Dialog Nanotechnology

As key technologies of the 21st century, nanotechnologies and new materials are important drivers of innovation. As cross-sectional technologies, they stimulate central industrial areas such as medicine, renewable energies, power electronics and the maritime economy. In addition, they are also an important factor for the competitiveness and innovative ability of small and medium-sized companies.

Although nanotechnologies have been used successfully in a large number of applications and products for decades, many questions remain unanswered and so the numerous opportunities continue to face corresponding challenges and risks. For example, the wide range of possible uses of nanotechnology leads to a variety of products that is difficult to understand and can no longer be clearly identified, classified and regulated. In the public eye, many of these products are seen as revolutionary and profitable on the one hand, and threatening or dangerous on the other.

Thus, "the" nanotechnology raises a number of socially relevant questions:

• Innovation: How can small companies benefit from the economic potential of nanotechnology?
• Regulations: Can regulations control the risks of nanotechnology without jeopardizing their economic potential?
• Safety: What effects can nanoparticles have on our health and how can safety for people and the environment be guaranteed if necessary?
• Recycling: Do nanomaterials pose a risk to the environment or can they help advance the energy transition?
• Safe-by-Design: Who bears what responsibility for the safe handling of new materials and can regulations enforce this?
• Upscaling: What challenges arise when scaling research and development results to industrial scales?
• Communication: How do we communicate complex and sometimes contradictory information in order to achieve broad acceptance of new nanotechnology?

With the event series Dialog Nanotechnology we want to discuss these and other current and relevant issues together with representatives of industry, research and authorities in order to develop a general and sustainable strategy for the effective and safe implementation of nanotechnologies. In two-hour workshops, the respective topics are presented by experts from different perspectives (authority - industry - research) and then discussed in a joint dialogue.