Part 4: technology: pros & cons

Task 31. (Out-class activity) Read the information about nanotechnology in Text 1 (students from group 1). Students from group 2 should read Text 2. Share your opinion about nanotechnology and its future with your fellow students. (The information is at CD 1)

Task 32. Fill in the necessary word to complete general questions. Answer the questions obtained.

Questions to be answered by Group 1

Questions to be answered by Group 2

1. ___ nanotechnology as a branch startlingly new for most scientists? 2. ___ the scientists need a standard to which they can relate the nanoscale? 3. __ any Nobel prizes been awarded in nanotechnology? 4. __ the nanotechnology become synonymous with computers, software and communications? 5. __ the real value of the nanotubes be in their application? 6. __ the new understandings of nanotechnology allow us to design new architectures of devices? 7. __ it come as a surprise to learn that the Romans and Chinese were using nanoparticles thousands of years ago? 8. __ our understanding of nanoscale phenomena allow us to replicate at least part of nature? 9. __ nanotechnology provide inspiration and drive for many generations of scientists?

1. __ we know anything about dangerous impact of nanotechnology to our life? 2. __ a group of researchers conducted a systematic analysis of recently published reports and articles about nanomaterials? 3. __ any scientific uncertainty about nanomaterials exist? 4. __ the researchers find any citations of uncertainty or incomplete knowledge regarding the potential environmental, health and safety risks of nanomaterials? 5. __ the scientists chose a qualitative uncertainty analysis framework for this analysis? 6. __ scientists benefit from this knowledge since it will likely provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the current knowledge? 7. __ further research within these fields still important? 8. __ the research fields involved in assessing the health and environmental risks of nanomaterials open up to new methodologies and frameworks? 9. __ ‘greener’ initiatives start to be incorporated into the production of at least some nanomaterials?

Task 33. Ask a special question to every part of the sentence in bold. Work in pairs (St 1 & St 2).

1. One of the most pressing issues facing nanoscientists and technologists today is that of communicating with the non-scientific community.

2. Governments and corporations worldwide have ploughed over $4 billion into nanotechnology in the last year alone.

3. Nanotechnology is already all around us if you know where to look.

4. Many of the companies working with nanotechnology are simply applying our knowledge of the nanoscale to existing industries.

5. Degusssa have been producing carbon black, the substance that makes car tyres black and improves the wear resistance of the rubber, since the 1920s.

6. At least scientists are making progress in identifying the gaps – the 'known unknowns' as they call it.

7. They find that serious knowledge gaps pervade nearly all areas of basic nanotechnology EHS knowledge.

8. "We expect that further empirical research will presumably reduce most areas of uncertainty, although it is likely to be time-consuming and expensive" Khara Deanne Grieger, a PhD student in DTU's Department of Environmental Engineering, tells Nanowerk.

9. This analysis was motivated by the aim of assisting the development of nano-EHS research priorities.

10. Grieger, Hansen and Baun recommend that further attention be given to the assessment and development of standardized testing procedures, equipment, materials as well as the full characterization of nanomaterials in order to most effectively reduce uncertainties in the near term.

Task 34. Summarize the information you have got from the student of another group. Work in pairs. Your opponent from the different group should say whether you are correct or not in understanding the information.

Task 35. Role-play: press conference.

There are 2 opponent teams of scientists. Team 1 (3 students) is for further development of nanotechnologies, they do not see any danger in their application in different spheres of life.

Team 2 (3 students) do not support the idea of fast development and implementation of nanotechnologies without studying EHS risks of nanomaterials.

All the rest students are journalists. Their task is to understand possible benefit and danger from nanotechnologies implementation.