The midterm / weekly writing assignments are designed to help you develop and understanding of nanotechnology in terms of new associations to science that you may already know, and also to develop a context for nanotechnology in terms of the nanoscale universe, emergence and interaction of networks, and applications of physics, chemistry, biology, material science, and computing in both industry and solving large problems affecting us. As such, you will not find direct answers to these questions in a textbook, but will find answers in the class lectures, and forward thinking websites. There are no right or wrong answers, and grading is based solely on effort. If you get stuck anywhere, email me immediately for suggestions and other advice. Read the instructions carefully, as this is a writing assignment that requires both Web research and citations, plus distillation into your own words. I am primarily looking for your ability to take a very technical question and explain it in terms that you have internalized.
After you have completed the midterm you'll be ready for the extra credit questions. Do not start that section until you have finished the midterm.
Please read these instructions carefully, and read the entire midterm before answering any questions. Most importantly, the answer for each question has three parts to it, and you must include all the parts in order to receive full credit. Online students - you are answering two questions in the midterm in each of your weekly writing assignments, so please do not submit (for points) the midterm in addition to your weekly questions.
Example question #1
What is nanotechnology?
"50 words or more from a direct Web citation"
http://www.nanotechnology.org/reference.htm
"50 words or more in your own writing"
Also note that some questions have multiple parts to them, and you will need to answer each part for full credit.
There are three (or more) extra credit questions which provide up to 10 extra credit points. You are encouraged to answer those questions to make up for lost points in earlier sections of the midterm. Last, this midterm will probably take you all quarter to finish, an you are encouraged to either use the weekly submission process (ETUDES) and or answer at least two questions every week.
Midterm / weekly writing assignment questions
1. What is nanotechnology? Answer this question in both technical and non-technical terms, and consider your answer in terms of science, engineering, technology, and manufacturing. Consider how nanotechnology is applied to the problems of energy, water, health, and supercomputing as described in the Foresight Challenges.
2. Describe the concept of "nanoscale emergence". Specifically, discuss the observation of macroscopic phenomena including biology and natural systems that emerge from smaller systems such as physical, chemical, and macromolecular systems. You are encouraged to begin your answer from the smallest components and forces in the universe that you are able to explain, and then expand outwards into physics, chemistry, biology, etc.
(Hint - there is a website and exhibit called "Powers of 10" that you can couple with the "concept of networks" to answer this question. Also, research emergence at http://emergence.org/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergence)
This is one of the most discussed topics in nanoscale education - and the goal of this question is to get you thinking about how macroscopic properties, including large scale systems, evolve from smaller component systems and networks. Focus on the word emergence.
3. Discuss the new science of networks, including scale free networks. Consider how this answer might fit into the the concept of emergence. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scale-free_network and scan this article (PDF)
4. Describe the basic structure of an atom, including nucleus (neutrons and protons), electrons, and the basic octet rule for electronic bonding. Consider how the electronic structure of an atom, and the chemical properties that result, affect how that atom participates in chemical bonding, the types and shapes of molecules that atom typically forms, and how all these affect nanostructure and chemical properties.
5. Describe how chemical and molecular bonding occurs, describing all types of bonds, including covalent, ionic, metallic, hydrogen, and the forces that affect bonds, such as Van der Walls. Compare and contrast covalent, ionic, metallic, hydrogen, and 'pi' bonds (for example carbon). Consider how molecular bonding affects nanostructures, and comment on carbon bonds in CNT / MWNT and silicon bonding (semiconductor). With respect to semiconduction, briefly describe the concept of band gap in semiconduction, and compare and contrast carbon and silicon.
6. Describe and discuss Carbon Nano Tubes (CNT) and Multi Walled Nanotubes (MWNT) including industrial applications, fabrication techniques, their cost, and any known or potential hazards. How are CNT and MWNT similar and different from graphite and carbon fiber?
7. Compare and contrast metals, semiconductors, ceramics, glasses, and polymers. Focus your answer in terms of material properties, industrial applications, and specific examples of where each of these materials are being used in nanotechnology.
8. Describe nanofabrication techniques, including (and emphasizing) thin film deposition, silicon processing, and self-assembly. Compare and contrast 'top-down' and 'bottom up' approaches to nanofabrication, the practicality of each approach, and future evolution of nanofabrication.
9. Name three types of nano devices and or nanomaterials, the problem or application being addressed, the companies that produce the device (or technology) and why this is considered a 'nanoscale' approach. Consider CNT/MWNT, MEMS, nanoelectronics, nanobiotechnology, and quantum computing. Try to integrate the nanoscale property of the nanaomaterial that is being engineered for the application the nanodevice is applied to.
10. Describe and explain MEMS. What are they? What do they do? How are they made? What are they used for? Are they expensive devices? Name three or more MEMS devices that can be found in a new car today (think about accelerometers).
11. Describe and explain semiconduction and semiconductors. This is a very big question, so reread the midterm instructions that require a combination of Web research and your own writing. Think about the role of semiconduction and semiconductors in nanoelectronics.
12. Describe and explain the importance of materials characterization and analysis in nanotechnology. In your discussion, include a definition of AES, ESCA (XPS), SIMS, SEM, TEM, AFM-STM (scanning probe), X-Ray crystallography and FTIR / Raman spectroscopy What does each technique do? What problems do they solve? How would you use them in materials analysis and characterization? How are they used in QA/QC, failure analysis, and problem solving? Next explain how you would analyze (what types of tools and methods) metals and alloys, ceramics and glass, semiconductors, polymers and composite materials, and organometallics This is a very big question, so please make sure to visit websites like EAG Labs for tutorials.
13. Describe the concept of the EMI model (energy-mass-information), and explain it in terms of nanotechnology. This model is attributed to discussions between myself (Robert Cormia) and John R. Jungck, and encapsulated in a single drawing in this PowerPoint lecture. You are encouraged to comment on how it affects the notion of thermodynamic vs. kinetically driven reactions, black holes, and e=mc2. If this model is too abstract, consider (describe) how energy, mass, and information are all essential components of the nanoscale fabric of the universe.
14. Compare macro, micro, and nanoscale forces. How do these affect the engineering design of a nanoscale structure or material? As an example - consider the forces that hold atoms and molecules together at the nanoscale, and compare and contrast that to composite reinforced systems (fibers and particles). Compare and contrast short and long-range forces and how they affect macroscopic phenomena like strength and elasticity.
15. Describe the history of developing quantum technology (see Week 9). Start with electricity and magnetism, then include the telegraph, radio, transistor, television, radionuclides and nuclear technology, semiconductors, digital computer and networks, quantum tunneling, and qubit computing. The quantum world is to nanotechnology what taming fire (and the combustion of fuel) was to the industrial age. Comment on this last statement.
16. Describe quantum computing in 'semi-technical' terms. What is it, how does it work, why is it important, what are the challenges to development, and the likely time-frame for industrial, commercial, and consumer applications of quantum computing?
17. Energy is a critical industrial application for the earth. How can nanotechnology help? Explain how nanotechnology might be used in solar energy, hydrogen fuel cells, and why the nanotechnology is so important in converting one form of energy into another. (Consider catalysis and surface chemistry for instance).
18. What is nanoelectronics? Is it related to photonics / optoelectronics? Consider molecular electronics and quantum computing in your answer.
19. What is nanobiotechnology? Consider both DNA microarray technology and nanobio convergence in your answer. Compare and contrast with bionanotechnology , biomolecular nanotechnology, and synthetic biology.
20. Who was Richard Feynman? What were his legacy and contributions to nanotechnology? Find his seminal lecture on nanotechnology. Link.
21. Who is Eric Drexler? What fundamental ideas and concepts has he advanced? What organization did he found? Books that he wrote?
22. What are 'molecular assemblers'? How (or are) they related to self-assembly? Do assemblers exist now? Where? (see question 19).
23. Are there potential dangers to nanotechnology? What are they? Are they realistic or sensational? Explain your answer to each. Don't forget to mention grey goo!
24. What is nano-bio-info convergence (also known as BIN fusion)? How can you explain this concept? Include in your answer a brief discussion of synthetic biology - and spend some time researching http://syntheticbiology.org/
25. What is the future of nanotechnology? What are the challenges ahead? What investment and policy changes are needed? Spend some time at the Foresight Institute and the National Nanotechnology Innitiative as a resource to learn about policy and nanotechnology
Extra credit:
You must answer all questions, in 300 to 400 words (total). This extra credit can substitute or augment from three to five questions above.
Nanotechnology is a very big concept, often said to be 'everything'. What have you learned nanotechnology to be? How has this changed you?
Nanotechnology is often said to be 'just materials science' or 'just engineering' or 'just a better understanding of physics and chemistry'. Do you agree with this statement - why or why not? Think about the new associations that you have built on your existing knowledge.
How will you use your new understanding and or knowledge of nanotechnology? Are you more 'nano aware' after finishing the course? How?
Last, do you believe the hype surrounding nanotechnology? What promises will it deliver on, which ones do you not expect to see?
Copyright © 2006 - 2007 Robert D. Cormia - January 13, 2007