Nanotechnology Project

Publications

Publications

  • February 19, 2008 Applying the Chemical Policy Options to Emerging Technologies and Materials: Adaptations and Challenges Can the template developed in this report for chemicals policy reform be applied in assessing the hazards of emerging technologies and what considerations are involved for state governments? Steffen Foss Hansen and David Rejeski
  • February 15, 2008 Nanotechnology Field Observations: Scouting the New Industrial West “Note from the Field” article for the Journal of Cleaner Production. David Rejeski, Deanna Lekas
  • February 4, 2008 Biased Assimilation, Polarization, and Cultural Credibility: An Experimental Study of Nanotechnology Risk Perceptions PEN Brief No. 3 When the public considers competing arguments about a new technology’s potential risks and benefits, people will tend to agree with the expert whose values are closest to their own, no matter what position the expert takes. According to this study, the same will hold true for nanotechnology. Dan M. Kahan, Paul Slovic, Donald Braman, John Gastil, Geoffrey Cohen, Douglas Kysar
  • January 4, 2008 Looking Back on the First Two Years Biennial Report This report reviews the Project’s major activities, key contributions, and most significant impacts over its first two years. Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
  • December 12, 2007 A Survey of Environmental, Health and Safety Risk Management Information Needs and Practices among Nanotechnology Firms in the Massachusetts Region PEN Brief No. 1 John Lindberg and Margaret Quinn, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • December 3, 2007 Feynman, Voltaire and Beckett on Nanotechnology Presentation to Nanopolicy Conference, National Press Club This presentation examines flaws in the assertion by the U.S. government that the existing regulatory system is adequate to address risks from nanotechnologies and explores actions that need to be taken to help foster successful commercialization of nano products. David Rejeski
  • July 1, 2007 Where Does the Nano Go? End-of-Life Regulation of Nanotechnologies PEN 10, July 2007 All materials and products eventually come to the end of their useful life, and those made with nanotechnology are no different. This means that engineered nanomaterials will ultimately enter the waste stream and find their way into landfills or incinerators—and eventually into the air, soil and water. As a result, it is important to consider how various forms of nanomaterials will be disposed of and treated at the end of their use, and how the regulatory system will treat such materials at the various stages of their lifecycle. Linda K. Breggin, John Pendergrass
  • May 1, 2007 EPA and Nanotechnology: Oversight for the 21st Century PEN 9, May 2007 As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently stated, nanotechnology has evolved from a futuristic idea to watch to a current issue to address. A new report by J. Clarence (Terry) Davies considers various oversight tools for dealing with nanotechnology and proposes a number of action steps for government, industry, and other stakeholders. J. Clarence Davies
  • May 1, 2007 Developing Story: Nanotechnology and Low-Income Nations NanoFrontiers 2, Summer 2007 The second issue of the newsletter explores the question of whether developing nations will fully share in the anticipated benefits of nanotechnology—predicted to be the driving force for the next industrial revolution.
  • April 1, 2007 Green Nanotechnology: It’s Easier Than You Think (Report) PEN 8, April 2007 The ability to eliminate waste and toxins from production processes early on, to create more efficient and flexible solar panels, and to remove contaminants from water is becoming an exciting reality with nanotechnology. This “green nanotechnology” involves designing nanoproducts for the environment and with the environment in mind. Last spring, stakeholders came together to participate in a series of dialogues on the topic, hosted by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. This report highlights the research breakthroughs, industry perspectives, and policy options discussed at those meetings. Karen F. Schmidt