In lecture 4 Lord Broers identifies the main ‘threads that make up the tapestry of nanoscience and nanotechnology’: miniaturized electronics; the scanning tunnelling microscope; precision-engineered components; thin film technology; composite materials; and the molecular manipulation of proteins and DNA.
Production team
DNA
For each of these he gives examples of the benefits they have brought and the achievements they have made possible.
He also welcomes the precautions recommended in connection with the use of nanoparticles and emphasises the ‘speculative and unproven’ nature of molecular manufacturing before ending his lecture with the warning that now the term nanotechnology ‘covers almost all modern technologies’ it is in danger of losing its value.
Our Experts' Responses
Shock and awe
OU
Once stories of grey goo become replaced with lighter tennis racquets, we'll stop worrying about Nanotechnology, says Joyce Fortune. She's responding to the fourth of... Read more : Shock and awe
Taken on trust
Tom Hewitt
Because engineering is now so specialised, we have to trust in engineers. Tom Hewitt responds to Lord Broers' fourth Reith Lecture. Read more : Taken on trust
Things just got complicated again
OU
Nick Braithwaite responds to Lord Broers' fourth Reith Lecture - the world is more complex than we allow for, he says. Read more : Things just got complicated again
Too small for comfort?
Derek Matravers
Derek Matravers responds to Lord Broers' fourth Reith Lecture by suggesting that it's the difficulty in picturing nanotechnology which makes people fear it. Read more : Too small for comfort?
You can listen to the lecture, or read a transcript, on the BBC Radio 4 website
First broadcast: Wednesday 6 Apr 2005 on BBC Radio 4
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