Nanopedia

From the Nanopedia:

The possibility that nanotechnology will impact so many corners of society so radically automatically causes us to consider the ethical implications of the field.

Or something like that. Their "key areas" are a little lacking. "Humanity" (as in "fundamental nature of") needs to be added. As does environment (it's listed elsewhere on the site, but it really needs to be emphasized and considered along with the other ethical implications).

News from the Bottom

The Online Student Journal of Nanotechnology, focusing on societal impacts, not hard research, is online. I must have missed the launch of it (not quite sure), but they're already through accepting submissions for the third issue. It's too bad because they were looking for articles "about the images used by nanotechnology" and I'm a microscopist and could have submitted a pretty good article.

Anyway, I'm just getting around to reading some of the articles and will definitely have some thoughts on them.

A note though - the Issue page doesn't look that good in Firefox.

Nanotechnology Patents

New classifications for nanotechnology in the Patent Office:

Searching: A new cross-reference classification (977) will likely include search areas for (i) nanostructures; (ii) computer software for nanostructure modeling; (iii) manufacturing, treatment, or detection of nanostructures; and (iv) specific uses of nanostructures. The new classification system is intended to both ease examination and inform applicants and the public of the ‘state of the art.’

Somehow, I don't think that this really fits with Foresight's vision of nanotech...