Nanowerk brings to our attention a new report Democratic technologies? The final report of the Nanotechnology Engagement Group (pdf) which examines the success or otherwise of various attempts at public engagement in nanotech. The foreword by Prof. Richard Jones ends: This report summarises the experiences of public engagement on nanotechnologies that have taken place over… Continue reading Does public engagement in nanotechnology work?
First, I should state that I yield to no one when it comes to caring about the environment. That’s what got me interested in nanotechnology in the first place, and a large part of why Foresight was founded in 1986 and keeps going today. So I was disappointed with the recent press release from a… Continue reading Nanotechnology: Activists throw baby out with bathwater
In the process of preparing a nanotechnology Code of Conduct, the European Commission is requesting public input on a consultation paper. It sounds as though everyone is welcome to contribute. Being from Europe, the paper cites the precautionary principle, but goes further by listing some areas which may be too risky or unethical or rights-violating… Continue reading Nanotechnology views wanted by EC, including on enhancement
We at Foresight like to speculate on the future of nanotechnology and the human body, so if you do as well, you’ll want to join the webinar this Friday, July 20 at 9 AM to 1 PM eastern time (US) called the 3rd Annual Workshop on Geoethical Nanotechnology. The live presentations, including audio, video, and… Continue reading Free webinar on Nanotechnology & upgrading the human body
The University of South Carolina has released a survey of nanotechnology researchers’ views on various nanotech issues. For example, most agreed that: Nanotechnology will draw more students into science, engineering and math than would otherwise have chosen to study in these fields. I think this is already true — after all, students have been reading… Continue reading Nanotechnology researchers speak out
The U.S. National Academy of Engineering wants input on what should be the Grand Challenges in engineering over the next century. Let’s let them know: nanotechnology! Specifically, nanotech leading toward, and achieving, productive nanosystems. Heck, they can just follow the Technology Roadmap for Productive Nanosystems. The IEEE has a summary. You have until August 17,… Continue reading Nanotechnology: Productive Nanosystems as a Grand Challenge?
There’s still time to get your nominations in for this year’s top nanotechnology researcher, student researcher, and communicator or publication: The Productive Nanosystems conference will detail the pathways leading to the ultimate in manufacturing, and the Feynman Prizes recognize this year’s most impressive achievements toward that goal,” said Dr. Pearl Chin, President of Foresight Nanotech… Continue reading Nanotechnology researcher, student, communicator nominations due tomorrow
At one of the Accelerating Change conferences I saw Prof. Beth Noveck introduce for the first time her ideas on improving patents via peer review. Now, the nanotechnology field will be envious to hear that another field has been chosen to carry out the first pilot project — software, as reported in IEEE Spectrum: The… Continue reading Patent peer review: now software, soon nanotechnology?
The nanotechnology project over at The Wilson Center sent Steffen Foss Hansen, a PhD candidate visiting from his university in Denmark, here to Foresight to interview me for a policy project they are doing on nanotech regulation. Normally these kinds of things don’t seem very useful, but I have to make an exception for this… Continue reading Grueling nanotechnology policy interview pays off
Nanotech Briefs has announced its Nano 50 award winners for 2007, in the categories of Innovators, Products, and Technologies. (Full disclosure: I was a judge again this year.) Great to see Zyvex on the list. Don’t see your favorites? Maybe they weren’t nominated. Don’t let that happen for the Foresight Institute Feynman Prizes; nominate your… Continue reading Nano 50: Nanotechnology winners announced
