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J Nanopart Res (2013) 15:2044 DOI 10.1007/s11051-013-2044-0
EDITORIAL FOR SPECIAL ISSUE ON NANO-SUSTAINABILITY
Nanotechnology for sustainable development: retrospective and outlook
Mamadou S. Diallo Neil A. Fromer
Myung S. Jhon
Received: 17 July 2013 / Accepted: 3 October 2013 / Published online: 1 November 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract The world is facing great challenges in meeting rising demands for basic commodities (e.g., food, water and energy), nished goods (e.g., cell phones, cars and airplanes) and services (e.g., shelter, healthcare and employment) while reducing and minimizing the impact of human activities on Earths global environment and climate. Nanotechnology has emerged as a versatile platform that could provide efcient, cost-effective and environmentally
acceptable solutions to the global sustainability challenges facing society. This special issue of the Journal of Nanoparticle Research is devoted to the utilization of nanotechnology to improve or achieve sustainable development. We highlight recent advances and discuss opportunities of utilizing nanotechnology to address global challenges in (1) water purication, (2) clean energy technologies, (3) greenhouse gases management, (4) materials supply and utilization, and (5) green manufacturing and chemistry. In addition to the technical challenges listed above, we also discuss societal perspectives and provide an outlook of the role of nanotechnology in the convergence of knowledge, technology and society for achieving sustainable development.
Keywords Nanotechnology Sustainability
Natural resources Manufacturing Societal
needs
Introduction
Every human being needs food, water, energy, shelter, clothing, healthcare, employment, etc., to live and prosper on Earth. One of the greatest challenges facing society in the twenty-rst century is providing better living standards to all people while minimizing the impact of human activities on the global environment and climate as the world population reaches 810 billion by 2050 (Diallo et al. 2013). The Brundtland
Special Issue Editors: Mamadou Diallo, Neil Fromer, MyungS. Jhon
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Nanotechnology for Sustainable Development
M. S. DialloGraduate School of Energy, Environment, Water and Sustainability (EEWS), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 373-1 Guseong Dong, Yuseong Gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
M. S. Diallo (&)
Environmental Science and Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USAe-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
N. A. FromerResnick Sustainability Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
M....