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Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies Roadmap

The figure on page 42 of the published Roadmap has some of the chart segments incorrectly shaded. This diagram (Erratum, Figure 4, page 42 [13KB]) has the correct shading.

Nanotechnology is a fast-moving area of research and development. It attracts a lot of public and private investment. There are lively discussions and debate about the safety and ethics of nanomaterials and applications of nanotechnologies. MoRST released the Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies Roadmap in February 2007. This is a direction setting document rather than a technological roadmap that determines what will be developed and when. It is one in a series of Roadmaps for Science produced by the Ministry.

The Roadmap remains active. The major activity in 2009 associated with implementing the directions in the Roadmap was a workshop held in April.

What are nanotechnologies?

Nanotechnologies are a suite of rapidly developing technologies that seek to manipulate matter to develop new materials with novel properties or to develop new industrial processes. Current and projected applications cover a very broad range of fields including health care, manufacturing, electronics, energy, food production and processing, and environmental management.

While some current applications appear mundane (such as stronger, lighter tennis racquets) others in development have the potential to be more significant. For example, much more precise and effective treatments for cancers and other medical conditions, or more efficient ways for generating and storing energy.

There are concerns though that the novelty of some of the manufactured nanomaterials could pose substantial new risks to human health and/or the environment.

The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, in conjunction with the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, the Ministry for the Environment, the Bioethics Council (now disestablished) and the Royal Society of New Zealand, hosted a two day workshop on Nanotechnology on 23rd and 24th April 2009 in Wellington.

The purpose of the workshop was to broaden discussions about the implications of nanotechnologies for New Zealand.

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