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Is nanotechnology too broad to practise?

Nature Nanotechnology volume 5, pages 168–169 (2010)Cite this article

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New regulations concerning nanomaterials should consider the details of individual materials, applications and environments to avoid generalizations that might stifle the entire field.

Nanotechnology stands alone for one reason in particular: it is extraordinarily broad. That breadth allows nanotechnology to bring together formerly separate fields of study to maximize the strengths and utility of each. It has also enhanced the education of a new generation of students. But breadth also has its disadvantages: chief among these is the fact that researchers and manufacturers are becoming overwhelmed with calls for compliance to unclear safety regulations1, while regulators are becoming frustrated because non-compliance is the inevitable consequence.

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Figure 1: Calls for compliance to new regulations on nanotechnology can stifle research unless they are materials-specific and cast in a compliable framework.

© ISTOCKPHOTO/GEOPAUL

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rebekah A. Drezek and James M. Tour are at Rice University, 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827, USA. drezek@rice.edu; tour@rice.edu,

    Rebekah A. Drezek & James M. Tour

  2. tour@rice.edu,

    Rebekah A. Drezek & James M. Tour

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  1. Rebekah A. Drezek
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  2. James M. Tour
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Drezek, R., Tour, J. Is nanotechnology too broad to practise?. Nature Nanotech 5, 168–169 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2010.37

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