270253 Nanotechnology: What is it ? What are the opportunities and challenges?

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Meyya Meyyappan, PhD , Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Moffett Field, CA
Nanotechnology deals with creation of useful/functional materials, devices and systems of any practical size by manipulating matter at the nanometer length scale and more importantly, by taking advantage of novel and interesting properties which arise solely because of the nanoscale. A variety of nanomaterials have been developed and explored for a wide range of applications. This is a broad, enabling technology with expected impact on every aspect of the economic spectrum: electronics and computing, communications, health and medicine, energy, environment, transportation, materials and manufacturing, national security etc. This talk will provide an overview of nanotechnology, examples of ongoing developments in each of the above economic sectors and a discussion of opportunities and challenges to be overcome to realize the potential.

Learning Areas:
Environmental health sciences
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
1. Establish baseline understanding to answer the question "what is nanotechnology?" 2. Discuss the different types of nanomaterials and their applications with relevance to occupational settings

Keywords: Emerging Health Issues, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Meyya Meyyappan is Chief Scientist for Exploration Technology, NASA Ames Research Center. Until June 2006, he served as the Director of the Center for Nanotechnology. He is a founding member of the Interagency Working Group on Nanotechnology(IWGN)which is responsible for putting together the National Nanotechnology Initiative.For his contributions and leadership in nanotechnology, he has received numerous awards including: a Presidential Meritorius Award; NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal; IEEE Judith Resnick Award; IEEE-USA Harry Diamond Award.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3059.0: Nanotechnology and Worker Health: Setting Policy Direction in a World of Unknowns