Steinfeldt / Gleich / Petschow Nanotechnologies, Hazards and Resource Efficiency

A Three-Tiered Approach to Assessing the Implications of Nanotechnology and Influencing its Development
1. Auflage 2007
ISBN: 978-3-540-73815-2
Verlag: Springer-Verlag
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 271 Seiten

Nanotechnology is frequently described as an enabling technology and 1 fundamental innovation, i.e. it is expected to lead to numerous innovative developments in the most diverse fields of technology and areas of app- cation in society and the marketplace. The technology, it is believed, has the potential for far-reaching changes that will eventually affect all areas of life. Such changes will doubtlessly have strong repercussions for society and the environment and bring with them not only the desired and intended effects such as innovations in the form of improvements to products, pr- esses and materials; economic growth; new jobs for skilled workers; relief for the environment; and further steps toward sustainable business, but also unexpected and undesirable side effects and consequences. With respect to the time spans in which nanotechnology’s full potential 2 will presumably unfold, M. C. Roco (2002:5) identified the following stages or generations for industrial prototypes and their commercial expl- tation: Past and present: The “coincidental” use of nanotechnology. Carbon black, for example, has been in use for centuries; more specific, isolated applications (catalysts, composites, etc.) have been in use since the early nineties. First generation: Passive nanostructures (ca. 2001). Application p- ticularly in the areas of coatings, nanoparticles, bulk materials (nan- tructured metals, polymers, and ceramics). Second generation: Active nanostructures (ca. 2005). Fields of appli- tion: particularly in transistors, reinforcing agents, adaptive structures, etc.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Steinfeldt, Michael

Gleich, Arnim

Petschow, Ulrich

Haum, Rüdiger

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Acknowlegdements;5
2;Preface;6
3;Contents;9
4;Authors;12
5;1 Summary;13
5.1;1.1 Characterization of some nanotechnologies;13
5.2;1.2 Evaluation of specific application contexts;17
5.3;1.3 Formative approaches to sustainable nanotechnology;22
5.4;1.4 Conclusion and need for action;25
6;2 Methodological approaches to the prospective assessment;28
6.1;2.1 Characterization of technologies;28
6.2;2.2 Environmental profile assessments;38
6.3;2.3 Approaches to shaping technological development;43
7;3 Technology-specific impacts of nanotechnology;50
7.1;3.1 Characterization of nanotechnology;50
7.2;3.2 Description and evaluation of production methods;57
7.3;3.3 A digression: “nano-visions” and their risk assessment;70
8;4 Assessment of sustainability effects in the context of specific applications;75
8.1;4.1 Selection of the in-depth case studies;75
8.2;4.2 Case study 1: Eco-efficient nanocoatings;78
8.3;4.3 Case study 2: Nanotechnology Innovation in Styrene Production;103
8.4;4.4 Case study 3: Nano-innovations in displays;122
8.5;4.5 Case study 4: Nano-applications in the lighting industry;147
8.6;4.6 Case study 5: The risk potential of nano-scale structures;169
9;5 Formative approaches to a sustainable nanotechnology;191
9.1;5.1 Cooperative design approaches;194
9.2;5.2 Player-specific approaches to shaping development;213
10;6 Conclusions, the outlook, and need for action;224
10.1;6.1 Results of environmental assessments of selected nanotechnological application contexts;224
10.2;6.2 Technology characterization and context analysis;225
10.3;6.3 Process- and formative model–based design and development;229
11;Appendix;231
12;References;259
13;Index;277