Abstract
This report is generated for the innovation, industry and research departments. The project will depict a scoping analysis of currently available socio-economic impacts of nanotechnologies. It will also explore areas of conflict and consensus in the available literature. In persuasion to the tender request, the major purpose of the report is to provide an analysis of the economic and social impacts of nanotechnologies. It is not only an assessment of the nanotechnology issue but also the appropriateness of nanotechnology in the current society and particular Responses from different personnel. This paper presents the findings of the analysis.
The scoping analysis encompasses the social science and non-academic literature in the society domain. It is hence significant to ascertain that while the literature dealing with the socio-economic impacts of nanotechnology is defined by multiple opinions, the literature inclines to focus on the potential and perceived risks of excluding the potential benefits posed by nanotechnology. Contemporary, the project will be dominatebyin discussing and setting forth the potential benefits and impacts linked to the implementation of nanotechnologies in the society framework.
In addition, the report will also explore the other research carried out by other individuals and researchers. It will also analyze the contributions from other research technology agencies, including academic and societal actors, and the results generated from the research. In this regard, the specific and contributing research on the present, future and economic dimensions of nanotechnology based on a local perspective will be fully explored. This would be in addition to the particular risks, opportunities, and challenges that nanotechnologies pose for society as a whole. In this essence, there would be considerable scope for the establishment and application of nanotechnologies in the current ever-transforming society.
Background
In 2006, a report carried out by the National Nanotechnology Strategy Taskforce showed that nanotechnologies had the ability to change how people lived. It also depicted that nanotechnologies had the ability to change the healthcare, manufacturing, electronics, manufacturing, energy, communications and agribusiness industries. Moreover, NT has the capacity to initiate new and advanced manufacturing systems, new drug delivery mechanisms and systems, cleaner and reliable energy systems, clean water, new materials and advanced computing devices.
Nanotechnologies are considered to hold a large potential in terms of competitive and economic benefits for both environmental and human benefits. Kunz and Theodore (2005) argue that nanotechnology would be the second coming of the industrial revolution. Moreover, Hull Man (2006) proposed that nanotechnology would be significant in overall economic development. He also argued that NT is bound to induce the introduction of electronic, communication, information and automobile technologies. Thus, nanotechnology has the potential to positively impact almost all sectors of the economy, especially nanotechnology applications, which can be widely applicable in every sector.
Nanotechnology has already been established in the marketplace. According to an online inventory of nanotechnology-related consumer goods, there are many processed goods based on nanotechnology procedures within the marketplace that have proven considerable and effective. Nanotech production and manufacturing processes and techniques have been incorporated into the market and industry setting as they are considered to be faster, easier and wholly effective. In this regard, nanotechnology is bound to be adopted and incorporated widely in the market setting.
Literature Review
Nanoparticles are grouped into three groups, which include natural, anthropogenic and artificial or man-made categories. The natural nanoparticles are located in natural sources such as forest fires and volcano eruptions which release a nanomaterial referred to as Bucky balls. Anthropogenic nanoparticles refer to the by-products of copper and welding materials, which are mostly found in waste heat boilers. Man-made nanomaterials are deliberately produced because they have technologically favorable features.
The application of nanotechnology has become popular in the global business market. In this context, many investors have invested in nanotechnology, with most of them generating huge profits. Moreover, the product value of nanotechnology is expected to rise substantially in coming generations. In another study, it was found that wall paints encompass polyacrylate and silica nanoparticles, which aid in reducing petroleum costs and environmental pollution. On top of that, more researchers backed up that the plant was environmentally safe and resistant to fire.
In addition, In regard to various literature, nanotechnology is significant in improving human health. One of the major benefits of nanotechnology in the health setting is that it leads to the improvisation of new and advanced medical treatments due to the fact that nanoparticles can be easily passed through cellular cells and membranes. This, in turn, allows the transfer of medicines into the sick cells and fosters less damage to the adjacent healthy cells, hence making them more effective than other conventional procedures. On the other hand, nanotechnology is also applicable in treating cancer. This is relevant to the increased vascular permeability and the impairment of the lymphatic in cancer tumors, which enables increased permeability and retaining effects of the Nanosystems with the tissues inflicted by cancer tumors. In general, The nano-engineering of medicinal drugs allows the effective functioning of drugs administered in body tissue due to their unique features of stimulus sensitivity and tissue traceability.
Another additional promising application of nanotechnology in the health setting is in the treatment of neurological and nervous disorders. The therapeutic value of treating such disorders is impaired by the availability of a blood-brain membrane barrier, which hinders therapeutic procedures. Under such conditions, nanotechnology offers better drug permeability, which helps counteract the barrier. NT has also shown great potential in improving the bone-healing process, which benefits people suffering from bone problems. In bone healing, nanotechnology provides biomaterial systems that are linked with the nanoscale network, which in turn enables the extensive flow of body fluid through openings that trigger bone growth. The NT has also played major roles in other medical fields, such as cardiac therapy, gene delivery, imaging, and orthopedic applications, as well as in dental care.
Preminalary Data
According to various researchers and reviews, there is a range of terminology available to describe approaches to nanotechnology. Most of them reflect differences in nanomaterials, their significance, and their benefits in different settings. In light of these reviews, the report constitutes a scoping study, methods involved in the relevant field, as well as various database sources essential in literature collection. Following the collection of literature ascertained to be relevant, a preliminary analysis of the literature review will be carried out. This would involve reading and analyzing all the obtained documents and providing notes on the social and economic effects of allowing the use of nanotechnologies. A set of key themes would be developed, including surveillance, privacy, communication, and regulatory issues. In this sense, ‘charts’ representing the range of perspectives will also be developed within the literature of the key themes bound to be developed. Each chart would serve as a helping ground for the society and project team.
Currently, the evolution of Nanotechnology is heading towards its climax, as estimated by Technolytics (2017). As a result, this data will be used as a supportive argument for the implementation of nanotechnology in a societal context. Extensive research programs have been incorporated to define and establish safer ways of using nanotechnology products in everyday life.
Source; (Clare, 2017)
Based on StatNano statistics, some countries have already embarked on the application of nanotechnology articles, with China having a 34% share, followed by the USA with 16%. This ranking indicates that portions of the world population are reaping the benefits of nanotechnology, although its application is yet to be widespread. As indicated in the chart below, the implementation of nanotechnology is achievable, and hence, the incorporation of nanotechnology is essential in every society.
| Rank | Country | Nano-articles | Share (%) |
| 1 | China | 47,455 | 34.51 |
| 2 | USA | 22,337 | 16.25 |
| 3 | India | 11,066 | 8.05 |
| 4 | South Korea | 8,386 | 6.1 |
| 5 | Germany | 7,963 | 5.79 |
| 6 | Iran | 7,583 | 5.52 |
| 7 | Japan | 6,952 | 5.06 |
| 8 | France | 5,313 | 3.86 |
| 9 | UK | 5,038 | 3.66 |
Review Aims
This review would provide a report which would critically examine the literature on the economic and social impacts of nanotechnology. The core focus of the report is the United States context, with a secondary focus on international literature. The aims of the review and project would be based on defining the appropriateness and potential benefits of introducing nanotechnology into modern society. The research team would incorporate social scientists, researchers, business groups, non-government organizations and other willing parties.
The project also aims to provide a detailed response and account for the areas of contention within the literature. The specific deliverables would include a description of the proposed methodology for conducting the review, a report that provides a critical examination of the available literature on the socioeconomic effects of nanotechnology, and finally, a detailed analysis and account of current trends and conclusions generated from the topic.
Research Questions
- In relevance to the existing data and responses, what are the possible future social and economic implications of nanotechnology in society?
- How may the NT implications be defined in light of the international literature?
- What are the areas of consensus?
- What are the gaps in the existing literature?
- What are the areas of consensus?
- What part of society will benefit the most?
- What are the areas of conflict?
Design of Experiments
In reference to the application and analysis of nanotechnology products, several experimental methods and designs will be utilized to establish the properties of nanotechnology products, their impacts and applications, as well as their outputs based on statistical techniques (Dasgupta et al., 2008). In this proposal, several designs have been established to explore the relationship between nanoproducts in a societal context. Non-regular designs, response surface methodologies, and regular designs will be effectively used to investigate nanoproduct properties, which dictate their application to society. This proposal section will provide parameter designs in nanotechnology as well as specific examples of how to utilize nanotechnology products in a safer way.
Regular Designs
Basumallick et al. (2003) performed an investigation on the synthesis processes for Co–SiO2 and Ni–SiO2 nanocomposites, through which sensitive process parameters are, used to determine the physical properties of nanocompounds. In this process, the impacts of nanocomposite properties are based on three factors in its experimentation. Basumallick et al. utilized a two-level full factorial design, which added a three-run setting. This design set all factors of nanotechnology properties at the middle level and hence the reliability of the design for the final project. Using regression equations, the outcomes of the experiment are subjected to fractional conversion values through which the composite concentrations of the nanocompounds are identified and categorized according to their usefulness in society.
In regards to the complex response of this design, the improvement of methods of data collection and analysis will be considered through the application of extensions of experimental designs, which are commonly used in computer-guided experiments and are effective in data collection in a cost-saving model. Subsequently, robust process-optimization ideas, which are less sensitive, can be incorporated further to minimize noise factors (Taguchi, 1986).
Lin et al. (2003) provide an example of this design in which he examined copper lead frame on the surface and grain structure of silver-plated film. Atomic Force Microscopy was used to measure the surface thickness, and a UMIS-2000 nanoindenter was used to measure the surface thickness based on nanoindentation measurements. Comparatively, a transmission electron microscope was used to examine the grain structure. The characteristics and application of the silver-plated film surface, as well as its grain structure, established that the quality of wedge bonding between a silver-plated lead frame and gold wire can be tested using a factorial design. The Response Surface Methodology will be considered in reference to identifying complex models and properties that characterize the nanomanufacturing process of different nanocompounds, and as well it will also be utilized for data collection.
In reference to this experimental design, the project will establish the constituent ingredients and properties of nanoparticles. For instance, through this method, Lin et al. (2003) defined the composites formed within nanoparticles that are now used in drug-delivery systems for commercial purposes.
Non Regular Designs
Non-regular designs are considered for the nano process in the event that the regular factorial design is not feasible as a result of experimental limitations in reference to factor-level selections and size. D-optimal designs are successful applications that are widely used by researchers to evaluate the concept of technology. In comparison to regular designs, D-optimal methods use non-orthogonal design matrices to reduce experimental runs and minimize the variances of coefficients attributed to specific model settings. The observations derived from properties of composites based on this methodology provide an overview of the mechanical and physical properties of the nanocompounds (Fasulo et al. 2004). For the purpose of the report, a D-optimal design will be adopted in the research process to characterize the relationship between explanatory factors and quality measures.
Robust Parameter Design
The major challenge of using Nano synthesis is the wide range of variation in the experimental results. Most processes involving nanosynthesis are highly sensitive to environmental and noise factors. In this essence, robust parameter design applications are widely considered by various researchers to aid in the reduction of experimental variations and improve the process output and efficiency of the production process. The application largely relies on different control factors, including noise factors, after linking the noise factors with the experimental controls.
Nevertheless, nanoparticles have been widely used in several industrial applications, including nanoceramics, nanocompounds, and nanotube materials. Recently, a new milling machine has been improvised to ensure the effective production of nanoparticles in order to refrain from the aggregation effect. Because of its simplicity and applicability to all materials, the nanotechnology machine has become very popular. In optimizing the nanoparticle milling process, the following factors are taken into consideration: the overall time taken, the flow velocity, solvent weight, filling ratio and the rotation velocity.
Data Collection, Statistical Analysis, and Physical–Chemical–Statistical Modeling
Since nanotechnology experiments are characterized by complicated data patterns, the modeling, the analysis and the collection of data of different nanotechnology aspects, this section will incorporate several data analysis and collection tools which focus on spatial data in nanotechnology studies. Additionally, probability models and quantitative and qualitative models are reviewed in relation to the analysis of data obtained from the preliminary data section.
Sampling Plans
Strategic sampling procedures are critical in defining the nanotechnology application in a social context using less data. Based on this criterion, several sampling techniques are utilized in selecting representative data for purposes of analysis. These techniques include systematic sampling, stratified sampling, random sampling, and importance sampling. The named techniques will be instrumental in establishing, collecting and analyzing data for the purpose of supporting the project topic. In reference to this, the data obtained from the preliminary section and from the experimental designs will be obtained.
Alternative Methods
Because of the large margins involved in nanotechnology that are not well explained by established data-analysis models, stochastic modeling techniques will establish a characterization process that incorporates basic terms and relevant information for analyzing nanotechnology implementation in society. Subsequently, these techniques will help researchers understand the randomness of material distribution in the properties of nanoproducts and their corresponding applications. Interviews and questionnaires will also be used to establish and find supporting facts on the implementation of nanotechnology.
Limitations
Choosing the desired experimental design methods
In the case of various applications, full factorial designs can be sufficient in modeling, understanding and process building. However, as depicted in various examples, non-fabrication processes are very sensitive to changes in control factors. In addition, the overall outcome can only contain random variables. Hence, in this case, new experimental designs can be put into consideration. Ultimately, other special and experimental constraints in regard to physical limitations can hinder or limit the utilization of the Nanotechnological designs and processes.
Difficulties in the Analysis of Experimental Data
Constraints may arise during data analysis due to the demand for advanced measurement tools, spatial data, high-frequency signals, and qualitative measures, which are greatly needed in nanotechnology research. The combination of Nano-device and fabrication processes, as well as statistical analysis, fosters complications in addition to the large size of data being analyzed. Subsequently, new and advanced algorithms, such as those developed by Jeong et al. (2006), Yuan and Kuo (2006), and Wang and Tsung (2007), can be highly significant in the analysis of such new and large data types, which foster experimental constraints. However, extensive research is required, especially in multilevel, multiscale, and multistage processes.
Nanotechnology, being a multidisciplinary subject, incorporates experts in material science, physics and statistics. Linking statisticians and science experts poses challenges because of differences in ideologies and knowledge of nanotechnology research, hence making it difficult to understand the topic in question.
On the other hand, the review mostly focuses on academic literature based on social sciences rather than scientific literature. To this extent, the literature surveyed does not encompass a clearly representative sample of the diverse knowledge on the impacts of nanotechnologies within the societal framework. Moreover, there is a frequency lag in the time associated with pre-reviewed materials, which may not fully reflect the current research. This is due to the fact that the economic and social impacts of NT are frequently published as the field is constantly evolving and dynamic.
Investigation sequence outline
Stage A – Project Designing
The project will align a set of research questions with the primary consultative process to support the formulated review. On the basis of the questions, the team will develop a set of major questions and concepts of nanotechnology.
Stage B – Literature Collecting
The research would begin with the systematic collection and identification of the relevant literature in regard to the research questions by the use of journals, internet search engines and databases. The search for the academic literature will also be carried out via MEDLINE, PUBMED and Web of Science abstracts. The snowball research technique will also be incorporated to locate suitable pieces of literature. The literature gathered through systematic searches would be, in turn, combined with the research data available. Key themes will also be developed and summarized. In this regard, the perspectives in the literature in each will also be mapped to help in the preparation of the report.
Stage C – Literature Synthesis and Data Review
Based on the research undertaken for the proposal, data collection and review will be finalized in this stage, and the literature concerning the research topic will continue to be reviewed based on the interim findings. During this stage, enough data will be collected and compared with data collected from stage B. Data collection will be finalized in order to pave the way for the final literature analysis and synthesis. The preliminary facts and themes that were established in Stage B will be revised and expanded. A detailed abstract and summary will be provided based on the literature developed. During the final part of this stage, the research will consider the overarching themes, and facts will be documented to clarify conflicts and consensus across the developed themes. In consideration of the conclusion, this stage will identify the gaps in the already existing literature and find the basis for future research recommendations.
Stage D – Completion of the Project
A final report will be produced in this stage, during which the final draft will be provided to colleagues for discussion to establish their views and make changes to the research based on their opinions, but only if those opinions are accurate and reliable in relation to the contents of the final report. After this stage, the final project report will be submitted to the relevant tutors in preparation for the presentation.
References
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Arnall, A. and Parr, D. (2005) ‘Moving the nanoscience and technology (NST) debate forwards: short-term impacts, long-term uncertainty and the social constitution’, Technology in Society, 27: 23-38.
Arrison, S. (2006) ‘Nanotechnology Needs Nano-Scale Regulation’, TechNewsWorld, 13 January. Associated Press (2006) ‘Berkeley first city in nation to regulate nanotechnology’, Mercury News, 3 December.
Australian Academy of Science (2004) Nanotechnology Benchmarking Report. Australian Academy of Science: Canberra. Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering Energy and Nanotechnologies: Strategy for Australia’s Future. ATSE: Parkville.
Berube, D. (2001) ‘Communicating nanotechnological risks’, in M.C. Roco and W. S. Bainbridge (eds) Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives. National Science Foundation: Washington DC, pp. 245-251.
Chen, Y. P. and Lee, J. D. (2004). “Multiscale Modeling of Polycrystalline Silicon”. International Journal of Engineering Science 42(10), pp. 987–1000.
Clare K. (2017). nanotechnology. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=nanotechnology+graph&rlz=1C1CHZL_enAE693KE764&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3pafPo87aAhWSjqQKHd-NBL0Q7AkINA&biw=1366&bih=613#imgrc=eUqypTd0iSt0sM:
Granier, J. J. and Pantoya, M. L. (2004). “The Effect of Size Distribution on Burn Rate in Nanocomposite Thermites: A Probability Density Function Study”. Combustion Theory and Modeling 8, pp. 555–565.
Jeng, S.-L.; Lu, J.-C.; and Wang, K. (2007). “A Review of Reliability Research on Nanotechnology”. IEEE Transactions on Reliability 56(3), pp. 401–410.
National Nanotechnology Initiative. (2008). “Nanotech Facts”. Available at https://www.nano.gov/html/facts/home facts.html.
Bowman, D.M. and Hodge, G.A. (2008) ‘Governing Nanotechnology without Government?’, Science and Public Policy, 35(7): 475-487.
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