Welcome to Real World Nano, a new space to explore what happens when nanotechnology leaves the laboratory and makes its way into the rest of society. RWN is a partnership between NISE Net and the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University [3]. Our goal is to launch a conversation about how the meaning, importance, and application of nanotechnology in society can be conveyed through informal science education. We hope that you will join us in this exciting endeavor, and we encourage you to post your comments, thoughts, ideas, and questions in the comments below.
For me, the importance of RWN stems from the growing importance of nanotechnology in society. For decades, nano hype has far outpaced nano reality, but that’s beginning to change. Applications are emerging across a wide range of fields. Most of our current computers and smartphones now rely on nanopatterned electronics. Nano devices are being developed for water filtration and for producing clean fuels that will enhance human sustainability. Even food is being impacted by nano. A scientist colleague of mine recently returned from a European visit. Of all of the university and industry labs he toured on the trip, he reported being most impressed by the nano facilities at Nestlé Corporation.
As a science, nanotechnology is about understanding, manipulating, and making smarter the materials that make up the world around us. Those materials are everywhere. Not just our clothes, computers, and solar panels, but also the living materials that make each of us up: our brains, bones, blood, nerves, retinas. We recently concluded a study at my center that found over 10,000 scientific articles published from 1991-2009 that used nano to study, manipulate, and enhance the human brain and central nervous system (more about that study in a future post).
The question for RWN is how to approach these subjects in informal science education. In coming posts, we will explore a wide variety of dimensions of this question. Some questions that NISE Net partners have already suggested include:
- Why should museum visitors care about nano?
- How can museums convey the importance of nano to their visitors?
- What are social science and ethics research finding out about what happens when nano leaves the laboratory and enters society?
- What might nanotechnology mean in the future?
- What are the social and ethical implications of the science presented in the NanoDays kit?
- What resources are available to museums to help them explore nano in the real world?
- How can museum staff be prepared to answer questions from visitors about the ethics of nanotechnology?
As RWN goes forward, I also hope that you’ll participate on the team, too. Please put your questions and ideas about Real World Nano –- and nano in the real world –- in the comments below. What would you like to hear about? What can RWN do for you? Do you have ideas about how to make nano relevant? These are things I want to know.
Comments
Questions about real world nano [5]
Hi Clark,
I'd love for you to discuss issues involved in working with the public to understand risks and benefits of specific nanoscience and technology (and science and technology, in general). Assuming we want the public to get comfortable with asking questions (of themselves, media reports, scientists, etc) about risks and benefits, what sorts of questions are the best starting points? What sorts of questions are good to ask when we know there are no definitive answers? What sorts of questions are good to ask when something will be generalized into a policy? And so on...
You've already talked with NISErs a bit about this, but I'd love it to be a discussion on your blog.
Thanks.
Nano Chocolate?! [9]
I'm both intrigued and slightly scared that my passion for chocolate could be used to turn my choco-hobby into full blown choco-holicism (I assume making nano-chocolate would make it better!).
Real world nano and art [11]
Does art imitate life or life imitate art? It may depend on your definition of art, but I tend to lean towards the later. This is also why I'm a strong supporter of using art as a vehicle to convey science.
Real World Nano, is exploring potential societal impacts and conflicts created by nanoscale technologies. Theatre and drama require conflict. As a theatre producer, I can not help but see an inevitable partnership. So, I raise these questions to NISE Network partners: Who would be interested in connecting with visitors by using theatrical films that focus on nanoscale technologies and their societal implications? How could RWN utilize theatre or other art forms to engage the public?
Funding for Humanitarian Efforts? [13]
Hi there, Clark -
While I suppose I could just look this up, I'd prefer to defer to your expertise and history:
While it's quite clear that nanoscience is being used for consumer products, most of those products seem to somehow benefit an already-advantaged lifestyle (tennis racquets, hockey sticks, golf clubs, iPods, band-aids, whatever Nestle is up to, etc.). You mentioned the development of water-filtration devices - who is funding and implementing this research and development, and what is the intended use? Will this ultimately make it into high-end water filtration devices for urban and suburban in-home use, or are we talking about these devices being used in water-poor third-world countries?
I guess the large question here is this: what incentive do companies have to develop nano products that could benefit third-world countries if the third-world countries have no way to pay for them?
Nano and Food [15]
Hey Clark,
Great first post!
I love to hear more about the engineering or mechanical manipulation of foods through nanotechnology and how it differs from GM Foods? Are there any lessons learned from GM Foods that can be applied to nano-foods from a societal point of view.
I'd also love to hear more about the nano facilities at Nestlé Corporation, if you can talk about them.