ISSUE NINETEEN AUGUST 2010

ISSN 1757-2517

THE MAGAZINE FOR SMALL SCIENCE

Lite
Featuring extracts from NANO Magazine Issue 19:
Nanotechnology for Sustainability across the board
Ethics and Nanotechnology
How society determines the way it adopts technology
The Editorial
Find out about the exciting range
of articles in Issue 19
Events Calendar
The best upcoming nanotechnology
conferences and events
News
The latest research news
from the nanotech world

Issue 19 also features:

Nanomaterials for Architects
and Architecture
Architects need to learn more about
nano to design sustainably

Discovering Nanotech’s Potential

One architectural practice is
developing their own nanoproducts

Biomimetics – Turning Nature’s

Successes into Gold
After 3.8 billion years, Mother Nature
can teach us a thing or two

Interview: George Whitesides,

Professor of Chemistry at Harvard
Elder statesman of nanotechnology is turning his
attention to healthcare for the world’s poor

Country Profile: Brazil

Pursuing industrial innovation through nanotechnology

Nano – Maintaining Independence

for an Ageing Population
Offering a route to less intense intervention
by healthcare professionals

PLUS: THE NANOYOU PROJECT: REACHING OUT TO SCHOOLS AND INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
 Read our favourite articles FREE at www.nanomagazine.co.uk

Take a closer look

at
nano magazine
Read articles from Issue 16 - FREE ONLINE
Cantilever nanosensors –
a breakthrough in the fight
against drug-resistant
infectious diseases
Read what’s driving the
development of new
Technologies to combat
hospital ‘superbugs’.

PLUS... Interview with Peter Singer

Why nanotechnology should be for the benefit of the many, not the few.

Read articles from Issue 17 - FREE at www.nanomagazine.co.uk

Clean coal - an oxymoron, PLUS... Designing Your Meal...

or a nanoreality? One Atom at a Time!
Read about how the whole field of If only you
clean coal technologies has become knew what was
a national research and development involved in the
priority in Australia, China, USA and making of your
the EU. next meal!

Read articles from Issue 18 - FREE at www.nanomagazine.co.uk

Carbon Nanomaterials PLUS...

for Transport Prizewinning
Read how carbon nanotubes, nanoparticle-
nanofibres and graphene are based
becoming increasingly important ‘sharkskin’ for
in many transport applications aeroplanes,
including aerospace, automotive, ships and wind
marine and rail. energy plants.

Visit
002 www.nanomagazine.co.uk to read these articles - and more - FREE!
 In this month's full issue of NANO

nano
Issue 19, August 2010
Managing Director: Ottilia Saxl
ottilia.saxl@nanomagazine.co.uk

Assistant Editor: Fraser Shand

fraser.shand@nanomagazine.co.uk

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Contributors
Sylvia Leydecker, 100% interior; Martina Decker and Peter
Yeadon, Decker Yeadon; Bharat Bhusan, Ohio State University;
José d'Albuquerque e Castro, Universidade Federal do Rio de
Janeiro; Marc Pavlopoulos, CEA-Larsim; Yoel Rothschild and
Dov Kipperman, ORT Israel; Ottilia Saxl, NANO Magazine;
Amarnath Maitra, University of Delhi.

©2010 ION Publishing Ltd

6 The Alpha Centre, Stirling University Innovation Park
Stirling FK9 4NF Scotland UK
013
Article contributions to NANO magazine come from a range of sources and while we
always strive to ensure accuracy in reporting, NANO accepts no responsibility for
inaccuracies that may arise. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect the
views of NANO magazine or IoN Publishing Ltd.

FEATURES
Nanomaterials for Architects and
Architecture ........................................012
Nano-aware architects are needed to design
the sustainable buildings of the future.

Finding Nanotech’s Potential for 020

architecture .........................................016
016
The Decker Yeadon agency isn’t waiting for
new nanotechnology products – they are EDUCATION
developing their own. NANOYOU ............................................032
The leaders of an EU-project describe how
Biomimetics – Turning Nature’s
to inspire the next generation through
Successes into Gold ..........................020
games, role playing and multimedia.
3.8 billion years in perfecting its products?
Bharat Bhusan shows that Mother Nature
034
ETHICS
provides the best solutions. Clarifying the Ethical Questions on
Nanotechnology ..................................036 Does Nanomedicine Really Belong to
INTERVIEW Marc Pavlopoulos sheds light on the the Field of Nanotechnology? ..........034
George Whitesides, Professor of sometimes surprising ways we adopt new Amarnath Maitra argues that nanomedicine
Chemistry at Harvard .........................027 technologies. What are the ethical questions belongs to cell biology as nanotechnology
Multifaceted scientific genius, entrepreneur, we really should be asking? deals only with entities dominated by
surface atoms.
and one of nanotechnology’s elder
statesmen, is turning his attention to almost MEDICINE
zero cost healthcare for the world’s poor. Nanotechnology – Cost and Efficiency REGULARS
Benefits for an Ageing Population 040 Editorial.................................................004
Ottilia Saxl looks at what the ageing population Events ....................................................006
COUNTRY PROFILE
Brazil .....................................................025 needs, and how nanotechnology can deliver What’s new in nano .............................008
José d’Albuquerque e Castro writes how independence for longer. Nanoart..................................................043
Brazil is accelerating its pursuit of
innovation through nanotechnology. OPINION
 L
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Nanotechnology – making
sustainability possible?
Nanotechnology is no longer a technology-in-waiting. It is already
ubiquitous in its reach and effect. In this issue of NANO
magazine, we look at many applications of nanotechnology to our
everyday lives, and its promise for the future. For example,
nanotechnology has great potential for architecture, and it is
recognised that buildings are a major contributor to global
warming. It is argued that if architects are better informed about
Ottilia Saxl, Director, NANO Magazine nanotechnology and prepared to design-in innovative materials to
make buildings more sustainable, this will have an immediate and beneficial effect. One
architecture practice is already so committed to nanotechnology, the partners are even
developing their own nanomaterials, to suit specific architectural applications.
Another theme this issue is inspiration from for the poor also works in favour of the rich, and understand the possibilities offered by
nature. Smart companies and researchers are and many lessons can be learned. Finally, nanotech, if they are to meaningfully
looking at the natural world for a treasure trove informing the general public is the key to address sustainability in their work.
of ideas that can form the basis of innovative acceptance of a technology, and the
new products and processes, and several nanocommunity has not succeeded very well Following on from a plea that architects
exciting possibilities are explored in an article in this sphere. However, a far-sighted EU- become more acquainted with
by a world expert in the field of biomimetics. funded project, NANOYOU, is reaching out to nanotechnology, the Decker Yeadon
Nano risk and toxicology are favourite media schools across Europe, and providing agency in New York has come up with new
subjects, but perhaps more importantly, how teachers and pupils with exciting teaching concepts based on nanotechnology that
society perceives the benefits of materials, so, if this generation isn’t particularly could shape the future of homes and offices.
nanotechnology will be critical to influencing well-informed, the next one will be! They are so convinced by its benefits that
its acceptance. What ethical questions should they have just invested in making
we really be asking, and are these are different Nanotechnology in architecture is addressed Buckypaper, a new material which has an
for nanotechnology, as opposed to any new compellingly by Sylvia Leydecker in this electrically conductive coating of multi-
technology? A problem that affects us all is the issue. She states that innovation-driven walled nanotubes. As half of all energy
growing costs of providing for an ageing materials and products are critical in consumption and greenhouse gas
population. Nanotechnology can offer ways to achieving green construction, which is now emissions in the U.S. can be attributed to
help older people retain the use of their at the forefront of much architectural debate. buildings, it is hoped that this new material
faculties, and more importantly, their Ms Leydecker believes that nanomaterials will reduce cooling-costs and green house
independence, for longer, while reducing the have a huge potential in this area, which is gas emissions in hot climates. Other
costs borne by the State. Healthcare, but for yet to be realised, as architects have not yet nano-based ideas for sustainable
the world’s poor, is also a theme uppermost in engaged fully with what is available. As a buildings are discussed, including low
the mind of George Whitesides, subject of the basic principle, she call for architects, power smart devices that would help
interview this month. Interestingly, what works planners and project developers to learn control ambient temperatures.

In a world where nanotechnology products
are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, the
search for new and better nano-based
products continues. Mother Nature has
evolved an answer to many problems over
the 3.8 billion years since life is estimated to
have first appeared on earth. By gaining an
understanding of how the natural world
works, we can imitate nature to produce new
and better materials, devices and processes.
The emphasis on nanoscience and
nanotechnology since the early 1990s has
provided a significant impetus in mimicking
nature, using nanofabrication techniques for
commercial applications. It is estimated that
the 100 most important products based on
biomimetics have generated about US $1.5
billion over 2005-2008, and annual sales and
product diversity are expected to continue to
increase dramatically. Bharat Bhusan takes
us on a whistle stop tour of the natural world
and some of its attributes that are leading to
new commercial products.
The ethical debate on nanotechnology is an
exciting one, which poses many complex
questions - such as how we perceive nature,
as opposed to artefact; the possible
redefinition of the norms of health and
disease; the likelihood of Transhumanism
(which forecasts that nanotechnology will
radically transform our world, and even
ourselves); questions such as the fair
distribution of the benefits of nanotechnology;
and the nature and extent of scientists’
responsibility for the consequences of
technological innovations. Marc Pavlopoulos
explores how we can ask the right questions,
and discusses the surprising ways in which
society adopts a new technology.
For information on all the content of past issues visit bit.ly/nanobackissues
The subject of this month’s interview is
Harvard Professor George Whitesides.
Professor Whitesides is not only successful
as an academic, but is also named on over
50 patents. A lifetime of knowledge and
experience has led him to a profound
understanding of what society needs from
science. His view is that, where science
thrives on complexity, and unexpected
outcomes, society needs simplicity allied to
function, and at low cost. And once given
the ‘tools’ that meet this definition, Professor
Whitesides predicts “People will build stuff
you cannot begin to imagine”. At present,
one of his interests focuses on the delivery
of healthcare in the developing world, at
close to zero cost. These low cost solutions
paradoxically also represent major
opportunities in combating the spiralling
and unsustainable costs of healthcare in the
developed world.
Nanoscience and nanotechnologies are
widely seen as having huge potential to
bring benefits to many areas of research
and application, and are attracting rapidly
increasing investments from Governments
and from businesses in many parts of the
world. At the same time, it is recognized
that their application may raise new
challenges in the safety, regulatory or
ethical domains that will require societal
debate. Nanotechnologists are often
criticised for their lack of interest or inability
to communicate the issues around
nanotechnology to the general public. One
way to improve understanding is by
engaging young people in dialogue about
its ethical, legal and social aspects.
NANOYOU (Nano for Youth) is a project
◊nano
funded by the European Commission's
Seventh Framework Programme that aims
to achieve this through an appealing variety
of media, games, role playing and other
interactions.
The country profile this month is Brazil. In
the last few decades, many South American
countries have sloughed off their old images
of corruption and poverty, and replaced
them with a go-ahead, entrepreneurial
culture and an increasingly fairer
distribution of wealth and opportunity. Brazil
may have been a little later in getting to
grips with the potential of nanotechnology,
but investment and strong policies linking
science and industry are reaping the
benefits. José d’Albuquerque e Castro who
has been involved in nanotechnology in
Brazil, both from within University and
Government, gives an all-round perspective
on the state of the technology and where it
is headed.
The cost of supporting the needs of an
ageing population is growing, with longer
life expectancies. This month’s article on
nanomedicine by Ottilia Saxl, explores
the broader issues of how nanotechnology
can provide important benefits to an
ageing population, in terms of prolonging
independence and quality of life for as
long as possible, while reducing costs.
She discusses how nanotechnology
research is leading to a range of medical
interventions that can extend the use of
faculties and senses for longer, and
also technological advances that can
reduce dependency on expensive
healthcare professionals. n
 S
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Events Calendar
EVERY MONTH WE HIGHLIGHT THE LEADING CONFERENCES AND SUMMITS
WHERE INDUSTRY EXPERTS, ACADEMICS AND POLICY MAKERS CONVENE.
August 20 – August 22
International Nanoscience Conference
(INASCON 2010), Baarlo, The Netherlands
The aim of the conference is to focus on the students in contrast to
most conferences where it is the more established researches that are
focused upon. A criterion for European innovation in the field of
nanotechnology in the future will without a doubt be teamwork between
European Universities. To facilitate this teamwork we feel that it is
essential to start networking between students as early as possible.
www.inascon.eu
August 29 – September 2
Commercialization of Micro-Nano Systems Conference
(COMS 2010), Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
COMS brings together leaders from all over the world and every sector
of industry. From high tech companies, national labs, regional
development and government agencies, investment and consulting
groups, market researchers, educators and students; all sharing,
learning and creating partnerships in an open interactive setting. This
is a powerful environment focused on accelerating commercialization
activity among established and emerging micro and nano businesses.
www.mancef-coms2010.org
September 12-15
3rd International conference on
Advanced Nano Materials (ANM 2010), Morocco
The aim of the conference is to bring together worldwide leading
experts of nano technology for the exchange of ideas, experiences and
knowledge. Therefore, the conference will provide a unique forum
convening researchers, scientists and engineers from industry,
research laboratories and academia to address state-of-the-art
developments in all aspects of Nanotechnology.
www.anm2010.nanoac.org
September 13-17
X International Conference on Nanostructured
Materials (NANO2010), Rome, Italy
The X international Conference on nanostructured Materials (NANO)
is the highest level international Conference designed to bring together
the international communitity of scientists and engineers interested in
recent developments on nanostructured materials in many different
fields. It will foster the exchange of ideas, techniques, experiments and
applications in this exciting and rapidly developing field.
www.nano2010.mlib.cnr.it/cms
September 19-23
Adriatic School on Nanoscience, Dubrovnic, Croatia
The aim of the first School is to provide young scientists, primarily PhD
students working in the nanosciences, with a systematic overview of
modern nanoscience through selected contributions from the field's
most relevant experts. Beyond that, it is intended to establish ASON as
an international forum for the growing community of young scientists
and engineers working in the fields of nanoscience and
nanotechnology. In this manner ASON is conceived to flexibly adjust to
encompass the most recent advances and developments in these
rapidly evolving disciplines, including related characterisation
techniques and applications.
www.rathanea.hr/ason-1
September 19 – 24
International Microscopy Congress (IMC17),
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The event for an update on the challenges at the frontiers of applied
scientific research, bringing together, through all forms of microscopy,
advances on Nanotechnologies and applications, Medicine and health,
Energy conversion, Environmental protection, and much more.
www.imc-17.com
Keep up-to-date on the latest and best nano-events at bit.ly/nanoevents
September 21
Nanotechnology Innovations For High Performance
Motorsport, Cranfield University, UK
With 30% of sales revenue being spent on innovation within the
motorsport industry and a list of potential applications for nano scale
techniques and products within the motorsport sector continuing to
grow, this exclusive event, hosted by CEMMNT, will explore the
challenges and benefits of applying the innovations in nanotechnology
to this highly competitive and highly innovative sector.
This event is FREE to attend. Contact George Guildford at
george.guildford@cemmnt.co.uk
www.cemmnt.co.uk/news.php/
high-performance-motorsport-event
October 20-22
NanotechItaly 2010, Venice, Italy
The aim of the conference is to give a comprehensive picture of
nanotechnology activity, perspectives and needs in Italy; Present the
latest developments and trends at world level about research,
applications and governance; Foster a debate amongst representatives
of industry, public research, the financial community and governmental
bodies to promote the development of nanotechnologies and
cooperation.
www.nanotechitaly.it
October 19-21
MATERIALICA 2010- Product Engineering in Motion,
Munich, Germany
Europe’s top event for material-driven and provider-oriented product
innovations focussing on important sectors of engineering and
materials such as composites, lightweight metal design, high
performance and functional ceramics and surface- and
nanotechnology. The sophisticated visitor and exhibitor structure has
had a great share in implementing innovative technology solutions
within core industries like automotive, aerospace, engineering, medical
engineering and sports and consumer goods.
www.materialica.com
October 23-28
Nanomedicine: Reality Now and Soon,
ESF-UB Conference, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Spain
The application of nanotechnology will have a major influence in many
fields of medicine. Novel nano-based materials appear in drug delivery
systems, diagnostics, imaging, biosensing, and medical materials and
devices. This conference aims to provide detailed understanding and
discuss the clinical utility of those areas of nanomedicine which are
close to application or already clinically applied/on the market.
www.esf.org/activities/esf-conferences/details/2010/
confdetail329.html?conf=329&year=2010
October 25-29
Iran Nano, Tehran, Iran
The goals of the Iran Nano conference include: discovering research
and industrial potentials in the field of nanotechnology and introducing
them to the market; fostering research-industry linkages and
collaborations in the field of nanotechnology; providing nanotechnology
companies with the opportunity to participate in international markets
and raising public knowledge on nanotechnology.
festival.nano.ir
 ◊nano
November 16-18
NANOSAFE 2010, Grenoble, France
The objectives of the conference will be to make available the major
progresses and future trends in the domain of the safe production and
use of nanomaterials. Topics include Exposure assessment,
Characterization, Detection and Monitoring, Nanomaterials life cycle,
Toxicology and Environmental impact.
www.nanosafe.org

November 19-21
International Conference on Nanotechnology
(Nanotech India 2010), Kerala, India
This conference is aimed at pulling together industry leaders,
researchers, entrepreneurs and investors to create a platform for
discussion on the issues and opportunities that are vital in
commercializing Nanotech innovations. It is no wonder then that this
conference has emerged as the premier nanotechnology research and
business event in India.
www.nanotechindia.in/nano210.php

December 8-9
Technology World in partnership with
UK NanoForum, London, UK
Technology World and UK NanoForum have joined together for 2010 to
bring you the only event where UK science and technology excellence
meets face to face with senior international business professionals.
This joint event will showcase over 200 industry and academic
exhibitors and host around 2000 senior business decision makers from
over 25 countries. Connect with innovators, manufacturers, scientists
and service providers and take advantage of the unique business
partnering opportunities.
www.technologyworld.uk.com

To advertise your event here, please contact:

scott.mcmillan@nanomagazine.co.uk
 ◊nano

Nanotechnology
means dentists
could bring
teeth back to life
cientists are reporting an advance Regenerative endodontics,

S toward the next big treatment

revolution in dentistry – the era in
which root canal therapy brings
diseased teeth back to life, rather than
leaving a “non-vital” or dead tooth in the
mouth. In a report in the monthly journal
ACS Nano, they describe a first-of-its-
kind, nano-sized dental film that shows
early promise for achieving this long-
sought goal (“Nanostructured
Assemblies for Dental Application”).
Nadia Benkirane-Jessel and colleagues
note that root canal procedures help
prevent tooth loss in millions of people
each year. During the procedure, a dentist
removes the painful, inflamed pulp, the soft
tissue inside the diseased or injured tooth
that contains nerves and blood vessels.
the development and
delivery of tissues to
replace diseased or
damaged dental pulp,
has the potential to
provide a revolutionary
alternative to pulp removal.
The scientists are reporting
development of a multilayered, nano-
sized film – only 1/50,000th the thickness of
a human hair containing a substance that produced a material that fights
could help regenerate dental pulp. inflammation in dental pulp fibroblasts.
Previous studies show that the substance, Fibroblasts are the main type of cell found
called alpha melanocyte stimulating in dental pulp. Nano-films containing alpha-
hormone, or alpha-MSH, has anti- MSH also increased the number of these
inflammatory properties. The scientists cells. This could help revitalize damaged
showed in laboratory tests alpha-MSH teeth and reduce the need for a root canal
combined with a widely-used polymer procedure, the scientists suggest. n

Drinks leave a trail of crumbs that could

be used to track people’s movement
he bottled water, soda pop, or Lesley Chesson and colleagues explain that cities and found that patterns in the beverages

T micro brew-beer that you drank

in Pittsburgh, Dallas, Denver or
30 other American cities contains a
natural chemical imprint related to
geographic location. When you consume
these beverage you may leave a chemical
imprint in your hair that could be used
to track your travels over time, a new
study suggests.
The findings, believed to be the first
concerted effort to describe the use of
beverages as a potential tool to investigate
the geographic location of people, appears
in ACS' bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and
Food Chemistry (“Links between Purchase
Location and Stable Isotope Ratios of Bottled
Water, Soda, and Beer in the United States”).
the body removes hydrogen and oxygen
atoms from water (H2O), and beverages
containing water, and incorporates them into
proteins, including the protein in hair.
Hydrogen and oxygen exist in different
forms, or isotopes. The proportions of those
isotopes vary in a predictable way
geographically, with higher values in low-
latitude, low-elevation, or coastal regions, for
instance, and lower values elsewhere. Since
manufacturers usually use local or regional
water sources in producing beverages,
isotope patterns in hair could serve as a
chemical “fingerprint” to pinpoint the
geographic region where a person has been.
The scientists analyzed isotope patterns in
bottled water, soda pop, and beer from 33
generally matched those already known for
the tap water. They noted that the isotope
pattern in beverages tends to vary from city to
city in ways that give cities in different regions
characteristic “iso-signatures.” A person who
drinks a beer or soda in Denver, Des Moines,
or Dallas, for instance, consumes a different
isotope signature than a person in Las Cruces,
Las Vegas, or Laramie. The finding may help
trace the origin of drinks or help criminal
investigators identify the geographic travels of
crime suspects and other individuals through
analysis of hair strands, the study suggests. n
Source: American Chemical Society

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 E
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A Guide to
Clarifying Ethical
Questions on
Nanotechnology
Marc Pavlopoulos, CEA-Larsim
and ObservatoryNano
hile discussions and media
ONE AREA OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY W coverage often focus exclusively
on toxicology and risk
assessment, the ethical debate on
WHERE ETHICAL nanotechnology poses a vast array of
questions. These could include issues such
CONCERNS SEEM OUT OF as our concept of nature, as opposed to
PLACE IS NANOMEDICINE. artefact; the possible redefinition of our
norms of health and disease; nanoICT-
A CURE FOR CANCER induced modifications in all aspects of
SEEMS MORE AND MORE communication; the validity of human
dignity in relation to technological
WITHIN OUR REACH; development; the likelihood of future
HOW CAN SUCH prophesies such as Transhumanism (which
forecasts that nanotechnology will radically
PROSPECTS BE transform our world, and even ourselves);
ETHICALLY QUESTIONED? the question of a fair distribution of the
benefits of nanotechnology; and the nature
and extent of the responsibility of scientists
for the consequences of technological
innovations. This is a large and complex
debate, and it very difficult to sort the right
questions out from bogus and superficial
ones; and it is unclear whether these
questions are specific to nanotechnology or
common to other emerging technologies.

Is Nanotechnology Doomed because

it Artificializes Everything?
The first step is to dispel bogus questions.
Take the intuitive difference we tend to make
between natural and artificial. Most of us

believe that what is natural is wholesome,
genuine and good for us, while artificial
products are likely to be dangerous,
hazardous and generally suspicious. But,
according to the scientific picture of nature,
this contrast does not make sense: if Nature
is whatever follows the laws of physics, then
every thing is natural - even artefacts! For
artefacts, too, obey the laws of physics. If one
really wants to understand the opposition
between Nature and Artefact, one has to go
deep into history and philosophy, back to
Aristotle’s notion of the natural, as the
character of what moves by itself, as opposed
to artefact, which is set into motion externally.
What does this talk of nature and Aristotle
have to do with the debate on
nanotechnology? Nanotechnology may blur
the distinction between nature and artefact.
Nanotechnology-enabled devices can enter
the bodies of living creatures, and interact
with their components at the nanoscale, to the
point where it may becomes impossible to
differentiate behaviour at the macroscopic
scale, according to whether it is caused by
the artificial devices, or by the “natural”
functioning of the body itself.
We sometimes want to apply our old
concepts to realities that do not support
them anymore. The very idea of something
For more articles on ethics visit nanomagazine.co.uk
natural, developing by itself and
autonomously, as opposed to artificial,
programmed from the outside, is doomed
by the development of nanotechnology, and
is therefore unsettling. We need concepts
other than “natural” and “artificial” to
appraise and assess this development.
Will Nanomedicine change Health?
The ethics of technology are not about
approving or regretting the development of
a technology: the technology is with us
anyway, and ethics takes this as fact. Rather,
the ethics is about understanding how the
introduction of a new technology changes
us, as individuals as well as a society, and
then trying to orient and influence these
changes for the better.
One area of nanotechnology where ethical
concerns seem out of place is nanomedicine.
A cure for cancer seems more and more
within our reach; nanomedicine also promises
new, cheap pharmaceuticals which could be
of great help for developing countries. How
can such prospects be ethically questioned?
Again, the point of the ethics of technology is
not to dispute that curing cancer and
providing cheap pharmaceuticals to poor
countries are good. Rather, regardless of
whether the new tools and methods of
nanomedicine are beneficial to us, we should
◊nano
look at the changes these tools and methods
will induce in our behaviour and thinking
about our health. Thanks to bio-sensors and
lab-on-a-chip, nanomedicine will make it
easier and easier to diagnose disease before
the symptoms even occur, and medicine will
increasingly become a science of probabilities.
This change asks new questions, such as:
how early will the probable development of a
disease need to be diagnosed in order to
trigger preventive treatment? Should the
decision to initiate treatment be left to doctors?
Or should each patient be able to make
her/his own choice? If the former,
nanomedicine may lead to a return to a
paternalistic type of medicine; if the latter
(which is more likely in liberal societies such
as ours) then health and disease as such will
tend to become a matter of individual beliefs
and definitions.
Imagine that Jane and Judy independently
learn that they each have a 40% chance of
developing breast cancer within the next 5
years. At first Jane becomes quite panicked;
then she reflects that breast cancer
treatment has recently considerably
progressed, and that she still has 60%
chance not to develop the disease: so she
decides to do nothing. But Judy is
concerned, reflects that a long-lasting
disease within the next 5 years will be
 detrimental to her career, that she is still
attractive to men but doesn’t plan to seduce
anyone but her husband, and so decides to
go for immediate surgery.

Traditionally, health is conceive as a state of

organic well-functioning; but when Jane and
Judy deliberate about going or not going for
treatment, they consider, not simply their
organic functioning, but their future well-
being as a whole. As well-being is a very
subjective notion, every person is likely to
come up with a different answer to an
identical objective diagnosis.

Such little stories are likely to multiply in the

foreseeable future. It is likely that
nanomedicine will lead to an explosion in
preventive medicine and to the conflation of
the norm of organic well-functioning with that
of personal well-being. The consequence
should be an individualization of the norms of
health. Needless to say, this will have
momentous consequences for European
public health insurances, which have been
based on a quite negative vision of health as have very real effects. In their 2002 report tempted to use positive and negative hype
the “absence of disease”, since WWII. from the US National Science Foundation, strategies (e.g. by overemphasizing
Roco and Bainbridge listed the benefits to toxicological risks) to get attention or to attract
Nanoprophecies and Hype be expected from nanotechnology, funding to their research. What are the
The case of nanomedicine illustrates that predicting a new golden age: consequences of this use of hype for society
nanotechnology is likely to transform our ways “Technological convergence could become and for the research community? On the other
of life, beliefs and norms. Some even venture the framework for human convergence. The hand, can the scientist repel hype altogether,
that nanotechnology will transform not only the twenty-first century could end in world peace, at a time when research is more and more
way we live and think, but what we are. This is universal prosperity, and evolution to a oriented towards industrial applications, and
the prophecy upheld by Transhumanism, higher level of compassion and financed accordingly? There are several
which states “Humanity stands to be profoundly accomplishment. It is hard to find the right points of conflict between the needs of
affected by science and technology in the metaphor to see a century into the future, but industrial development and those of science.
future. [Transhumanism] envisions the it may be that humanity would become like a The attitude towards hype is one of them.
possibility of broadening human potential by single, distributed and interconnected
overcoming ageing, cognitive shortcomings, “brain”, based in new core pathways of Technology, our Modern Magic?
involuntary suffering, and our confinement to society.” Such statements seem to be sheer A recent European report on the public
planet Earth”. For the human species as a dreams but they were instrumental in perception of nanotech has shown that even
whole, transhumanists support human convincing the US government and after being given information about
enhancement as a way to progressively Congress to further fund the National nanotechnology, laypeople tend to react by
generate a new species. Nanotechnology Initiative at its inception. invoking ancient narratives and myths, such
Between 2002 and 2005, the NNI budget as Pandora’s box or the tale of the
What should we think of such radical and more than doubled – a quite unusual Sorcerer’s apprentice. There are many such
marvellous forecasts? Since the invention of increase for a publicly funded research examples. Why is the latest technology so
the wheel, technology has always transformed organization. The use of visionary language often appraised through the prism of time-
both Man and the world around him; and so to attract public attention is called hype. worn images, tales and sayings?
will nanotechnology. This is no surprise.
The claim of a “radical” change, a change Contrary to a certain image of science as Unless they fall within our professional
never seen before, is historically “morally neutral”, scientists do have their own, area of expertise, most of us don’t know how
unwarranted: each and every significant professional ethics. These ethics guide technological devices work. We approach
technological progress has brought about a scientists in their work, exchanges and them as if they were black boxes: we know
change “never seen before”, and was communication with one another. Tenets of the input we feed into them (say, pressing
largely unpredictable. This is no novelty! these scientific ethics are modesty, honesty, such-and-such a button) and we expect a
objectivity, truth… all values quite antagonist given output (taking a photograph or making
However, whether right or wrong, to hype. How then should the scientist reply to a phone call); but we don’t have a faintest
Transhumanist visions do not only fire our hype, should he support it, ignore it or try to clue as to what happens inside the device
imagination about nanotechnology; they refute it? On one hand, researchers are between input and output. We feel powerless,

More interested in nanomedicine? Just visit nanomagazine.co.uk and search for medicine

MAGIC FILLS IN THE VOID OF IGNORANCE, AND
PAVES THE WAY TO IMAGINATION AND HOPE. THIS
IS THE ROOT REASON WHY, IN OUR SOCIETIES,
NANOTECHNOLOGY IS LOADED WITH SYMBOLIC
EXPECTATIONS AND IMAGINARY POWERS
sometimes even annoyed, when our
computers, cameras, TVs, etc., break down:
we cannot say what went wrong inside. In
such cases, many of us tend to deal with
machines as if they were intelligent or
sentient beings: we pray or curse them, we
endow them with will (“My computer just
won’t work”), emotions and moods (“My cell
phone is slow, it’s a bit grumpy today”) or
cognitive capacities (“Stupid machine!”).
This attitude is a typical of magic. Like rain
dancers invoking a god to make water pour
from the sky, we are ignorant of the
functioning of our environment. We appeal
to a soul in the machine as if it could make
the phone call go through, or a film finally
appear on the black screen. What is going
on here? Since we don’t know how the
device works inside, we project human,
anthropomorphic features onto it. Such a
projection appears purely irrational because enlightenment; but also work. Before they
we are fully aware that machines aren’t like
humans, but at the same time it is the only
way we can come into contact with their
internal structure and functioning. Magic
To see our subscription options visit bit.ly/nanosubs
fills in the void of ignorance, and paves the
way to imagination and hope. This is the
root reason why, in our societies,
nanotechnology is loaded with symbolic
expectations and imaginary powers.
The only way to dispel magical and
eschatological visions of nanotechnology is
through education. But education always has
to start with what students know and think.
Although they typically know nothing about
the scientific content of nanotechnology,
laypeople tend to have a lot of things to say
about it. It comes without surprise that they
frequently refer to the wonderful world of
myths, tales or sci-fi rather than to the reality
of scientific laboratories. It is no surprise
either that people resist scientific
explanation and cling to their time-worn
narratives and images: it is always painful to
dispel magic and faith in mighty powers.
Still, a critical analysis of myths and
narratives reveals that magic is not always
irrational, but on the contrary framed by
subtle and powerful reasoning. Also, these
time-worn narratives paradoxically provide
good training for prospective analysis: by
plunging back to the imaginary world and
values created by societies and individuals
so remote from us in the past, we may
become more able to imagine the
behaviours and norms of future societies.
Take the Greek myth of Prometheus.
“Prometheus” means “with forethought”.
Prometheus was the wisest of all the Titans –
those wonderful and mighty beings who
reigned before the Olympian Gods are were
finally overrun by them. Prometheus stole
fire from the Gods of Mount Olympus.
Through fire, he is credited with bringing
mankind craftsmanship, knowledge,
had fire, Men used to be provided with all
they needed by the Gods. For acting against
the decree of the Gods, who wanted to keep
the power of fire to themselves, Prometheus
FE
AT
UR
E
was chained to a rock to have his liver eaten
out every day by an eagle. Every night his
liver would grow back. This was to be his
punishment for all of eternity.
What is the most striking in this myth is
certainly its end, Prometheus’ punishment. But
one should also note the ambivalent beginning.
By giving technology to Men, Prometheus
makes them a divine gift. At the same time, he
seems to give them a curse, for before tech-
nology, Men didn’t even have to work in order
to survive; they were provided with all they
needed by the Gods. The morale is clear: as
he receives technology, Man becomes the
keeper of himself. His fate is no more
guaranteed by the Gods, nor by Nature. The
Promethean project may therefore lead to the
better, or to the worse.
Why is Prometheus still with us? Because
the myth does well illustrate the ambiguous
relationship of our societies to technology: a
mixture of trust and fear. Technology is at
the same time the only path to progress and
human liberation, and a constant source
of anxiety.
Conclusion
The ethical debate on nanotechnology is
surprisingly broad. Who would have guessed
that the invention of nanoelectronics would
induce a redefinition of private and public
spheres, for instance? The answer is that,
whether or not sociologists might have
foreseen this consequence, no expert on
nanoelectronics would have. It is often said
that technological change induces social
change, but the reverse influence seems
even more important and true: social norms,
concepts and values shape the way a
society uses a new technology. In essence,
society determines the way it adopts
technology; this has nothing to do with the
technology nor with the science. n
CEA-Larsim, a research team based in Saclay
(France) and a partner in ObservatoryNano, has
just delivered a Toolkit for Ethical Reflection and
Communication aiming at clarifying the picture.
This Toolkit aims at providing the reader with the
means to frame his / her own vision of the debate
and to sharpen the ethical awareness of those
involved in the development of nanosciences and
nanotechnology. The June 2010 version of the
Toolkit can be downloaded at
http://www.observatorynano.eu/
project/catalogue/4ET/
NanoArt The Carl Zeiss Image contest
arl Zeiss is running its first Nano Image Contest A picture says more than a thousand words. And images taken

C and are inviting users of all Zeiss electron and ion

microscopes to submit their work.
“Fascinating electron microscope images are sitting around
in numerous archives without an opportunity for recognition.
With this competition, we want to give users of our systems an
innovative platform to present their images and the underlying
work to the public,” explains Dr. Peter Fruhstorfer, Member of
the Management Board of the Nano Technology Systems
Division at Carl Zeiss.
with electron and Ion microscopes frequently provide unique
insights into the specimens and lead to new scientific-technical
knowledge. At the same time, these images often feature
outstanding aesthetic properties.
Here’s just a small selection of the images which have been sent
into the contest so far, entries are open until August 29, 2010.
Visit bit.ly/d5ggmy for more details on how to enter and vote.
 IN
TE
◊nanoRV
IE
W

AN INTERVIEW WITH…

GEORGE
WHITESIDES
IN SEARCH OF ZERO-COST HEALTHCARE
FOR SOCIETY’S POOR, GEORGE
WHITESIDES’ WORK HAS SOME PROFOUND
AND SURPRISING IMPLICATIONS FOR THE
WEALTHIER ECONOMIES - GIVEN THE
ESCALATING AND UNSUSTAINABLE COSTS
OF MEDICAL TREATMENTS TODAY.

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insight from one of the leading lights in nanotechnology