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Blog: Observations and Insights

It's Not Just About Materials

December 6, 2010
Larry Bell
We are reaching a limit in the future growth of computing power using current technologies because of the heat generated by packing more and more transisters onto tiny electronic chips. Nanotechnology may provide totally new techniques for computing that would...

Informal Education and Signature Initiatives are part of the draft NNI Strategic Plan online in November for Public Comment

November 1, 2010
Larry Bell
Objective 3.2 in the Draft National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan calls for the government to "Initiate outreach and informal education programs and publish related information to foster a student population, workforce, and public who are well informed about the opportunities...

An excellent source of online resources for public engagement is the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD)

November 1, 2010
Larry Bell
Keynote addresses by Andrew Maynard and Kathy Sykes at the recent Network-Wide Meeting of the NISE Net, and sessions and workshops on addressing societal, environmental, and ethical issues in connection with nanoscale science, engineering, and technology, may have left attendees...

Lifecycle of a Decision-maker

November 1, 2010
Larry Bell
Last week's Network-Wide Meeting raised questions about how science museums can engage the public in consideration of societal, environmental, and ethical issues related to nanoscale science and engineering and any emergent technology, and how we as a society and as...

Public Comment Period Extended to Monday, October 18, at 8 PM EDT

October 2, 2010
Larry Bell
Nanotechnology Long-Term Impacts and Research Directions: 2000-2020 went on line yesterday for two weeks of public comment. This is your chance to read and make suggestions concerning the next decade of nanotechnology research, including future educational efforts and engaging the...

NISE Net Awarded Renewal Funding to Launch Another 5 Years

September 20, 2010
Larry Bell
The NSF today awarded the Museum of Science in Boston the funds to continue the work of the NISE Net into the next decade. At our reverse site visit last July, David Ucko, our NSF program officer for the first...

Growing focus on societal implications in NISE Net work

September 1, 2010
Larry Bell
Just about a year ago NISE Net launched an expanded collaboration with the Center for Nanotechnology in Society and you'll hear more about upcoming activities in the months ahead. The conversation started when staff from seven science centers brought cart...

The Crab Nebula and Nanotechnology Have Both Changed My Life - Have They Changed Yours?

August 26, 2010
Larry Bell
Forty years ago the Crab Nebula changed my life and now nanotechnology is doing the same thing, not just for me but for many people in the NISE Net. Here's my story; share yours by leaving it in a comment...

NISE Net Folks at the S.Net Conference

September 8, 2009
Larry Bell
Six members of the NISE Net programs team and four members of the Center for Nanotechnology in Society presented tabletop and stage programs at the Pacific Science Center yesterday and at the S.Net conference today. Jamey Wetmore and Ira Bennet...

Building connections between social science and informal science education

July 15, 2009
Larry Bell
Members of the NISE Net Program group and faculty and students at the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University are teaming up to demonstrate and discuss potential collaborations between the social science community and the informal science...