Convergence of Knowledge, Technology and Society, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2013 Beyond Convergence of Nano-Bio-Info-Cognitive Technologies Science Policy Reports Series

This volume aims to document the most important worldwide accomplishments in converging knowledge and technology, including converging platforms, methods of convergence, societal implications, and governance in the last ten years. Convergence in knowledge, technology, and society is the accelerating, transformative interaction among seemingly distinct scientific disciplines, technologies, and communities to achieve mutual compatibility, synergism, and integration, and through this process to create added value for societal benefit. It is a movement that is recognized by scientists and thought leaders around the world as having the potential to provide far-reaching solutions to many of today?s complex knowledge, technology, and human development challenges. Four essential and interdependent convergence platforms of human activity are defined in the first part of this report: nanotechnology-biotechnology-information technology and cognitive science (?NBIC?) foundational tools; Earth-scale environmental systems; human-scale activities; and convergence methods for societal-scale activities. The report then presents the main implications of convergence for human physical potential, cognition and communication, productivity and societal outcomes, education and physical infrastructure, sustainability, and innovative and responsible governance. As a whole, the report presents a new model for convergence. To effectively take advantage of this potential, a proactive governance approach is suggested.  The study identifies an international opportunity to develop and apply convergence for technological, economic, environmental, and societal benefits.  The panel also suggests an opportunity in the United States for implementing a program aimed at focusing disparate R and D energies into a coherent activity - a "Societal Convergence Initiative?. This study received input from leading academic, industry, government, and NGO experts from the United States, LatinAmerica, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Acknowledgements.- Study Team and Report Authors.- External Reviewers.- Preface (Executive Summary).- Overview and Recommendations.- 1 Convergence Platforms: Foundational Science and Technology Tools.- 2 Convergence Platforms: Human-Scale Convergence and the Quality of Life.- 3 Convergence Platforms: Earth-Scale Systems.- 4 Methods to Improve and Expedite Convergence.- 5 Implications: Human Health and Physical Potential.- 6 Implications: Human Cognition and Communication and the Emergence of Cognitive Society.- 7 Implications: Societal Collective Outcomes, including Manufacturing.- 8 Implications: People and Physical Infrastructure.- 9 Implications: Convergence of Knowledge and Technology for a Sustainable Society.- 10 Innovative and Responsible Governance of Converging Technologies.- Appendices A - H.

Dr. Mihail C. Roco is the Senior Advisor for Nanotechnology at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and a key architect of the National Nanotechnology Initiative. Dr. Roco is the founding Chair of the U.S. National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) and established the Nanotechnology Group of the International Risk Governance Council. Prior to joining National Science Foundation, he was Professor of mechanical and chemical engineering. Dr. Roco is credited with thirteen patents and has contributed over two hundred archival articles in sixteen books including recently 'Managing Nano-Bio-Info-Cognition Innovations' (2007) and 'Mapping Nanotechnology Knowledge and Innovation: Global and Longitudinal Patent and Literature Analysis' (2009). Dr. Roco is a corresponding member of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences and a member of the International Risk Governance Council. His research included experimental and simulation methods to investigate nanosystems. He formally proposed the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in a presentation at The White House OSTP, Committee on Technology, on March 11, 1999. He conducted research, teaching, consulting to industry, and international organizations in the Americas, Europe, Japan, and Australia. He is a Fellow of ASME, Fellow of AIChE and Fellow of the Institute of Physics. He was elected Engineer of the Year by the U.S. Society of Professional Engineers and NSF in 1999 and again in 2004. He was honored as recipient of the Carl Duisberg Award in Germany, the 'Burgers Professorship Award' in The Netherlands, and the 'University Research Professorship' and Fingerson/TSI awards in the U.S. He received the National Materials Advancement Award from the Federation of Materials Societies in 2007 as 'the individual most responsible for support and investment in nanotechnology by government, industry, and academia worldwide'.
William SimsBainbridge is an Ame

Documents the most important worldwide accomplishments in convergence of knowledge, technology, and society Reports a study conducted by a panel of nine eminent scientists and researchers Highlights international opportunities to develop and apply convergence to support progress and broad societal benefits Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras