What is nanotechnology and why is it important?
Nanotechnology is the precision-engineering of materials at the scale of 10-9 metres (one ten-thousandth the breadth of a human hair), at which point, new functionalities are obtained, resulting in products, devices and processes that will transform various industries.
-
Nanotechnology is a set of emerging technologies.
-
Nanotechnology is happening NOW with nano-enhanced products already on the shelves.
-
Further developments are in the pipeline across a wide range of industry sectors, fuelled by a vibrant science sector.
-
Benefits are seen as smaller, smarter, cheaper, safer and cleaner products and processes.
-
A national strategy on nanotechnology
The Australian National Nanotechnology Strategy commenced on July 2007.
Key initiatives within the strategy are:
- a state-of-the-art atomic force microscope for the National Measurement Institute (NMI) to provide new calibration service for nanoscale standards in Australia;
- a Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Working Group to coordinate regulatory issues relating to nanotechnology; and
- a Public Awareness and Engagement Program.
The Australian Office of Nanotechnology (AON) implementation strategy can be downloaded here.
Fact Sheets
The Australian Office of Nanotechnology provides a series of fact sheets on nanotechnology-related matters. The first in the series is 'Nanotechnology - working with the smallest things' - [PDF 125 KB]
Publications
On 11 July 2008, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, released two documents that will support policy and regulatory activity by the Commonwealth Government.
The Australian Government Approach to the Responsible Management of Nanotechnology. The objectives identified in this paper will guide government agencies, including regulators and policy makers in their decision making process and policy development for nanotechnology.
The independent report, A review of possible impacts of nanotechnology on Australia's regulatory framework, was commissioned by the Australian Office of Nanotechnology to assess the adequacy of nanotechnology regulation. It was produced by the Centre for Regulatory Studies at Monash University. It is being closely examined by Australian regulators and policy makers.
On 4 August 2008, the Government released the "Australian Community Attitudes Held about Nanotechnology – Trends 2005-2008" [PDF 481 KB] report.
This public awareness survey was commissioned to assess the Australian public's knowledge of and views about nanotechnology. This report compares changes of attitudes from 2005 and 2007 to 2008, and demonstrates that since then, the number of respondents who see the benefits of nanotechnology as outweighing the risks has increased from 39% to 53%, among other key findings.
A summary of the key points in the public attitude study can be downloaded here.
Click here to download a copy of the Australian Office of Nanotechnology (AON) implementation strategy.
Click here - [PDF 6.1 MB] to download a copy of the Nanotechnology capability directory
Options for a National Nanotechnology Strategy Report. On 12 September 2006, the Government released the Taskforce report Options for a National Nanotechnology Strategy
National Academies Forum Report - April 2006 - report on the environmental, social, legal and ethical aspects of nanotechnology.
PMSEIC Report – March 2005 - The Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC) received a presentation and report from a Working Group on the industrial opportunities that nanotechnology provides Australian industry and the impediments to its uptake.
"Nanotechnology Business Survey- Wave 2 2006"
The AON, in cooperation with Nanotechnology Victoria (Nanovic), has also commissioned a survey to assess how businesses are responding to the impact of nanotechnology. The firms that participiated in this survey were recognised as having a potential interest in nanotechnology.
Additional information
Additional information about nanotechnology can be found here, including:
-
Who was consulted - The Nanotechnology Strategy Taskforce consulted widely to develop proposals for a national strategy;
-
Surveys that helped informed The Nanotechnology Strategy Taskforce;
-
Nanotechnology Profiles - 10 people working in nanotechnology developments discuss what interests them about their work; and
-
The Australian Nanotechnology Capability & Commercial Potential, 3rd Edition, 2007
Contact us
Australian Office of Nanotechnology
Jonathan Chamarette, Acting Manager
GPO Box 9839
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Industry House
10 Binara Street
CANBERRA ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: +61 2 6213 7212
Email