If you would like some further reading on nanotechnology, primarally focused on "Supporting Fuel Cell Development" and the "Nanotechnology Research and Development (R&D) Act" then please select the article you would like to read from the list below. For additional articles please choose from the section labeled additional letters.

  1. Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (NRDA)
  2. Support Fuel Cell Development

Additional letters:

  1. Disney Case Study
  2. Boeing Case Study

Bottom | Fuel Cell Development

Nanotechnology Research and Development (R&D) Act:
      Cheaper mass transit, new medicines to prevent cancer, and lighter but stronger automobiles may sound like they have no correlation but yet they do because of a new law providing funding for nanotechnology.

Introduction:
      The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (NRDA) will make the theory a reality because of the funding used to accelerate the research behind nanotechnology. First I’ll provide an overview and then address an issue covered under the NRDA. You, as taxpayers should be aware of the issue because the government has already invested your money to support it. Then to wrap up, I will discuss why some people don’t support the NRDA. In closing, before addressing any issue I will first provide you with background information about the NRDA.

About the NRDA:
      In December 3, 2003, the president of United States signed into law the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act which will fund the new federal programs and activities in nanotechnology. Reported by the White House, the law authorizes $3.7 billion dollars starting in FY 2005 and allocated in the next four years towards the funding of nanotechnology programs. One of several issues the law addresses is the technical feasibility of molecular self assembly for the manufacture of materials and devices at the molecular scale. To recap from my previous discussion, self assembly is the creation of machines and devices from the nanoscale, which are used to manufacture consumer goods an atom at a time. Thus, the law will aid current research in nanotechnology but also test the feasibility of molecular self assembly.

Molecular Manufacturing - (Self Assembly):
      Molecular Self assembly is a new innovation in manufacturing which will be tested for feasibility by the NRDA. The National Research Council has been selected by the NRDA to test the feasibility of self assembly by analyzing the schematics drawn by researchers. The law will promote more research in self assembly by establishing more research facilities around the country in order to entice more researchers to come research. To accelerate the testing of self assembly the law will provide funds to many Nanofabrication Facilities in order for them to purchase new machines, which will give researchers quicker results. With the law helping to create new instruments and new research facilities it’s important for the public to understand the benefits of self assembly. One of several benefits is product affordability because self assembly uses fewer agricultural resources and requires no human assistance, which is the reason why I support the law. The reason why you should support the testing of self assembly is because the government has already invested your money into this issue and don’t you want self assembly to be feasible so you can enjoy the benefits. In addition, molecular self assembly has many benefits to society but there are some who fear self assembly may cause economical risks.

People Opposed to Molecular Manufacturing:
      Some people don’t support the idea of self assembly addressed in the NRDA because of the economical dangers. One of several economical dangers is the economic disruption from an abundance of cheap products, reported by the Center of Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN). For example, the products of the future will be defect free and capable of self healing, which today’s products aren’t capable of performing, reported by Dr. Whiteside, Professor of Chemistry at Harvard University. Meaning, the goods of today will be sold for a cheaper a cost and as a consequence may hurt retailer’s investments and may increase the unemployment rate, information provided by Dr. Liberty, Professor or Economics at Pennsylvania State University. Although there are both economical dangers and major benefits to molecular self assembly the dangers can be averted by understanding them and developing plans to prevent them.

Conclusion:
      In conclusion, the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act will not only benefit the research behind nanotechnology but society as well. With the overview I provided about the NRDA people now understand how the law will promote and test self assembly. By acknowledging the fact that economical risks exist, researchers will be able to prevent them. In closing, nanotechnology will impact the economy and the manufacturing of consumer goods because of the funds provided by the NRDA.






Fuel Cell Development:
      Each one of us in this room are helping the advancement of global warming. We are not doing this on purpose, or even consciously. But every time any of us drive a car with a combustion engine, which is most cars, we pollute the air with carbon dioxide. However, by the year 2020, because of the current research done by the Department of Energy in fuel cells, we can help to stop this advancement.

Introduction:
      The development of fuel cells will replace combustion engines used in automobiles today because hydrogen, not fossil fuels, will be used to power tomorrow’s automobiles. To begin, I will provide you with a summary about fuel cells and then focus on one fuel cell primarily used in transportation. Following the summary, I will address the only action you and I can take to support fuel cell development in California, which will be an example for all the other states to follow. For my last point, I will address why some people don’t support fuel cell development. I would like to point out that fuel cell development wouldn’t be possible today if it weren’t for the research I do to make hydrogen storage feasible and more affordable. However, if we don’t take action to support fuel cell development than global warming (caused by carbon dioxide emissions) will destroy the atmosphere causing the sun’s energy to create a sizzling surface on Earth; this is a serious problem we have to resolve. In addition, fuel cell development has come along way because of the achievements in hydrogen storage but let me discuss with you first what fuel cells are about.

About the Fuel Cell & (PEM):
      Since the invention of the fuel cell in 1839 and their usage in the Apollo Spacecraft Program in the 1960’s, fuel cells have grown in popularity because of their unique process, design, and benefits. A fuel cell is like a battery except they use the chemical energy of hydrogen to produce electricity and their only by-product is water, which makes them environmentally friendly. Fuel cells impact many applications ranging from cell phones to factories but automobiles are the major focus because reported by the Environmental Protecting Agency eighty percent of carbon dioxide emissions come from automobiles. The charts provided by the Energy Information Administration indicate carbon dioxide emissions have steadily increased since 1990. The only way to decrease carbon dioxide emissions is by commercializing one major type of fuel cell called the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM), which is primarily used in automobiles. The PEM fuel cell is the best alternative to combustion engines because they produce no emissions, offer quieter operation and low vibration, and lower maintenance and capital costs. Thus, now that we have a general understanding of fuel cells, I will now inform you about the only action you can take to support fuel cell development in California.

How you can help Support Fuel Cell Development:
      Help support fuel cell development outlined only under California’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program established in 1990, by signing the free Zero Emission Pledge. The Zero Emission Pledge is an environment and consumer advocacy project dedicated to creating a consumer pledge to not purchase a new automobile unless it is a Zero Emission vehicle, which will soon be available to the general public. If you would like to sign the Pledge you can at the following URL posted on the board. Signing the pledge will help California’s ZEV program put constraints on auto-manufacturers to develop fuel cell vehicles, which meet the program’s health -based air quality goals. The ZEV program will accelerate fuel cell development by enforcing a yearly percentage requirement for the number of fuel cell vehicles produced by auto-manufacturers. The future result is the commercialization of fuel cells, which will lower carbon dioxide emissions in California and end the threat of global warming because fossil fuels won’t be used to fuel automobiles anymore. Thus, with the Zero Emission Pledge supporting fuel cell development, many people won’t sign because they think hydrogen is too dangerous.

Why some won't sign The ZEV Pledge:
      Some people won’t sign the Zero Emission Pledge because they believe hydrogen is explosive and fuel cell development will cost taxpayers too much. Reported by Space Today, in 1986, the explosion of the NASA Space Shuttle Challenger was reported to be caused by hydrogen, which first had people thinking about the risks associated with hydrogen. Today, people believe if their automobiles use PEM fuel cells, which use pure hydrogen, than an auto accident would wipe out one square mile. The infrastructure for a hydrogen economy prompts concerns because the storage of hydrogen, the transportation of hydrogen, and new hydrogen stations will cost taxpayers over a trillion dollars. In addition, the 1986 explosion and the idea of a hydrogen car bomb are false because research has revealed that hydrogen is safe for commercial use but will cost taxpayer’s a great deal of money to restructure the economy.

Conclusion:
      Fuel cell development will eventually become commercialized only if you take a stand now and turn in your vote for a cleaner environment. To recap, I first discussed what fuel cells are and what their benefits are. Then I mentioned one action you can take to help accelerate fuel cell development in California. Finally I outlined some reasons why some people won’t sign the Zero Emission Pledge. In conclusion, a quote by Spencer Abraham, Secretary of Energy, “A hydrogen economy will mean a world where our pollution problems are solved and where our need for abundant and affordable energy is secure...and where concerns about dwindling resources are a thing of the past."

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