Nanotechnology and Human Health

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 10.05.05

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction and Rationale
  2. Objectives
  3. Background
  4. How Small are Nanoparticles Measured on the Nanoscale?
  5. What is the Relationship Between Size and Scale?
  6. Nanoscale Tools and Instruments.
  7. Structure of Matter at the Nanoscale
  8. Manipulation of Nanoparticles
  9. Nanotechnology Revisited
  10. How does DNA Work?
  11. What is Biomimicry?
  12. Strategies
  13. Independent Research
  14. Classroom Activities
  15. Resources and Websites
  16. Glossary
  17. Endnotes
  18. Appendix

Nanotechnology for Enhancing Math, Science, and Language Arts in the Elementary Grades: How Small Is Your Future?

Doriel I. Moorman

Published September 2010

Tools for this Unit:

Background

It is important to clarify what Nanotechnology is. Nanotechnology is a relatively new field of scientific study. 'Nano' comes from the Greek word nanos meaning midget or dwarf and technology means applying scientific knowledge to make things. Therefore, 'nano' + 'technology' = nanotechnology, meaning controlling structures at the very small nanometer scale, to make new things. These new things are based on principles learned from nanoscience. Now breaking 'nano' and 'science' down, as we did with 'nanotechnology', we find that 'science' is the systematic study of structures and behaviors in the physical and natural world therefore nanoscience is scientific knowledge based on the nanoscale. 1 So, to sum it up, nanotechnology is the study and use of materials and structures that are measured on the nanoscale between 1 and 100 nanometers. These terms may be foreign to you, as they were for me initially. So let's start by considering how small things are in the world of nanoscience.

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