How can we capture the possibilities but avoid the pitfalls of nanotechnology?

Date: 26.03.2013 18:00 - 20:00

Location: Nesta, 1 Plough Place, London, EC4A 1DE

It's often called the 'fourth technological revolution', but is nanotechnology going to finally live up to the hype and expectation?

Experts say that there is vast potential for nanotechnology to enable a deep and pervasive change in our current scientific and technology approaches. From applications with profound potential to fight global challenges, to transformations in industry through the development of high-throughput, atomically precise manufacturing, the pay-offs could be huge. Yet at the same time, there is confusion by what we mean by nanotech and frustration that it is yet to live up to all expectations. In some areas there is still a lack of understanding, and incomplete regulation of the potential risks: such as nanotoxicity, where there is ongoing exploratory research.

This event will consider:

• What is realistic to expect in terms of nanotechnology's transformative potential?
• Should expectations around high-precise atomic manufacturing be fulfilled, what will this mean for future employment and industry development going forward?
• Should the UK be focusing instead on areas of current strength such as nanomedicine and medical diagnostics?
• Is it all good? What are the nano-risk and how do we deal with those?
• What should policy makers be doing to enable this 'fourth revolution' and what's stopping them?

Speakers:

• Dr Eric Drexler, Oxford Martin Programme on the Impacts of Future Technology, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford
• John Knowles, Chairman, Advisory Board, UK Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network
• Professor Richard Jones, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, University of Sheffield
• Dr Sonia Contera, Co-Director, Oxford Martin Programme on Nanotechnology, University of Oxford
• Other speakers TBC

6pm registration for a 6.30pm start

Register for this event

This event forms part of the Next Big Thing events series. For more information about the series, please visit www.policyexchange.org.uk/next-big-thing

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