These particles can accumulate in the liver if ingested, and exposure has
shown them to be toxic to several organs, including the brain.
While nanomaterials offer tremendous benefit, their small scale and high
activity due to large surface area provide some challenges, especially
concerning human health and the environment. Figure 1.2 shows a
number of nanostructures that will be discussed extensively in this book,
along with applications currently in use or being developed.
1.2 THE NEED FOR NANOSCIENCE
EDUCATION
Over the last decade, nanotechnology has been one of the fastest growing
areas of research globally. Estimates had concluded that by 2015, over 10
million jobs worldwide would be affected by nanotechnology. In light of
this, it is important to recognize that significant growth in areas of scientific research inevitably impacts education, first at the graduate level,
and then at the undergraduate level. In the last decade, a healthy flow of
publications has addressed the needs of graduate students and trained
professionals in the field of nanoscience. Rapid research advances in
areas such as soft matter, supramolecular science, and biophysical
chemistry have fueled the recent surge in the number of professional
journals in nanotechnology. Over 50 journals are currently publishing
research in nanotechnology, and over 30 are devoted solely to nanomaterials. The impact in education is being felt as evidenced by the steady
stream of articles on nanoscience education published in the Journal
of Chemical Education, a monthly journal published by the American
Chemical Society (ACS). These articles are usually aimed at the undergraduate level and cover new concepts in nanoscience, classroom demonstrations, and advanced laboratory exercises.
(a)
(b)
(c)
50 nm
50 nm
50 nm
Figure
1.1 Transmission
electron microscopy (TEM)
images of silver nanoparticles
with diameters of (a) 20 nm,
(b) 60 nm, and (c) 100 nm,
respectively. Scale bars are
50 nm. (Image from SigmaAldrich.)
THE NEED FOR NANOSCIENCE EDUCATION
3
shown them to be toxic to several organs, including the brain.
While nanomaterials offer tremendous benefit, their small scale and high
activity due to large surface area provide some challenges, especially
concerning human health and the environment. Figure 1.2 shows a
number of nanostructures that will be discussed extensively in this book,
along with applications currently in use or being developed.
1.2 THE NEED FOR NANOSCIENCE
EDUCATION
Over the last decade, nanotechnology has been one of the fastest growing
areas of research globally. Estimates had concluded that by 2015, over 10
million jobs worldwide would be affected by nanotechnology. In light of
this, it is important to recognize that significant growth in areas of scientific research inevitably impacts education, first at the graduate level,
and then at the undergraduate level. In the last decade, a healthy flow of
publications has addressed the needs of graduate students and trained
professionals in the field of nanoscience. Rapid research advances in
areas such as soft matter, supramolecular science, and biophysical
chemistry have fueled the recent surge in the number of professional
journals in nanotechnology. Over 50 journals are currently publishing
research in nanotechnology, and over 30 are devoted solely to nanomaterials. The impact in education is being felt as evidenced by the steady
stream of articles on nanoscience education published in the Journal
of Chemical Education, a monthly journal published by the American
Chemical Society (ACS). These articles are usually aimed at the undergraduate level and cover new concepts in nanoscience, classroom demonstrations, and advanced laboratory exercises.
(a)
(b)
(c)
50 nm
50 nm
50 nm
Figure
1.1 Transmission
electron microscopy (TEM)
images of silver nanoparticles
with diameters of (a) 20 nm,
(b) 60 nm, and (c) 100 nm,
respectively. Scale bars are
50 nm. (Image from SigmaAldrich.)
THE NEED FOR NANOSCIENCE EDUCATION
3