First-Year Seminar (105-6-03)

Topic

What's So Special About Nanomaterials?

Instructors

Katherine Anne Moga Gesmundo

Meeting Info

Technological Institute LG62: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

What's So Special About Nanomaterials?: Over the past 20 years, nanotechnology has been a booming area of research in chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, and medicine. Modern techniques have allowed scientists to better study small materials, and the nanotech we read about in science fiction novels can now become real products found in our world. In this seminar, we will discuss what is so special about the size range of 1-100 nm (the nanoscale) and why particles of this size have a such a unique niche in nature and technology. We will explore the properties of these materials and why quantum mechanical effects allow for this scale to be so important. Discussions of medicines, electronics, catalysts, additives, and imaging agents that include nanoparticles will allow us to explore the wide range of current directions of nanotechnology. As we look to future applications, we will debate the implications of these materials on the environment, human health, and safety. Regulatory bodies in the United States and around the globe have discussed the ethical and social impact of nanomaterials, and we will investigate their role is assuring the nanomaterials we use leave a positive impact on the world.

Class Materials (Required)

Title: Prey
Author: Michael Crichton
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 9780066214122
Approx. price: $27
The digital copy is fine too.

Class Materials (Suggested)

None.

Class Attributes

WCAS First-Year Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required