William Sims Bainbridge

Mihail C. Roco

M. C. Roco and W.S. Bainbridge In the early decades of the 21st century, concentrated efforts can unify science based on the unity of nature, thereby advancing the combination of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and new technologies based in cognitive science. With proper attention to ethical issues and societal needs, converging in human abilities, societal technologies could achieve a tremendous improvement outcomes, the nation's productivity, and the quality of life. This is a broad, cross cutting, emerging and timely opportunity of interest to individuals, society and humanity in the long term. The phrase "convergent technologies" refers to the synergistic combination of four major "NBIC" (nano-bio-info-cogno) provinces of science and technology, each of which is currently progressing at a rapid rate: (a) nanoscience and nanotechnology; (b) biotechnology and biomedicine, including genetic engineering; (c) information technology, including advanced computing and communications; (d) cognitive science, including cognitive neuroscience. Timely and Broad Opportunity. Convergence of diverse technologies is based on material unity at the nanoscale and on technology integration from that scale.

Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science

Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance

Chad A. Mirkin

Mark C. Hersam

This volume presents a comprehensive perspective on the global scientific, technological, and societal impact of nanotechnology since 2000, and explores the opportunities and research directions in the next decade to 2020. The vision for the future of nanotechnology presented here draws on scientific insights from U.S. experts in the field, examinations of lessons learned, and international perspectives shared by participants from 35 countries in a series of high-level workshops organized by Mike Roco of the National Science Foundation (NSF), along with a team of American co-hosts that includes Chad Mirkin, Mark Hersam, Evelyn Hu, and several other eminent U.S. scientists. The study performed in support of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) aims to redefine the R&D goals for nanoscale science and engineering integration and to establish nanotechnology as a general-purpose technology in the next decade. It intends to provide decision makers in academia, industry, and government with a nanotechnology community perspective of productive and responsible paths forward for nanotechnology R&D.

Retrospective and Outlook

Nanotechnology Research Directions for Societal Needs in 2020

Carlo D. Montemagno

The convergence of nanoscience, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science (NBIC) offers immense opportunities for the improvement of human abilities, social outcomes, the nation's productivity, and its quality of life; it also represents a major new frontier in research and development. This conclusion was reached at a December 2001 workshop held by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Commerce in which leading experts from government, the academic research community and the private sector explored the nature and size of the potential opportunities in NBIC convergence. The report that resulted from this workshop, asserting that NBIC convergence is a broad, cross-cutting, emerging and timely opportunity of interest to individuals, society and humanity in the long term, recommended that an R&D initiative focusing on enhancing human performance (while governed by respect for human welfare and dignity) should become a national priority. The NBIC Convergence 2003 conference was organized as a first step in realizing the vision of this report. In this volume, a panel of nationally recognized experts analyzes the opportunities NBIC convergence prese

Mihail C. Roco

About

Books

Join the club