Publications
Research Councils Publications
Nanotechnology: From the Science to the Social (2007)
In 2003 the ESRC published our report The Social and Economic Challenges of Nanotechnology, which investigated discussions taking place around the emergence of nanotechnology and what this might mean for society. This report is a follow-up to that original analysis and examines how the debate has moved on in recent years.
The work of the ESRC Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society (BRASS) at
The Social and Economic Challenges of Nanotechnology (2003)
Nanotechnology is a new arena of science and engineering. Its early products mark only modest steps forward from those already in use, but its potential is immense. Its most extreme supporters claim that nanotechnology can rebuild the human body from within and effectively abolish death, while its enemies fear that instead, it could do away with life, by turning the surface of the Earth into an uninhabitable grey mess.
Government Publications
Statement by the UK Government about Nanotechnologies (2009)
The vision of the UK Government for nanotechnologies is “for the UK to derive maximum economic, environmental and societal benefit from the development and commercialisation of nanotechnologies, and to be in the forefront of international activity to ensure there is appropriate control of potential risks to health, safety and the environment”.
House of Commons Science Committee Report: Nanotechnology (2004)
The scale of the impact of nanotechnology on the world economy and the "disruptive" nature of the technology fully merit Government efforts to stimulate industrial activity and academic research in this vital subject.
Nanotechnology: Its Impact on Defence and the MOD (MOD 2001)
For defence the implications of nanotechnology could be enormous, both in terms of the opportunities it might offer to grow our military capacity, and the new threats it might lead to.
Foresight – Materials: Shaping our Society (DTI 2000)
This report attempts to provide a snapshot of what was happening in Materials Foresight in the UK at the end of 2000 of which nanotechnology plays a vital part.
Learned Societies Publications
Royal Society/Royal Academy of Engineering Nanotechnology Report (2004)
In June 2003 the UK Government commissioned the Royal Society, the UK national academy of science, and the Royal Academy of Engineering, the UK national academy of engineering, to carry out an independent study of likely developments and whether nanotechnology raises or is likely to raise new ethical, health and safety or social issues which are not covered by current regulation.
The final report was published in July 2004
European Union Publications
GENNESYS European nanomaterials foresight study (2009)
This GENNESYS strategy document is the result of an extensive European-wide study of the needs and opportunities for coordinating future research and development in nanomaterials science and nanotechnology for the advancement of technologies ranging from communication and information, health and medicine, future energy, environment and climate change to transport and cultural heritage.
Towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology, European Commission (2004)
This Communication proposes actions as part of an integrated approach to maintain and strengthen European R&D in nanosciences and nanotechnologies.
Publications form other Organisations
27th report: Novel Materials in the Environment: The case of nanotechnology (2008)
This report examines issues related to innovation in the materials sector and the challenges and benefits arising from the introduction of novel materials (specifically nanomaterials).