Technology, especially nanotechnology, is progressing at a rapid rate. N.C . State hosts a conglomeration of researchers in the field who are making headway, but in August, professors working on nanotechnology research from Mexico received packaged bombs from unknown sources. Although the story hasn’t received much press, there is growing concern for our researchers.
Nanotechnology is the science of creating functional systems at the atomic scale—which is painstakingly tiny. This has various uses across many fields of science, technology and health.
These attacks have been attributed to a group known as Individuals Tending to Savagery, which has been linked to a few other attacks as well. This group wants to take a fictional approach to its understanding of today’s science and lash out from over-exaggerated fears and problems.
Jacqueline Krim , a professor of physics and interim dean for physical sciences research, said nearly all endeavors are subject to criticism and this type of reaction to research is not unique to nanotechnology.
Krim’s research is in nanoscale tribology —the study of friction, wear and lubrication at the atomic level, which is essential knowledge for producing desired systems.
“When you start talking about nanometer scale and mention a few science-fiction movies well … think of Godzilla. That’s how shallow it is, and people take it seriously and get scared,” Krim said.
Essentially, the “bottom line” as Krim mentioned, is to promote and maintain a scientifically literate population, upon which James Bonner and Gregory Parsons agreed.
Bonner, associate professor in the department of environmental and molecular toxicology, researches the health effects of engineered nanoparticles and other new technology.
With any new technology there will always be risks and the scientific community needs to find and isolate them for continued progress. Unfortunately, ITS refuses to acknowledge the proper risks and uses extreme violence and radical methods to eliminate problems that are already being addressed.
Bonner is studying the health effects of carbon nanotubes , which have potential in many fields of research. However, he has been trying to identify possible detrimental effects of particles of that size, which could cause problems like lung disease and cancer.
“I think there is a lot of misunderstanding … and when people don’t understand something they have a tendency to be afraid it might change society in way they’re uncomfortable with,” Bonner said.
Bonner also added that this kind of action is extreme and asked why people would confront a problem with violence and destruction. Currently the researchers here are approaching it in a constructive, cautious and informed way.
N.C . State is continuing to work to educate the public about nanotechnology since it is becoming a reality and leaving the realm of the unknown. One of these programs is NanoDays , which is a program designed to educate citizens, teachers and students about the world of nanoscale science and technology.
Another program is the Nanotechnology Initiative, which is directed by Gregory Parsons, a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering. They make public presentations that cover nanotechnology in general, its role the University, its current progress, and the future and potential risks.
“We provide a portal for information flow in and out of the University to the public,” Parsons said.
On a whole, there may be a small safety concern, but the bigger problem here is public awareness. The only way to combat this is to promote education and make the information accessible to all.
