As nanotechnology has moved out of the laboratory and into
commercial products, many have begun to question the impact of
nanoscale materials on health and the environment. Learning more about
such impacts, however, presents a daunting task, given the number of
potential products, the pace of innovation, and the need to share
information and leverage costs toward a more efficient, timely
international research effort. A major challenge has been to produce a
global research strategy for predicting the interactions between
engineered nanoparticles and biological systems so that biocompatible
nanomaterials can be developed and applied safely.
Last year, more than 70 experts from 13 countries –
in academia, industry, governments and non-governmental agencies
– accepted that challenge. In an unprecedented international
collaboration, the International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON)
convened two workshops aimed at defining a set of research needs for
assessing potential nanotechnology impacts.
The results of this multi-stakeholder effort, funded by ICON
and the National Science Foundation, will be unveiled on Thursday, May
1, when ICON, in partnership with the Project on Emerging
Nanotechnologies, releases the “International Assessment of
Nanotechnology Environment, Health and Safety Research Needs”
– a report on the findings of the two workshops.
Confirmed speakers include Professor Vicki Colvin, Executive
Director of ICON; Dr. Sally Tinkle, Science Advisor to the Acting
Director, NIEHS/NIH; Dr. Michael Thompson, Business Development
Manager-Nanotechnology, FEI Company; Dr. Richard Denison, Senior
Scientist, Environmental Defense Fund; and Dr. Andrew Maynard, Chief
Science Advisor to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies.
This program will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2008, in the
6th Floor Board Room of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for
Scholars in Washington, DC.
*** Webcast LIVE at www.wilsoncenter.org***
What: ICON: Release of Nanotechnology Environment, Health and
Safety Research Needs Assessment
Who: Confirmed speakers include:
- Professor Vicki Colvin, Executive Director, ICON and
Professor, Rice University
- Dr. Sally Tinkle, Science Advisor to the Acting Director,
NIEHS/NIH
- Dr. Michael Thompson, Business Development
Manager-Nanotechnology, FEI Company
- Dr. Richard Denison, Senior Scientist, Environmental
Defense Fund
- Dr. Andrew Maynard, Chief Science Advisor, Project on
Emerging Nanotechnologies
When: Thursday, May 1, 2008, 2:00pm – 3:00 p.m.
(Light refreshments will be available)
Where: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 6th
Floor Board Room. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade
Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004.