Nanotechnology and Homeland Security: New Weapons for New Wars [Hardcover]

Daniel Ratner (Author), Mark A. Ratner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131453076 | ISBN-13: 978-0131453074 | Publication Date: October 24, 2003

How nanotechnology will transform the war against terror. Nanotechnology offers immense potential for fighting terrorism without sacrificing our open, free, and democratic society. This book covers the significant opportunity to use nanotechnology to prevent terrorism and other threats to security as well as mitigate their impact. Co-authored by one of the field's pioneers and featuring remarks from other nanoscience researchers and industry leaders, Nanotechnology and Homeland Security is written for every educated citizen who wants to understand the weapons of choice in the battle of our generation.Coverage includes: *Nanotechnology-based sensors: fast, cheap, accurate tests for explosives, radiation, weapons of mass destruction, and food/water contamination *Nanotechnology-based smart materials: protecting homes, offices, and first responders *Nanotechnology-based biomedical research: revolutionary treatments for chemical/biological attacks and trauma *Nanotechnology-based energy generation technologies: ending the world's dependence on oil *Nanotechnology-based remediation technologies: healing the effects of environmental damage and ecoterrorism Daniel and Mark Ratner tell you what's real today-and what it'll take to transform tomorrow's applications from science fiction to reality. Along the way, they debunk the myths of nanotechnology, and offer new insight into its profound ethical, political, and social implications. Nanotechnology is an enabling technology that could have an impact on the world that dwarfs the Internet's impact on our daily lives.Mark and Dan Ratner have ably illustrated some of roles that nanotechnology can play in our future, including how it could enhance national security, make soldiers more effective on the battlefield, or even help prevent attacks on our homeland. As a member of Congress who is active in advancing the development of nanotechnology, I encourage other policymakers, educators, and social visionaries to become cognizant of tomorrow's possibilities.-U.S. Representative Mike Honda, Member, House of Representatives Committeeon Science. The authors do an excellent job of using their expert knowledge to clearly communicate complex topics into a clear, well-organized examination of the impact of nanotechnology on national security.-Lynn E. Foster, Jr., Nanotechnology Analyst, Squire Sanders & Dempsey, and author of the seminal Nanotechnology Yellow Pages study. U.S. policy-makers and -shapers: READ THIS BOOK! Then get to work.-Rocky Rawstern, Editor, Nanotech-Now.com. Nanotechnology and Homeland Security provides the reader with the most important weapon of all-knowledge.It is as much a blow against ignorance and hype as it is a primer for how real nanotechnology should contribute to our future security. Mark and Dan Ratner confront the utopians and the alarmists by debunking both 'molecular assemblers' and 'gray goo.' This book is informative, thought-provoking and very readable.-R. Stanley Williams, HP Senior Fellow, Hewlett-Packard Labs. The book is a clear overview of the two subjects of nanotechnology and countering terrorism, but its special strength is the thoughtful way it weaves these two subjects together."-R. Stephen Berry, Department of Chemistry and the James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. This book does an excellent job introducing the field of nanotechnology to the layperson by showing its promise for security and defense-perhaps the most relevant sectors of society demanding advances that only nanotechnology can provide.- Josh Wolfe, Managing Partner, Lux Capital, and Editor, Forbes/Wolfe Nanotech Report This book identifies many of the issues that need to be examined, and to be dealt with, if nanotechnology is to become a fully mature, fully productive asset to our nation and to the world.-James Murday, Chief Scientist, Office of Naval Research. This is the first example of an accessible book discussing the highly relevant field of nanotechnology and its applicability to homeland security in laymen's terms. The Ratners successfully cut through the hype surrounding the topic, while stimulating thoughts on many possibilities of the technology, especially in the defense and medical arenas. Mark Ratner is an internationally recognized expert in the field of nanotechnology with an in-depth knowledge in the area. He is respected by those in the academic and industrial research communities as a creative thinker with a long-standing track record of pioneering technical concepts for development of new materials.-Dr. Susan Ermer, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, Palo Alto, California

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

How nanotechnology will transform the war against terror.

Nanotechnology offers immense potential for fighting terrorism without sacrificing our open, free, and democratic society. This book covers the significant opportunity to use nanotechnology to prevent terrorism and other threats to security as well as mitigate their impact. Co-authored by one of the field's pioneers and featuring remarks from other nanoscience researchers and industry leaders, Nanotechnology and Homeland Security is written for every educated citizen who wants to understand the weapons of choice in the battle of our generation. Coverage includes:

• Nanotechnology-based sensors: fast, cheap, accurate tests for explosives, radiation, weapons of mass destruction, and food/water contamination
• Nanotechnology-based smart materials: protecting homes, offices, and first responders
• Nanotechnology-based biomedical research: revolutionary treatments for chemical/biological attacks and trauma
• Nanotechnology-based energy generation technologies: ending the world's dependence on oil
• Nanotechnology-based remediation technologies: healing the effects of environmental damage and ecoterrorism

Daniel and Mark Ratner tell you what's real today-and what it'll take to transform tomorrow's applications from science fiction to reality. Along the way, they debunk the myths of nanotechnology, and offer new insight into its profound ethical, political, and social implications.

Nanotechnology is an enabling technology that could have an impact on the world that dwarfs the Internet's impact on our daily lives. Mark and Dan Ratner have ably illustrated some of roles that nanotechnology can play in our future, including how it could enhance national security, make soldiers more effective on the battlefield, or even help prevent attacks on our homeland. As a member of Congress who is active in advancing the development of nanotechnology, I encourage other policymakers, educators, and social visionaries to become cognizant of tomorrow's possibilities.—U.S. Representative Mike Honda, Member, House of Representatives Committeeon Science.

The authors do an excellent job of using their expert knowledge to clearly communicate complex topics into a clear, well-organized examination of the impact of nanotechnology on national security.—Lynn E. Foster, Jr., Nanotechnology Analyst, Squire Sanders & Dempsey, and author of the seminal Nanotechnology Yellow Pages study.

U.S. policy-makers and -shapers: READ THIS BOOK! Then get to work.—Rocky Rawstern, Editor, Nanotech-Now.com.

Nanotechnology and Homeland Security provides the reader with the most important weapon of all-knowledge. It is as much a blow against ignorance and hype as it is a primer for how real nanotechnology should contribute to our future security. Mark and Dan Ratner confront the utopians and the alarmists by debunking both 'molecular assemblers' and 'gray goo.' This book is informative, thought-provoking and very readable.—R. Stanley Williams, HP Senior Fellow, Hewlett-Packard Labs.

The book is a clear overview of the two subjects of nanotechnology and countering terrorism, but its special strength is the thoughtful way it weaves these two subjects together."—R. Stephen Berry, Department of Chemistry and the James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

This book does an excellent job introducing the field of nanotechnology to the layperson by showing its promise for security and defense-perhaps the most relevant sectors of society demanding advances that only nanotechnology can provide.—Josh Wolfe, Managing Partner, Lux Capital, and Editor, Forbes/Wolfe Nanotech Report

This book identifies many of the issues that need to be examined, and to be dealt with, if nanotechnology is to become a fully mature, fully productive asset to our nation and to the world.—James Murday, Chief Scientist, Office of Naval Research.

This is the first example of an accessible book discussing the highly relevant field of nanotechnology and its applicability to homeland security in laymen's terms. The Ratners successfully cut through the hype surrounding the topic, while stimulating thoughts on many possibilities of the technology, especially in the defense and medical arenas. Mark Ratner is an internationally recognized expert in the field of nanotechnology with an in-depth knowledge in the area. He is respected by those in the academic and industrial research communities as a creative thinker with a long-standing track record of pioneering technical concepts for development of new materials.—Dr. Susan Ermer, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, Palo Alto, California

About the Author

DANIEL RATNER is an engineer and technology entrepreneur who has founded three startup firms, including Driveitaway.com, where he currently serves as CTO. He is also an industry advisor to several other high-tech ventures, and was recently awarded the prestigious "30 Under 30" entrepreneurs' award by Philly Tech Magazine.

MARK A. RATNER is Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor in Chemistry at Northwestern University. With Ari Aviram, he originated the field of molecular-scale electronics. Ratner won the 2001 Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology for theoretical achievements that have advanced the development of molecular nanotechnology.

The Ratners have also co-authored Nanotechnology: A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR (October 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131453076
• ISBN-13: 978-0131453074
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Treatment on a Topical Subject, November 21, 2003

By 

Richard Murch (Leburn,KY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nanotechnology and Homeland Security: New Weapons for New Wars (Hardcover)

An excellent treatment on a topical subject

The authors have done a considerable service to the advancement of Nanotechnology by writing this book. A topical subject that is given effective and illuminating treatment on a grand scale. The writing is clear and concise, well organized, and very informative.
in a robust style. There is little hype - and much more of the reality. In the fast developing field of Nanotechnology there are many applications that can be applied and have been described but precious little in the field of warfare, terrorism and the protection against malicious enemies. Until now.

I would recommend this book as a valuable guide to anyone who is seriously thinking about Nanotechnology. All in all, it's a strong accomplishment that is a courageous attempt to define the Nanotechnology in modern warfare.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars solid coverage of the science and engineering, December 31, 2005

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nanotechnology and Homeland Security: New Weapons for New Wars (Hardcover)

The Ratners explain nanotechnology in a way readily accessible to a general audience. The book tries to suggest what might be realistically achievable in a few years. There are some preliminary results described. Like an improved stain resistant trousers. But these are really early years. It is true that if you focus on the progress made in the book, then there might be some disappointment.

However, the authors make a plausible case that future progress can yield much more. Naturally, the book stresses how new weapons might come into being, based on nanotech. Some of this you might regard as wildly speculative, while other possibilities might seem well within the reach of a few more years of effort.

A useful topic raised is Moore's so-called Second Law. That the cost of a semiconductor fab doubles with each new generation of fabs. This spells the end of Moore's First Law within a decade. Hence, the book positions a nanotech approach as a technological discontinuity as a necessary shift in order for computer hardware to keep improving beyond then.

The science and engineering aspects of nanotech are solidly covered by the book. It deserves to be widely read; especially by policymakers.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ratners Have Done It Again!!!, November 7, 2003

By 

Gen Thiers "genevieve thiers" (chicago, il) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nanotechnology and Homeland Security: New Weapons for New Wars (Hardcover)

I normally do not have time to review books on Amazon.com, but I had to make an exception for this one. It is terrific!

A sequel to their previous book, Nanotechnology, A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea, the Ratners have done it again with Nanotechnology and Homeland Security. This book makes the field with the most scientific jargon seem like child's play. I found it most refreshing after the series of myths that has propogated the world market about nanobots and nano-monsters. If you've read Michael Chrichton's Prey, do yourself a favor and read this book as well so you can see the direction that nano is really taking.

The Ratners begin by giving an overview of the latest developments in the field of nanotechnology, with an emphasis on war. Sensors, energy, electronics, biomedical application and optics are all covered. Anyone who has sent he recent Matrix movies will especially appreciate the next section on smart materials and the Man-Machine interface. The Ratners continue to examine the face of war on the battlefield, and how it is changing. From the integration of battlefield baggage into a self-climatized nanosystem and the changing of an army suit into a self-healing bandage, they show us the wave of the future. And it is fascinating!

The book continues to cover national alert systems and how they as well are changing. Instead of being confused by green, orange, blue alert levels, they propose a new, innovative form of national alert. They even tackle the world's dependence on oil, and how that might be averted. Environmental concerns of bioterrism and pollution are also examined. The influence of nano on biology, genetics, morality, economics and more is fully integrated as you move through the text. Their final section is a brilliant wrap-up of the previous information, involving everything from a commentary on recent political developments to a discussion of the Harry Potter series.

I am consistently impressed by the Ratners' witty commentary and intelligent deduction. They have a real knack for making the most complicated wave of the future accessible to a common reader. Keep the books coming!