Nanotechnology Project

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  • news/archive February 20, 2015 New CPSC Nanotechnology Center Would Focus on Risks to Consumers The Consumer Product Safety Commission has requested $7 million in funding for a new center focused on nanotechnology in consumer products.
  • news/archive October 10, 2013 New Case Study Explores Influence of PEN Efforts A new case study looks at the work of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) amidst the shift away from government-led technology assessment.
  • news/archive April 20, 2012 FDA Releases Food, Cosmetic Nanotechnology Guidances for Public Comment The Food & Drug Administration has released two new guidance documents for public comment outlining agency policy for the use of nanotechnology in food ingredients and packaging and the use of nanotechnology in cosmetic products.
  • news/archive January 13, 2012 New EC Publication Marks New Strategy Towards Responsible Innovation The European Commission’s Science in Society Programme reflects on how to proceed towards Responsible Research and Innovation in the Information and Communication Technologies and Security Technology fields.
  • news/archive March 10, 2011 Nanotech-enabled Consumer Products Continue to Rise The most recent update to the Nanotechnology Consumer Product Inventory finds that over 1,300 manufacturer-identified nanotechnology-enabled consumer products have entered the marketplace to date.
  • news/archive November 4, 2010 Voluntary Initiatives, Regulation, and Nanotechnology Oversight A new PEN report provides the first ever analysis of voluntary initiatives to regulate nanotechnology. As nanotechnologies move forward, along with other emerging technologies, voluntary programs will play an important role in the governance portfolio available to the federal government as well as states and municipalities.
  • news/archive November 1, 2010 National Nanotechnology Initiative releases draft of new strategic plan The National Nanotechnology Initiative has posted a new draft strategic plan and is accepting public comments until November 30, 2010.
  • news/archive May 7, 2010 New EPA definition for “nano” could affect state of regulations At an April 29 presentation to the Pesticide Programs Dialogue Committee in Washington, D.C. EPA’s William Jordan announced a new working definition of nanomaterials.
  • news/archive April 26, 2010 Reinventing Technology Assessment for the 21st Century A new report defines the criteria for a new technology assessment function in the United States, emphasizing the need to incorporate citizen-participation methods to complement expert analysis.
  • news/archive March 26, 2010 Special Report on nanotechnology from AOL News AOL News published a three part series on nanotechnology. “Nanotechnology has long been hyped for its potential to cure diseases, ease energy problems, supercharge our computers and more. But increasing evidence shows that the engineered particles could pose a giant risk to the environment and human life.”
  • news/archive January 7, 2010 A call for more transparency and research funding for nanotechnology in the food industry The UK House of Lords Science and Technology Committee today released its first report of session 2009-10 “Nanotechnologies and Food” where they criticized the food industry for “failing to be transparent about its research into the uses of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials.”
  • news/archive December 17, 2009 Members of Wisconsin State Assembly Seek Nanotechnology Registry Three members of the Wisconsin State Legislature have requested a Legislative Council study to be conducted on the feasibility of creating a nanotechnology registry and the development of subsequent legislation, to monitor the use, manufacture and disposal of nanomaterials in Wisconsin.
  • news/archive October 13, 2009 Nanotechnologies Roundtable with Dr. Andrew Maynard A roundtable discussion with Andrew Maynard, Chief Science Advisor, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. Discussion topics include Dr. Maynard’s experience and current role; ‘nanotechnology’ basics and definitions; manufacturing process and opportunities; regulatory status; potential environmental and health concerns; and more. video
  • news/archive October 13, 2009 Nanolessons for Revamping Government Oversight of Technology A new article by PEN senior advisor J. Clarence (Terry) Davies calls for radical change in how the federal government oversees nanotechnology and other technologies to best protect human health and the environment.
  • news/archive August 25, 2009 Nanotech-enabled Consumer Products Top the 1,000 Mark Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory now contains over 1,000 nanotechnology-enabled consumer products, reflecting the increasing use of tiny particles in everything from conventional products like non-stick cookware and lighter, stronger tennis racquets, to more unique items such as wearable sensors that monitor posture.