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JAPAN NANONET BULLETIN
-- 33rd Issue -- December 9, 2004
Nanotechnology Researchers Network Center of Japan
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
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IN THIS ISSUE
Nanonet Special Interview (Part II):
Dr. Mihail C. ROCO
Senior Adviser for Nanotechnology, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Chair for U.S. Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET),
National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)
-- NANO CALENDAR --
For information on nanotechnology related symposiums and conferences
held in the world,
http://www.nanonet.go.jp/english/calendar/
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NANONET SPECIAL INTERVIEW (PART II)
Visions for the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (Part II)
(Issued in Japanese: November 24, 2004)
Dr. Mihail C. ROCO
Senior Adviser for Nanotechnology, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Chair for U.S. Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET),
National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)
We had an opportunity to interview him about his visions for the U.S.
National Nanotechnology Initiative during his visit to the National
Institute for Materials Science at Tsukuba, Japan in February 2003.
This interview article was revised in October 2004.
This is the part II of this interview. The part I contained the vision
of NNI and issued on November 25. To read the e-mail newsletter,
please visit our Web site.
http://www.nanonet.go.jp/english/mailmag/2004/032a.html
Q: We heard your recent focus has been the NBIC (Nanotechnology,
Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science)
Convergence project. What is its objective?
Dr. Roco: NBIC stands for nanotechnology, biotechnology, information
technology, and cognitive science. In the last few years, technology
made it possible to measure very weak signals from the inside of cells
and from the nervous system, and to produce cells and artificial
tissue using current biotechnology. One of the objectives of NBIC is
maintaining and enhancing the everyday human performance. This may
include improving sensorial capacity when aging, increasing group work
productivity through better communication, and using implant devices
and neuromorphic human-machine interfaces. We see a future where we
will focus on improving human performance rather than improving
technology and the machines themselves. In this direction, main areas
of focus will be improvement of human physical capabilities, learning,
various intellectual capabilities, sensorial abilities, communication,
and group creativity. We are beginning to clarify the physic-chemical
processes of the brain, but the overall brain mechanisms are still
unknown. For example, we thought there are visual and auditory zones
in the brain, but we later found that there are no such zones. We plan
to replace parts of our bodies with artificial materials and devices.
However, I am not saying that we will turn humans into robots. We
treat ethical and legal concerns responsibly, respect individuals, and
maintain an appropriate level of individual privacy. We are working on
R&D in an organized, controlled, and systematic way with people who
are responsible. It is important to anticipate and facilitate future
positive developments.
Q: You have been actively discussing societal implications of
nanotechnology recently. Would you please explain what you mean by
this?
Dr. Roco: Societal implications provide the major motivation for the
development of nanotechnology from the promise of better health care
and quality of life to sustainable water and energy resources. However,
the research findings and technological developments may bring both
desired and undesired consequences. Even though one may experimentally
prove that certain nanoscale materials are not harmful, there still
may be some risks with those nanoscale materials when they interact
with the environment or with human body. We have to consider negative
aspects responsibly. Free access to information concerning research
development and public awareness are key issues for keeping society in
the science loop. The interaction with the public and civic
organizations must be both ways. One of the 5 initial major nanoscale
science and engineering themes of NSF since 2000 is concerned with
societal implications and education. We have established an office to
monitor for the development of any potentially unexpected implications,
and we are educating researchers in different nanotechnology fields
including toxicity. We make R&D investments for an equitable
distribution of nanotechnology benefits, and develop convergent
technologies to fully connect science and society in the long-term.
About twelve agencies collaborate for addressing nanomaterials
environmental and health effects. We need to develop knowledge on
health and ecological implications, establish internationally
recognized nomenclature and standards, understand broader social
implications of the new technology, and include all of these in
decision making about nanotechnology investments. Nanotechnology is
too important to society to be decided only by nanotechnologists. Also
we are not waiting until problems arise but contemplating them with
each new technological development. The knowledge of nanoscience,
nanotechnology markets, societal implications and public opinion are
international. Therefore, we need international collaboration. In
June 2004 we organized the "International Dialogue on Responsible
Nanotechnology R&D" that was attended by 26 countries including Japan.
One of the purposes of this visit in Japan was to encourage this kind
of collaboration. I think it is important to encourage collaboration
early as this field grows in importance. The goals of the
international collaborations are to interact with scientists, to
deliberate all aspects we confront, and then to get positive outcomes.
What we would like to emphasize is that nanotechnology brings about
positive societal implications through education and will strive to
optimize the positive societal implications while addressing
unexpected consequences.
Q: You have said repeatedly that international collaboration is
important. What do you expect from Japan? Which field would you like
to collaborate on with us?
Dr. Roco: The foundation of this new field of science and technology
is in development, and further advancements require international
collaboration because it cannot be done by a single country. Many
fields in nanoscience and nanotechnology are in a precompetitive phase.
Japan and the United States have broad and long term programs with
multiple opportunities for collaborations which are of mutual benefit.
So there is a very good opportunity for collaboration at this time.
Priorities may be given to fundamental research especially in fields
such as single molecules, single cells, and systematic control of
nanoscale structures and properties. We can also collaborate on
developing an institutional infrastructure and improving education to
bring about broader benefits for society in the long-term such water
and energy sources. Exchanges between centers of excellence in both
countries are already established in many research areas. NSF and MEXT
have four workshops (as of December 9, 2004) to promote collaborations
in new areas of research and two group visits for young scientists
each year. This activity has already outstanding results. We also
consider international collaboration in matters of societal
implications and in pursuing the objectives of NBIC.
Q: We appreciate you for your interesting and informative interview.
(Interviewer: Kazuyo Yamashiro, Nanonet)
For more information,
http://www.nanonet.go.jp/english/mailmag/2004/033a.html
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Nanotechnology Researchers Network Center of Japan
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
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