dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaIdentifying Nanotechnology in Society
| Authors | Charles Tahan |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0612080 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0612080 |
Abstract
Manufacturing materials and systems with components thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair promises vast and sometimes unimaginable advances in technology. Yet the term nanotechnology has formed as much from people's expectations as from scientific reality. Understanding the creation and context of this social construction can help us appreciate and guide what may be a burgeoning revolution. This chapter considers what different groups are referring to when they say nanotechnology, how this relates to the science involved, and how the various definitions of this broad field of endeavor might be improved. The ramifications and implications of these seemingly innocuous naming choices are also discussed. Although in many respects nanotechnology serves as cover justification for increased spending in the physical sciences, at present it is the most hopeful route to solving some of the planet's greatest problems.
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"abstract": "Manufacturing materials and systems with components thousands of times\nsmaller than the width of a human hair promises vast and sometimes unimaginable\nadvances in technology. Yet the term nanotechnology has formed as much from\npeople\u0027s expectations as from scientific reality. Understanding the creation\nand context of this social construction can help us appreciate and guide what\nmay be a burgeoning revolution. This chapter considers what different groups\nare referring to when they say nanotechnology, how this relates to the science\ninvolved, and how the various definitions of this broad field of endeavor might\nbe improved. The ramifications and implications of these seemingly innocuous\nnaming choices are also discussed. Although in many respects nanotechnology\nserves as cover justification for increased spending in the physical sciences,\nat present it is the most hopeful route to solving some of the planet\u0027s\ngreatest problems.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0612080",
"authors": [
"Charles Tahan"
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"categories": [
"physics.soc-ph",
"physics.hist-ph"
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"title": "Identifying Nanotechnology in Society",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0612080"
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