Nanotechnologies for Tomorrow’s Society1

摘要: Policy makers involved in innovation policy and scientists working on newly emerging technologies, such as nanotechnologies, are confronted with three broad categories of uncertainties: the lack of distinct indicating directions of possible applications (strategic uncertainty), the lack of scientific knowledge (complexity) and the ambiguous reception of new developments in society. In this climate of uncertainty and ambiguity it is by no means clear for the actors involved how to innovate purposefully and constructively. In response to such problems and difficulties, the interdisciplinary research project'Nanotechnologies for Tomorrow's Society'(NanoSoc) engages innovation networks where each actor contributes his (incomplete) views and perspectives and confronts them with those of others. The project brings together nanotechnologists, natural and social scientists, stakeholders, and citizens in the region of Flanders, Belgium, to discuss and steer future nanotech developments in three particular fields of nanotechnology development: smart environment, bio on chip, and new materials. The research endeavour is a joint undertaking of the University of Antwerp, the University of Leuven, and the leading independent research center on micro-electronics and nanotechnology, IMEC. This paper addresses the three categories of uncertainties related to current nano-research in relation to current Flemish and European innovation policy and risk assessment approaches.