| Posted: November 5, 2007 |
Nanotechnology expert to keynote annual educator's conference |
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(Nanowerk News) What do Americans know about nanotechnology-the technology that promises to ignite the next Industrial Revolution? According to polls, the answer is not much. A federally-supported national network of U.S. scientists, museum professionals, and educators is working to change that.
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What:
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This week, the Nanoscale Informal Science Education network (NISE) holds its annual meeting at San Franciscos Exploratorium to examine the best ways to bring nanoscale education to the public. See: www.nisenet.org
Andrew D. Maynard, chief science advisor for the Woodrow Wilson Centers Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, opens the NISE meeting with the presentation, Please Dont Shout: Were Not Deaf, Were Just Not Interested. Maynard explores why it is so hard to engage the public about nanoscience, how to communicate nanotechnologys small scale and novel properties, and how nanotechnology is beginning to impact every facet of peoples lives-cars, health care, computers, energy sources, and jobs.
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Maynard is available for local media interviews in San Francisco, CA during November 7-8.
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Who:
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Maynard is a foremost expert on addressing possible nanotechnology risks and developing safe nanotechnologies. His Ph.D. is in ultrafine aerosol analysis from Cambridge University (UK). He is a frequent media guest and expert witness at Congressional hearings. He appears in the 2008 television series, Nanotechnology: The Power of Small (see: www.fredfriendly.org). Maynard also is the creator of an entertaining new video, The Twinkie Guide to Nanotechnology (see: www.nanotechproject.org/141).
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Why:
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An exciting new field of research and development, nanotechnology is the ability to measure, see, manipulate and manufacture things usually between 1 and 100 nanometers. Nanotechnology was incorporated into more than $50 billion in manufactured goods in 2006. By 2014, an estimated $2.6 trillion in manufactured goods worldwide will use nanotechnology, or 15 percent of total global output. For a look at over 500 nanotechnology consumer products on the market today, log on to www.nanotechproject.org/consumerproducts.
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The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is an initiative launched by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and The Pew Charitable Trusts in 2005. It is dedicated to helping business, government and the public anticipate and manage possible health and environmental implications of nanotechnology.
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