Nanotechnology

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Abstract

Even if nanotechnology is no more than a small mutation in the industrial ecosystem, it is recognized that production of “nanostuff” itself requires energy and possibly toxic chemicals. . . . [And] if there are concerns over the impacts of nanomaterials in the environment, then this provides an incentive for one of the main goals of industrial ecology: “closed loop” use of materials. human production– consumption systems with natural systems. It supports the design and governance of these systems to form an integrated industrial ecosystem that has “ecological integrity and provides humans with a sustainable livelihood” (Kay 2002, 82). What happens when human production– consumption systems introduce a new species, with at least the possibility of changing the ecosystem, perhaps displacing some of the existing species, maybe even acting synergistically with some of the others? If we believe the enthusiasts, nanotechnology could be more than just a small mutation in the overall industrial ecosystem. It could turn out to be an enabling technology that permeates and changes many sectors, perhaps converging with other technological developments. Some arch-enthusiasts think it could prove to be a disruptive technology that perturbs the system to the point of causing social change. At the