Nanotechnology in a Globalized World: Strategic Assessments of an Emerging Technology
Abstract
Nanotechnologies are enabling, dual-use technologies with the potential to alter the modern world
significantly, from fields as wide-ranging as warfare to industrial design to medicine to social and
human engineering. Seizing the technological lead in nanotech is often viewed as an imperative for
both 21st century defense and global competitiveness. Only revolutionary technologies are believed
to allow a country to take advantage of its relative backwardness—in the sense of its lack of
commitment to existing, incremental technologies—and leap ahead of existing technological leaders
in developing and deploying a revolutionary new technology. New technologies, however, are only
likely truly to revolutionize an economy and society if there is a broader national base that allows a
new technology to spread and transform from its initial niche application, whether civilian or
military, and if society is willing to adopt the technology in question. Globally, there is significant
belief in the revolutionary potential of nanotechnology, not only to transform warfare, economy and
society, but also the international geopolitical hierarchy. Between 2001 and 2014, over sixty countries
followed the United States and established nanotechnology initiatives. These countries range from
advanced industrial countries in Europe to Japan to the emerging markets of Russia, China, Brazil,
and India to developing countries such as Nepal and Pakistan.
Description
PASCC Report Number 2014-006
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Military Applications of Nanotechnology: Implications for Strategic Security I
Kosal, Margaret E. (Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2014-12);Nanotechnology has emerged as a major science and technology focus of the 21st century. Proponents assert that military applications of nanotechnology have even greater potential than nuclear weapons to radically change ... -
Governing Nanotechnology in a Globalized World: Cross-National Dimensions and Strategic Assessments of a Disruptive Technology
Center on Contemporary Conflict (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2013);While those in the nanotechnology field emphasize the benefits for medicine, travel, and manufacturing, it is a dual-use technology that could lead to a disruptive and expensive arms race for technology dominance. ... -
The implications of nanotechnology for the fire service: avoiding the mistakes of the past
O'Sullivan, Daniel John (Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2017-12);Firefighters are exposed to numerous hazardous materials throughout their careers. Managing that exposure is essential for the health and safety of the fire service. This thesis examines how exposure to nanotechnology will ...