We earlier covered informal comments by Sonia Arrison of PRI, but the organization also has an official press release on the recent widely-publicized Wilson Center report calling for regulation of nanotechnology. Some excerpts: “The Pacific Research Institute (PRI), a California-based free-market think tank, has challenged the conclusions reached by a recent report released by the… Continue reading Pacific Research Institute disputes prominent Wilson Center nano report
A brief nanotech white paper from Cientifica (registration req’d — press oblong “download” button on left to get reg screen) explains the reason why government research spending on nanotech takes a while to reach commercial use. From the conclusion: “Given the two to three year lag between funding being granted and a laboratory starting work,… Continue reading Don't judge a nanotech white paper by its cover
Los Angeles will be the place to be March 29-30 when the Society of Manufacturing Engineers holds its Nanomanufacturing Conference. Keynoting will be Eric Drexler on “Engineering from the Bottom Up – Productive Nanosystems and the Future of Technology”. Also not to be missed: Foresight director Jim Von Ehr of Zyvex on “Assembly Pathway to… Continue reading Nanomanufacturing VIPs to present on March 29-30
A prominent new report on nanoparticle safety issues from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is generating a bit of controversy. Author J. Clarence Davies, a former EPA Administrator, advocates new federal legislation, while others see the situation differently. From a Chicago Tribune article: “Davies said that because nanoparticles behave differently than traditional materials,… Continue reading Controversy over proposed U.S. nanotech regulatory legislation
Nanofilm president Scott Rickert, a Foresight Participating Member, advises firms on how to integrate near-term nanotech into their products in a piece on the Industry Week site. He also gives advice on nano-jobs, which should not have nanoscale salaries: “According to National Science Foundation estimates, the US will need 800,000 to 1 million nanotechnology workers… Continue reading Nanofilm president inspires at Industry Week
In a TechNewsWorld column Sonia Arrison, director of Technology Studies at Pacific Research Institute, calls for strong self-regulation in nanotech: “The scientific community is well aware of the potential dangers with nano-scale particles. The public will be glad to know that the discussion over proper methods is thriving and developing in tandem with the technology.… Continue reading Arrison calls for strong self-regulation in nanotech
As part of the EC-funded Nano2Life program, Aharon Hauptman and Yair Sharanhaupt of the Interdisciplinary Center for Technology Analysis and Forecasting (ICTAF) at Tel-Aviv University have written a 39-page report titled “Envisioned Developments in Nanobiotechnology” based on a survey of 139 experts from 30 countries. The 50% median date estimate from “experts and knowledgeable” for… Continue reading Time estimates for nano developments 2008-2021
In a study by Edna Einsiedel of University of Calgary, it was found that the U.S. and Canadian publics trust nanoscientists much more than they do those in charge of nanotech regulation. About a quarter of those responding claimed to have discussed nanotechnology previously. Over 70% agreed that “Nanotechnology will be one of the most… Continue reading Public trusts nanoscientists more than nanoregulators
In a piece titled When Technology Displaces the Farmer, Arnold Munthali presents the ETC Group’s concerns about nanotech-based competition for African farmers, and responses from the farmers’ representatives attending the World Trade Organization meeting in Hong Kong: “While delegates are negotiating for better trade, however, Jim Thomas of the ETC Group, which campaigns on ecological… Continue reading Africans respond to prospect of nanotech competition
In the journal Nanotechnology Law & Business, there’s a book review by J. Steven Rutt of Foley & Lardner titled “Bayh-Dole and Nanotechnology: A Review of University Inc.: The Corporate Corruption of American Higher Education”. The abstract: “Nanotechnology joined the Dummies book series in 2005. While Dummies is a light read, Jennifer Washburn’s grave book,… Continue reading Bayh-Dole & Nanotechnology: corporate corruption of U.S. higher education
