Building Capacity for Social

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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology Whats the Big Deal?
John R. Lloyd University Distinguished
Professor Department of Mechanical
Engineering October 15, 2004
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Nano 10-9
meters
Nano-science the study of fundamental
principles of molecules and structures with at
least one dimension roughly between 1 and 100
nanometers
Nano-technology the application of these
molecules and nano structures into nano-scale
devices
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
How big is a nano-meter?
1 inch 2.54 cm . or 1 cm 0.4 inch
One human hair is about 0.003 inch, and this is
about 76000 nm
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Why is Nanotechnology different from micro-,
meso- or macro-technology?
When we go to dimensions less than 100 nm, the
size of the device becomes important in
determining properties! Color can change,
thermodynamic properties can change etc because
of the nature of the interactions of the forces
between the molecules of the material.
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
In and of itself, it is fascinating to think that
we are now beginning to design and manufacture
working devices at the molecular scale! What is
the problem with that?
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
The meaning of this is that we are beginning to
design devices for commercial application using
the building blocks of Nature.
Is that a concern that we need to address or be
aware of?
Is this a dilemma or an opportunity or both?
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Dilemma or opportunity or both?
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Who are the leaders today?
The US, the EU, and Japan all invest about 1B/yr
The rest of the world combines to a fraction of
the big 3, but that is changing fast!
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Some of the most important problems facing
mankind today have been identified as
Nanotechnology will play a critical role in
resolving the key barrier issues in all these
problems.
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Dilemma or opportunity or both?
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Cancer Cells
Attractor Molecules
Opportunity Or Dilemma?
Nanowires
Cancer ID or Cleaning
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
1 cm

1000 - 1 Gig Hard Drives

1 cm
Data Storage Units
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Molecular Electronics Is in the Future
Opportunity Or Dilemma?
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
or
Dilemma or opportunity or both?
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Nano-scale/molecular coatings of seeds for
improved products. Impacts production and
environment.
Dilemma or opportunity or both?
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
More questions

• Will the manufacture and use of nano-particles be
  harmful to humans (like asbestos)?
• How will nano-device manufacturing impact the
  environment?
• What is the impact of health diagnostics and
  therapeutics on human lifespan/quality of life?
• Will we create greater splits in the well-being
  of humankind around the world?
• When designing with the building blocks of
  nature, what can be created?

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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
Agrifood applications and their implications are
just now being thrust to the forefront.
Dilemma or opportunity or both?
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Building Capacity for Social Ethical Research
Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology
MSU Building Capacity for Social Ethical
Research Education in Agrifood Nanotechnology