and "...the transforming power of chemistry."¹

The best products are those that meet demanding performance specifications, have simplified operating procedures, require little to no maintenance, are durable while intelligibly destructible,² and are ergonomically and aesthetically pleasing.  Additionally, a low cost of production is also almost always desirable (e.g., consumer electronics).   These criteria are not mutually exclusive; however, 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."³  The statement is applicable to the development of nano-enhanced products.

Contents

1. Product Development & Consumer Safety

2. Is it "nano"?

3. See also

4. External links

5. References and notes

1. 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."⁴  Perhaps counterintuivitey, scientifically important advances are translated indirectly into new products if at all.

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 Feburary 2008 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."⁵

Furthermore, Prof. Hutchison has underscored that "active participation of nanoscientists is critical to successfully shaping and carrying out the nanoEHS research strategy."⁶  Finding the appropriate balance between research investment, active product commercialization, and end-user safety is an ongoing civil and scientific discussion.^7-9


2. Is it "nano"?

Products may be accurately marketed as "nano", simply labeled "nano" to boost sales,¹⁰ not labeled "nano" even though the reverse is true, or manufactures may offer insufficient information to make informed judgments.

These products are illustrative examples adopted from 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

3. See also:

Nanoproduct Categorization

4. External links:

Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies

5. References and Notes

1. Raber, L. R.  ACS Launches New Vision.  Chemical and Engineering News 2006, 84, 52-53.

2. Johnson, J.  A Tsunami of Electronic Waste.  Chemical & Engineering News 2008, 86, 32-33.

3. Bursten, B.  The Centrality Of Chemistry: Our Challenges And Opportunities.  Chemical and Engineering News 2008, 1, 2-5.

4. Weiss, P. S.  A Conversation with Prof. George Whitesides: Pioneer in Soft Nanolithography  ACS Nano 2007, 1, 73-78.

5. 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

6. Hutchison, J. E.  Greener Nanoscience: A Proactive Approach to Advancing Applications and Reducing Implications of Nanotechnology.  ACS Nano 2008, 2, 395-402.

7. Hunt, C. T.  Material Innovations: From Nantotech to Biotech & Beyond!  Panel discussion, minutes 22:30--28:42 available online at http://acspresident.org/events/presentation.php?eid=5

8. Petkewich, R.  Toxic Socks.  Chemical and Engineering News  2008, 14 April, 10.

9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  FDA and Nanotechnology Products.  Available online at http://www.fda.gov/nanotechnology/faqs.html

10. Oung, A.  DPP Councilman Exposes 'Nanowater' Health Scam.  Taipei Times 22-Oct-2007, pg. 2. Available online at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/10/22/2003384226