Capabilities And Governance Of Nanotechnology In The Developing World

The imperative for responsible innovation in the nanotechnology domain has inspired and provoked assorted views on its trajectory, potential implications as well as appropriate pathways for its development across a spectrum of stakeholders. These debates assume greater significance in the context of developing nations since harnessing the inherent potential of this transformational technology presumes the establishment of simultaneous capabilities to cutting-edge technological innovation as well as risk governance, regulation and public engagement in an environment challenged by limited resources, weak innovation systems and inadequate abilities for risk management.This book seeks to examine developments, opportunities, concerns and challenges in nanotechnology from a developing country perspective raising complex questions and issues in the course of the responsible development of nanotechnology. It covers a range of issues such as potential R & D prospects, S&T capacities and innovation systems, issues of environment, health and safety, risk and regulatory preparedness, and prospective socio-economic and ethical repercussions, with a focus on Indian developments. Based on half a decade of interdisciplinary research and informed by multi-stakeholder insights on the aforementioned aspects, it proposes options for effective and inclusive governance for nanotechnology in India.

The seemingly unlimited technological potential of nanotechnology brings with it new practices of governance, networking, and exercising power and agency. Focusing on scholars in the Global South, this text covers nanotechnology discourses, imaginaries, and materialities as they circulate and interact within governance knowledge networks. Rather than adapt their actions to existing governance mechanisms and science, technology, and innovation policy, scientists use the imaginary of nanotechnology to create new symbolic and material incentives, thus shaping its governance. By tracing the constantly shifting asymmetries of knowledge and power, the book offers fresh insights into the dynamics of knowledge networks.

This book identifies the nature and magnitude of the nanotechnology divide between high-income countries and the rest of the world.

Nanotechnology is enabling applications in materials, microelectronics, health, and agriculture, which are projected to create the next big shift in production, comparable to the industrial revolution. Such major shifts always co-evolve with social relationships. This book focuses on how nanotechnologies might affect equity/equality in global society. Nanotechnologies are likely to open gaps by gender, ethnicity, race, and ability status, as well as between developed and developing countries, unless steps are taken now to create a different outcome. Organizations need to change their practices, and cultural ideas must be broadened if currently disadvantaged groups are to have a more equal position in nano-society rather than a more disadvantaged one. Economic structures are likely to shift in the nano-revolution, requiring policymakers and participatory processes to invent new institutions for social welfare, better suited to the new economic order than those of the past.

Nanotechnology, as shortly described as the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale, is one of the most dynamic and promising industries, receiving a great deal of attention from researchers, business leaders, investors, and policymakers around the world. In Making It to the Forefront, Nesli Aydogan-Duda has assembled a distinguished group of authors to analyze the particular challenges and opportunities of nanotechnology emergence and management in the developing world. In so doing, they address the issues from several angles, ranging from cultural issues to capital markets, industrial clusters to government policy and legal structure. Drawing from in-depth research and case studies in Turkey, Latin America, India, China, and Iran, and a comparison with the development of the industry in the United states, the authors present a cross-cultural approach, with particular emphasis on the strategic nature of the nanotechnology industry for economic development, consumer welfare, and homeland security. Among the topics they consider are the importance of knowledge transfer from universities to the market and, more generally, the interface between science and its commercialization—and the institutional infrastructure that is necessary to maximize the potential of science and technology. In doing so, the authors provide unprecedented theoretical and empirical contributions to the study of nanotechnology, and, more generally, insight into the complex business, political, and cultural environment that must be established in order for such an industry to thrive in the context of a developing country.

The advancements in science and technology (S&T) in recent years have no longer remained confined to the boundaries of conventional technologies. Nanotechnology is relatively a new field which has made a revolutionary impact as is witnessed through the investment of nearly $67 billion over the last decade by the governments around the world. It is also believed that as the Nanotechnology governance will get institutionalised with increased globalisation and channelized funding mechanism, it would bring tremendous benefits to developing nations if exploited appropriately. Investment in Nanotechnology is a smart strategy for growing markets, improving competitiveness, and providing greater equity and opportunity. Almost every nation have caught the vision of upcoming nanotechnology industrial revolution and has started its own nanotechnology initiatives through appropriate policy framework, robust budgetary plan, network linkages and human capital development for successful national development. Moreover, the market opportunity for the skilled workers and products incorporating nanotechnology, i.e., nanomaterials, nano-itermediates, nano-enabled products will also grow in near future proving the potential of research in this field. This book comprises 20 papers from the researchers and professionals of 14 countries, which include those presented at the International Workshop on 'Nanotechnology (IWoN) 2013: Transferring Nanotechnology Concept towards Business Perspectives' organised by the Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-aligned and Other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre) jointly with the Ministry of Research and Technology (RISTEK), Government of Indonesia and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), and also in collaboration with Indonesian Society for Nanotechnology during 2-5 October 2013 in Serpong, Indonesia besides some other articles contributed by eminent experts on the subject. These present significant insight on the role of nanotechnology in providing wide range of benefits, especially for the developing world. The book is expected to be of great value for the researchers, professionals, experts, non-governmental and governmental organisations active in the field of advancement of nanotechnology based S&T and for providing its efficient technological applications.

The book places nanotechnology's emergence within a broad historical and contemporary global context while developing and testing an interpretive framework through which to assess nanotechnology's claims. It clarifies the nature of global engagement with nanotechnology research and development, revealing surprising scenarios, unacknowledged by most