Commercialization and Public Values Implications of Nanotechnology

Abstract

This talk defines public values and examines how these values can be mapped into the Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program in the context of the emergence of nanotechnology. I-Corps is a program begun in 2011 in the National Science Foundation (NSF) to accelerate the pace of commercializing science-driven discoveries. The rapid spread of the I-Corps process across multiple US agencies suggests the importance of reflecting on the dimensions which having a bearing on public values. The talk considers how public values can be integrated alongside informal I-Corps starting questions. It puts forth public values questions particularly relevant to nanotechnology such as: What societal problem does this technology solve? What types of potential customers would be likely to be overlooked? Who might oppose the technology? Are there any potential environmental health, and safety risks from this application?