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The paper reports on our work developing a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional approach to teaching Ethical, Social, Safety, Health, and Environmental Issues in Nanotechnology. Under a grant from NSF, we are developing, implementing, and assessing two modular courses that include societal, ethical, environmental, health, and safety issues related to nanotechnology for undergraduates in engineering and engineering technology. It is a collaborative project between Texas State University, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and the University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler), whose student population is 60 percent women. The work is being conducted by a highly interdisciplinary team of faculty who bring to the project expertise from mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial education and technology, physics, biology, philosophy, and ethics. Here we explain the origin of the project, explicate how we have developed the course modules, review the first two semesters (Summer and Fall 2013) teaching from these modules, and examine our initial results and evaluations.

This paper describes the challenges of nano-scale sensor development for very harsh downhole oilfield conditions and provides an overview of the operational requirements necessary to survive and directly measure the desired subsurface data. One of the significant challenges is maintaining sensor accuracy and sensitivity as devices are miniaturized into the micron scale and below. The goal is to develop subsurface nanosensors that can be injected into oil and gas well bores to gather and report data, providing an unparalleled level of reservoir characterization.

Nanotechnology is a broad, emerging area of technology development that cuts across nearly every sector of the economy and is gaining ground in the marketplace. During the last ten years, health safety personnel have been studying the effects of nanoparticles on human health. As nanotechnology gains momentum on the global market, there are some safety issues that must be explored and resolved before assuring a safe working environment. Workers need to be trained in sustainable and safe manufacturing practices. To have the greatest impact, safety training should be incorporated into two-year post-secondary and workforce education programs so that graduates enter the workforce with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to maintain a safe workplace from the outset of their careers. A number of professional organizations such as CDC, NIOSH, and ICON have begun collaboration efforts to establish a foundation to help define the fundamentals of nano-EHS safety content.