It is important for engineers to be aware of those important current societal an

Question

It is important for engineers to be aware of those important current societal and technological issues that affect the economy and people’s lives. As problem solvers, the nation and the world look to engineers for solutions to key problems by developing new technologies that will improve the lives of citizens. An example of a “contemporary issue” is the so-called “net neutrality” question (Not the subject of the project!).

In the past 20 years, significant technological developments and innovations have focused in the area of nanotechnology. The prefix “nano-“ imply that these technological developments and innovations are related to how materials and devices function at the nanometer (10-9 m) scale level.

Part I of this assignment is focused on how contemporary issues faced by society may be addressed by nanotechnology and its applications.

For an introduction to nanotechnology and how developments in this field are viewed as addressing several contemporary issues within engineering and society, you are assigned to access the following websites:

1. http://science.kqed.org/quest/video/nanotechnology-takes-off/ Type “nanotechnology kqed” into Google and click in the top item called “Nanotechnology takes off.” from KQED.

2. http://www.nano.gov/sites/default/files/pub_resource/nanotechnology_bigthingsfromatinyworldprint.pdf Type into Google “nanotechnology big things”.

Click on the first link and open the PDF file on this page. Note: this is a pdf file. (Both these sites were active as of 11/29/17.) These web sites are a bit old, but still accurate and useful. A more recent NOVA program is available on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjx5y9lrtwU This Nova program is very well done and talks about many things that are relevant to this course. You are not required to view this video, but I think (at least hope!) you may enjoy it. After viewing this information in the KQED video and the NSF document, write a short paragraph on how nanotechnology is being used, or can potentially be used, to address one contemporary issue discussed within the content from these two websites. (There are more contemporary issues discussed, you need select only one, perhaps the one that interest you the most.) The paragraphs do not need to be long but should: 1. Clearly, identify the key contemporary issue. 2. Clearly, identify and summarize how nanotechnology is being look at to address the contemporary issue. Be specific! Give a reason why or why not you think nanotechnology may be useful in addressing the contemporary issue. The paragraphs should be of your own words; cutting and pasting is plagiarism, and it prohibited. The paragraph is worth 10 points: 2 points for identifying the contemporary issue, 5 points for your summary about how nanotechnology is applied to the contemporary issue, and 3 points for your assessment of the nanotechnology application.

Explanation / Answer

Nanotechnology Applications

1. Medicine

Researchers are developing customized nanoparticles the size of molecules that can deliver drugs directly to diseased cells in your body. When it's perfected, this method should greatly reduce the damage treatment such as chemotherapy does to a patient's healthy cells.

2. Electronics

Nanotechnology holds some answers for how we might increase the capabilities of electronics devices while we reduce their weight and power consumption.

3. Food

Nanotechnology is having an impact on several aspects of food science, from how food is grown to how it is packaged. Companies are developing nanomaterials that will make a difference not only in the taste of food, but also in food safety, and the health benefits that food delivers.

4. Space

Nanotechnology may hold the key to making space-flight more practical. Advancements in nanomaterials make lightweight spacecraft and a cable for the space elevator possible. By significantly reducing the amount of rocket fuel required, these advances could lower the cost of reaching orbit and traveling in space.

Contemporary Issue - Harnessing sun's energy by copying photosynthesis principle.

Replacing sillicon solar cells by the polymer solar cells, which are man made cells using nano technology, to absorb light and generate power.

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