NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Cabanatuan City
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
College of Arts and Sciences
Mathematics and Science Department

Module in

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
& SOCIETY
UNIT X.
THE NANO WORLD

Danny O. Alfonso Cristo Mark D. Ancheta Roel S. Ang

Leonardo M. Aquino Bryan Joshua V. Bacani Joseph R. Del Carmen
Jaynelle G. Domingo Angel Joyce C. Fajardo Gian Carlo S. Gaetos
Alpha B. Gumayagay Jewell Ann P. Manabat Darwin U. Ong
Olympia O. Riogelon Julius Jay N. Rodriguez Janina C. Sercenia
Glenda R. Tandingan Diwata Y. Villaflor

1
This module is a property of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
Overview

This chapter will give you some knowledge of the application of nanotechnology. This will help you
analyze the situation of today’s trend (use of modern technologies). This chapter will give you an idea of
the advantages and disadvantages of using nanotechnology, is it helpful or not?

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. define nanotechnology;
2. identify risk and issues in nanotechnology; and
3. cite some examples of nanotechnology and its benefits in the society.

2
Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: Find and encircle all the direction words that are hidden in the grid. The words may be
hidden in any direction.

Y T I T L X N P R I V A C Y S D B X N O A S
W E E E R T Y R R T Y O N N A N E T Y L E A
I T Y C G R T R B N E Q U A L I T Y S L L N
W E R N H T D T N M F G H J K L T K C H U O
X D G E J N K I C B J I L E G A L I T Y S N
E T H I C S O C B J T D U T Y T T Y I P P X
W J K C N S G L Q W E R T Y U R Y I O Y A O
E L D S A N D E O P A S E D A F I G H T C S
R N W O O R P S J G K L X P Z X O C V I O O
F D E N N T O E B N Y M O M N B Q V C U N C
H C R A E S E R L K J N S H G F E Z X Q A O
H W F N R U I T D S A A O P O I U Y T E N M
M R A O E Y U Y R N E W M Q W E R T Y U I T
L T N M I C R O S C O P E O P A S D F G H Y
D Y N A Y W E R T Y U I O P N A N O A S D U
S E T I S O P M O C O N A N O I B N M J H F

NANO TECHNOLOGY NANOPARTICLES NANOSCIENCE

SENSOR EXOSOME EQUALITY ETHICS
RESEARCH EQUITY LEGALITY PRIVACY
MICROSCOPE NANOCAPSULE BIONANOCOMPOSITES

3
Lesson Proper

The Nano World

According to Powell and Kanarek (2006), Nanotechnology is also known as “general purpose
technology” because of its global impacts and effects, while some call it “enabling technology” because it
supports other technologies. Nanotechnology is considered a fast-growing area of science and research. It
involves both basic and applied research interconnecting in computer science and information technology,
medical technology, agriculture, life sciences, engineering, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology. It refers to the development of products or manipulation of matter at the

nanoscale. The word nanotechnology comes from the word nano and technology; nano is one billionth of
a quantity and technology application of scientific knowledge (Stander and Theodore, 2011). The building
blocks of nanotechnology is called Nanoparticles. These particles that are 1 to 100 nanometers in size. A
Nanometer is a billionth of a meter. Nanoscience is known as the science of nanoparticles.

How small is NANO?

Nanoparticles or materials at the nanoscale are larger than atoms and molecules but are smaller
than the size of bacteria and viruses. To see nanoparticles, electron microscope and atomic force
microscope must be used.

Potential Use and Application of Nanotechnology

Dayrit (2008), said that nanotechnology has numerous applications. In operating nanoscale, it can
easily show the physical, chemical, and biological properties of matter (solid, liquid, gas). When an
object/material is manipulated at the nanoscale, the features of that object will change and can be used as
potential applications. In the nanoscale, the surface area per mass increases, which allows for an additional
surface area for the reaction, which makes it a good catalyst.

A lot of biological activities happen in terms of function, structure, and use. Example: Exosome,
secreted by vessels primarily for transport, which contain loads of proteins and other molecules. Through
nanotechnology, exosomes are made to become potential biomarkers of cancer and other diseases.

The huge choice of uses and applications of these nanoparticles has increased because of its unique
properties and structures, which are now used in medicine, food security, agriculture, environment, and
other fields. One good example is the nanosensor; this sensor is used to detect the pathogens' presence in
the food. The detection is in the form of fluorescence. Another is bionanocomposites, a combination of
biopolymers and inorganic molecules that results in the production of biodegradable plastics. An example
of nanotechnology in energy is carbon nanotubes used in the development of supercapacitors that can
store electrical energy like batteries. Also, nanocapsules that are used to deliver soil nutrients and
pesticides efficiently.

Concerns and Issues About Nanotechnology

1. Human Health
Particles are manipulated. Thus, changing its original properties and structure. Exposure to
nanoparticles may cause health impact through direct treatment, contact, inhalation, ingestion, or
insertion. There is a need to further understand, evaluate, and assess the long-term effect of
nanoparticles.

4
 2. Environment
Nanotechnology requires raw material that can be attained from the environment. Like in
any other technologies, it has a positive and negative impact on the environment, a need for a deeper
understanding of its effect.

3. Ethical Concern
A lot of people are not favor or against nanotechnology. It is been accused for altering or
modifying life forms, which they believe terminating the purity of life. It can lead to the development
of biological and chemical weapons, synthetic organisms, and genome editing, which associated
with ethical consideration.

4. Equality and Equity

Also, an issue on unequal access of using these technologies. This technology is said to be
only to those who can afford or have the means. But how about those who couldn’t access and use
them? They may suffer from the risk or the negative effect of using such technology. Hence, there is
inequality.

5. Legality, Privacy and Security

A set of issues was raised like security. Example: who is responsible for the monitoring and
control of nanoparticles? Nanotechnology is said to be one of the possible security and threat in the
future.

6. Human Behaviour
Nowadays, humans rely mainly on modern technologies. Like other technologies, one of the
negative effects of nanotechnology is that it may affect humans' behavior in terms of the usage and
development of new products that may be addictive. It may reduce human productivity, remember
that there is an impact of excessive use of these technologies. However, Human health and safety
and environmental impact should be given the top priority in researches concerning
nanotechnology since humans are the beneficiaries of any research effort in this field.

To help you understand more on the topic nanotechnology, try to watch the videos:

1. TED Talk: Ray Kurzwell on “How Technology Will Transform Us”

2. Film: Powers of 10

References

Dayrit, F.M. (2008). Nanotechnology Business and Practical Applications: Where the Philippines Is and Where
it should be. Powerpoint Presentations. Management Association of the Philippines.. Aug 5, 2008.
Powell, M.C. and Kanarek, M.S. (2006). The Ethics and Politics of Nanotechnology. UNESCO Wisconsin Medical
Journal 105(2):16-19.
Stander, L. and Theodore, L. (2011). Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology-An update Int. J. Environ.
Res. Public Health 8:470-479; doi:10.3390/ijerph8020470.
[Link]

5
Assessing Learning

Activity 26
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: In your own perspective, define the following terminologies:

1. Nanotechnology
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Nanoproduct
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Find/cite specific example and give a minor/slight description for the given applications of
nanotechnology.

Application Example

Medicine

Food

Agriculture

Energy

Information
Technology
 Activity 27
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Answer the following questions.

1. Do you think nanotechnology poses health risk? Justify your answer by citing references.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Imagine you were a scientist, think of a nanotechnology product that you can use which can be
beneficial in your field of interest.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Activity 28
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Search for a nanotechnology product or application that is already being used in the Philippines
or in other country. Your research output must contain the following:
1. The name of the product or the application.
2. How it was produced/build/develop?
3. What are the PROs and CONs of using the product or application?
4. Cite a possible ethical concerns or issues about the product or application.
5. If you would be given a chance to use such product or application. Will you use it or not?