Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Conclusion
Claude Emond and Ineke Malsch
As discussed in this topic, nanotechnology is a complex and multidisci-
plinary science. Chemists, biologists, toxicologists, medical doctors, engi-
neers, and social scientists need to take part in this development because if
one of these disciplines is missing, it can result in an incomplete understand-
ing of this complex field. However, this does not mean that we always need
to work together as a group, because usually our research question is a small
portion of a larger picture, and this is particularly true for nanotechnology.
However, it is essential that representatives from each field review the ques-
tions with attention and from that point interact with other scientists in a
multidisciplinary fashion.
In this topic, collaborators from many disciplines have come together to
discuss their knowledge of their fields, especially the sections that relate to
nanotechnology. The nanoparticle characterization chapters discussed the
importance of well characterizing the nanoparticles. As discussed in this
topic, the smaller the nanoparticles, the larger the reactivity surfaces might
be. In addition, an important part of characterization is standardization. As
presented in Section I, there are too many different types of characterization
tests that have been developed. The problem with having too many charac-
terization tests is that when attempting to compare similar experiments, we
cannot be sure that the nanoparticles are similar if the tests are not the same.
In Section II on biomedical nanotechnology, the author of one chapter dis-
cussed the pseudoinactivity of gold metal, which becomes active and begins
to exhibit some toxicity behavior at the nanosize level. The second chapter
discussed the application of nanoparticles in medicine, including engineer-
ing tissues and bone reconstructive composites.
Section III also presented two chapters on nanotechnology and agrofood
and water. Agrofood represents an important market for nanotechnol-
ogy because many important applications can result from this technology,
including pesticides, food additives, or intelligence packaging. At the same
time, both chapters informed the reader of the importance of public invest-
ment and collaboration and of transparency or environmental and health
issues, which will facilitate the public investment in nanotechnology. In the
second chapter, the authors emphasized the similitude between nanotech-
nology and genetically modified organisms. In addition, the authors dis-
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