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In this section publications of the NanoCap project can be found.
Understanding Public Debate on Nanotechnologies
Options for Framing Public Policy
Edited by René von Schomberg and Sarah Davies
A Report from the European Commission Services
Directorate-General for Research 2010
Science, Economy and Society EUR 24169 EN
This publication consists of a series of research articles on the nature of public debate on
nanosciences and nanotechnologies, and the ways in which deliberative approaches could
lead to better governance of these technologies. The authors of these articles were involved
(as coordinators or participants) in a number of now completed European Commission funded
‘Science in Society’ projects.
Of these, the project FRAMINGNANO involved the development of a governance plan for
nanotechnologies. NANOCAP was a capacity building exercise, through which European
Trade Unions and Environmental NGOs adopted resolutions and positions on the governance
of nanotechnologies. The DEEPEN project elaborated the ethics of nanotechnologies
and investigated the narratives which underlie public discourse, while NANOPLAT proposed
a new deliberative platform for consumers of nanotechnologically-enabled products and,
in the course of doing this, evaluated a number of different approaches to deliberation.
This research was developed in response to the Science in Society Programme of Work
strategy, which calls for a deliberative approach to responsible development of nanosciences
and nanotechnologies.
For the complete text of this publication, please click here (PDF file)
For the cover page of this publication, please click here (PDF file)
Proceedings of the NanoCap Conference "Working and living with Nanotechnologies"
The Conference was held at the European Parliament, Brussels, April 2nd, 2009.
At the Confernce Trade Unions and NGOs presented their respective collective European position statements.
Click here to read the conference's proceedings
Technology
The starting point for any structured discussion on nanotechnology is an understanding of the realistic applications of nanotechnology in fields of high societal impact like environment, energy and medicine. The dialogue around the potential benefits and possible risks of nanotechnology is the core of the NanoCap Project, therefore a series of documents describing the current applications of nanotechnology in these fields were written by two academic researchers involved in the project. The aim of these documents is to provide updated, concise yet accurate information about present applications of nanotechnology based on scientific literature. The documents also include some vision of potential applications of nanotechnology, whilst keeping the discussion at a realistic level. These documents have been written with the purpose of supporting environmental NGOs, trade unions, as well as other groups in learning about nanotechnology and its potentials in diverse areas of applications. The authors’ intention is to help these groups forming a balanced view of nanotechnology, so to promote a constructive dialogue not only among the NanoCap members but also among other discussion platforms dealing with this emerging technology.
The documents are structured in different parts, namely:
Other aspects of this discussion, such as ethical and societal concerns, potential environmental risks of nanomaterials and health and safety aspects are not covered in the abovementioned papers but can be found in other sections (amongst others the literature section of this website) and below.
Ethics Portfolio
In the context of NanoCap an Ethics Portfolio is being developed. At the NanoCap conference in Brussels, some sheets were already presented in a ‘hard’ portfolio: Justice, Risk, Ethics and Morality, Code of Conduct, Nano Race, Justice and Nano, Soft Regulation, Privacy, Nano-Ethics, Magic Nano, Incredible Tininess, Nanomachinery, Values, Metaphysical Research Program, Water, Observatory, Green Nano, Green Nano in the US, Future and Present and Speculative Ethics. More sheets will be added in the future since the Ethics Portfolio is open-ended and conceived as a loose leaf collection. This is why each article or entry is confined to one sheet. Also updates to articles will take place if appropriate.
Click here to open a overview of the Ethics Portfolio (PDF file)
Environment and Health concerns
Nanotechnologies in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities to Green NanoTechnologies, Issue 1, April 2009 (EEB).
Nanotechnologies in the 21st Century: Nanomaterials - Health and Environmental Concerns, Issue 2, July 2009 (EEB).
Biological Effects of Nanoparticles Used as Glidants in Powders. by L. Reijnders, ECDO.
Hazard Reduction for the Application of Titania Nanoparticles in Environmental Technology. by L. Reijnders, ECDO.
Hazard Reduction in Nanotechnology. by L. Reijnders, ECDO.
The release of TiO2 and SIO2 Nanoparticles from Nanocomposites. by L. Reijnders, ECDO.
Measurement Techniques
Measurement Techniques for Nanoparticles
There are various techniques for detecting, measuring and characterising nanoparticles. There is not a method that can be selected that is the “best” method but rather a method is chosen to balance the restriction of the type of sample, the information required, time constraints and the cost of the analysis. A straight forward technique may simply detect the presence of nanoparticles, others may give the quantity, the size distribution or the surface area of the nanoparticles.
Nanotechnology Education
UK University Education in Nanotechnology
This report will detail the undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses on Nanotechnology, and related disciplines, which are provided or will be provided by UK Universities from September 2009. It will also list the UK Universities that have a centre or institute specialising in Nanotechnology.
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