Nanotechnology: the Nexus of Science Education

Transcription

1 Nanotechnology: the Nexus of Science Education Dr. Stephen J. Fonash April 4, 2008 illustration by Court Patton (From an article by Robert Poe) -- Electronic Business, 11/1/2002

2 Outline Introduction to Nanotechnology Its interdisciplinary nature Some applications Its far reaching impact» on industry» on the workforce» on education Nanotechnology education, and successful national economies My nanotechnology education activities Nanotechnology: the nexus of science education.

3 Outline Introduction to Nanotechnology Its interdisciplinary nature Some applications Its far reaching impact» on industry» on the workforce» on education Nanotechnology education, and successful national economies My nanotechnology education activities Nanotechnology: the nexus of science education.

4 Nanotechnology It is the making, seeing, and using of man -made things whose sizes, in at least one -dimension, are in the range of billionths of a meter. One billionth of a meter is called a nanometer.

5 How Small is a Nanometer?

6 How Small is a Nanometer?

7 What s so hot about the Nanoscale? Unique properties exhibit themselves at these small sizes

8 The Nano-scale is Unique because- New doors open (new phenomena Nano-scale become available) at the New opportunities (new products, new materials, etc) become accessible

9 The Sources of the Unique Properties Small size can put a lot of nano-things per area or per volume High surface to volume ratio unique environment of surface atoms Surface forces dominate over bulk forces for example, gravity is not important! Importance of quantum mechanical effects Dominance of the wave properties of light

10 The Sources of the Unique Opportunities Sizes corresponding to basic biological structures Sizes corresponding to macro -molecules Unique chemical bonding configurations possible New epistemologies (i.e., new ways of knowing)

11 Why Did Nanotechnology Suddenly Burst Onto the Scene Now?

12 Because We Have Learned What s Going On- We can now controllably and repeatedly make things in the nano -size range. (45 nm transistors made millions at a time!!) And finally we can now see what we have made!

13 We Can Now Affect and See Things in the Nano-Scale Range Today, we can even actually see atoms M.F. Crommie, C.P. Lutz, D.M. Eigler. Confinement of electrons to quantum corrals on a metal surface. Science 262, (1993).

14 Outline Introduction to Nanotechnology Its interdisciplinary nature Some applications Its far reaching impact» on industry» on the workforce» on education Nanotechnology education, and successful national economies My nanotechnology education activities Nanotechnology: the nexus of science education.

15 The Interdisciplinary Nature of Nanotechnology Chemistry Surface science Materials science Physics Engineering Biology Medicine

16 Biology + Chemistry + Physics + Materials Engineering gives us this Understanding In this movie, we watch Kinesin Molecules labeled using Quantum Dots (QDs) as they move on Microtubules Microtubules are tracts for moving molecules and they also give a cell its structure (shape). Here kinesin molecules have been labeled with green-emitting QDs so we can see them moving. Note kinesin sometimes stops, then restarts as it moves along the microtubule tracks. The fuel kinesin is using to move is the molecule ATP. Arnold Seitz & Thomas Surrey, European Molecular Biology Lab, Hidelberg, Gr.

17 Outline Introduction to Nanotechnology Its interdisciplinary nature Some applications Its far reaching impact» on industry» on the workforce» on education Nanotechnology education, and successful national economies My nanotechnology education activities Nanotechnology: the nexus of science education.

18 A Product Example The Product: A number of companies are manufacturing and selling shoes and clothing containing silver nanoparticles for odor control.

19 Another Product Example The Product: Abraxane, the first approved drug to use albumin nanoparticles to improve the therapeutic and safety properties of an anticancer agent. It was approved on February 7, 2005, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in patients with metastatic breast cancer who have failed combination drug therapy.

20 Another Product Example The Product: Companies are manufacturing microelectronics circuits with more, more speed and more functionality due to the nanoscale transistors used in these circuits.

21 Outline Introduction to Nanotechnology Its interdisciplinary nature Some applications Its far reaching impact» on industry» on the workforce» on education Nanotechnology education, and successful national economies My nanotechnology education activities Nanotechnology: the nexus of science education.

22 Nanotechnology Products: Facts and Forecasts Predicted growth of nanotechnology products on the market: Forecast By 2015: - 15% of global manufactured goods will incorporate nanotechnology (~ $3 Trillion Market ) - and 50% of New Advanced Technology Products will incorporate nanotechnology. Lux Capital

23 Nanotechnology Examples In Our Lives Today Project on Emerging Technologies - partnership between the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Pew Charitable Trusts The project is dedicated to helping ensure that, as nanotechnologies advance, possible risks are minimized, public and consumer engagement remains strong, and the potential benefits of these new technologies are realized. Examples of the information on this site: Site has consumer products information at Site has medical applications information at

24 More Products Mean a Growing Need for a Trained Nanotechnology Workforce Workforce Demand: By 2015: 2 million nanotechnology workers needed worldwide Mihail C Roco, Nature Biotechnology Vol. 21, No. 10, Oct Potentially 5 million additional infrastructure support jobs needed in the global market by Mihail C Roco, Nature Biotechnology Vol. 21, No. 10, Oct However, few states in the US have seriously addressed the issue of workforce development Jack Uldrich, Smalltimes Magazine, April 22, 2005

25 Results of Some Nanotechnology Education Studies A 2006 study by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training finds that features of nanotechnology education such as quantum effects and self organization are at the heart of the new, integrative knowledge that is increasingly required of employees with training below university level, and the study calls for significant increases in public funding for nanotechnology education programs at this level (Abicht, Freikamp, and Schumann, 2006).

26 Results of Some Nanotechnology Education Studies A 2007 meta-study of nanotechnology education in Europe finds that private investment in nanotechnology research has now overtaken public investment, and argues that nanotechnology education programs should be more carefully designed to address the needs of employers (Malsch, 2007). A 2006 survey of micro- and nanotechnology companies in the San Francisco area found that employment in these fields is expected to increase by 12 percent in the next year (Center of Excellence for Greater Silicon Valley, 2006).

27 Outline Introduction to Nanotechnology Its interdisciplinary nature Some applications Its far reaching impact» on industry» on the workforce» on education Nanotechnology education, and successful national economies My nanotechnology education activities Nanotechnology: the nexus of science education.

28 Around the year Arab craftsmen made steel swords of legendary strength. To-day we know these swords had carbon nanotubes and nanowires in the material. This is the oldest known use of carbon nanotubes and nanowires.

29 Outline Introduction to Nanotechnology Its interdisciplinary nature Some applications Its far reaching impact» on industry» on the workforce» on education Nanotechnology education, and successful national economies My nanotechnology education activities Nanotechnology: the nexus of science education.

30 My Education Activities Created a University-wide Nanotechnology Minor at Penn State. Created a State-wide Nanotechnology Education Partnership involving 27 other institutions enabling these 27 schools to grant nanotechnology degrees with hands-on experience. Hold three-day Teacher Workshops ( 3 for 2008) Hold Nanotech Camps for secondary school students (12 for summer 2008) Conduct Industry Workshops

31 State-wide Partnership State-wide Nanotechnology Education Partnership Enabling two-year degree and four-year degree students attending various institutions across Pennsylvania to obtain an education in nanotechnology. Partnership includes Penn State s University Park Campus, 26 other institutions, PA industry, and the State of Pennsylvania.

32 State-wide Nanotechnology Education Partnership Partnership is composed of 27 academic institutions offering a total of 54 two-year and four-year nanotechnology degrees across Pennsylvania.

33 Partner Locations

34 State-wide Nanotechnology Education Partnership The common element in all the two-year and four-year degree programs: The students in all of these programs must spend one semester at Penn State attending the hands-on nanotechnology fabrication, synthesis, and characterization emersion provided by the Capstone Semester.

35 State-wide Nanotechnology Education Partnership Two-year degrees include nanobiotechnology, nanomanufacturing, and chemical technology. Four -year degrees include physics with a concentration in nanotechnology, chemistry with a concentration in nanotechnology, biology with a concentration in nanotechnology, and engineering technology with a concentration in nanotechnology.

36 Outline Introduction to Nanotechnology Its interdisciplinary nature Some applications Its far reaching impact» on industry» on the workforce» on education Nanotechnology education, and successful national economies My nanotechnology education activities Nanotechnology: the nexus of science education.

37 A Famous Example of Roman Nanotechnology: the 4 th Century Lycurgus Cup In reflected light, cup appears green; in transmitted light, it appears red Cause: 40 ppm Au nanoparticles & 300 ppm Ag nanoparticles embedded in silica glass References: (1) Paul Mulvaney, Not all That s Gold Does Glitter, MRS Bulletin, December 2001, pg. s (2) Barber, D J and Freestone, I C, An investigation of the origin of the colour of the Lycurgus Cup by analytical transmission electron microscopy, Archaeometry, 32 (1), 33-45, source: British Museum