National Nanotechnology
Budget Review Committee
Making the “Right” Decision
How Does
Small
Science Lead to
Big Decisions?
What is Nanotechnology?
As a member of the National Nanotechnology
Budget Review Committee you need some
nanotechnology background:
1. Nanoscience is
research and
development at the
molecular or atomic
levels, between about 1
to 100 nanometers.
Adapted from http://www.nanotechnologyinvesting.us/
http://www.atlantykron.org/program.htm
http://www.mahoningjvs.k12.oh.us/bpa/banks/more%20info%204.htm
What Does Nanotechnology Do?
2. It is the creation and use
of systems, devices, and
structures which have
special functions or
properties because of
their small size.
3. Nanotechnology has the
ability to control or
manipulate matter on a
molecular or atomic scale.
Adapted from http://www.nanotechnologyinvesting.us/
http://www.atlantykron.org/program.htm
http://www.mahoningjvs.k12.oh.us/bpa/banks/more%20info%204.htm
What Is Made with
Nanotechnology?
4.
Nanotechnology, also known as nanotech, impacts all
high-tech fields and disciplines, and research activities
in this leading edge science.
They can be any of the following:
http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/image-
1. Nanomaterials - physical substances
with structural dimensions between 1
and 100 nm.
2. Nanotools - devices that manipulate
matter at the atomic or nanoscale.
3. Nanodevices - systems with
nanostructured parts that perform some
task other than manipulating nano or
atomic scale matter.
How Small Is Nano?
This is one
nanometer!
http://www.terressentials.com/exposure.html
http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/The_scale_of_things.html
Pitfalls and
Potential
Now that you know what nanotechnology is,
how should we invest in nanotechnology to
reap the biggest rewards? Just like
investing in anything, there are possible
pitfalls when it comes to investing in
nanotechnology. But there is also great
potential.
Adapted from http://www.nanotechnologyinvesting.us/
Decisions,
Decision
How do you determine whether
investing in a specific area‟s
nanotechnology will fall in the category
of "pitfall“, "potential“ or “must-have”?
To make this determination, ask
yourself a few questions:
First, ask yourself whether this area
of nanotechnology has widespread
applications for this nanotechnology
within this area.
Adapted from http://www.nanotechnologyinvesting.us/
http://www.adonisconstruction.co.uk/Content/ContentImages/1.jpg
•Second, is there a real need
for this nanotechnology in
this area of society? Could
these developments be
better classified as “wants”
or possibly “just useful”, but
not necessary?
• Third, would any other
areas benefit from this
nanotechnology?
• Fourth, what long term impact might
this nanotechnology have on
humans or the environment? Is it
worth the risk?
Is It Ethical?
Last, are these developments
ethical? What are ethics? The
accepted principles of right
and wrong.
In science ethics, based upon accepted or approved
practices, guide our actions: types of experiments,
behavior toward laboratory animals or the environment,
treatment of human subjects or human body parts.
As you decide to invest, calculate, think
through the ethical use, the potential, the
needs, and the risks to society and our
planet.
Weird?
Many innovations in nanotechnology simply sound too
"weird": Technology for developing a cell phone so
small that an insect or tiny implanted device could use it.
For example, or
molecular- sized
"bombs" that can kill
individual cancer
cells. While such
products don't exist
now, they certainly
might exist in the
future.
Adapted from http://www.nanotechnologyinvesting.us/
Social, Environmental and
Ethical Concerns
1. Which of these nanotechnology developments
might infringe on human rights?
2. Could any of them decrease privacy of
individuals?
3. Could the use of nanotechnology
have unwanted and negative
environmental effects?
4. What economic impact could the
use of nanotechnology in certain
areas have on producers,
consumers, and other industries?
Might they be negative or positive?
What About Your Rights?
If so, are these developments
more important than
•Your privacy?
•Your rights as a citizen?
•Your rights as a human being?
Are the answers somewhere in between?
Social and Ethical Impact
It is easy to get caught up in the „hype‟, the
excitement of how this new nanotechnology can
improve our lives. As the National Nanotechnology
Budget Review Committee it is imperative that you
understand the social, ethical and environmental
impact of the information being presented to you. It
is your job to question these claims and weigh the
advantages against the possible disadvantages.
1. What can be done to maximize the chances that
humans will benefit from, rather than be harmed
by these new developments?
2. If we can develop these technologies, should we?
Why?
The attached list of questions outline the social,
ethical and environmental questions which should
be considered in this debate. Research Guide
http://webpub.allegheny.edu/dept/psych/Ethics.ht
ml
http://www.eolitservices.co.uk/pages/corporate-
Nanotechnology Research
Group Reports
You may wish to review the background information
prepared for each nanotechnology research team.
Click on these research report links for the nanotechnology
topics that will be discussed at this upcoming budget
meeting.
•Agriculture
•Information Technology
•Education
•Manufacturing
•Energy
•Military
•Environment
•Space
•Healthcare
•Transportation
Helpful Websites
To assist you, the National
Nanotechnology Budget
Review Committee, here are
some websites that address
social, ethical and
environmental questions
related to nanotechnology.

http://www.discovernano.northwestern.edu/affect/societalimpact/unk
nowns

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01179/controversy.html

http://www.smalltimes.com/articles/stm_print_screen.cfm?ARTICLE_
ID=281852

http://www.nanocafes.org/nanoproducts_antibacterial

http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=1820.php
More Websites
Click on these websites for
general nanotechnology websites
which present recent discoveries,
developments and uses of
nanotechnology.
 Collect data on each of the nanotechnology research
topics which will be presented.
 Write down questions that come to mind while you are
researching which you can ask the presenters during the
National Nanotechnology Budget Review Committee‟s
Budget Hearing.
http://www.texasaa.com/learn_to_fly.htm