The Implications of High-Rate Nanomanufacturing on Society and Personal Privacy

NSF Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing, EEC #0425826
Ruben Rodrigues, Political Science, Northeastern University
Faculty Advisor – W.D. Kay, Political Science, Northeastern University

High-Rate Nanomanufacturing hopes to enable the large-scale and economically feasible production of nanoscale electronic and mechanical devices. I will take a look at the possible benefits and problems associated with successful High-Rate Nanomanufacturing technologies. A special focus will be given to the cost-effective production of nanosensors and their implications on personal privacy. Nanosensors and nanoscale surveillance equipment small enough to avoid detection by the naked eye and that are produced cheaply enough could be used as tracking or listening devices.

There may be useful applications of such technologies in defense, intelligence, and crime fighting circles; however, wide spread availability and abuse of such sensors is a cause for concern. Existing legislation concerning technology and privacy will be reviewed and possible courses of action for placating any negative effects of nanomanufacting on personal privacy considered.

Nanotechnology in the Massachusetts Innovation Economy

NSF Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing, EEC #0425826
Ruben Rodrigues, Northeastern University, Political Science
Faculty Advisor – Gov. Michael Dukakis, Northeastern University, Political Science

A memorandum making reccomendations to Tom Hubbard of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative regarding the growth of Nanotechnology in Massachusetts. Primarily focusing on the formation of a Mass Nanotech Council capable of fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government within the state.

Nanotechnology and Environmental Restoration

NSF Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing, EEC #0425826
John Basl, Philosophy, Northeastern University
Faculty Advisor – Ronald Sandler, Philosophy, Northeastern University

This project considers the relationship of nanotechnology to current environmental restoration paradigms. Nanotechnology has promise for enhancing environmental remediation, and thereby environmental restoration efforts. However, the use of nanotechnology in restoration appears in some ways paradoxical. For one thing, nanotechnology is widely considered the “future” of technology, whereas restoration is standardly about making things, as much as possible, “like they were” prior to anthropogenic degradation. Furthermore, restoration has been promoted as a way for people to interact in a direct and positive way with nature, i.e. unmediated by excess technology. These and other issues raised by the use of nanotechnology in environmental restoration are examined.