Lesson two

I. Study text A. Try to understand all details. Use a dictionary if necessary:

Text a Applications of nanotechnology

I Although there has been much hype about the potential applications of nanotechnology, most current commercialized applications are limited to the use of "first generation" passive nanomaterials. These include titanium dioxide nanoparticles in sunscreen, cosmetics and some food products; silver nanoparticles in food packaging, clothing, disinfectants and household appliances; zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens and cosmetics, surface coatings, paints and outdoor furniture varnishes; and cerium oxide nanoparticles as a fuel catalyst. The Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars' Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies hosts an inventory of consumer products which now contain nanomaterials[14]

II However further applications which require actual manipulation or arrangement of nanoscale components await further research. Though technologies currently branded with the term 'nano' are sometimes little related to and fall far short of the most ambitious and transformative technological goals of the sort in molecular manufacturing proposals, the term still connotes such ideas. Thus there may be a danger that a "nano bubble" will form, or is forming already, from the use of the term by scientists and entrepreneurs to garner funding, regardless of interest in the transformative possibilities of more ambitious and far-sighted work.

III The National Science Foundation (a major source of funding for nanotechnology in the United States) funded researcher David Berube to study the field of nanotechnology. His findings are published in the monograph “Nano-Hype: The Truth Behind the Nanotechnology Buzz.[15]" This published study concludes that much of what is sold as “nanotechnology” is in fact a recasting of straightforward materials science, which is leading to a “nanotech industry built solely on selling nanotubes, nanowires, and the like” which will “end up with a few suppliers selling low margin products in huge volumes."

Some Potential Uses of Nanotechnology:

- Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) for displays

- Photovoltaic film that converts light into electricity

- Scratch-proof coated windows that clean themselves with UV

- Fabrics coated to resist stains and control temperature

- Intelligent clothing measures pulse and respiration

- Bucky-tubeframe is light but very strong

- Hipjoint made from biocompatible materials

- Nano-particle paint to prevent corrosion

- Thermo-chromic glass to regulate light

- Magnetic layers for compact data memory

- Carbon nanotube fuel cells to power electronics & vehicles

- Nano-engineered cochlear implant

II. Say whether the following statements are true or false:

1. The most current commercialized applications are limited to the use of «first generation» passive nanomaterials.

2. The first generation nanomaterials are graphene and graphite.

III. Answer the following questions on paragraph 2:

1. What are most current commercialized applications limited to?

2. What do «first generation» passive nanomaterials include?

3. What do further applications await?

4. What does the nanograph «Nano-Hype» contain?

4. Find the place containing the information of the potential applications of nanotechnology. Render this information to your group-mate.

4. In paragraph 2 find the English equivalents of the following words: дальнейшее применение, топливный катализатор, нанодиапазонные компоненты, независимо от интереса, возможности предложения.

VI. Translate paragraph 1.

7. Read paragraph 3 and say what information the monograph «Nano-Hype» contains?

VIII. Write out of the text the words and phrases describing the potential applications of nanotechnology.

9. Describe further applications of nanoscale components.

9. Divide text A into logical parts and find the topical sentences of each part. Put them down.

9. Speak about the potential applications of nanotechnology.