NANOTECHNOLOGY

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• NANOTECHNOLOGY
• The Next Industrial Revolution
• Military and Societal Implications
• COL John P. McGuinness
• USAWC Fellow
• United States Army Environment Policy Institute

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Overview

• Introduction
• Caveats
• Milestones
• ESOH risks and benefits
• Societal and defense implications
• Predictions
• Recommendations

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Introduction
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Caveats

• Nanotechnology represents a convergence of
  disciplines
• Its arrival will be gradual
• Nanotechnology will be met by resistance

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• Nano-
• One billionth

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Basic Definitions

• Nanoparticle
• Nanotube
• Buckyball
• Quantum dot
• Molecular assembly
• Massive parallelism

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Nanoparticle

• Less than 100 nanometers
• Much greater surface
• Much more reactive
• Governed by rules of quantum physics

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Carbon Nanotube

• 100x stronger than steel
• Strength to weight ratio 500x greater than
  aluminum
• Electrical conductor and nonconductor
• Directional heat conduction

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Buckyball

• Hollow
• Accepts coatings
• Penetrates biomembranes

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Quantum Dot

• A novel semiconductor with unique optical
  transmission characteristics
• Formed from a few hundred atoms
• Can be made from many substances
• May be designed to fluoresce in color

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Molecular Assembly

• The process by which structures are assembled one
  molecule at a time.

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Massive Parallelism

• A massive number of molecular assemblers working
  in concert.

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Milestones in Nanotechnology

• 1959 Richard Feynman presents concept
• 1974 named by Norio Taniguchi
• 1981 Binnig and Rohrer invent STM
• 1986 K. Eric Drexler, Engines of Creation
• 1995 RAND study offers criteria
• 2000 National Nanotechnology Initiative
• 2002 Crichton published Prey

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Environmental Benefits of Nanotechnology

• Decrease in waste products and waste energy
• Scavenging devices
• Improved detection of contaminants

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Environmental Risks of Nanotechnology

• Nanotechnology represents a new risk
• May damage lungs
• May damage digestive systems

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Sustainability

• Not rely on extracted substances
• Not promote an increase in waste products
• No physical degradation of the environment
• Meet human needs

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Regulatory Authority

• Environmental Protection Agency
• Occupational Safety and Health Agency
• Toxic Substances Control Act

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Societal ImplicationsClean water is widely
availableNational advantages will be
negatedPopulations will shiftHuman rights
questionsGovernance may changeNew notions of
corporate profitIdeology is more prominent!

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Nanotechnology will not change

• Notions of racial superiority
• Territorial envy
• Need for markets

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Defense

• Nanotechnology can offer some major benefits
• New materials
• New weapons
• Enhanced logistics
• Improved battlefield awareness
• Opportunity to be born joint

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Nanotechnology

• Significant challenges
• Civil and economic disruption or catastrophe
• Tactical threat

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Foreign Programs

• Iran
• China
• India
• Others

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Army Programs

• Army Research Office (ARO)
• Institute for Soldier Nanotechnology (ISN)

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The Army can shape the development of
nanotechnology

• Develop specific items
• Establishment of standards and practices
• - Acquisition policies

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Predictions for Nanotechnology

1. Much to learn
2. We have competition
3. Multiple sites
4. Will change our lives
5. Will be weaponized

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Recommendations

1. The Army must develop a nanotechnology focus.
2. Continue research, especially into ESOH
   implications
3. Seek to identify unintended consequences
4. Evaluate nano machines as chemical agents
5. Employ nanotechnology in gaming scenarios

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Conclusion

• Technology, by itself, is neither good nor bad
  and like it or not, nanotechnology is coming.

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DASA(ESOH) and Nanotechnology

• This is an opportunity to get ahead of an
  emerging issue and avoid future costs.
• - no more Hanfords
• - no more Rocky Mountain Arsenal
• - no more Camp Edwards

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DASA(ESOH) and Nanotechnology

• Seek to influence shopping list
• - contaminant detectors
• - resistant coatings
• - toxin detectors
• - physiological monitors
• - water filters
• - active scavengers

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DASA(ESOH) and Nanotechnology

• Develop protective measures
• - focal point for nanotechnology issues in DA
  and other services
• - start to draft nanotechnology protection
  guidelines
• - invite participation from public, NGOs,
  concerned community and academe

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DASA(ESOH) and Nanotechnology

• Seek to influence acquisition process
• - insure contractors follow best practices
• - cradle to grave
• - call for RFPs to satisfy essential rule
  requirements

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DASA(ESOH) and Nanotechnology

• Must stay informed
• - identify, designate or recruit a nano expert
  on the staff
• - monitor lexis nexus
• - attend participate in nano conferences
• - monitor ESOH literature for relevant
  developments
• - assess the business viability of emerging
  nanotechnology

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DASA(ESOH) and Nanotechnology

• Areas for further exploration
• - status of nanoweapons under CWC
• - infrastructure requirements for United States
  to maintain technological dominance human,
  technical and educational over 5/10/20 years

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Desktop Factory
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Sustainability
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Comparative Spending