Nanotechnology: views of Scientists and Engineers

Appendix A

Nanotechnology workshop agenda
30 September 2003
The Royal Society

9.30 – 10.00 Registration and coffee
10.00 – 10.15 Welcome and overview of nanotechnology study by Chair
10.15 – 12.30 Breakout groups

Groups will be self-selected and led by a member of the working group.

Nanoengineering & measurement (led by Roger Whatmore)
Nanofabrication, nanometrology, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), quantum well growth

Nanomaterials (led by John Pethica)
Quantum dots, nanomagnetics, nanocomposites, carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles, nanoclusters, new forms of carbon, molecular self-assembly

Electronics & optoelectronics (led by Mark Welland)
Photonics, semiconductor optoelectronics, memory and data storage, new methods for data input/output, plastic electronics, molecular electronics, quantum computing

Bionanotechnology & nanomedicine (led by John Ryan)
Drug delivery, tissue engineering, biosensors, biomaterials/implants, lab-on-a-chip technology

For the first part of the discussion groups will be asked to consider the following questions:

• What is the current state of knowledge in this field, and where is research going?
• What applications of this technology currently exist, and what can be envisaged in the short and long term?
• What are the potential hold-ups in turning research into products? What is needed (time, money etc) to enable this process to happen?
• What are the science 'fictions' in this field?

The groups will then consider the same questions with respect to a related or interfacing technology, particularly where they can identify potentially significant research or applications.

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch

13.30 - 14.15 Feedback from breakout groups

14.15 – 16.00 2nd breakout groups

These will be assigned and cross-disciplinary, and will be asked to consider the following questions

• What health, safety and environmental issues arise from developments in nanotechnology? What are the benefits and risks?
• Is there a need for new regulation?
• What are the major obstacles to progress in the UK?
• What are the social/ethical implications of nanotechnology?

16.00 – 16.15 Wrap-up and thanks by Chair

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