and "...the transforming power of chemistry."1
The best products are those that meet demanding performance specifications, have simplified operating procedures, have little to no maintenance requirement, are sufficiently durable while also intelligibly destructible, and are ergonomically and aesthetically pleasing. Depending on context, a low cost of production is also highly desirable (e.g., consumer electronics). Although not mutually exclusive, crafting of products that meet each design criteria requires a mastery of chemistry, engineering, entrepreneurship, and other interdisciplinary fields. In the context of the American Chemical Society, ACS President Bruce Bursten has stated that scientists should "think broadly, grandly, and sometimes differently about how to apply the chemistry we know to address daunting and socially important challenges."2 The statement is applicable to the development of nano-enhanced products.
Product Development & Consumer Safety
Nanoscience researchers such as Prof. Whitesides emphasize nanosystem tunability and ease-of-adoption by other researchers. Whitesides has an expressed interest in nanoscale fabrication "to the extent that our efforts can open nanostructures, make nanostructures of whatever sort accessible to the widest possible variety of scientists in the easiest possible way."3 Scientifically important advances are translated indirectly into new products if at all; however, economic competition and increased product expectations may positively affect social attitudes and subsequent acceptance of nano-enhanced products.
The sheer number of possible nanosystem chemical/physical variations present a significant barrier to the development of human and environmental safety standards (i.e. minor changes in composition might result in drastic functional changes). A recent report from a working group of the National Nanotechnology Initiative reads:
"In the development of products, nanomaterials may undergo any number of modifications, including applications of coatings to reduce oxidation, addition of molecular groups to induce or diminish biological activity, or functionalization to enable integration of materials into final products.... Modifications may also affect the chemical and physical properties of nanomaterials and the methods necessary to detect the nanomaterials in human and environmental media."4
Finding the appropriate balance between active commercialization and end-user safety is an ongoing civil and scientific discussion.5-7
Is it "nano"?
Products may be accurately marketed as "nano", simply labeled as "nano" to boost sales, not labeled as "nano" even though the reverse is true, or the manufactures may offer insufficient information to make informed judgments.
These products are illustrative examples adopted form The Project on Emerging Technologies:
First Response® Home Pregnancy Test
Discuss via a wiki page
Cotz SPF 58
Discuss via a wiki page
Dockers® Go Khaki®
Discuss via a wiki page
See also:
Nanoproduct Catagorization
References and Notes
1. Raber, L. R. ACS Launches New Vision. Chemical and Engineering News 2006, 84, 52-53.
2. Bursten, B. The Centrality Of Chemistry: Our Challenges And Opportunities. Chemical and Engineering News 2008, 1, 2-5.
3. Weiss, P. S. A Conversation with Prof. George Whitesides: Pioneer in Soft Nanolithography ACS Nano 2007, 1, 73-78.
4. Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council's Committee on Technology. Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and Safety Research. Available online via http://www.nano.gov/NNI_EHS_Research_Strategy.pdf
5. Hunt, C. T. Material Innovations: From Nantotech to Biotech & Beyond! Panel discussion, minutes 22:30--28:42 available online via http://acspresident.org/events/presentation.php?eid=5
6. Petkewich, R. Toxic Socks. 2008, 14 April, pg. 10.
7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA and Nanotechnology Products. Available online via http://www.fda.gov/nanotechnology/faqs.html