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Commentary: Putting Nanotechnology Under the Microscope

The Science Teacher—December 2006

Nanotechnology is all over the news: Particles that become translucent or change color according to size! Particles smaller than viruses in the shape of hollow soccer balls! Particles that can destroy tumors, prevent sunburn, and keep your windows clean! Conversely, research also suggests the very properties that make nanosized particles beneficial also make them potentially dangerous (Nel et al. 2006). This article closely examines the pros and cons of nanotechnology, and encourages you as a science teacher to help your students mediate the divide between compelling but contradictory opinions.
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