Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: NBC LEARN DEBUTS SIX-PART VIDEO SERIES, “NANOTECHNOLOGY: SUPER SMALL SCIENCE” Produced by NBC Learn in partnership with the National Science Foundation, and narrated by NBC News/MSNBC’s Kate Snow, series highlights leading research in nanotechnology

Home > Press > NBC LEARN DEBUTS SIX-PART VIDEO SERIES, “NANOTECHNOLOGY: SUPER SMALL SCIENCE” Produced by NBC Learn in partnership with the National Science Foundation, and narrated by NBC News/MSNBC’s Kate Snow, series highlights leading research in nanotechnology

Abstract:
How can some things be so small, and yet so significant? A new video series produced by NBC Learn, the educational arm of the NBCUniversal News Group, in partnership with the National Science Foundation, sheds light on this question. "Nanotechnology: Super Small Science" features a dozen world-class American researchers, including quantum physicist and National Medal of Science winner Paul Alivisatos. This six-part series shows viewers how atoms and molecules that are thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair can be used to create technology for the future.

NBC LEARN DEBUTS SIX-PART VIDEO SERIES, “NANOTECHNOLOGY: SUPER SMALL SCIENCE” Produced by NBC Learn in partnership with the National Science Foundation, and narrated by NBC News/MSNBC’s Kate Snow, series highlights leading research in nanotechnology

New York, NY | Posted on January 25th, 2016

"Today, we are learning to rearrange the basic atomic and molecular building blocks – foundational technology for understanding nature and creating things that were not possible before," said Mihail Roco, senior adviser of science and engineering at the National Science Foundation. "The videos NBC Learn created with the National Science Foundation illustrate the potential of nanotechnology.”

Narrated by NBC News and MSNBC anchor Kate Snow, “Nanotechnology: Super Small Science” will be available through NBC affiliate stations, and can also be seen for free online at NBCLearn.com, NSF.gov and Science360.gov.

“We’re proud to launch an original series that shows viewers how scientists and engineers manipulate material only billionths of a meter in size, and the powerful impact that can have on the world around them,” said Soraya Gage, vice president and general manager of NBC Learn. “Through our partnership with the National Science Foundation, we’re using our digital platform and journalistic expertise to explore how nanotechnology advances innovation in fields such as medicine, energy, and electronics.”

“For 15 years, more discoveries have come from nanotechnology than any other field of science and engineering. Now, its discoveries are penetrating all aspects of society – new industries, medicine, agriculture, and the management of natural resources," added Roco.

Viewers will learn how scientists are using nanotechnology to capture energy from the sun, increase the power of smaller microchips and computers, build structures that are lightweight and resilient, as well as much more from these videos:

“Nanotechnology: Harnessing the Nanoscale” – Why is something only billionths of a meter in size so important? Dawn Bonnell at the University of Pennsylvania shows how the ability to control and manipulate material at this extremely small scale is having a big impact around the world in medicine, energy, and electronics.

“Nanotechnology: A Powerful Solution” – Paul Alivisatos' team at the University of California, Berkeley, is working to develop a new type of solar cell using nano-sized crystals called quantum dots. Quantum dots are already helping to produce brighter, more vivid color in displays. The ability of solar cells to efficiently process energy in the form of light also makes them an ideal solution to our energy problems.

“Nanotechnology: Nanoelectronics” – You may have nanotechnology in your pocket and not even know it. Today's smartphones are much smaller than computers of the past, and yet significantly more powerful, thanks to nanotechnology. Tom Theis with the Semiconductor Research Corporation and IBM, and Ana Claudia Arias at the University of California, Berkeley, explain how nanotechnology has already changed our lives and the exciting possibilities for the future.

“Nanotechnology at the Surface” – How could something only billionths of a meter thick defend against water, dirt, wear, and even bacteria? Working at the nanoscale, scientists and engineers, like Jay Guo of the University of Michigan, are creating protective nanoscale coatings and layers. These surfaces have applications in energy, electronics, medicine, and could even be used to make a plane invisible.

“Nanotechnology: Nanoarchitecture” – Caltech's Julia Greer is proving that using big and heavy materials is not the only way to build strong, robust structures. Beginning at the nanoscale, her group is constructing materials that are more than 99 percent air yet strong and resilient. These new materials are breaking the rules by behaving in unexpected ways.

“Nanotechnology: Nano-Enabled Sensors and Nanoparticles” – Some of the biggest advances in medical technology may soon come from devices built on the nanoscale. Donglei Fan with the University of Texas at Austin, and Paula Hammond with Massachusetts Institute of Technology discuss how their use of nanotechnology may one day sense, diagnose, and even treat cancer.

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About NBCUniversal News Group
The NBCUniversal News Group is one of the most influential and respected portfolios of on air and digital news properties in the world, reaching over 147 million people each month. The Group includes NBC News, a broadcast leader of global news and information for over 75 years and home to such respected programs as "NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt," "Today," "Meet the Press," and "Dateline;" MSNBC, the premiere destination for in-depth analysis of daily headlines, insightful political commentary and informed perspectives reaching more than 96 million households worldwide; CNBC, the recognized world leader in business news reaching more that 370 million homes worldwide as well as The Weather Channel and digital platforms including the NBC News Digital Group, MSNBC.com, CNBC.com. The NBCUniversal News Group also extends on its nationwide network of owned and affiliate stations, NBC News and CNBC Radio; as well as MSNBC on Sirius XM radio. For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit www.NBCUniversal.com.

About the National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2016, its budget is $7.5 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 48,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards about $626 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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Contacts:
Tara Smith
NBCUniversal News Group
tara.smith@nbcuni.com

Lisa-Joy Zgorski
National Science Foundation
lisajoy@nsf.gov

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