Aerospace

•Spacecrafts & Spacesuits

•Health Monitoring

•Energy

•Food

•Electronics

From comets to asteroids, planets to

moons, stars to galaxies, and nebula

to black holes, the universe is a vast

and undiscovered place larger than

humans can truly imagine.

How can small science help us

explore such a big universe?

http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/about/news_items/mcnaughtComet.shtml

How Big Is Nano?

http://www.terressentials.com/exposure.html

http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/The_scale_of_things.html

NASA’s Nanotechnology Goals

Nanotechnology Program Elements

- Nanoelectronics and Computing

- Sensors

- Structural Materials

http://www.ipt.arc.nasa.gov/Graphics/nanotech_nasamissions.ppt

Nanotechnology in Aerospace

Nanotechnology will revolutionize aerospace industry and space exploration. Nanotechnology is the utilization of materials, devices and systems ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers in

size.

http://www.liv.ac.uk/nanoscale/http://www.physorg.com/news5043.htmlhttp://www.engr.uiuc.edu/news/archive/index.php?xId=071508800672

Future Space Travel

Lightweight solar cells will also help bring down the pricetag for space travel. Both of these developments in nanotechnology would significantly reduce the need for rocket fuel, an expensive commodity.http://www.myreviews101.com/tag/unbelievable

http://www.sprol.com/?p=322 http://nanopedia.case.edu/NWPage.php?page=aerospacehttp://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/09/nasa-terminates.html

Could nanotechnology make space

travel less expensive and more

practical? Traveling to and through

space using a space elevator created

with nanotechnology is a far-out idea

that could certainly reduce expenses.

On a more

realistic note...

1. New Spacecrafts and

Spacesuits Using

Nanotechnology

• Ultra-small sensors, power sources, as well as communication, navigation, and propulsion systems with very low mass, volume and power consumption could be developed using nanotechnology.

• Developments in electronics at the nanoscale are leading to autonomous, “thinking” spacecraft.

• Networks of ultra small probes can investigate planetary surfaces.

• Micro-rovers should be able to drive, hop, fly, and burrow.

• Microspacecraft will be able to make a variety of measurements.

http://www.ipt.arc.nasa.gov/Graphics/nanotech_nasamissions.ppthttp://www.greentechforum.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/space_elevator.jpghttp://www.geekologie.com/mt/mt-search.cgi?tag=luxury&blog_id=1

New materials, nanosensors and

miniaturized robots could also improve

the performance of spaceships.

On the next page you’ll see the timeline for NASA’s use of nanotechnology to improve spacecraft and spacesuit materials.

2002 2005 2010 2015

NANOTUBE

COMPOSITES

MULTIFUNCTIONAL

MATERIALS

Tacky

Non-tacky

temperature

SELF-

HEALING

MATERIALS

Nano-Materials Roadmap

Impact on Space Transportation, Space Science and HEDS

SELF-ASSEMBLING

MATERIALS

Generation 3 RLV

HEDS Habitats

Nanotextiles

Mis

sio

n C

om

ple

xit

y

Strong Smart Structures

RLV Cryo Tanks

Production of

single CNT

CNT* Tethers

*CNT = Carbon Nanotubes

2002 2010 2020 2030

Biomimetics and Bio-inspired SystemsImpact on Space Transportation, Space Science and Earth

ScienceM

iss

ion

Co

mp

lex

ity

Biological Mimicking

Embryonics

Extremophiles

DNA

Computing

Brain-like

computing

Self Assembled

Array

Artificial nanopore

high resolution

Mars in situ

life detector

Sensor Web

Biological nanopore

low resolution

Skin and Bone

Self healing structure

and thermal protection

systems

Biologically inspired

aero-space systems

Space Transportation

http://www.ipt.arc.nasa.gov/Graphics/nanotech_nasamissions.ppt

Computers in Space

They will be compact,

powerful, use little power and resist

radiation.

Of course, these computers will be

able to process all types of satellite

information and assist in improved

monitoring of the climate on earth.

http://www.geekologie.com/mt/mt-search.cgi?tag=luxury&blog_id=1http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1006/543184498_a849f5ffe0_o.jpg

Imagine the advantage of

nanotechnology in computer

systems in space.

Itsy-Bitsy Rovers

Thanks to nanotechnology microscopic and even nanoscopic rovers will be sent to explore other planets and collect data.

http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/technology/images_videos/iv_pages/d040699b.html

http://www-robotics.jpl.nasa.gov/tasks/taskImage.cfm?TaskID=40&tdaID=2484&Image=141

http://conferences.esa.int/FPD/info/tos-mm001128c.gif

2. Health in Space

Manned spacecraft will have biological nanosensors to monitor the conditions within the spacecraft.

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/space_health/

In fact, the nanosensors and nanorobots on manned expeditions will monitor the life support system as well as the propulsion system to increase the overall success of future missions. What other uses might we find for this technology here on planet Earth?

Nanotechnology for Astronauts’

Health

Nanotechnology hopes to help monitor circulatory and lymphatic systems and send messages when there are irregularities.

Also, it will check pulse and brainwave activities.

http://blog.tropika.net/tropika/2008/06/03/let-me-%E2%80%98plague%E2%80%99-among-the-stars/

Healthy Spacesuits

Spacesuits will not only monitor the health and of

the astronauts. Comfortable, lightweight, thin and

flexible fabrics can be designed to protect them from

diseases.

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/space_health/

3. Eat the Whole Package!

Nanofoods, too, will be

protected from pathogens,

disease-causing germs. Even

the packaging will be made to

be eaten! To save energy,

foods will be designed so that

they will be lighter and don't

need to be refrigerated to stay

fresh.

The Columbia Tragedy

February 1, 2003 Columbia Space Shuttle disintegrated

on its descend back to Earth. The first indication was

the loss of temperature sensors on the left wing. Foam

had struck the left wing. There was loss of tire

pressure warnings on the left main gear and an

indication of excessive structural heating.

Electronics in Aerospace

Nanotechnology Electronics Helping

to Prevent Another Disaster

• Biosensors

– Biologically-based sensing devices

– Space shuttle material

• Lighter weight

• More durable

• Withstand 1000 degrees Celsius

• Nanosensors and miniature robots

• Better monitoring system for propulsion systems and life support resulting in higher mission success rates

On the next two pages are pictoral description of some of these followed by NASA’s timeline for developing better electronics and computers for aerospace using nanotechnology.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0cXf5a78Oga1Y/340x.jpg

http://nanopedia.case.edu/image/nano%20aerospace.JPGwww.engr.ucr.edu/.../2005/highschool/Nanotechnology%20in%20Space%20-%20Emmet,%20Chris,%20Samuel.ppt

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0cXf5a78Oga1Y/340x.jpghttp://nanopedia.case.edu/image/nano%20aerospace.JPG

2002 2005 2010 2015

Biomimetic,

radiation resistant

molecular

computing

Nanoelectronics and Computing Roadmap

Impact on Space Transportation, Space Science and Earth Science

CNT Devices

Biological Molecules

Ultra high

density

storage

Mis

sio

n C

om

ple

xit

y

Compute Capacity

RLV

hne-

Nano-electronic

components

Europa Sub

Robot Colony

Sensor Web

http://www.ipt.arc.nasa.gov/Graphics/nanotech_nasamissions.ppt

Bio-Inspired

Nanoelectronics in Space

improving and monitoring the health of astronauts (which

will be presented later in this presentation).

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/space_health/

But nature has suggested many

ways for scientists to improve

spacecrafts and spacesuits with bio-

inspired nanotechnology.

On the next page is NASA’s timeline for

incorporating some of these ideas.

A person might think that developments

in biotechnology would be limited to

Nanosensor RoadmapImpact on Space Transportation, HEDS, Space Science and

Astrobiology2002 2005 2015

Mis

sio

n C

om

ple

xit

y

Sensor Capacity1999

DSI RAX

2003

ISPPMissions too early

for nanotechnology

impact

Space station

Europa Sub

Mars Robot Colony

Sensor Web2020

Nanotube Vibration

Sensor for Propulsion

Diagnostics

Optical Sensors

for Synthetic

Vision

Nanopore for in situ

biomark-sensor

Multi-sensor

Arrays (Chemical,

optical and bio)

2010

Sharp CJV

http://www.ipt.arc.nasa.gov/Graphics/nanotech_nasamissions.ppt

Social, Environmental and

Ethical Concerns

1. Might these nanotechnology developments in

aerospace infringe on human rights?

2. Could any of them decrease privacy of individuals?

3. Could the use of nanotechnology for aerospace

have unwanted and negative environmental effects?

4. What economic impact could the use of

nanotechnology in aerospace have on producers,

consumers, and other industries? Might they be

negative or positive?

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?

Planning Your

Presentation

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2007/02/15/PH2007021502068.jpghttp://www.presentationalspeaking.com/images/pic_2.jpg

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?

Aerospace Websites

These are websites which are a good place to start in looking for more information on nanotechnology in aerospace. 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.

http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/gallery.html

http://www.understandingnano.com/space.html

http://www.nanotech-now.com/space.htm

http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=2150.php

http://snl.mit.edu/

http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/10784/

http://www.nanotech-now.com/columns/?article=054

http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?cat=9

http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/12987/1066/

http://www.ipt.arc.nasa.gov/nanotechnology.html

The space elevator:http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2003/02/57536

http://www.nss.org/community/roadmap/Aapdfs/Reynolds.pdf

http://www.thespacesite.com/space_nanotechology_applications_in_space.html

http://www.cmt.anl.gov/Science_and_Technology/Basic_Science/Publications/Aluminum_Nanoparticles.pdf

General websites link

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