risks of nanotechnology

Europe spends twice as much as US on nanotech risk research

harminka — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:19:16 -0500

A new analysis by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) indicates that European nations are investing nearly twice as much as the U.S. in research primarily aimed at addressing the potential risks of nanotechnology. The analysis also highlights a substantial over-inflation of the federal government’s nanotechnology risk-research investment figures for the U.S.

Carbon nanotube measurements,: latest in NIST 'how-to' series

harminka — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:29:35 -0500

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has published detailed guidelines* for making essential measurements on samples of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The new guide constitutes the current “best practices” for characterizing one of the most promising and heavily studied of the new generation of nanoscale materials.

Think green to reduce nanotech hazards

harminka — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:09:41 -0500

The University of Oregon's Jim Hutchison already holds three patents in the emerging field of nanotechnology as well as leadership roles in organizations that promote the technology's potential in materials science and medicine.

Federal toxics disclosure law could help inform public of nanotechnology risks

harminka — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:04:23 -0600

The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) has released a first-time legal analysis that finds a key federal toxics reporting statute could be applied to production and commercialization of nanotechnology, providing the public with more information about these revolutionary – yet still potentially risky – technologies.

Nanotechnology's future depends on who the public trusts

harminka — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:20:40 -0600

When the public considers competing arguments about a new technology’s potential risks and benefits, people will tend to agree with the expert whose values are closest to their own, no matter what position the expert takes. The same will hold true for nanotechnology, a key study has found.

US government delays nanotechnology safety measures

harminka — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:20:42 -0500

Want to buy a bag of carbon nanotubes—in quantities from a few grams to hundreds of kilograms (100 kilograms = approximately 220 pounds)? With a credit card and Internet access, you can. But is the U.S. government doing enough to ensure the safety of these materials and the hundreds of other nanotechnology commercial and consumer products currently on the market?

Federal research plan to determine nanotech risks fails to deliver

harminka — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 08:34:22 -0500

Almost a year in the making, a federal plan to prioritize research on the potential environmental, health, and safety (EHS) impacts of nanoscale materials has so many failings that its begs the question as to whether the government’s 13-agency nanotechnology research effort is able to deliver an effective risk research strategy, according to David Rejeski, head of the Wilson Center’s Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies.

Consumers must be convinced benefits outweigh risks

harminka — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 09:24:09 -0500

“There is no doubt that nanotechnology has the potential to make the world a better place,” said Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies Chief Scientist Andrew Maynard. “But if consumers and other stakeholders are not convinced that the benefits outweigh the risks, many applications will not see the light of day. Likewise, if the benefits are unclear and the risks uncertain, the products of nanotechnology will be a hard sell.”