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Research Note
Critical issues in the commercialization of nanotechnologies
Greg Tegart
Executive Advisor, APEC Center for Technology Foresight, Bangkok, Thailand; Visiting Professor, Victoria University of Technology, Melbourne VIC
Abstract
It is now recognized that nanotechnology is a set of tools for manipulating matter at the nanometre level that can be applied to any manufactured product. There is no discrete nanotechnology industry but a set of different industry sectors each with its discrete set of issues, particularly those relating to real and perceived risks. However there are linkages between them that need to be considered, particularly in the production and application of nanomaterials.
The general consensus among studies of development and application of nanotechnologies is that there will be about a decade between realization of a new technology and its commercial application.
There are several critical issues which need to be considered in this step. The role of standards for manufactured products, of toxicity testing for nanoparticles, and of clinical trials for health products will be crucial. Many of the potential applications raise safety and health issues which need to evaluated. Acceptance by society is dependent on their awareness of benefits outweighing risks.
Keywords
nanotechnologies, commercialization of new technologies, standards, health and safety risks of nanotechnologies, social acceptance of new technologies
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