Background image: Nanotechnology in the Military National Defense Homeland Security

Background image: From the east coast to the west coast, from the north to the south, from the army to the navy, from the air force to the marines. How can small science help us protect such a big country?

Background image: How Big Is Nano? This is one nanometer!

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Background image: Nanotechnology in National Defense Clothing with greater tolerance for temperature changes Increase surveillance for better protection Smaller cameras Cheap, small, and more effective weapons Exploration of the oceans Augmenting human performance Scratch resistant surfaces Stronger, thinner and cheaper glass Change shape of objects, i.e. armor-like fabric Coatings that don't degrade (doesn't need repainting) "Invisibility" Faster intensive medical help Lighter, faster aircraft which use less fuel Submarines and planes that can go undetected by radar What can nanotechnology do for the military? Nanotechnology research in the following areas can help the military:

Background image: “Poof” Where’d They Go? How could you become invisible? Here are a couple of nano-ways: Scientists are manipulating light so soldiers seem to disappear Scientists are also working on "electrochromic camouflage" – fabric which changes colors instantly to blend in with the surroundings. See how it is done. See how it is done.

Background image: Armor As Strong as a … Snail? Sea snails and abalone are guiding scientists in their search for strong and lightweight armor. Sea Shells and AbaloneSea ShellsAbalone Others, besides the military, will benefit from these new nanoscience developments: firefighters, police officers, and other emergency responders. Abalone shells are strong and lightweight. They can repair themselves, too.

Background image: NANO-ARMOR Possible applications for this new nano material are ballistic protection personal body armor, bullet proof vests, vehicle armor, shields, helmets, and protective enclosures. This onion-like layering is why this new material is so strong and durable. Another method for creating super strong materials uses tungsten, not carbon, for the basic material. It is five times stronger than steel and at least twice as strong as any impact-resistant material currently in use as protective gear. It has withstood the equivalent of dropping four diesel locomotives onto an area the size of a fingernail.

Background image: More Body Armor Concerns about biochemical-warfare have resulted in exploration into nano-size umbrellas that open to seal the cloth's pores, making it impervious to airborne chemicals and pathogens. That would be much easier and lighter than the current equipment required. Another new nano-armor is called "smart" body armor. It weaves thin pads or cloth from fibers that can sense the impact of a bullet or shrapnel and automatically stiffen. This material would be even more resistant to penetration and less cumbersome than the ceramic-plate armor troops wear now.smart" body armor

Background image: Nano-Medic If a soldier is injured in the arm or leg, thanks to nano-fibers in the uniform, the fabric would constrict into a tourniquet. This will be a real life- saver, because half of all battlefield deaths are due to massive blood loss before wounded soldiers can be treated. In addition, sensors would provide the soldier's vital signs and location to medics via radio. Until the new nano-sensored garment is ready, soldiers will wear an adhesive chest patch fitted with sensors and a tiny radio. ml

Background image: Artificial Muscles Artificial muscles that could enable soldiers to leap tall walls, if not buildings, are in the works, too. One type uses nanotechnology and electricity. It flexes when jolted by electricity, then relaxes when the electricity is turned off. So far, though, its reactions are much too slow.

Background image: Warships The U.S. Navy is getting a next-generation all- electric warship thanks to nanotechnology. This new technology will control the ship and lead to major improvements in effectiveness, survivability and cost savings. The space needed for energy production on warships will be reduced significantly This will free onboard space so that it can be used for other functions.

Background image: New Nano-Spies Nanoscience in Homeland Security Big fighter jets are ‘so yesterday’. The next generation of fighter jets are nano-sized jets, the size of a seed, that can pretty much go anywhere. Scientists are working on this revolutionary, remote-controlled nano air vehicle. They will be able to collect military intelligence both indoors and outdoors. One weighs no more than 10 grams and can carry a payload of up to 2 grams. The will help protect the lives and enhance the operational effectiveness of soldiers and first responders.

Background image: Anti-Toxin Toxin Guard is a product that uses nanotechnology on packaging films to detect micro- organisms like pathogens, which can cause illness or disease.

Background image: Nano-‘Fingerprints’ This nanotechnology has the ability to verify passports, ID cards and other documents such as birth certificates with just a scan. It can even be used on product packaging. The accuracy of measurement is greater than tests for DNA, a reliability of at least one million trillion. Next time you have a chance to see paper at the nanoscale, you’ll see that it has a ‘fingerprint’. Using nanotechnology scientists can recognize the inherent patterns within all materials such as paper, plastic, metal and ceramics. Each 'fingerprint' is impossible to duplicate and can be easily read using a low-cost portable laser scanner.

Background image: Planning Your Presentation To prepare for your presentation, answer these questions using reference materials which can include the websites linked to this webquest: 1.What can be done to maximize the chances that humans will benefit from, rather than be harmed by these new developments? 2.If we can develop these technologies, should we? Why?

Background image: Social, Environmental and Ethical Concerns 1.Might these nanotechnology developments in the military infringe on human rights? 2.Could any of them decrease privacy of individuals? 3.Could the use of nanotechnology for the military have unwanted and negative environmental effects? 4.What economic impact could the use of nanotechnology in the military have on producers, consumers, and other industries? Might they be negative or positive?

Background image: What About Your Rights? If so, are these developments more important than Your privacy? Your rights as a citizen? Your rights as a human being? Are the answers somewhere in between?

Background image: Military Websites These are websites which are a good place to start in looking for more information on nanotechnology in the military. Then use the general website page linked at the bottom of this page. It is full of nanotechnology sites related to multiple areas including yours. After exhausting these resources you may also wish to use your search engine and appropriate key words and phrases to find more information smart materials: rch rch What are the military's research priorities? General websites link

Background image: More Help If you would like help breaking down your research into steps, click on the help button for an outline.