Center on Nanotechnology and Society
Encyclopedia
The Center on Nanotechnology and Society (Nano & Society) is an affiliate of Illinois Institute of Technology
(IIT) and is housed at IIT’s Chicago-Kent College of Law
. Nano & Society is an affiliate of the Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future
, also based at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
; it approaches nanotechnology
with a special focus on the human condition. The Center brings researchers in nano science, law, ethics, medicine, and the social sciences together with leaders in business and industry.
NELSI Global is a web-based global public policy document archive focused on nanotechnology’s ethical, legal and societal implications (NELSI). Located at the Center's website http://www.nano-and-society.org/NELSI/, it serves as a unified clearinghouse, for public policy documents addressing the NELSI agenda. It includes international and U.S.-specific regulations, legislation, case law, congressional testimony, and governmental reports.
The Center hosts the Chicago Nano Forum, which encourages public dialogue among nano experts in science, business, social sciences, ethics, and law. These events are webcast on the Center’s website.
The 1st Annual Conference on Nanopolicy and the Human Future provided members of Congress and their staff, researchers, scientists, and others with the latest nanotechnology developments in the ethical, legal and social arena.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology, commonly called Illinois Tech or IIT, is a private Ph.D.-granting university located in Chicago, Illinois, with programs in engineering, science, psychology, architecture, business, communications, industrial technology, information technology, design, and law...
(IIT) and is housed at IIT’s Chicago-Kent College of Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Chicago–Kent College of Law, the law school affiliated with Illinois Institute of Technology, is nationally recognized for the scholarship and accomplishments of its faculty and student body. It is the second oldest law school in the state of Illinois. Many of the applications of technology in the...
. Nano & Society is an affiliate of the Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future
Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future
The Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future is an affiliate of the Illinois Institute of Technology and is housed at IIT’s Chicago-Kent College of Law. The IBHF was founded in 2004 by Lori Andrews, J.D., and Nigel M. de S...
, also based at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Purpose
The Center is intended for interdisciplinary research, education, and discussion on ethical, legal, economic, policy, and broader social implications of nanoscale scienceNanoscopic scale
The nanoscopic scale usually refers to structures with a length scale applicable to nanotechnology, usually cited as 1-100 nanometers. The nanoscopic scale is a lower bound to the mesoscopic scale for most solids....
; it approaches nanotechnology
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres...
with a special focus on the human condition. The Center brings researchers in nano science, law, ethics, medicine, and the social sciences together with leaders in business and industry.
Online offerings
Nano & Society conducts research on NELSI—Nanotechnology's ethical, legal, and social implications. The Center features various initiatvies:NELSI Global is a web-based global public policy document archive focused on nanotechnology’s ethical, legal and societal implications (NELSI). Located at the Center's website http://www.nano-and-society.org/NELSI/, it serves as a unified clearinghouse, for public policy documents addressing the NELSI agenda. It includes international and U.S.-specific regulations, legislation, case law, congressional testimony, and governmental reports.
Publications, conferences, and events
The Center publishes a monthly e-newsletter, Nano & Society. with opinion pieces from guest writers on nanotechnology’s potential and potential impact, as well as public attitudes toward and education about nanotechnology; and relevant news updates on nanotechnology.It also publishes Nanologues: a print series of booklets on NELSIThe Center hosts the Chicago Nano Forum, which encourages public dialogue among nano experts in science, business, social sciences, ethics, and law. These events are webcast on the Center’s website.
The 1st Annual Conference on Nanopolicy and the Human Future provided members of Congress and their staff, researchers, scientists, and others with the latest nanotechnology developments in the ethical, legal and social arena.