NANOTECHNOLOGY:Small Science, Big Deal!

What is nano?

• Small and different

• Studying and making tiny things

• New technologies

• Part of our society and our future

Gecko feet

meters

micrometers

nanometers

“Nano” means small:a nanometer is a billionth of a meter

Nano is different:properties like color can change

Gold

Nano is different:surprising forces can dominate

Geckos

Nano is different:chemical reactions are faster

Aluminum

Nano is studying and making tiny things

Computer chips

Everything is made of atoms

Carbon

Computer chips

Self-assembly in nature

Nano is found in nature and technology

Gecko

Lotus flower

Snowflake

Blue Morpho butterfly

Nano is new technologies

Thin film solar cell

Energy

Graphene

Medicine

Nano gold

Water

Nanofilter

Nano is part of our society and our future

Thinking ahead with nanotechnologies

Balancing costs, risks, and benefits

Everyone has a rolein shaping nanotechnology

Citizens, scientists, governments, and companies

Making decisions about Nanotechnologies

Sunblock

Nano is…

Nano is…

• Small and different

• Studying and making tiny things

• New technologies

• Part of our society and our future

CreditsAutumn, K. et al. 2002. Evidence for van der Waals adhesion in gecko setae. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99, 12252-12256.

nanoComposix

A. Kellar, Lewis & Clark College

A. Dhinojwala, University of Akron

M. Cutkosky, Stanford University

U.S. Chemical and Safety Board

K. Molhave, Open Source Handbook of Nanotechnology

K. Libbrecht, www.snowcrystals.com

G. Jenkins, Montezuma’s Reptiles

Konarka Technologies

Lifesaver Systems, Ltd.

This project was supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. 0940143.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.