General Information - Nanotechnology

Dwarfs serving environmental protection?

Nanotechnology is booming. The term nano is Greek and means dwarf. Nanotechnology is concerned with the management and specifically the study and use of very small structures <100 nanometres in size. By way of comparison, a human hair is 50,000 times larger in diameter than a nanometre.

But what is so promising about this technology for it to be considered a key technology of the 21st century? Can it also facilitate innovations which will noticeably advance environmental and resource protection?

The key is that the nanometre scale of substances alone allows new functions and properties to arise, e.g. hardness and fracture strength, but also conducting and storage capacity. In the medium term nanotechnology is expected to have an impact on almost all areas of industry.

The BMU feels its task lies in recognising and promoting the opportunities of nanotechnology and nanomaterials for environmental and resource protection as well as the protection of human health and at the same time studying potential risks for health and environment as precautionary action.

Nanotechnologies are developing rapidly. There are many unanswered questions about the opportunities and risks of this technology. In the BMU nano dialogue, the BMU wants to address these questions together with other federal ministries and stakeholders from the scientific community, industry andassociations.