From products to prescience

Some fascinating and timely issues are going to be discussed at the upcoming 1st Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology Oct. 22-24 in Washington, D.C. Here are a few abstracts (I've added the links for background):

Nanotechnology for Clean Energy and Resources
Soaring oil prices have recently put resource issues back in the public eye. In fact, conventional technology is exhausting its resource base at an accelerating rate, an acceleration exacerbated by the revolution of rising expectations in the less-developed world due to the global communications revolution. Nanotechnology is the only way to provide something like a sustainable First World standard of living for the entire world. Fortunately, furthermore, many resource-related nanotechnology applications involve nanostructured materials rather than full molecular machines and so are accessible in the near term. More

U.S. Nanotechnology Policy: Bridging the Gaps
Since well before the creation of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative there has been a debate between futurists who envision the role nanotechnology might play ten, twenty, or more years from now and physical scientists who tend to think in more concrete terms — more reliably predictable (and therefore more near-term) perspectives. There are some players who seem able to bridge the gap without being accused by one side of being purveyors of "hype" or by the other of being shortsighted. But these "translators" are in short supply. And there are some disagreements (e.g., molecular manufacturing) that seem so far to be irresolvable. There are, however, some issues that lend themselves to finding a common ground. More

Applying Nanotechnology to the Challenges of Global Poverty
Billions of people around the world still suffer from inadequate access to clean water, energy, information, shelter, health care, and other basic needs. Even with continuing progress in poverty reduction, many people will probably still be poor when molecular manufacturing technologies become available. Advanced nanotechnologies could help poor people improve their lives, if developed in ways that are appropriate and accessible. This presentation uses examples of potential molecular manufacturing products to illustrate future opportunities and strategies for applying nanotechnology to reduce global poverty and promote sustainable prosperity. More

Agenda for High Impact Nanotechnology Development
The incredible breadth and diversity of nanotechnology presents an important question: How should society prioritize its investment in nanotechnology? What are the areas on which governments, corporations and investors should focus for the highest payoff, both financially and societally? What are the biggest problems to be solved, and thus the biggest market opportunities? A recent summary of the top nanotechnology-based products of 2003 cited ski-wax, breathable waterproof ski jackets, wrinkle and stain resistant clothing, deep-penetrating skin cream, digital camera displays, coating for sunglasses, tennis rackets and tennis balls. While these are important steps in the commercialization of nanotechnology, they do not address the important challenges facing humanity. More

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