Nanotechnology And Global Sustainability

The rise of collaborative consumption, peer-to-peer systems, and not-for-profit social enterprise heralds the emergence of a new era of human collectivity. Increasingly, this consolidation stems from an understanding that big-banner issues—such as climate change—are not the root causes of our present global predicament. There is a growing and collective view that issues such as this are actually symptoms of a much more vicious, seemingly insurmountable condition: our addiction to economic, consumption, and population growth in a world of finite resources. Nanotechnology and Global Sustainability uses nanotechnology—the product of applied scientific knowledge to control and utilize matter at atomic and molecular scales—as a lens through which to explore the interrelationship between innovation, politics, economy, and sustainability. This groundbreaking book addresses how stakeholders can actively reshape agendas to create positive and sustainable futures through this latest controversial, cross-sectoral technology. It moves beyond issues of efficiency, productivity, and utility, exploring the insights of 22 contributors from around the world, whose work spans the disciplines of science and the humanities. Their combined knowledge, reinforced with various case studies, introduces an exciting prospect—how we can innovate without economic growth. This new volume in the Perspectives in Nanotechnology series is edited by Dr. Donald Maclurcan and Dr. Natalia Radywyl. Dr. Maclurcan is a social innovator and Honorary Research Fellow with the Institute for Nanoscale Technology at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Dr. Radywyl is a social researcher and Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Culture and Communication at the University of Melbourne, Australia. She is also an Adjunct Research Fellow in the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne. This book is written for a wide audience and will be of particular interest to activists, scholars, policy makers, scientists, business professionals, and others who seek an understanding of how we might justly transition to sustainable societies.

Sustainable Nanotechnology A robust examination of the use of nanotechnology in the manufacture of sustainable products In Sustainable Nanotechnology: Strategies, Products, and Applications, a team of distinguished researchers delivers a comprehensive and up-to-date exploration of nanotechnology applications in environmental, pharmaceutical, and engineering products in the context of global sustainability. The book offers balanced coverage of the benefits and risks of nanotechnology. Divided into three parts, the editors have included contributions from leading scholars discussing sustainability, toxicological impacts, and nanomaterial-based adsorbents. This edited volume helps readers understand how nanotechnology and nanomaterials apply in different global sustainability challenges. It also discusses models for understanding the lifecycle and risk assessments of manufactured nanomaterials. Case studies are included to explore such topics as design, remediation, and technology assessment. The book also provides: Thorough introductions to nanotechnology-based research priorities for global sustainability and the challenges and opportunities of modern, sustainable nanotechnology Comprehensive explorations of improving the sustainability of bio-based products with nanotechnology and the improvement of the environmental sustainability of biopolymers using nanotechnology Practical discussions of nanotechnology-based polymers for drug delivery applications In-depth examinations of green nanotechnology-driven drug delivery systems Perfect for nanotechnology-focused professionals, sustainability experts, biomedical experts, and pharmaceutical industry practitioners, Sustainable Nanotechnology: Strategies, Products, and Applications will also earn a place in the libraries of neuroscientists, bioengineering professionals, and those involved in neuroprosthetic engineering.

The world is facing great challenges in meeting rising demands for basic commodities (e.g., food, water, and energy), finished goods (e.g., cell phones, cars and airplanes) and services (e.g., shelter, healthcare and employment) while reducing and minimizing the impact of human activities on Earth's global environment and climate. Nanotechnology has emerged as a versatile platform that could provide efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally acceptable solutions to the global sustainability challenges facing society. This volume is devoted to the utilization of nanotechnology to improve or achieve sustainable development. Recent advances are highlighted and opportunities of utilizing nanotechnology to address global challenges in water purification, clean energy, greenhouse gas management, materials supply/utilization and manufacturing are discussed. Also, societal perspectives are addressed and an outlook of the role of nanotechnology in the convergence of knowledge, technology and society for achieving sustainable development is provided. This book offers a thematic collection of papers previously published in the Journal of Nanoparticle Research.

Does humanity have a moral obligation to emphasise nanotechnology's role in addressing the critical public health and environmental problems of our age? This well crafted book explores this idea by analysing the prospects for a macroscience nanotechnology-for-environmental sustainability project in areas such as food, water and energy supply, medicine, healthcare, peace and security. Developing and applying an innovative science-based view of natural law underpinning a global social contract, it considers some of the key scientific and governance challenges such a global project may face. The book concludes that the moral culmination of nanotechnology is a Global Artificial Photosynthesis project. It argues that the symmetric patterns of energy creating photosynthesis, life and us are shaping not only the nanotechnological advances of artificial photosynthesis, but also the ethical and legal norms likely to best govern such scientific achievements to form a sustainable existence on this planet. Nanotechnology for a Sustainable World will appeal to many generations of scientists and policymakers working to improve our world in public health, environmental sustainability and renewable energy and nanotechnology. It will also be a valuable resource for similarly motivated students of chemistry, physics, biology, nanotechnology and photosynthesis, as well as environmental and energy ethics, law and policy.

Nanomaterials have been used for years in industries such as consumer products, textile production, and biomedicine, yet the literature outlining their use in environmental causes is limited. The safety, toxicity, transportation, and removal of this technology must be addressed as nanotechnology and nanomaterial use is expected to grow. Applying Nanotechnology for Environmental Sustainability addresses the applications of nanomaterials in the field of environmental conservation and sustainability, and analyses the potential risks associated with their use. It elucidates the scientific concepts and emerging technologies in nanoscience and nanotoxicity by offering a wide range of innovative topics and reviews regarding its use. This publication is essential for environmental engineers, researchers, consultants, students, regulators, and professionals in the field of nanotechnology.

The rise of collaborative consumption, peer-to-peer systems, and not-for-profit social enterprise heralds the emergence of a new era of human collectivity. Increasingly, this consolidation stems from an understanding that big-banner issues—such as climate change—are not the root causes of our present global predicament. There is a growing and collective view that issues such as this are actually symptoms of a much more vicious, seemingly insurmountable condition: our addiction to economic, consumption, and population growth in a world of finite resources. Nanotechnology and Global Sustainability uses nanotechnology—the product of applied scientific knowledge to control and utilize matter at atomic and molecular scales—as a lens through which to explore the interrelationship between innovation, politics, economy, and sustainability. This groundbreaking book addresses how stakeholders can actively reshape agendas to create positive and sustainable futures through this latest controversial, cross-sectoral technology. It moves beyond issues of efficiency, productivity, and utility, exploring the insights of 22 contributors from around the world, whose work spans the disciplines of science and the humanities. Their combined knowledge, reinforced with various case studies, introduces an exciting prospect—how we can innovate without economic growth. This new volume in the Perspectives in Nanotechnology series is edited by Dr. Donald Maclurcan and Dr. Natalia Radywyl. Dr. Maclurcan is a social innovator and Honorary Research Fellow with the Institute for Nanoscale Technology at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Dr. Radywyl is a social researcher and Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Culture and Communication at the University of Melbourne, Australia. She is also an Adjunct Research Fellow in the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne. This book is written for a wide audience and will be of particular interest to activists, scholars, policy makers, scientists, business professionals, and others who seek an understanding of how we might justly transition to sustainable societies.

Nanotechnology is a promising technique that can facilitate sustainability across a wide range of areas. By fabricating materials into nanometre-scale, nanotechnology has facilitated an efficient, economically, and environmentally acceptable solution for waste treatment and energy production. This book illustrates how green nanotechnology is being used to promote sustainability, including applications in environmental remediation and energy optimization. First, a comprehensive discussion of the latest advances to address the global challenges in water purification, CO2 management, plastics issue, food waste valorisation, toxic chemical pollutes, and energy efficiency will be provided. This is followed by the new opportunities that have been created in the production of alternative renewable energy under the premise of low natural resource consumption and minuscule toxicity production. Offering an important reference for the research community to understand more about green nanotechnology and its applications in sustainable development and circular economy. The book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in nanotechnology, materials science, sustainability, environmental science, and energy.

This book discusses nanotechnology, its benefits and risks affecting the environment we live in today, and is divided into three parts: Part-I dealing with Sustainability, Part-II describing Toxicological Impacts, and Part-III discussing Nanomaterial-based Adsorbents. The crucial challenge of sustainability in various environmental elements is a global problem. This draws upon various issues of nanotechnology which impact sustainability of food, clean environment, green house gases, raw materials extraction, manufacturing and automobile industry. Growth in the production of nanomaterials to suit any of these applications is commendable. However, this does not negate the growth in their toxic effects. The nanotoxicity research in areas like medicine and agriculture industry is reviewed in detail in this book. Part-II discusses the toxic nature of widely used nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are enormously used in environmental remediation due to some of their distinct properties. These properties are described and discussed. Part-III of the book highlights the highly reactive and adsorbent properties of nanomaterials that enable them to be a competent agent in water and pollutant remediation. This book is mainly intended for researchers and students to acquire fairly comprehensive understanding and appreciation of nanotechnology dominance in sustainability challenges, with the aim to give the anticipatory governance of nanomaterials in our society and environment.