Nanomanufacturing: emergence and implications for U.S. competitiveness, the environment, and human health
"The entry of nanotechnology into manufacturing has been compared to the advent of earlier technologies that have profoundly affected modern societies, such as plastics, semiconductors, and even electricity. Applications of nanotechnology promise transformative improvements in materials perform...
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| Institution: | ETUI-European Trade Union Institute |
| Format: | TEXT |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Washington, DC
2014
GAO |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.labourline.org/KENTIKA-19110785124919389679-Nanomanufacturing-emergence-an.htm |
| Summary: | "The entry of nanotechnology into manufacturing has been compared to the advent of earlier technologies that have profoundly affected modern societies, such as plastics, semiconductors, and even electricity. Applications of nanotechnology promise transformative improvements in materials performance and longevity for electronics, medicine, energy, construction, machine tools, agriculture, transportation, clothing, and other areas. Many technologically sophisticated products today (for example, smartphones, tablet computers, and targeted therapeutic drugs, among many others) already benefit from nanotechnology or some innovative nano-enabled process - as do other products that are not typically conceptualized as “high tech” (such as textiles, lubricants, and athletic gear). However, the path to greater benefits - whether economic, social, or environmental - from nanomanufactured goods and services is not yet clear. Although many view the United States as the world’s premier nanotechnology research and development (R&D) nation, some are concerned about our national ability to efficiently and effectively capture value from our collective investments, whether through intellectual property development, licensing and commercialization, manufacturing goods at scale, or delivering new services. Moreover, concerns persist regarding the environmental, health, and safety implications of nanoengineered materials. The forum we convened in July 2013 to explore these issues offered a series of facilitated discussions. (The agenda is in app. I.) This report summarizes key themes that emerged during the forum. Specifically, the report presents participants’ views concerning (1) the anticipated scope of future nanomanufacturing developments and related effects; (2) U.S. investments and competitiveness in nanotechnology R&D, as compared to other leading nations - and current challenges to U.S. competitiveness in nanomanufacturing; (3) options for enhancing U.S. nanomanufacturing competitiveness; and (4) issues in addressing the environmental, health, and safety implications of nanomanufacturing. Additionally, we discuss “considerations going forward” based on the overall forum discussions as well as participants’ views on possible future actions or next steps." |
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| Physical Description: | 118 p. Digital |