FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev.

0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 13

STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. 13

NANOTECHNOLOGY
MODULE OVERVIEW

This module focuses on nanotechnology, its benefits, and its potential impact on the environment.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:

1. identify the importance of biodiversity as a source of different biological resources;
2. discuss the adverse effects of resource depletion on society and the measures to mitigate them; and
3. determine the interrelatedness of society, environment and health

NANOTECHNOLOGY

Nanotechnology utilizes the unique properties of nanomaterials which has at least one dimensional size
of a material between 1 nm to 100 nm to produce nanoscale devices, components, and systems. Applications
utilizing nanotechnology includes manufacturing various products, measuring, imaging and manipulating
matter on the nanoscale. Nanotechnology is of considerable interest by scientists in the fields of
nanocomposites, biocomposites, optical, biomedical, and electronic manufacturing. Nanoparticles are
currently being developed fervently, and one novel application includes polymer based composite materials
used in the aircraft and wind industries. Nanoscale materials can be different in properties compared to bulk
materials for two reasons:

1. Nano-scaled particles have relatively larger surface area per unit mass which is the critical
factor to increase mechanical modulus and other physical and chemical properties.

2. Basic material properties are changed at nanoscale due to the dominance of quantum effects
and lesser imperfections

EXAMPLES OF NANOMATERIALS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

1. Semiconductors on the nanoscale. Semiconductor particles with diameters from 1 to 10

nm are called quantum dots. Making quantum dots is most easily accomplished using chemical reactions in
solution. For example, to make CdS, you can mix Cd(NO3)2 and Na2S in water with a negatively charged
polymer to the water (such as polyphosphate, –(OPO2)n–). Quantum dots are being explored for applications
ranging from electronics to lasers to medical imaging because they are very bright, very stable, and small

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 1

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 13

enough to be taken up by living cells even after being coated with a biocompatible surface layer.

2. Metals on the nanoscale. People have known for hundreds of years that metals are
different when they are very finely divided. Dating back to the middle ages, the makers of stained-glass
windows knew that gold dispersed in molten glass made the glass a beautiful deep red. Much later, in 1857,
Michael Faraday reported that dispersions of small gold particles could be made stable and were deeply
colored. At nanoscale dimensions, silver has properties analogous to those of gold in its beautiful colors,
although it is more reactive than gold. Currently, there is great interest in research laboratories around the
world in taking advantage of the unusual optical properties of metal nanoparticles for applications in
biomedical imaging and chemical detection.

3. Carbon on the nanoscale. Over the past three decades, scientists have discovered that
carbon can form discrete molecules, one-dimensional nanoscale tubes, and two-dimensional nanoscale
sheets. Each of these forms of carbon shows very interesting properties. In 1985, however, a group of
researchers led by Richard Smalley and Robert Curl of Rice University and Harry Kroto of the University of
Sussex, England discovered buckminsterfullerene, nearly spherical C60 molecules. Since the discovery of
C60, other related molecules made of pure carbon have been discovered. These molecules are now known
as fullerenes. The smallest possible fullerene, C20, was first detected in 2000. Because fullerenes are
molecules, they dissolve in various organic solvents, whereas diamond and graphite do not. This solubility
permits fullerenes to be separated from the other components of soot and even from one another. It also
allows the study of their reactions in solution.

Soon after the discovery of C60, chemists discovered carbon nanotubes. They can be made in either
multiwall or single-walled forms. Multiwall carbon nanotubes consist of tubes within tubes, nested together,
whereas single-walled carbon nanotubes consist of single tubes. Depending on the diameter of the graphite
sheet and how it is rolled up, carbon nanotubes can behave as either semiconductors or metals.

The fact that carbon nanotubes can be made either semiconducting or metallic without any doping is
unique among solid-state materials, and laboratories worldwide are making and testing carbon-based
electronic devices. Carbon nanotubes are also being explored for their mechanical properties. The carbon–
carbon bonded framework of the nanotubes means that the imperfections that might appear in a metal
nanowire of similar dimensions are nearly absent. Experiments on individual carbon nanotubes suggest that
they are stronger than steel, if steel were the dimensions of a carbon nanotube. Carbon nanotubes have been
spun into fibers with polymers, adding great strength and toughness to the composite material.

The two-dimensional form of carbon, graphene, is the most recent low-dimensional form of carbon to
be experimentally isolated and studied. It is very strong and has a record thermal conductivity, topping carbon
nanotubes in both categories. Graphene is a semimetal, which means its electronic structure is like that of a
semiconductor in which the energy gap is exactly zero. The combination of graphene’s two-dimensional
character and the fact that it is a semimetal allows the electrons to travel very long distances, up to 0.3 μm,
without scattering from another electron, atom, or impurity. Graphene can sustain electrical current densities
six orders of magnitude higher than those sustainable in copper. Even though it is only one atom thick,
graphene can absorb 2.3% of sunlight that strikes it. Scientists are currently exploring ways to incorporate
graphene in various technologies including electronics, sensors, batteries, and solar cells.

BENEFITS FROM NANOTECHNOLOGY

1. Lower energy consumption: The use of graphene into a coating material resulting in the need for only
one layer, which does not require a multifunctional film coating. Two applications for a graphene
based coating are to apply it to a blade used in wind turbines or on the body of an airplane. It saves
the weight increasing efficiency.

2. Cost saving on materials: An alternative energy method such as hybrid automobiles will decrease the
price by novel developments in nanotechnology.

3. Less waste on raw materials: Large sample testing will be done on a smaller scale and
simultaneously use of raw materials will become more efficiency. Nanoscale chemical reagents (or
catalysts) increase the reaction rate and other efficiency of chemical reactions.

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 2

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Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 13

4. Environmental monitoring and protection: Utilizing advanced nanotechnology, a detector was made to
detect a nuclear leak faster and more accurate at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Which
is one of the best radiation detector in Washington and can sense the faintest amount of radiation9 .

5. Biological applications: Developing ultra-small probes on planetary surfaces for agricultural

applications and control of soil, air, and water contamination.

6. Biomedical applications: This includes the medical diagnostic and treatments.

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ON THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Cleaner, more efficient industrial processes

2. Improved ability to detect and eliminate pollution by improving air, water, and soil quality
3. High precision manufacturing by reducing amount of waste
4. Clean abundant power via more efficient solar cells
5. Removal of greenhouse gases and other pollutants from the atmosphere
6. Decreased need for large industrial plants
7. Remediating environmental damages

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ON THE ENVIRONMENT

1. High energy requirements for synthesizing nanoparticles causing high energy demand
2. Dissemination of toxic, persistent nano-substances originating environmental harm
3. Lower recovery and recycling rates
4. Environmental implications of other life cycle stages also not clear
5. Lack of trained engineers and workers causing further

REFERENCES

1. MacNamara, D., Valverde, V., and Beleno, R. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. pp. 105-
108. Quezon City: C&E Publishing.
2. Serafica, J., et al. (2018) Science, technology and society. pp. 152-163. Quezon City: Rex Bookstore.
3. Lin, P. and Allhodd, F. (2007). Nanoethics: The ethical and social implications of nanotechnology.
Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
4. Zhang, B. et al. (2011). Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology and Its Products. Midwest Section
Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education.

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 3

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 13

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

MODULE OVERVIEW

This module views key concepts on climate change and its diverse impacts on society, and identify various
plans to address it by local, regional and global efforts. It primarily aims to inculcate environmental awareness
among students.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:

1. identify the importance of biodiversity as a source of different biological resources;
2. discuss the adverse effects of resource depletion on society and the measures to mitigate them; and
3. determine the interrelatedness of society, environment and health

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is a global phenomena caused by burning fossil fuels in which the Earth’s atmosphere are
trapped with heat gases. According Riebeek (2010), climate has changed when the planet received more or
less sunlight due to subtle shifts in its orbits as the atmosphere or surface changed or when the Sun’s energy
varied. The global average surface temperature rose from 0.6 to 0.9 degrees Celsius between 1906 and
2005, and the rate of temperature increase has nearly doubled in the last 50 years.
Global warming refers to Earth’s gradual increase of temperature. It is the warming effect caused by
greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. It keeps the planet warm and prevents warm air from leaving.
Some greenhouse gasses that cause global warming are carbon dioxide, methane. There are also man-made
gases such as chlorofluorocarbons, hydro fluorocarbons, per fluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride.
Deforestation is one activity that causes global warming. Destroying forest land releases carbon dioxide into
the air, results to increase the level of long wave radiation and trapped heat.

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Melting of ice caps in the Polar Regions is one of the effects of climate change. It causes infusion of salt in the
ocean and destroys natural ocean currents. These ocean currents bring warm current to cooler areas of the
ocean and vice versa thus controlling and balancing the temperature. Albedo is also affected by the melting of
ice caps. It is the ratio of the light reflected by any part of the Earth’s atmosphere. Snow for example has the
highest albedo level, so when the snow melts the temperature of the Earth will rise and polar bears also
started to decrease due to lack oh habitat.
Another effect of climate change is the change in wildlife adaptations. For example, spruce bark beetles in
Alaska which commonly appears during warm months started to appear all year around eating spruce trees
thus damaging forest all year around.
According to Bradford and Pappas (2017), the effect of climate change is also expected in the society.
Agricultural systems will be affected specifically in land where drought is expected due to severe weather,
greater number and diversity of pests, lower groundwater tables and a loss of arable land could cause severe
crop failures and livestock shortage worldwide. Although carbon dioxide may help increase plant’s growth, it
may become less nutritious. This loss of food security may affect the food markets and could start famines.
Less nutritious food could also affect human health.

OZONE DEPLETION

Ozone is a molecule that contains three oxygen atoms. It serves as a protection from the ultraviolet rays
which are very harmful to humans and plants. Atmospheric ozone is located in the layer of stratosphere about
15 to 30 kilometer above the surface of the Earth. At a certain period of time, ozone molecules are formed
constantly and destroyed in the stratosphere when chlorine and bromine atoms come into contact with ozone

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 4

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 13

in the stratosphere which leads to ozone depletion. Ozone depletion occurring in the stratosphere is a normal
photolytic process as well as ozone formation.
An ozone-depleting substance like chlorofluorocarbons used as aerosol propellants was ban in the United
States since 1970s. However rapid growth of new chemicals in refrigeration, fire suppression, foam insulation
and other application emit chlorofluorocarbon in the air which contributes to ozone depletion.
Ozone “hole” over Antarctica is one of the example of ozone depletion occurred since early 1980s. It is not
literally a hole instead it is a large area in the stratosphere with extremely low ozone. Even North America,
Europe, Asia and much of Africa, Australia, and South America were ozone depletion occurred.

ACID DEPOSITION

Acid deposition is a terms that includes any kind of precipitation with acidic components like sulphuric acid or
nitric acid that fall on the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. Examples of this are acidic rain,
acidic snow, acidic fog, acidic hail or even acidic dust.
Acid deposition occurs when sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide are emitted into the atmosphere and react with
wet or dry matters. This causes surface water acidification and effects soil chemistry.
Acid deposition affects the fertilization of fish eggs and kills adult fishes when the acid level lowers than 5. Soil
organisms cannot survive when the acid level of the soil is below 6. The ability of leaves to retain water under
stress is also affected when deposition of sulphur and nitrogen oxide happens.

THERMAL INVERSION

Peroxylacetylnitrate is a transporter of nitrogen oxide to different rural areas that causes ozone formation in
the troposphere. This may lead to lower visibility in elevated areas. The normal cycle of thermal inversion
means an unstable air mass and air constantly move between warm and cool areas which allow fumigation of
the mixed air on a higher elevation. However, due to high concentrations of pollutants the temperature
increases and disrupts the flow of the mixed air to a higher level.
Thermal inversion occurs in some coastal areas due to the upwelling of cold water that lowers surface
sir temperature. Topography or man-made barriers like buildings can create temperature inversion because
the cold air may be blocked by these buildings and pushed under the warmer air rising from the source.
El Nino is usually described as the unusual warming of surface waters also known as “warm phase”. It
brings droughts that commonly affect the agriculture and shortage of portable water to drink. La Nina is the
opposite of El Nino also known as “cool phase” and it is the unusual cooling of the water surface. It brings
extreme rainfall that causes flooding and erosion and destroys properties or even kill humans and animals.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Environmental efforts must be done individually and collectively in order to minimize the effect of climate
change. It is an individual and global responsibility to care for the environment as it changes contiguously.
There are many ways to minimize the effect of climate change, one way is to minimize the emission of
carbon dioxide from fossil fuels through the use of renewable energy like solar, wind, or hydropower as
sources of energy is highly recommended. Refrigerators, washing machines and other appliances with energy
efficient tagged should be considered before buying. The use of fuel-efficient vehicles with higher fuel
economy performance is another way to lessen fossil fuel consumption.
Philippines is one of the signatories in the Kyoto Protocol which is an international agreement that
extends the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In 1997 it was adopted
but the first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012. Developed countries committed to
minimize their carbon dioxide emissions up to 2% until 2050 to help address the problem of climate change.
Another global agreement that Philippines along with 197 countries signed is Montreal Protocol. It
was set to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone
depleting substances. It aims to help the ozone layer recuperate from the hole it has attained due to
increasing presence of ozone depleting substances in the atmosphere.

REFERENCES

1. Quinto, EJ., Nieva, A. (2019). Science, Technology, and Society. pp. 194-202. Quezon City: C&E
Publishing.
2. Riebeek, H., Simmon, R. (2010). Global warming. Retrieved from
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/GlobalWarming/page2.php

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 5

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 13

3. Bradford, A., Pappas, S. (2017) Effect of Global Warming. Retrieved from

https://www.livescience.com/37057-global-warming-effects.html
4. Environmental Protection Agency (2017) Basic Ozone Layer Science. Retrieved from
https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/basic-ozone-layer-science
5. Pacala, S. (2009). Sharing global CO2 emission reductions among one billion high emitters.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), 106(29) 11884-
11888. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.090523406.
6. US EPA. (2007). International Action-the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the layer.
Retrieved from https:/www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/international-actions-montreal-protocol-
substances-deplete-ozone-layer

STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. 14

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

MODULE OVERVIEW

This module views key concepts on climate change and its diverse impacts on society, and identify
various plans to address it by local, regional and global efforts. It primarily aims to inculcate environmental
awareness among students.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:

4. identify the importance of biodiversity as a source of different biological resources;
5. discuss the adverse effects of resource depletion on society and the measures to mitigate them; and
6. determine the interrelatedness of society, environment and health

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is a global phenomena caused by burning fossil fuels in which the Earth’s
atmosphere are trapped with heat gases. According Riebeek (2010), climate has changed when the planet
received more or less sunlight due to subtle shifts in its orbits as the atmosphere or surface changed or when
the Sun’s energy varied. The global average surface temperature rose from 0.6 to 0.9 degrees Celsius
between 1906 and 2005, and the rate of temperature increase has nearly doubled in the last 50 years.
Global warming refers to Earth’s gradual increase of temperature. It is the warming effect caused by
greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. It keeps the planet warm and prevents warm air from leaving.
Some greenhouse gasses that cause global warming are carbon dioxide, methane. There are also
man-made gases such as chlorofluorocarbons, hydro fluorocarbons, per fluorocarbons, and sulphur
hexafluoride.
Deforestation is one activity that causes global warming. Destroying forest land releases carbon
dioxide into the air, results to increase the level of long wave radiation and trapped heat.

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Melting of ice caps in the Polar Regions is one of the effects of climate change. It causes infusion of
salt in the ocean and destroys natural ocean currents. These ocean currents bring warm current to cooler
areas of the ocean and vice versa thus controlling and balancing the temperature. Albedo is also affected by
the melting of ice caps. It is the ratio of the light reflected by any part of the Earth’s atmosphere. Snow for
example has the highest albedo level, so when the snow melts the temperature of the Earth will rise and polar
bears also started to decrease due to lack oh habitat.
Another effect of climate change is the change in wildlife adaptations. For example, spruce bark
beetles in Alaska which commonly appears during warm months started to appear all year around eating
spruce trees thus damaging forest all year around.
According to Bradford and Pappas (2017), the effect of climate change is also expected in the society.
Agricultural systems will be affected specifically in land where drought is expected due to severe weather,
greater number and diversity of pests, lower groundwater tables and a loss of arable land could cause severe
crop failures and livestock shortage worldwide. Although carbon dioxide may help increase plant’s growth, it
may become less nutritious. This loss of food security may affect the food markets and could start famines.

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 6

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 13

Less nutritious food could also affect human health.

OZONE DEPLETION

Ozone is a molecule that contains three oxygen atoms. It serves as a protection from the ultraviolet
rays which are very harmful to humans and plants. Atmospheric ozone is located in the layer of stratosphere
about 15 to 30 kilometer above the surface of the Earth. At a certain period of time, ozone molecules are
formed constantly and destroyed in the stratosphere when chlorine and bromine atoms come into contact with
ozone in the stratosphere which leads to ozone depletion. Ozone depletion occurring in the stratosphere is a
normal photolytic process as well as ozone formation.
An ozone-depleting substance like chlorofluorocarbons used as aerosol propellants was ban in the
United States since 1970s. However rapid growth of new chemicals in refrigeration, fire suppression, foam
insulation and other application emit chlorofluorocarbon in the air which contributes to ozone depletion.
Ozone “hole” over Antarctica is one of the example of ozone depletion occurred since early 1980s. It
is not literally a hole instead it is a large area in the stratosphere with extremely low ozone. Even North
America, Europe, Asia and much of Africa, Australia, and South America were ozone depletion occurred.

ACID DEPOSITION

Acid deposition is a terms that includes any kind of precipitation with acidic components like sulphuric
acid or nitric acid that fall on the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. Examples of this are acidic
rain, acidic snow, acidic fog, acidic hail or even acidic dust.
Acid deposition occurs when sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide are emitted into the atmosphere and
react with wet or dry matters. This causes surface water acidification and effects soil chemistry.
Acid deposition affects the fertilization of fish eggs and kills adult fishes when the acid level lowers
than 5. Soil organisms cannot survive when the acid level of the soil is below 6. The ability of leaves to retain
water under stress is also affected when deposition of sulphur and nitrogen oxide happens.

THERMAL INVERSION

Peroxylacetylnitrate is a transporter of nitrogen oxide to different rural areas that causes ozone
formation in the troposphere. This may lead to lower visibility in elevated areas. The normal cycle of thermal
inversion means an unstable air mass and air constantly move between warm and cool areas which allow
fumigation of the mixed air on a higher elevation. However, due to high concentrations of pollutants the
temperature increases and disrupts the flow of the mixed air to a higher level.
Thermal inversion occurs in some coastal areas due to the upwelling of cold water that lowers surface
sir temperature. Topography or man-made barriers like buildings can create temperature inversion because
the cold air may be blocked by these buildings and pushed under the warmer air rising from the source.
El Nino is usually described as the unusual warming of surface waters also known as “warm phase”. It
brings droughts that commonly affect the agriculture and shortage of portable water to drink. La Nina is the
opposite of El Nino also known as “cool phase” and it is the unusual cooling of the water surface. It brings
extreme rainfall that causes flooding and erosion and destroys properties or even kill humans and animals.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Environmental efforts must be done individually and collectively in order to minimize the effect of climate
change. It is an individual and global responsibility to care for the environment as it changes contiguously.
There are many ways to minimize the effect of climate change, one way is to minimize the emission of
carbon dioxide from fossil fuels through the use of renewable energy like solar, wind, or hydropower as
sources of energy is highly recommended. Refrigerators, washing machines and other appliances with energy
efficient tagged should be considered before buying. The use of fuel-efficient vehicles with higher fuel
economy performance is another way to lessen fossil fuel consumption.
Philippines is one of the signatories in the Kyoto Protocol which is an international agreement that
extends the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In 1997 it was adopted
but the first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012. Developed countries committed to
minimize their carbon dioxide emissions up to 2% until 2050 to help address the problem of climate change.
Another global agreement that Philippines along with 197 countries signed is Montreal Protocol. It
was set to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone
depleting substances. It aims to help the ozone layer recuperate from the hole it has attained due to
increasing presence of ozone depleting substances in the atmosphere.

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 7

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 13

REFERENCES

1. Quinto, EJ., Nieva, A. (2019). Science, Technology, and Society. pp. 194-202. Quezon City: C&E
Publishing.
2. Riebeek, H., Simmon, R. (2010). Global warming. Retrieved from
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/GlobalWarming/page2.php
3. Bradford, A., Pappas, S. (2017) Effect of Global Warming. Retrieved from
https://www.livescience.com/37057-global-warming-effects.html
4. Environmental Protection Agency (2017) Basic Ozone Layer Science. Retrieved from
https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/basic-ozone-layer-science
5. Pacala, S. (2009). Sharing global CO2 emission reductions among one billion high emitters. Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), 106(29) 11884-11888.
Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.090523406.
6. US EPA. (2007). International Action-the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the layer.
Retrieved from https:/www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/international-actions-montreal-protocol-
substances-deplete-ozone-layer

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 8