May 08, 2006
Nanotechnology: Really a Big Deal?
Believing that nanotechnology will be the next big thing, the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology has released a series of essays in which industry experts predict profound impacts of nanotechnology on society.
Addressing topics ranging from commerce and molecular manufacturing, to ethics and economics, to name a few, they are available at Wise-Nano.org and KurzweilAI.net. This new collection illustrates the profound transformation that nanotechnology will have on every aspect of human society.
According to the Center, nanotechnology is posed to bring greatly improved efficiency and productivity in many areas of human endeavor. In its mature form, known as molecular manufacturing, it will have significant impact on almost all industries and all parts of society. Personal nanofactories may offer better built, longer lasting, cleaner, safer, and smarter products for the home, for communications, for medicine, for transportation, for agriculture, and for industry in general.
On the other hand, as a general-purpose technology, molecular manufacturing will be dual-use, meaning that in addition to its civilian applications, it will have military uses as well--making far more powerful weapons and tools of surveillance. As such it offers both benefits and risk.
Among the essays in the collection are:
Although clearly not part of the Center's collection of essays, you can read what Michael Swaine has to say about nanotechnology in Dr. Dobb's Journal, such as:
Posted by Jon Erickson at 08:38 AM Permalink
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