INTRO TO English for Science - Instructional Materials 4

What is nanotechnology?

To begin, let's answer the question "What is nanotechnology?" Look at the word "nanotechnology". You'll notice it consists of two parts: the prefix "nano-" and the word "technology". The prefix "nano-" means very small. In science and math, nano- is used to describe one-billionth the size of something. For example, a nanosecond is one-billionth the time of a second.

The second part of the word technology is something you're probably familiar with. It is the creation of new things using different sciences, methods, and techniques. So, what do you think nanotechnology means then? Nanotechnology is the science of working with atoms and molecules at the nanoscale to build devices that are extremely small.

Scientists in the nanotechnology field work in nanometers. Do you know how small a nanometer is? A nanometer is one-billionth the size of a meter.

To understand how small that is, think about this: a strand of human hair is approximately 80,000 to 100,000 nanometers wide and a sheet of paper is approximately 100,000 nanometers thick. So one nanometer is much too small for any human to see. Therefore, we need special tools and microscopes in order to see and work at the nanoscale. However, don't be fooled by the size of the nanoscale. Although it is very small, it can create some very powerful materials.

How do properties in materials change at the nanoscale?

At the nanoscale, there are many ways to change materials properties. Properties include things like strength, weight, durability, etc. Scientists that work in the field of nanotechnology work at the nanoscale to create new or special properties in materials. Nanotechnology can make materials stronger, lighter, more durable, more magnetic, etc. For example, carbon in the form of graphite, like pencil lead, is soft and malleable. However, by changing it at the nanoscale, it can be made stronger than steel and six times lighter.

How can nanotechnology improve our lives?

Using nanotechnology, new materials can be used to improve our way of living. In medicine, scientists are finding ways to change nanoparticles the size of molecules so that they only treat damaged or diseased cells in the body. This would improve treatments like chemotherapy because healthy cells would not be hurt during treatment.

In terms of electronics, batteries are being developed using nanomaterials that are able to stay good for longer and be charged much faster than current batteries.

In terms of the environment, there are many ways nanotechnology is working to help find solutions to climate change. One example includes using nanoscale membranes or screens to separate carbon dioxide from other gases so it can be stored and removed from the environment.

Another is the use of nanotechnology in the production of solar panels. It is predicted by the year 2020, nanotechnology will be able to increase the output of energy of solar panels by two to three times by using nanomaterials in place of current solar cells.

Language Focus: Future Possibility and Probability Modals

We looked at making new technology practical. In this language focus lesson, we're going to talk about how to talk about the possibility of something happening in the future. We do this by using modals of probability. We'll look at the most common modal verbs to use, talk about the differences between them, and look at some examples of each one.

In the previous unit, we looked at modals of suggestion. So we know that a modal is a special type of verb usually used with another verb that describes ideas such as making a suggestion, giving advice, or talking about the probability, the chance of something happening.

In this video, we're going to look at modals of probability.

Probability means the chance of something happening in the future.

As an example, think about a weather forecast. If there is a 90% chance of rain tomorrow, that is a very high probability. If there's a 10% chance of rain tomorrow, that is a very low probability. We can use different modal verbs to indicate whether the chance of something is high or low.

Today, we're going to concentrate on the modals will, should, could and might, and the negative of will, won't.

Here is a graph showing the probability of these modals, from high to low:

High means that something has more chance of happening, and low means it has less chance.

"Will" - High Probability

At the high end, we have the modal "will". This is a very strong modal, and we only use it when the chance of something happening is almost certain.

Let's look at a couple of examples:

Rising sea levels will cause more coastal flooding.

As we saw in a previous video, we can be certain that rising sea levels will result in areas near the sea being flooded. Consequently, we can make a prediction with high probability and use the modal verb, "will".

Another example:

Lack of rainfall over a long time will cause drought.

Again, we can be certain of this happening. So, we use "will".

"Won't" - No Probability

If we want to say that something will not happen, we use the negative of "will", "won't". In this case, we are certain that something will not happen. For example:

Increased use of fossil fuels won't reduce CO2 emissions.

So, we know we should use "will" if we are certain that something will happen, and "won't" if we are certain that something won't happen.

"Should" - Fairly High Probability

If we are not quite certain of the result, we use "should". "Should" is still fairly high in probability, but not as high as "will".

For example, scientists believe that hurricanes are going to be stronger in the future, but they are not certain of this because there are so many things to consider.

Therefore, we make this sentence:

As the climate gets warmer, hurricanes should get stronger.

"Might" and "Could" - Low Probability

What if the future is even more difficult to predict? In this case, we use lower probability modals like "might" or "could" to express our opinions.

Climate scientists looking at data about tornadoes have found that there are more tornadoes now than in the past, but that does not necessarily mean there will be more in the future.

They are not 100% sure. Therefore, their prediction is:

Climate change might cause more tornadoes.

Because in this case, "might" and "could" have very similar meanings, another way of saying this is:

Climate change could cause more tornadoes.

Image Credits:

Probability: This work is a derivative of and "Probability and Measure " by John-Morgan via Flickr under CC BY 2.0 . This derivative is licensed under CC BY by FHI 360 for use in the OPEN program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government and administered by FHI 360.

"Modals of Probability" by FHI 360 is licensed under CC BY