Module # 12 STS

MODULE # 12 THE NANO WORLD
LEARNING ACTIVITY 1. More on Products of Nanotechnology.

(Lesson Check – Up)
PRODUCTS:
❖ SOLAR PANEL
USES:
❖ Solar power allows people to harness electricity from the sun without directly
creating waste, but the process of creating solar cells is energy-intensive and
can produce large amounts of waste. Photovoltaic solar cells are made using
layers of expensive crystalline silicon that are treated using caustic chemicals,
so researchers have been searching for ways to lower the cost of producing
efficient solar cells through nanotechnology engineering
IMPACT TO THE SOCIETY

❖ solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and
ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use
from energy production.
PRODUCTS:
❖ Carbon Nanotube Body Armor
USES:
❖ Functional bulletproof materials are essential for law enforcement officers
and military personnel, who are at high risk of facing gunfire. Bulletproof
vests disperse a bullet’s force across a larger area than the point of
impact, preventing it from penetrating the wearer’s body.

❖ Carbon Nanotube Body armor also provides additional protection during car
accidents and other assaults on police officers.
PRODUCT:
❖ Food Products and Packaging
USES
❖ improved mechanical barriers, detection of microbial contamination and
potentially enhanced bioavailability of nutrients.
❖ Nanotechnology in the development of food packaging has been discussed.

Organic, inorganic, and combined nanoparticles are used to prepare improved
active and intelligent food packaging. Nanoparticle provides improved
physical and antimicrobial properties thus, helps in prolonging the shelf life of
food.
POINTS TO PONDER
What are the factors that need to be considered before manufacturing

materials through nanotechnology?
Compared with standard materials, nanomaterials can be engineered to enhance

power, resilience, toughness, lubricity and electrical conductivity, as well as to be
immune to various environmental factors, such as glare, humidity, temperature,
corrosion and even microbes.
LEARNING ACTIVITY 2. Let’s dig deeper! (Lesson Check – Up)

List down the benefits and risks of nanotechnology in the society. Use the given links
below to guide you.
❖ BENEFITS
● Advances in disease treatments, such as cancer
● Better imaging and diagnostic equipment
● Energy-efficient products such as fuel and solar cells
● Improvements in manufacturing that allow for durable, light-weight, efficient
production tools
● Improved electronic devices, including transistors, LED and plasma displays
and quantum computers
● Nanorobots can be used to rebuild the ozone layer, clean polluted areas and
lesson dependence on non-renewable energy sources
● RISK
● Potential dangers to humans and the environment
● Loss of manufacturing and agricultural jobs
● Economic market crashes related to a potential lower value of oil due to more
efficient energy sources and gold or diamonds, materials that can be
reproduced with molecular manipulation
● Accessibility of weapons of mass destruction
● Improved atomic weaponry
● The cost of research and products made from nanoparticles
ASSESSMENT TASK
Nanotechnology is the synthesis, manipulation, design, and application of a functional

system or material at the nanoscale. It draws on multiple disciplines and has a wide variety
of applications from agriculture, food safety, biosensors to biomedical diagnostics. In fact,
in 2008 alone, global investment in nanotechnology R&D reached 10B USD. The Philippines
has also launched its nanotechnology research initiative, the Department of Science and
Technology-Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and
Development (DOST-PCASTRD) has the following sectors in its priority - semiconductor,
information technology, energy, agriculture, medicine, and environmental protection. In the
area of agriculture, notable products developed in the strengthened nanotechnology
programs of the University of the Philippines Los Baños include: 1) nanosilica-based
fertilizer that increases germination and growth rate of tomatoes; 2) fruitect® coating
technology which boosts shelf life of high valued fruits such as mango and papaya; and 3)
nanoencapsulated plant growth regulators which enhances germination and root
development of coffee, banana, and cassava. The growing number of novel nanotechnology
products in the country is surprisingly unsupported by low patent applications. However, due
to the sheer number of potential applications and an overall increase in funding for
nanotechnology R&D, there is a projected surge of patent applications. The USA alone had
tripled patent applications on nanotechnology-derived products in 2014. Moreover, due to its
interdisciplinary nature and an overall lack of distinction between nanotech and traditional
patents, there is a tendency for overlapping IP claims. There is a need to revise local IP laws
to accommodate advances in nanotechnology research. The World Health Organization in
general and the World Intellectual Property Organization are making the first step to revise
the guidelines concerning products developed through nanotechnology. This chapter
presents the status of nanotechnology research and potential in the Philippines, the
commercially available nanotech products, the R&D plan of the Philippine government
concerning nanotechnology

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MODULE # 12 THE NANO WORLD

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1. More on Products of Nanotechnology.

IMPACT TO THE SOCIETY

IMPACT TO THE SOCIETY

❖ Food Products and Packaging

IMPACT TO THE SOCIETY

❖ Nanotechnology in the development of food packaging has been discussed.

What are the factors that need to be considered before manufacturing

Compared with standard materials, nanomaterials can be engineered to enhance

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2. Let’s dig deeper! (Lesson Check – Up)

Nanotechnology is the synthesis, manipulation, design, and application of a functional

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