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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ...……..…………………………………………………..…... 2

I. CONCERNS REGARDING NANOTECHNOLOGY EMERGENCE …..... 3

II. APPROACHING SOLUTIONS …….…..….………………...……………... 4

A. A Closer Look: Industrial Applications of Nanotechnology …………… 4

1. Foods …………………………...………………………………… 4

2. Consumer Goods ………………………………………...……….. 5

3. Military ………………………………...…………………………. 5

4. Aerospace & Vehicle Manufacturing ...…………………………... 6

B. Global Attention: Nano Worldwide Investments …………….…………. 7

C. Suggested Solutions …………………..……………………………….... 9

III. RELIABILITY OF THE SOLUTIONS ………………………….....……. 10

CONCLUSION …...…………………………..…………………………..…….. 11

A. Summary …………………………………………………..…………... 11

B. Recommendations ……………………………………………..………. 11

REFERENCES ………………………………………………………..……...… 12

2

(INTRODUCTION)

The impact of Nanotechnology is not limited to global economy and industry

only; it is affecting everything made up of matter. In other words, Nanotechnology

has to do with everything that occupies space. The exquisite control of matter due

to Nanotechnology has enabled scientists to build objects atom by atom to achieve

exactly the characteristics desired for different applications. This enormous shift in

our knowledge of matter from Micro to Nano scale, led to a huge competitive

response among universities, scientists, and even governments to attain the latest

findings and to be the first to conduct R&D in this field of science. (Canton, 2001)

Furthermore, investments in Nanotechnology has increased tremendously

during the last decade – Nano-investments will be discussed later-, which resulted

in a global wave of Nano-marketing – so to speak –. As a result, scholars, thinkers,

and economists started to investigate these large-scale changes in order to

determine their promises and drawbacks (Canton, 2001). However, parties involved

in this debate shows different opinions ranging from absolute acceptance to

extreme opposition and everything in between. One famous theory regarding the

rapid emergence on Nanotechnology is the global economy fluctuation. To

illustrate this theory, we need to know how Nano-based products differ from

regular ones. Nano-products are safer, longer lasting, higher in quality, better

designed, and above all, cheaper in price. Consequently, the consumers will not

hesitate in purchasing Nano-products especially when they notice that even though

regular products are not as good as Nano ones, they are higher in price! Therefore,

this situation described will benefit developed countries that has implemented

Nanotechnology in their industry, while for developing countries this will be like

adding insult to injury. The same idea applies to companies that adopt

Nanotechnology and others that do not. The latter will face bankruptcy so fast as

they become unable to compete in the market! (Farhang, 2007)

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I. (INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMICAL CONCERNS)

Nano technology R&D is becoming more like a race between developed

countries. The reason for this is the wide range applications of Nanotechnology in

almost all fields including industry, energy and even medicine. For developing

countries, however, the concerns regarding the global economic & industrial react

toward Nanotechnology include:

A. Nano-advantages will not be equally distributed. Furthermore, any

advantages linked with Nanotechnology will just reach wealthy countries.

The greater part of nanotechnology R&D - and patents for Nano-materials-

are intensified in developed countries (including U.S, Canada, France,

Germany, and Japan). Moreover, most patents associated with

Nanotechnology are concentrated amongst a number of multinational

organizations including Advanced Micro Devices, Micron, IBM, and Intel.

B. Shortage of scientific knowledge and institutional ability to sufficiently

evaluate and oversee risks of this technology in developing countries,

including the necessary infrastructure like research centers and technology

for detection.

C. Substitution of natural goods (counting tea, coffee, cotton, and rubber) by

advancements in Nanotechnology will harm Producers in developing

countries. These natural products are important exports in developing

countries, and many agriculturists' livelihood rely on them.

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II. (APPROACHING SOLOTIONS)

An important fact to consider is that all the previous concerns are simply

anticipations based on some studies and observations, and we still need to further

investigate them to have the complete picture. A suggested way is to trace the

impact of Nanotechnology on industry and products to see how fast this technology

emerges. Furthermore, knowing some information about world governmental and

institutional investments in nanotechnology would be of high relevance to evaluate

the impact of this technology.

A. (A Closer Look: Industrial Applications of Nanotechnology)

1. Foods:

New Nano-foods are coming onto the market at the rate of 3 to 4 per

week. Examples include:

a. A new cooking oil called ‘Canola Active Oil’. With the addition of

special Nanomaterial called "Nano-drops", it could block cholesterol from

entering the bloodstream. Furthermore, it carries the vitamins, minerals

and phytochemicals so that they are not wasted through the digestive

system and urea. (Kuzma & VerHage, 2006)

b. A Chocolate diet shake that uses cocoa infused "NanoClusters" to

enhance the taste of cocoa. With this Nanomaterial, Health benefits of

cocoa are attained without the need of using sugar to make cocoa tastes

better. (The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, 2015)

Other examples of Nano-foods and other products are found on

(www.nanotechproject.org/cpi/products/).

Figure 1: Canola Active Oil Figure 2: Slim chocolate Shake

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2. Consumer goods.

Nano-enhanced consumer goods are uncountable. However, major

applications include:

a. Nano surfaces and coatings, like scratch resistant coatings, self-cleaning

or "easy-to-clean" surfaces, and even anti-dirt & water surfaces.

(Aliofkhazraei, 2011)

b. Nano Textiles.

Using some engineered Nanofibers, scientists are now able to

manufacture water repellent clothes. Furthermore, such textiles can be

washed less frequently because they do not get dirty easily. In addition,

some Nano-clothes provide protection from electrostatic charges for the

wearer.

c. Sports.

Sporting towels and exercising mats that uses antimicrobial Nano-

materials are now on the market. These Nanomaterials provide protection

for athletes from diseases caused by bacteria.

3. Military.

a. Uniform Materials:

Special Nano materials are injected into soldiers’ uniforms to protect

soldiers from high temperatures, impacts and chemicals as shown in

this video: (www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYIWfn2Jz2g), In addition to

that, nanoparticles injected into the uniform can produce a better form

of camouflage like color changing of the uniforms depending upon

surrounding colors. Furthermore, protection from enemy infrared

guided weapons or infrared surveillance sensors would be possible due

to the use of Nanomaterials.

b. Other military applications of Nanotechnology include enhanced

communication methods, improved medical systems, Nano-WMDs,

etc.

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4. Aerospace & Vehicle Manufacturing:

Lighter and stronger materials plays a big role in aircraft industry.

Better performance with less fuel consumption is achieved using

lighter materials provided by Nanotechnology. Spacecraft will also

benefit, where weight is a major factor. The weight of Hang

gliders may be reduced to the half while the toughness is increased

when using Nano-tech materials. (Gohardani, Elola & Elizetxea, 2014)

Other industrial applications include Nano-construction materials, Nano catalysts,

Nano optics, Nano semiconductors and insulators, etc.

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B. (Global Attention: Nano Worldwide Investments)

A good indicator to evaluate the impact of a new technology is to look at the

governmental and multinational corporation’s investments on it. For the coming

year, the U.S government will specify more than $1.5 billion as the annual budget

for the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) - a U.S. Governmental Nano-

focused R&D center -.The cumulative NNI investment since 2001 now totals more

than $22 billion (Nano.gov, 2015). Furthermore, IBM Company had invested $3

billion in 2014 in Nanomaterials R&D, which counts as half of all IBM's R&D

expenditure in 2014. Another example that shows the importance of

Nanotechnology is the establishment of the “Nano-building” at MIT.

(Johnson, 2014)

Figure 3: Cumulative global funding of nanotechnologies (source: Cientifica Ltd 2011)

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Figure 4: The economic impact of nanotechnologies (source: Cientifica Ltd 2011)

Figure 5: Funding of nanotechnologies by country (source: Cientifica Ltd 2011)

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C. (Suggested Solutions)

After investigating Nano applications and investments, it is obvious that this

technology will tremendously affect global industry and economy. However,

previous unpleasant experiences with old technologies -such as Biotechnology-

must be considered in order to avoid mistakes. Thus, Nano-regulation and ethical

centers must be established to avoid Nano-misuse and to hold this technology

under control. Similar centers exist already such as “NNI” -mentioned previously-

and “PEN” –Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies-. “PEN” vision is to help

ensuring that as Nanotechnology advance, possible risks are minimized, public and

consumer engagement remains strong, potential new benefits are realized. Another

solution can be derived from the previous statement, which is “public engagement”.

This is very important to prevent governments and multinational companies from

misusing Nanotechnologies. Another suggested solution is to put Nano-products

under evaluation and to force their producers to prove their claims about their

products. However, regarding the issues associated with Nanotechnology in

developing countries, some solutions are:

1. First Solution:

Developed countries must help in providing developing ones with the latest

Nano-findings. In addition, constructing the proper infrastructure to conduct

Nanotechnology researches would be of great importance to reduce the

resultant economical and industrial gab between developed and developing

countries due to Nanotechnology.

2. Second Solution:

Another suggested solution is to facilitate obtaining Nano mass-production

machines in developing countries along with providing the proper operating

programs to train the workers.

3. Third Solution:

A third solution regarding this issue is to prohibit exporting Nano-products

& goods to developing countries so that their traditional industry is not

affected.

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III. (RELIABILITY OF THE SOLUTIONS)

To be able to choose the best solutions that will help in distributing Nano-

benefits equally and will contribute in maintaining sustainable growth of this

technology, the reliability of the suggested solutions must be discussed in detail. As

mentioned earlier, Nano-products will dominate the market and regular product

producers in developing countries will bankrupt with the presence of Nano-

products. However, the suggested solution to that is to facilitate obtaining Nano

mass-production machines in developing countries. However, this solution will

face two main obstacles before it can be applied widely. One is the lack of the

producers of such machines because Nano mass-production machines are still

inside the labs and are very rare around the world. Furthermore, these machines are

very expensive due to rarity. As a result, it is a long journey for these machines to

be available with acceptable prices on the market. Another solution it to prohibit

exporting Nano-products & goods to developing countries. Nevertheless, one

drawback of this solution is the prevention of people in these countries from

enjoying the advantages of Nanotechnology. Furthermore, Prohibiting the export of

Nano-products to developing countries is going to further increase the gab of

Nanotechnology R&D between developed and developing countries. The third

solution is to provide developing countries with the latest Nano-findings and

researches and to help in building the proper infrastructure of Nano R&D in

developing countries. However, this is a long term solution but it is the best in term

of investments since Nano researches and findings can be send for free. Finally, a

combination of these solutions as well as other ones must be discussed and

implemented fast before the gab expand.

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(CONCLUSION)

A. Summary:

In short, this report has discussed the impact of Nanotechnology and its

effects on global industry and economy. Furthermore, some solutions, along with

their potential consequences were discussed with a hope that the best solution

suggested would help in reducing Nanotechnology-knowledge gab between

developing and developed countries.

B. Recommendations:

After discussing the consequences of the suggested solutions, the final

recommendation is to start helping developing countries with their Nanotechnology

R&D infrastructure and to provide them with the latest Nanotechnology researches

and findings. This approach can help in reducing the knowledge gab of

Nanotechnology between developed and developing countries. Even though this is

a long-term solution, it is the best in terms of investments and sustainability.

The implementation of this solution guaranties a sustainable and

maintainable reduction of the gap between developed and developing countries.

This is true because as developing countries start to obtain the knowledge of

Nanotechnology implementation in their industry, self-independence will grow

with time and ‘hopefully’ these countries will be able to develop their own Nano-

Projects and researches and will be no longer in need for developed countries to

help.

The goal behind writing this report is to provide the spark that will reveal the

fact that a bad distribution of Nano-benefits among world countries may lead to

disastrous consequences in terms of poverty. While equal distribution of these

benefits may contribute heavily in reducing poverty and hunger around the world.

At the time, it is not obvious how Nanotechnology has the power and the potential

to do what is mentioned above. However, a good indicator to the level of

truthfulness of these anticipations is to inspect the rate of new Nanotechnology

applications and how this technology is being implemented in different fields.

Finally, international Nano-centers as well as governments must cooperate in order

to make Nano-knowledge accessible to everyone.

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List of References

1- Aliofkhazraei, M. (2011). Nanocoatings size effect in nanostructured films (p. 251). Berlin:

Springer.

2- Canton, J. (2001). The Strategic Impact of Nanotechnology on the Future of Business and

Economics. In M. Rocco (Ed.), Societal implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic.

3- Farhang, B. (2007). Nanotechnology and Lipids. Weinheim: WILEY-VCH.

4- Gohardani, O., Chapartegui, M., & Cristina Elizetxea, E. (2014). Potential and prospective

implementation of carbon nanotubes on next generation aircraft and space vehicles: A review of

current and expected applications in aerospace sciences. In Progress in Aerospace Sciences.

Elsevier.

5- Johnson, D. (2014, July 11). IBM Pours $3 Billion Into Future of Nanoelectronics. Retrieved

November 16, 2015, from

http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/nanotechnology/ibm-pours-3-billion-into-

future-of-nanoelectronics

6- Kuzma, J., & VerHage, P. (2006). Nanotechnology in agriculture and food production:

Anticipated applications (p. 44). Washington, DC: Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies.

7- Nanotechnology Project. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2015, from

http://www.nanotechproject.org/

8- THE NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE: Supplement to the President’s 2016

Budget (p. 104). (2015). Washington. D.C.: National Nanotechnology Initiative.