Введение…………………………………………………………………3

1. Lesson 1. Nanotechnology …………………………………………….….…...5

2. Lesson 2. Nanobionic Spinach Plants Can Detect Explosive…………………..8

3. Lesson 3. New Storage Device Is Very Small, at 12 Atoms……………….....10

4. Lesson 4. The Next Big Tiny Thing: Nanotechnology Runs into New Criticism…………………………………………………………………………..13

Tests……………………………………………………………………..………...16

Библиографический список…………………………………………………....19

Lesson 1. Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale. This covers both current work and concepts that are more advanced. In its original sense, “nanotechnology” refers to the projected ability to construct items from the bottom up, using techniques and tools being developed today to make complete, high performance products.

Picture 1. With 15,342 atoms, this parallel-shaft speed reducer gear is one of the largest nanomechanical devices ever modeled in atomic detail

Nanotechnology is an applied science, growing by the creation of nanoconstructs and the presence of nanoparticles. This derived from nanoscience that is the science of the usage of materials in the nanometer scale. Nanoscience and nanotechnology have already become the key for research and development.

When K. Eric Drexler popularized the word 'nanotechnology' in the 1980's, he was talking about building machines on the scale of molecules, a few nanometers wide –motors, robot arms, and even whole computers, far smaller than a cell. Mundane technology was developing the ability to build simple structures on a molecular scale. As nanotechnology became an accepted concept, the meaning of the word shifted to encompass the simpler kinds of nanometer-scale technology.

Much of the work being done today that carries the name 'nanotechnology' is not nanotechnology in the original meaning of the word. Nanotechnology, in its traditional sense, means building things from the bottom up, with atomic precision. This theoretical capability was envisioned as early as 1959 by the renowned physicist Richard Feynman.

Based on Feynman's vision of miniature factories using nanomachines to build complex products, advanced nanotechnology (sometimes referred to as molecular manufacturing) will make use of positionally-controlled mechanochemistry guided by molecular machine systems.

The term “Nano” is strickly to size and not chemical composition in terms of nanoparticles. According to recent toxicological studies nanoparticles are particles less than 100 nm in at least one dimension, classified as natural, anthropogenic or engineered in origin. Because of the small size these particles are toxic, as a result of their greater surface area. Their toxicity of remains widely unknown and still poses concerns, due to the peculiar characteristics of materials in the nano-size. The most common nanoparticles present in the environment are combustion derived nanoparticles from an anthropogenic Nanoparticles are incorporated in many products from pharmaceuticals to catalysts. As an example, in 2002 an indium tin oxide nanopowder manufacturing facility was launched by Samsung, used in the production of flat panel displays based on liquid crystals. Therefore the silver nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes now have the widest range of applications. The expansion of the nanotechnology resulted in further classification of nanoparticles in size, shape, charge, chemistry, coating and solubility. Some examples of nanoconstructs are carbon nanotubes, fullerene, carbon derivative, quantum dots, and manufactured nanoparticles.

Mihail (Mike) Roco of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative has described four generations of nanotechnology development (see picture 2 below). The current era, as Roco depicts it, is that of passive nanostructures, materials designed to perform one task. The second phase, which we are just entering, introduces active nanostructures for multitasking; for example, actuators, drug delivery devices, and sensors. The third generation began emerging in 2010 and featured nanosystems with thousands of interacting components. The first integrated nanosystems, functioning (according to Roco) much like a mammalian cell with hierarchical systems within systems, are expected to be developed.

Picture 2. Four generations of nanotechnology development

Some experts may still insist that nanotechnology can refer to measurement or visualization at the scale of 1-100 nanometers, but a consensus seems to be forming around the idea (put forward by the NNI's Mike Roco) that control and restructuring of matter at the nanoscale is a necessary element. CRN's definition is a bit more precise than that, but as work progresses through the four generations of nanotechnology leading up to molecular nanosystems, which will include molecular manufacturing, we think it will become increasingly obvious that "engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale" is what nanotech is really all about.

Words and word combination:

Nanoscience – нанонаука

Nanoparticle – наночастицa

Nanometer – миллимикрон; нанометр

To popularize – популяризировать, распространять

Toxicity – ядовитость, токсичность

Combustion – горение, сгорание; воспламенение; (хим.) oкисление (органических веществ)

Mechanochemistry – механохимия (наука о преобразовании химической энергии в механическую)

Anthropogenic – антропогенный, вызванный деятельностью человека 

Nanopowder – нанопорошок

Mundane – мирской, земной, светский

Increasingly – всё более, всё в большей степени или мере

Exercise 1. Questions to the text.

1. What is nanotechnology?

2. What is nanoscience?

3. When did the word “nanotechnology” popularize?

4. Does ”nanotechnology”, in its traditional sense, mean building things from the bottom up, with atomic precision?

5. What are the most common nanoparticles presented in the environment?

6. What are four generations of nanotechnology development?

Exercise 2. Make up 4 types of questions to the sentences:

1. “Nanotechnology” refers to the projected ability to construct items from the bottom up.

2. Nanotechnology is an applied science.

3. Mundane technology was developing the ability to build simple structures on a molecular scale.

4. The first integrated nanosystems, functioning are expected to be developed.

Exercise 3. Discuss the following topics. Interactive work.

1) Molecular nanosystems

2) What nanotech is really all about.

Exercise 4. Invisibility cloaks, bulletproof suits and cancer cures, we enter the minuscule world of nanotechnology with these 10 awesome facts. Discuss it. Watch the video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7BjkXF2bxU

What is Nanotechnology? What applications can it be used for? Watch the video and discuss these questions with your groupmates. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOqEk440JZ8