Nanotechnology for Chemical and Biological Defense

Combining original research with the findings of an interdisciplinary, defense-oriented workshop, this book explores the role of nanotechnology and emerging science on national defense and homeland security. The book seeks to inform the international debate.

New and unpredicted technologies are emerging at an unprecedented pace around the world. Communication of those new discoveries is occurring faster than ever, meaning that the unique ownership of a piece of new technology is no longer a sufficient position, if not impossible. In today's world, recognition of the potential applications of a technology and a sense of purpose in exploiting it are far more important than simply having access to it. Technological surprise has and will continue to take many forms. A plethora of new technologies are under development for peaceful means but may have un- tended security consequences and will certainly require innovative counterme- ures. A relevant example is the tremendous development in biotechnology that has occurred since the advent of recombinant DNA and tissue culture-based processes in the 1970s. If US government agencies and the defense and academic commu- ties had more clearly recognized the potential for biotechnology to affect fun- mental security and warfighting doctrines 20 years ago, the situation today could be very different. Defense against chemical and biological weapons from both states and nonstate actors currently presents a threat that is difficult to predict and for which traditional solutions are increasingly less effective. Nanotechnology has emerged as a well-funded discipline that, like biote- nology, carries the potential for groundbreaking applications and the potential for unpredictable harm. The world is likely 20 years away from the full impact of the nanotechnology on defensive capabilities.

Written for all levels, from policy makers to those in the defense industry to first responders, as well as scientists Provides a research roadmap for the near term and the next 20 years Based on a scenario approach, with engaging descriptions of possible worlds of the future Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Klappentext

The pursuit of the minutely small nanotechnology is thriving in academia, in the private sector, and in global state science and technology programs. This work aims to better enable an informed national debate and to affect international dialogue on the role and impact of nanotechnology and emerging science on national defense and homeland security. Combining original research with the findings of an interdisciplinary, defense-oriented workshop, the book explores the current realities and potential for transformational breakthroughs in nanotechnology-based chemical and biological countermeasures, as well as identifies research directions in basic and applied science. Security implications, both for traditional nonproliferation regimes and for misuse by non-state actors are also considered. This ambitious effort serves manifold objectives, including the following:

• To give policymakers a strategic roadmap to provide a basis for research direction decisions;

• To provide an overview of the current and future challenges, both for military operations and for homeland security applications;

• To provide a survey of potential future proliferation and malfeasant co-option of emerging technologies;

• To discuss organizational structure and management of chemical and biological defense-related research and nanotechnology-related research at the federal level.

• To present means to foster revolutionary technology domestically and highlight international needs for future nanotechnology research, cooperation, and security globally.

Throughout, the emphasis is on revolutionary rather than evolutionary science and technology. This work intentionally straddles between technical disciplines and social sciences making it truly interdisciplinary. Ideas and work from across the experimental and theoretical physical and life sciences and engineering are included and integrated with insights from the socialsciences.

Inhalt
Framing the Opportunities and the Challenges.- Implementing the Process.- Applying Nanotechnology to Revolutionary Chemical and Biological Countermeasures.- Potential Malfeasant Cooption of Nanotechnology.- Strategic Research Priorities and Directions.- The Need to Foster Revolutionary Science.