerable
to typhoons. What can we do?
 To reduce energy consumption with improving energy efficiency
Climate Change in the Philippines
 To search new energy source as renewable or clean energy
Dry seasons becoming drier. ; Wet seasons becoming water.
Abatement options: Consider 3 kinds of options:
El Niño - La Niña
1. Improved energy efficiency
Luzon-wide blackout that lasted for more than a week in some areas the suspension of sea and air travel,
 Reduced energy use in building as eco-design to save energy
marking the first time in 15 years that the country’s premier international airport was closed
 Improved fuel efficiency of new cars: by increased average mileage
Climate Trends & Projections in the Philippines  Make appliances more efficient: refrigerators, dishwasher, etc are used new
Philippine vulnerabilities to climate change technology to save energy
Example of clean energy: Solar energy, Wind energy, Thermal energy, Biomass energy
 Typhoons and Floods: The Philippines is located in the typhoon belt. An average of 20
typhoons visit the country every year and incidents of flooding are higher in the country than 2. Use of cleaner energy
anywhere else. 3. Changes in agriculture and forestry
 Landslides and mud flows
How can human solve this problem?
 Floodings and rise of sea levels & tsunamis (32,400 Kilometers, Longest Coastline)
 Variable in temperature  UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in 1992
+ Disrupt cycle of planting and harvesting  Responding to concern that human activities are increasing ‘GHGs’ concentration in the
+ Disrupts feeding habits, migration and reproductive pattern of animals atmosphere.
  Kyoto Protocol is one protocol to UNFCCC to reduce GHGs emission by harnessing the force of  CO2 is a nutrient not a pollutant. All life, plants and animals benefit from it.
the global marketplace to protect environment.
o A central feature of protocol is a set of binding emission targets for developed countries based on
Focus should be on adapting to climate change and cleaning the environment for healthy
1990 baselines.
living.
1. Accept that the earth’s climate is continuously changing
Climate Change in the Philippines
2. Continue to study the science of climate change and understand what changes are coming
+ Dry seasons becoming drier. + Wet seasons becoming wetter. 3. Continue to find ways to adapt to climate change
4. Continue to find ways to recycle
Natural Disasters 5. Continue to find ways not to pollute the air
 Increasing trend in the number of victims due to natural disasters is: 6. Continue to find ways not to pollute the oceans
7. Continue to find ways to feed the population of the world
o partly due to better reporting
8. Continue to find alternate fuels and energy
o partly due to increasing population vulnerability, and
o may include a contribution from ongoing global climate change Trivia: 14,000 students emit 3500 tons/yr or 250 kg per student.
 Developing countries are poorly equipped to deal with weather extremes + A tropical tree removes an 8 kg of CO2 per yr (or 8 tons per hectare)
o especially in high-risk areas (coastal zones & cities) + The number of trees each student needs to plant is 31 trees to reforest a 250-hectare area.
o Number of people killed, injured or made homeless by natural disasters is increasing rapidly
"The powerful forces that shape the essence of tourism, including the human urge to see and experience the natural world, must
Additional likely health impacts that are hard to assess: continue to be harnessed to support the achievement of the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity ". Ahmed Djoghlaf -
 changes in air pollution and aeroallergen levels Executive Secretary-Convention on Biological Diversity (2007)
 altered transmission of other infectious diseases
 effects on food production via climatic influences on plant pests and diseases WHAT IS GMO?
 drought and famine Genetically Modified Organism: The ability to modify the genetic makeup of plants and
 population displacement due to natural disasters, crop failure, water shortages animals, and even to transfer genes from one species to another.
 destruction of health infrastructure in natural disasters
 conflict over natural resources An Artificial selection - desired traits has been limited to naturally occurring variations.
 direct impacts of heat and cold (morbidity) A product of genetic engineering with precise control over genetic changes introduced into an organism.

Things to Remember METHOD

 Earth’s climate is influenced by interactions involving the Sun, ocean, atmosphere, clouds, ice,
land, and life.
 Climate varies by region as a result of local differences in these interactions.
 Covering 70% of the Earth’s surface, the ocean exerts a major control on climate by dominating
the Earth’s energy and water cycles.
 The oceans have the capacity to absorb large amounts of solar energy.
 Heat and water vapor are re-distributed globally through density-driven ocean currents and
atmospheric circulation.
 Changes in the ocean circulation caused by tectonic movements or large influxes of fresh water
from melting polar ice can lead to significant and abrupt climate change, both locally and on
global scales.
 Solar power drives Earth’s climate. Energy from the Sun heats the surface, warms, the
atmosphere, and powers the ocean currents.
 Each year 186 billion tons of CO2 enters the Earth’s atmosphere.
 90 billion tons come from biological activity in the earth’s oceans
 90 billion tons come from sources such as volcanoes and decaying plants
 6 billion tons from human activity HOW DO THEY DO IT?
  Featherless Chickens Peck ~ First Genetically Engineered Monkey
 GE Spider Goat ~ GE Salamander - can swim
 Genetically Engineered Mice/Mouse

FOOD/PLANT
 BT Corn/Maize ~ BT Canola ~ GE Tobacco
 BT Soybean ~ BT Cotton ~ GM Tomato
 Golden rice
o Large amount of A-vitamins
o Contains the element of beta-carotene

 PROS
o Quality & Nutrition
o Less Farm Lands
o Resilient Crops
o New medical treatments
o Efficiency
o Reduced Environmental Impact
o Herbicide tolerance - crop can withstand herbicide applications
o Insect tolerance - plant produces toxin to kill pest
o Disease resistant – crop is resistant to certain disease
o Increased Storage – crop can be stored longer to avoid spoilage losses
o Industrial uses – crops to make more efficient industries

 CONS
o it can be dangerous to other insects that are important to our ecosystem.
o It sparks concern on changing the field of agriculture.
o It can damage the environment.
o It causes unwanted residual effects.
o It can create more weeds.
o It threatens crop biodiversity.
o It has trade issues.
o It has unpredictable and unintended effects.
o It threatens animal welfare.
o It has adverse effects on the health of people.

SOCIAL/ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
 Violation of Natural Organisms’ intrinsic values.
 Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species.
 Stress for animals

BIOSAFETY
 Mechanisms developed through policy and procedures to ensure the environmentally safe
application of Biotechnology which results to develop Genetically Modified Organism (GMO).
ANIMALS
FUTURE GMO? Using nanoparticles - health
 Altering the DNA within an organism by changing the organisms original genome.  Nanoparticles are already used in various ways.
 Deleting genes that are harmful o Sunscreen contains nanoparticles of zinc oxide and titanium oxide, which absorb and reflect
 Duplicating genes that induce certain protein productions, additional starch production harmful UV rays from the Sun.
o These particles are so small that they are invisible on the skin. Before nanoparticles, the oxide
in corn
particles were big enough to be seen, so the sunscreen looked white on skin.
 Editing genes to change specific sequences and change proteins o Plasters and bandages can contain nanocrystals of silver, because it is toxic to bacteria. Silver
can even be woven into athletes' socks to kill the bacteria that makes socks smell.
Nanotechnology involves the study and use of extremely small substances, often called nanoparticles.
 The word 'nano' comes from the Greek word which means 'dwarf’. Using nanoparticles - cleaning
 A nanometre (nm) is 0.000 000 001 meter (or 10-9 m). That's one millionth of a millimeter.  Nanoparticles can also help to keep things clean. Could dirty football shirts be a thing of
Nanoparticles are very small, less than 100 nm across. the past?
o Fabrics have been developed with nano- coatings, which repel liquid and resist stains.
When did nanotechnology start?
o Spillages on treated fabrics will not soak into the fabric, but form beads of liquid, which can
 Nanotechnology is not a new idea. Nanoparticles have in fact been used by people for thousands simply be wiped away.
of years. o Windows that are self-cleaning have been developed by British scientists. How could self-
 The Egyptians used ink containing nanoparticles of black pigment. cleaning windows work?
 Nanoparticles of lead sulfide were used by the Romans to dye their hair black. Using nanoparticles - glass
 Nanoparticles of gold and silver have also been used since the 10th century to color ceramics and
 How do self-cleaning windows work?
stained glass.
o Nanoparticles could affect many aspects of our everyday lives.
Are there nanoparticles in nature? o British scientists have used already nano- particles to develop self-cleaning glass.
Natural nanoparticles also exist. For example:
Future uses of nanoparticles – medicine/medical
 Insects and lizards are able to stick to walls because of the nanostructures on their feet.
 Spiders' webs are made of super-strong nanofibers.  Nano-coatings on hip and joint replacements to prevent rejection.
 Butterflies wings contain shiny reflective nanocrystals.  Nano-electronic implants in the retinas of blind people, which communicate with cells, making it
 Chloroplasts in plant cells are nanofactories that harness the Sun's energy to make glucose. possible for them to see.
* Nanotechnology scientists try to copy natural nanoparticles to make new materials that are  Nano-capsules of drugs that will target cancer cells only.
useful.  Nano-scaffolds will be able to support the growth of new skin and body tissue.
 Nano-sensors inside clothes, or even inside our bodies, that will be able to run health checks or
When did modern nanotechnology start? deliver medicine.
 The idea of nanotechnology was suggested in 1959 by Richard Feynman, an American physicist.
 He offered a $1,000 prize for the first working motor less than 1/64th of an inch across (smaller
than a pinhead). More future uses of nanoparticles
 The prize was claimed just a year later by Bill McLellan, a scientist working in California.  Nano-scale microchips and wires for smaller electrical devices.
 Scientists have since made structures smaller and smaller. This work is now called nanotechnology,  Nano-scale solar cells to trap solar energy, mimicking photosynthesis.
a term first used in 1974 by Norio Taniguchi, a materials scientist in Japan.  Nano-size containers to store hydrogen, being used as a fuel.
 Paints and glues containing nanoparticles will be lighter, stronger and need less solvents.
How has nanotechnology developed?  Composite materials made from nanostructures, which are stronger, harder and lighter.
 As scientists have steadily made things smaller, they have needed new pieces of equipment to Is nanotechnology safe?
help them.
As nanotechnology becomes more commonplace, how careful do we need to be?
 In 1981, the scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) was invented and allowed scientists to see
the nano-world.  In 1986, a researcher called Eric Drexler made a prediction about nanoparticles in the future.
 Using an STM, it is possible to see individual atoms and even move them around.
 In 1989, an STM was used to move 35 xenon atoms onto a tiny piece of nickel.
  He suggested that because nanoparticles can build themselves into molecules by self-assembly,
self-replicating nano-robots will consume the atoms of the world as they replicate, eventually
turning everything into a "grey goo".

Is the development of nanotechnology a movement towards the good life?

MEDICINE
 Researchers are developing customized nanoparticles, the size of molecules, that can deliver
drugs directly to diseased cells in our body. When it's perfected, this method should greatly
reduce the damage treatment such chemotherapy does to a patient's healthy cells.
ELECTRONICS
 Nanotechnology holds some answer on far how we might increase the capabilities of electronic
devices while we reduce their weight and power consumption.
FOOD
 Nanotechnology is having an impact on several aspects of food science, from how food is
grown to how it is packaged.
FUEL
 Nanotechnology is being used to reduce the cost of catalysts used in fuel cells.