Tag Archives: Nanotechnology Unplugged

University of Michigan offers a nanotechnology webcast on Feb. 8, 2011

Unsurprisingly, I came across information about a nano webcast on Andrew Maynard’s 2020 Science blog. Unsurprising since Andrew is the director of the institution, which is hosting this event, the University of Michigan’s Risk Science Center (UMRSC). From Andrew’s Feb. 1, 2011 posting,

Under the tagline “No PowerPoint, no script; just stimulating conversation”, the Unplugged series will be engaging experts in lively conversation on a range of topics. Each event will be webcast (and archived), and will allow on-line discussion around the topic of focus.

Nanotechnology is the topic of the first event, being held on February 8. Under my “strict and provocative” moderation, three leading experts will engage in conversation about what nanotechnology is, what it’s significance to public health is, and how we as a society might exploit it safely and responsibly.

Nanotechnology Unplugged is being held tomorrow from 11 am to 12 pm PST (2-3 pm EST). You can go here to view the live webcast (scroll to the bottom of the page).

I have found some more information about the three nanotechnology experts (their names, titles, and provocative opening statements), from the UMRSC Nanotechnology Unplugged web page,

Martin Philbert
Dean, School of Public Health

“Nanotechnology is a myth – something that was invented to stimulate funding and encourage scientists to work together in new ways. But engineering matter at the nanoscale is real – and is leading to new risks as well as new opportunities. Realizing these opportunities will require new approaches to understanding and addressing the potential risks”

Mark Banaszak-Holl
Professor of Chemistry, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts

“We have an opportunity to revolutionize biology and medicine in a manner analogous to the great strides previously achieved at the molecular and micron scales and to achieve a much greater understanding of complex, hierarchical biological materials. This new knowledge will engender more effective therapeutics, prosthetics, artificial tissues, and tissue regeneration; however, new risks and ethical problems will arise alongside these new capabilities.”

Shobita Parthasarathy
Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

“The new opportunities and challenges presented by nanoscale science and engineering raise critical new policy issues. How can we ensure these new technologies are developed and used most effectively, without harming people?”