National Nanotechnology Budget Review Committee

Making the “Right” Decision

http://www.adf.org.au/images/The_Opening_Youth_Panel_2.jpg

How Does Small Science Lead to

Big Decisions?

What is Nanotechnology?

As a member of the National Nanotechnology Budget Review Committee you need some nanotechnology background:

Adapted from http://www.nanotechnologyinvesting.us/http://www.atlantykron.org/program.htm http://www.mahoningjvs.k12.oh.us/bpa/banks/more%20info%204.htm http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/12/08/1102182359368.html

1.Nanoscience is research and development at the molecular or atomic levels, between about 1 to 100 nanometers.

What Does Nanotechnology Do?

3. Nanotechnology has the ability to control or manipulate matter on a molecular or atomic scale.

Adapted from http://www.nanotechnologyinvesting.us/http://www.atlantykron.org/program.htm http://www.mahoningjvs.k12.oh.us/bpa/banks/more%20info%204.htm http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/12/08/1102182359368.html

2. It is the creation and use of systems, devices, and structures which have special functions or properties because of their small size.

What Is Made with Nanotechnology?

4. Nanotechnology, also known as nanotech, impacts all high-tech fields and disciplines, and research activities in this leading edge science.

They can be any of the following:

http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/image-gallery/200508/78112_001.jpg

1. Nanomaterials - physical substances with structural dimensions between 1 and 100 nm.

2. Nanotools - devices that manipulate matter at the atomic or nanoscale.

3. Nanodevices - systems with nanostructured parts that perform some task other than manipulating nano or atomic scale matter.

How Small Is Nano?

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

This is one nanometer!

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

Pitfalls and Potential

Now that you know what nanotechnology is, how should we invest in nanotechnology to reap the biggest rewards?  Just like investing in anything, there are possible pitfalls when it comes to investing in nanotechnology.  But there is also great potential.

Adapted from http://www.nanotechnologyinvesting.us/ http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=237

Decisions, Decision

Adapted from http://www.nanotechnologyinvesting.us/http://www.adonisconstruction.co.uk/Content/ContentImages/1.jpg http://www.alumni.rpi.edu/nanotech2006.html http://idp2007.blogspot.com/2007/03/science-odyssey-idp-synopses.html

To make this determination, ask yourself a few questions:

First, ask yourself whether this area of nanotechnology has widespread applications for this nanotechnology within this area. 

How do you determine whether investing in a specific area’s nanotechnology will fall in the category of "pitfall“, "potential“ or “must-have”? 

• Third, would any other areas benefit from this nanotechnology?

•Second, is there a real need for this nanotechnology in this area of society? Could these developments be better classified as “wants” or possibly “just useful”, but not necessary?

• Fourth, what long term impact might this nanotechnology have on humans or the environment? Is it worth the risk?

Is It Ethical?

As you decide to invest, calculate, think through the ethical use, the potential, the needs, and the risks to society and our planet.

http://ncsuethics.blogspot.com/

Last, are these developments ethical? What are ethics? The accepted principles of right and wrong.

In science ethics, based upon accepted or approved practices, guide our actions: types of experiments, behavior toward laboratory animals or the environment, treatment of human subjects or human body parts.

Weird?

For example, or molecular- sized "bombs" that can kill individual cancer cells.  While such products don't exist now, they certainly might exist in the future.

Adapted from http://www.nanotechnologyinvesting.us/http://www.bristleconelearning.com/images_admin/globehands.jpg

Many innovations in nanotechnology simply sound too "weird":  Technology for developing a cell phone so small that an insect or tiny implanted device could use it.

Social, Environmental and Ethical Concerns

1. Which of these nanotechnology developments might infringe on human rights? 

2. Could any of them decrease privacy of individuals? 

3. Could the use of nanotechnology have unwanted and negative environmental effects?

4. What economic impact could the use of nanotechnology in certain areas have on producers, consumers, and other industries? Might they be negative or positive?

What About Your Rights?

If so, are these developmentsmore important than •Your privacy?  •Your rights as a citizen?  •Your rights as a human being? Are the answers somewhere in between?

Social and Ethical Impact

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?

The attached list of questions outline the social, ethical and environmental questions which should be considered in this debate. . Research GuideResearch Guide

http://webpub.allegheny.edu/dept/psych/Ethics.html

http://www.eolitservices.co.uk/pages/corporate-social-responsibility.php

It is easy to get caught up in the ‘hype’, the excitement of how this new nanotechnology can improve our lives. As the National Nanotechnology Budget Review Committee it is imperative that you understand the social, ethical and environmental impact of the information being presented to you. It is your job to question these claims and weigh the advantages against the possible disadvantages.

Nanotechnology Research Group Reports

You may wish to review the background information prepared for each nanotechnology research team.

•Agriculture

•Education

•Energy

•Environment

•Healthcare

•Information Technology

•Manufacturing

•Military

•Space

•Transportation

Click on these research report links for the nanotechnology topics that will be discussed at this upcoming budget meeting.

Helpful Websites To assist you, the National

Nanotechnology Budget Review Committee, here are some websites that address social, ethical and environmental questions related to nanotechnology.

http://www.discovernano.northwestern.edu/affect/societalimpact/unknowns

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01179/controversy.html

http://www.smalltimes.com/articles/stm_print_screen.cfm?http://www.smalltimes.com/articles/stm_print_screen.cfm?

ARTICLE_ID=281852ARTICLE_ID=281852

http://www.nanocafes.org/nanoproducts_antibacterial http://www.nanocafes.org/nanoproducts_antibacterial

http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=1820.phphttp://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=1820.php

More Websites

Collect data on each of the nanotechnology research topics which will be presented.

Write down questions that come to mind while you are researching which you can ask the presenters during the National Nanotechnology Budget Review Committee’s Budget Hearing.

http://www.texasaa.com/learn_to_fly.htm

http://pro.corbis.com/search/Enlargement.aspx?CID=isg&mediauid=198AE0F9-7745-4FC6-BF32-B576E7EEC44E

Click on these websites for general nanotechnology websites which present recent discoveries, developments and uses of nanotechnology.