International Study on
Transforming Tools of Emerging and Converging Technologies (NBIC2)
Summary
Introduction
New research on the building blocks of matter at the nanoscale is resulting in accelerated discoveries
in biological- information- and cognition-based disciplines as well. Such synergism and generally
unifying scientific and engineering concepts is evident in knowledge creation in most emerging and
converging technologies. Progress has been made in encouraging research cooperation between scientists
with very different educations in these converging “NBIC” fields in the last ten years since the
publication of the first report (Roco and Bainbridge, 2003). Even so, disciplinary, application domain and
governance barriers remains an obstacle to full benefits of emerging technologies, and the potential for
development of new technology areas and transformative tools is not fully exploited. This is caused in
part by the current infrastructure, education methods, and diversity of new technologies. Also, while
institutions usually say they want interdisciplinary research and development, they often impose
assessment procedures that mainly reward specialization.
The purpose of this project is to analyze approaches to interdisciplinary research, development and
application (R&D&A) that can identify and overcome such obstacles. Now that nanotechnology has
matured to the point where applications and commercial development are in sharper focus, there is a need
to determine what can be done to encourage similar progress in development and application of
converging technologies. Thus this study will focus on down-stream processes in the innovation cycle:
from creation of new knowledge to applied research, technology and manufacturing integration, product
and service development, and on the governance or policies that can best reap the benefits of the fields.
The co-evolution of technology and human potential in working, learning, and aging will be evaluated
responding to societal needs and concerns. Creation of an innovation environment and of technology
platforms and the role of scientific and engineering developments, science policy and governance will be
addressed.
Areas of Focus
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Explore the emerging frontiers of research leading to more unifying and efficient science,
engineering and technology approaches, and how to make discovery, education,
innovation and application of new S&E domains more compatible and beneficial overall.
Extend the transforming tools: nano-bio-info-cognitive sciences concepts formulated in
NBIC1. Broaden to include additional fields like robotics, neurology, human-machine
interfaces, et al.
Analyze the structure of national R&D investments: proportion of S&E, of emerging
fields; their evolution in time. Survey data for US, EU (as a whole), Brazil, China,
France, Germany, Finland, India, Japan, Korea.
Identify barriers to technology flow and integration.
Identify impacts: implications for individual and societal capabilities and benefits,
including long-term human development. Consider long-term societal implications.
Propose new approaches to governance to increase integration and overall outcomes;
four functions for emergent and converging technologies
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Plan
The study will be conducted to gather the best ideas from experts around the world on how to better to
advance progress in emerging and converging technologies. A series of brain-storming workshops will
be organized in the US, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. A small expert panel will serve as rapporteurs.
Invited participants will prepare a preliminary set of ideas based on the attached questionnaire, to present
and discuss at the meetings. Individual reports will be prepared for each region, and an overall report in
various media will be compiled for presentation to sponsors and the professional community. US Federal
agencies will provide sponsorship, and international partners will help host the meetings abroad. The
study will be organized at the US National Science Foundation in December, 2011. The World
Technology Evaluation Center, Inc. (WTEC) will facilitate the workshops and reports.
Selected References
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Roco, MC & Bainbridge, WS, Converging Technologies for Improving Human
Performance: Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive
Science, Springer (currently Kluwer): Dordrecht , 2003;
http://www.wtec.org/ConvergingTechnologies/Report/NBIC_report.pdf .
This is the first of five related books on converging technologies (NBIC1).
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Introduction to NBIC: http://ieet.org/index.php/tpwiki/Emerging_technologies
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Sharp, PA, et al., The Third Revolution: The convergence of the Life Sciences, Physical
Sciences, and Engineering, Also Sharp, PA & Langer, R. Promoting Convergence in
Biomedical Science. Science, 333:527, July, 29, 2011.
http://web.mit.edu/dc/Policy/MIT%20White%20Paper%20on%20Convergence.pdf
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Roco, M.C., Possibilities for Global Governance of Converging Technologies. J
Nanoparticle Research 10:11–29, 2008. doi: 10.1007/s11051-007-9269-8
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Bainbridge, William Sims (editor). 2012. Leadership in Science and Technology: A
Reference Handbook. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications.
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Project working website with links to more references: http://wtec.org/NBIC2/
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List of questions
to be answered with bullet-style statements and key references
(please type your answer after each question)
Before you answer this survey, please keep in mind that this study focuses on
(a) the general process of convergence of knowledge, technologies and applications, and
(b) the most transforming tools of converging technologies at this moment (NBIC –
nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive-based technologies).
For each question, please consider answering with respect to:
- Your topic of expertise, and
- Overall progress in converging technologies and their transforming tools (NBIC)
Provide key visionary ideas, as well as list of studies and references for convergence that we will
place on the passworded workshop website. References may include reports on research
directions, infrastructure, education and training, and societal implications.
We would like to get all answers in a timely manner. All the answers will be placed on the
website and incorporated in the workshop discussion and report. It is not essential to answer all
questions uniformly, but to highlight important and bold ideas that you may have.
Your name:
Institution:
Country:
Your main topic(s) of expertise:
Please answer a question only when you have important ideas or suggestions. You are
encouraged to include new ideas recognized by other research or professional groups.
1. In your opinion, which areas of NBIC are most important and why? (write a
paragraph for each area and add reference and figure as suitable)
Answer:
2. What successful examples of NBIC organizations and programs are you aware?
(academic/industry/government, national or international, deductive or inductive)
Answer:
3. In your opinion, what are the most important exploratory directions for the next 1020 years?
Answer:
4. List of References
List of Tables proposed for the report (with important summary information)
List of Figures proposed for the report (conceptual, easy to understand)
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General bibliography and iconographic pictures for NBIC
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