| | Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and |
| | 4,44 | | MB | uncertainties |
| | 113 | | stron |
| | 4282 | | ID | Royal Academy of Engineering |
| | 2004 | | rok |
| | Contents |
| | Summary vii |
| | 1 Introduction 1 |
| | 1.1 Hopes and concerns about nanoscience and nanotechnologies 1 |
| | 1.2 Terms of reference and conduct of the study 2 |
| | 1.3 Report overview 2 |
| | 1.4 Next steps 3 |
| | 2 What are nanoscience and nanotechnologies? 5 |
| | 3 Science and applications 7 |
| | 3.1 Introduction 7 |
| | 3.2 Nanomaterials 7 |
| | 3.2.1 Introduction to nanomaterials 7 |
| | 3.2.2 Nanoscience in this area 8 |
| | 3.2.3 Applications 10 |
| | 3.3 Nanometrology 13 |
| | 3.3.1 Introduction to nanometrology 13 |
| | 3.3.2 Length measurement 13 |
| | 3.3.3 Force measurement 14 |
| | 3.3.4 Measurement of single molecules 14 |
| | 3.3.5 Applications 14 |
| | 3.4 Electronics, optoelectronics, and information and communication technology (ICT) 17 |
| | 3.4.1 Introduction to electronics, optoelectronics, and ICT 17 |
| | 3.4.2 Nanoscience in this area 17 |
| | 3.4.3 Current applications 17 |
| | 3.4.4 Applications anticipated in the future 18 |
| | 3.5 Bio-nanotechnology and nanomedicine 19 |
| | 3.5.1 Introduction to bio-nanotechnology and nanomedicine 19 |
| | 3.5.2 Nanoscience in this area 20 |
| | 3.5.3 Current and future applications 20 |
| | 4 Nanomanufacturing and the industrial application of nanotechnologies 25 |
| | 4.1 Introduction 25 |
| | 4.2 Characterisation 25 |
| | 4.3 Fabrication techniques 25 |
| | 4.3.1 Bottom-up manufacturing 26 |
| | 4.3.2 Top-down manufacturing 28 |
| | 4.3.3 Convergence of top-down and bottom-up techniques 29 |
| | 4.4 Visions for the future 30 |
| | 4.4.1 Precision Engineering 30 |
| | 4.4.2 The chemicals industry 31 |
| | 4.4.3 The information and communication technology industry 31 |
| | 4.5 Resource management and environmental issues 32 |
| | 4.6 Barriers to progress 32 |
| | 4.7 Summary 33 |
| | 5 Possible adverse health, environmental and safety impacts 35 |
| | 5.1 Introduction 35 |
| | 5.2 Assessing and controlling risk 35 |
| | 5.3 Human health 36 |
| | 5.3.1 Understanding the toxicity of nanoparticles and fibres 36 |
| | 5.3.2 Manufactured nanoparticles and nanotubes 41 |
| | 5.4 Effects on the environment and other species 45 |
| | 5.5 Risk of explosion 47 |
| | 5.6 Addressing the knowledge gaps 47 |
| | 5.7 Conclusions 49 |
| | 6 Social and ethical issues 51 |
| | 6.1 Introduction: framing social and ethical issues 51 |
| | 6.2 Economic impacts 52 |
| | 6.3 A ‘nanodivide’? 52 |
| | 6.4 Information collection and the implications for civil liberties 53 |
| | 6.5 Human enhancement 54 |
| | 6.6 Covergence 54 |
| | 6.7 Military uses 55 |
| | 6.8 Conclusions 56 |
| | 7 Stakeholder and public dialogue 59 |
| | 7.1 Introduction 59 |
| | 7.2 Current public awareness of nanotechnologies in Britain 59 |
| | 7.2.1 Quantitative survey findings 59 |
| | 7.2.2 Qualitative workshop findings 60 |
| | 7.2.3 Interpreting the research into public attitudes 61 |
| | 7.3 Importance of promoting a wider dialogue 62 |
| | 7.4 Nanotechnologies as an ‘upstream’ issue 64 |
| | 7.5 Designing dialogue on nanotechnologies 64 |
| | 7.5.1 Incorporating public values in decisions 66 |
| | 7.5.2 Improving decision quality 66 |
| | 7.5.3 Resolving conflict 66 |
| | 7.5.4 Improving trust in institutions 66 |
| | 7.5.5 Informing or educating people 66 |
| | 7.6 Conclusions 67 |
| | 8 Regulatory issues 69 |
| | 8.1 Introduction 69 |
| | 8.2 Approaches to regulation 69 |
| | 8.3 Case studies 70 |
| | 8.3.1 Workplace (including research laboratories) 70 |
| | 8.3.2 Marketing and use of chemicals 71 |
| | 8.3.3 Consumer products incorporating free nanoparticles, particularly skin preparations 72 |
| | 8.3.4 Medicines and medical devices 74 |
| | 8.3.5 Consumer products incorporating fixed nanoparticles: end-of-life issues 74 |
| | 8.4 Knowledge gaps 74 |
| | 8.4.1 Hazard 74 |
| | 8.4.2 Exposure 75 |
| | 8.4.3 Measurement 75 |
| | 8.5 Conclusions 76 |
| | 9 Conclusions 79 |
| | 9.1 Nanoscience and nanotechnologies and their industrial application 79 |
| | 9.2 Health, safety and environmental risks and hazards 79 |
| | 9.3 Social and ethical impacts 81 |
| | 9.4 Stakeholder and public dialogue 81 |
| | 9.5 Regulation 82 |
| | 9.6 Responsible development of nanotechnologies 83 |
| | 9.7 A mechanism for addressing future issues 84 |
| | 10 Recommendations 85 |
| | 11 References 89 |
| | Annexes |
| | A Working Group, Review Group and Secretariat 95 |
| | B Conduct of the study 97 |
| | C List of those who submitted evidence 99 |
| | D Mechanical self-replicating nano-robots and ‘Grey Goo’ 109 |
| | Acronyms and abbreviations 111 |