Nanotechnology and homeland security : new weapons for new wars (2003)

How nanotechnology will transform the war against terror.Nanotechnology offers immense potential for fighting terrorism without sacrificing our open, free, and democratic society. This book covers the significant opportunity to use nanotechnology to prevent terrorism and other threats to security as well as mitigate their impact. Co-authored by one of the field's pioneers and featuring remarks from other nanoscience researchers and industry leaders, Nanotechnology and Homeland Security is written for every educated citizen who wants to understand the weapons of choice in the battle of our generation. Coverage includes: Nanotechnology-based sensors: fast, cheap, accurate tests for explosives, radiation, weapons of mass destruction, and food/water contamination Nanotechnology-based smart materials: protecting homes, offices, and first responders Nanotechnology-based biomedical research: revolutionary treatments for chemical/biological attacks and trauma Nanotechnology-based energy generation technologies: ending the world's dependence on oil Nanotechnology-based remediation technologies: healing the effects of environmental damage and ecoterrorismDaniel and Mark Ratner tell you what's real today-and what it'll take to transform tomorrow's applications from science fiction to reality. Along the way, they debunk the myths of nanotechnology, and offer new insight into its profound ethical, political, and social implications.Nanotechnology is an enabling technology that could have an impact on the world that dwarfs the Internet's impact on our daily lives. Mark and Dan Ratner have ably illustrated some of roles that nanotechnology can play in our future, including how it could enhance national security, make soldiers more effective on the battlefield, or even help prevent attacks on our homeland. As a member of Congress who is active in advancing the development of nanotechnology, I encourage other policymakers, educators, and social visionaries to become cognizant of tomorrow's possibilities.-U.S. Representative Mike Honda, Member, House of Representatives Committeeon Science.The authors do an excellent job of using their expert knowledge to clearly communicate complex topics into a clear, well-organized examination of the impact of nanotechnology on national security.-Lynn E. Foster, Jr., Nanotechnology Analyst, Squire Sanders & Dempsey, and author of the seminal Nanotechnology Yellow Pages study.U.S. policy-makers and -shapers: READ THIS BOOK! Then get to work.-Rocky Rawstern, Editor, Nanotech-Now.com.Nanotechnology and Homeland Security provides the reader with the most important weapon of all-knowledge. It is as much a blow against ignorance and hype as it is a primer for how real nanotechnology should contribute to our future security. Mark and Dan Ratner confront the utopians and the alarmists by debunking both 'molecular assemblers' and 'gray goo.' This book is informative, thought-provoking and very readable.-R. Stanley Williams, HP Senior Fellow, Hewlett-Packard Labs.The book is a clear overview of the two subjects of nanotechnology and countering terrorism, but its special strength is the thoughtful way it weaves these two subjects together.-R. Stephen Berry, Department of Chemistry and the James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.This book does an excellent job introducing the field of nanotechnology to the layperson by showing its promise for security and defense-perhaps the most relevant sectors of society demanding advances that only nanotechnology can provide.-Josh Wolfe, Managing Partner, Lux Capital, and Editor, Forbes/Wolfe Nanotech ReportThis book identifies many of the issues that need to be examined, and to be dealt with, if nanotechnology is to become a fully mature, fully productive asset to our nation and to the world.-James Murday, Chief Scientist, Office of Naval Research.This is the first example of an accessible book discussing the highly relevant field of nanotechnology and its applicability to homeland security in laymen's terms. The Ratners successfully cut through the hype surrounding the topic, while stimulating thoughts on many possibilities of the technology, especially in the defense and medical arenas. Mark Ratner is an internationally recognized expert in the field of nanotechnology with an in-depth knowledge in the area. He is respected by those in the academic and industrial research communities as a creative thinker with a long-standing track record of pioneering technical concepts for development of new materials.-Dr. Susan Ermer, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, Palo Alto, California