Development of nanotechnologies (original) (raw)
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Environmental and Societal Impact of Nanotechnology
IEEE Access
The ability to measure, understand, manipulate, organize, engineer and control matter on the nanoscale has been opening up the wealth of possibilities that were otherwise non-existent at higher scales. At this scale, basic research principles and tools in biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering converge and have led to all-inclusive applications of nanotechnology. Despite the innovative applications and promising potentials of nanotechnology, there are concerns about its short and long-lasting impacts on humans, nature and the environment. In an attempt to address these concerns, a number of researches have been conducted. Evaluations of studies addressing the issues of nanotechnologies and their impacts are necessary to give insights for further studies that will advance the technology for the true benefit of mankind and nature. This study, thus, provides a detailed review of studies on nanotechnology applications and the positions of stakeholders on the impact of nanotechnology. Among other things, the outcome of this survey shows that there are numerous successful applications of nanotechnology. Public perceptions are pivotal in determining the extent of revolution and transformation that nanotechnology will have on the environment. Religious beliefs and moral concerns; trust in governmental regulatory agencies and the industry; the level of inclusion of the society in the product design, development, and commercialization process is critical to the extent of acceptance of nanotechnology inventions. Expression of objective views concerning the benefits, limitations & risks, and adequate education of the public, risk regulators & all stakeholders are crucial in determining the fate of nanotechnology.
Environmental Risks of Nanotechnology: National Nanotechnology Initiative Funding, 2000−2004
Environmental Science & Technology, 2006
By considering risk in the early stages of a technology, costs of identifying important health and environmental impacts after a technology has widely diffused can be avoided. Nanotechnology, involving materials and objects less than 100 nm in size, is an important case in point. In this paper we analyze the research priorities discussed by various interest groups concerned with the environmental risks of nanotechnology, evaluate the distribution of federal environmental nanotechnology R&D funding, and discuss research in this field. Overall federal environmental R&D funding to date is limited and focuses more on the positive environmental applications of nanotechnology than on basic knowledge/research, tools for nanoenvironmental research, or the potential risks of nanotechnology. The situation began to change in 2004 when a significant increase occurred in federal R&D funding for the environmental implications of engineered nanomaterials. Though literature exits on the exposure, transport, and toxicity of incidental nanoparticles, little work has been published on the environmental risks of engineered nanoparticles.
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2008
Technology assessment analyzes predicted or to-be-anticipated positive and negative effects of technologies, processes, and products using a well-established set of methods, including cost-benefit analysis, risk analysis, (eco-) toxicology, and life cycle assessment (LCA). These methods unfortunately require detailed information not only about the technology being investigated but also about the specific situation or application. In the case of an emerging technology such as nanotechnology, such information is generally lacking; therefore, a prospective assessment of nanotechnologies (opportunities as well as hazards) must find ways to adequately deal with the unknown. Striving to meet this challenge, we developed a three-tiered approach: