[PDF] Converging Technologies For Improving Human Performance eBook

Author : Mihail C. Roco
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 477 pages
File Size : 15,81 MB
Release : 2013-04-17
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9401703590

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M. C. Roco and W.S. Bainbridge In the early decades of the 21st century, concentrated efforts can unify science based on the unity of nature, thereby advancing the combination of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and new technologies based in cognitive science. With proper attention to ethical issues and societal needs, converging in human abilities, societal technologies could achieve a tremendous improvement outcomes, the nation's productivity, and the quality of life. This is a broad, cross cutting, emerging and timely opportunity of interest to individuals, society and humanity in the long term. The phrase "convergent technologies" refers to the synergistic combination of four major "NBIC" (nano-bio-info-cogno) provinces of science and technology, each of which is currently progressing at a rapid rate: (a) nanoscience and nanotechnology; (b) biotechnology and biomedicine, including genetic engineering; (c) information technology, including advanced computing and communications; (d) cognitive science, including cognitive neuroscience. Timely and Broad Opportunity. Convergence of diverse technologies is based on material unity at the nanoscale and on technology integration from that scale.

Author : Mihail C. Roco
Publisher :
Page : 415 pages
File Size : 15,10 MB
Release : 2002
Category : Biotechnology
ISBN :

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Report of a December 3-4, 2001 workshop organized by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Commerce at the request of the National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET). The integration of four major Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno (NBIC) areas of science and technology will enable the improvement of human performance. Workshop participants explored the following areas: overall potential of converging technologies; expanding human cognition and communication; improving human health and physical capabilities; enhancing group and societal outcomes; national security; and unifying science and education. The workshop recommended a national research and development priority area on converging technologies focused on enhancing human performance.

Author : National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Publisher :
Page : 164 pages
File Size : 38,6 MB
Release : 2001
Category : Biotechnology
ISBN :

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First draft proceedings of a December 3-4, 2001 workshop organized by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Commerce at the request of the National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET). The integration of four major Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno (NBIC) areas of science and technology will enable the improvement of human performance. Workshop participants explored the following areas: overall potential of converging technologies; expanding human cognition and communication; improving human health and physical capabilities; enhancing group and societal outcomes; national security; and unifying science and education. The workshop recommended a national research and development priority area on converging technologies focused on enhancing human performance.

Author : William Sims Bainbridge
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 381 pages
File Size : 19,76 MB
Release : 2006-06-14
Category : Science
ISBN : 1402041071

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With the convergence of Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information technology and Cognitive science (NBIC) fields promising to change our competitive, operational, and employment landscape in fundamental ways, we find ourselves on the brink of a new technological and science-driven business revolution. The already emerging reality of convergence is to be found in genomics, robotics, bio-information and artificial intelligence applications, such as: • Self-assembled, self-cleaning and self-healing manufactured materials and textiles, and much stronger, lighter and more customizable structural materials, • Miniature sensors allowing unobtrusive real-time health monitoring and dramatically improved diagnosis; with greatly enhanced real time information to vehicles and drivers on the way, • New generations of supercomputers and efficient energy generators based on biological processes, • Greatly enhanced drug delivery from unprecedented control over fundamental structural properties and biocompatibility of materials. These advances are here already, or in development. And Japan, other Asian nations and Western European countries are investing heavily and moving aggressively to develop and apply NBIC technologies. Notwithstanding the passage of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, significant further funding and action by both government and private industry will be critical to maintaining US scientific and industry leadership.

Author : Davis Baird
Publisher : IOS Press
Page : 340 pages
File Size : 34,4 MB
Release : 2004
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9781586034672

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'I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the history of nanoscale science, and to those who would like to better understand some of the ethical, legal and social dilemmas to what I believe has rightly been labeled the technology of the 21st century.' - Rocky Rawstern, Nanotechnology Now Science and engineering, industry and politics, environmentalists and transhumanists are Discovering the Nanoscale. Policy makers are demanding explicit consideration of ethical, legal and social aspects, and popular books are explaining the achievements and promises of nanoscience. It may therefore seem surprising that this is the first collection of studies that considers nanoscience and nanotechnologies from the critical perspective of Science and Technology Studies (STS). However, when one appreciates that such a critical perspective needs to be historically informed it often involves intimate acquaintance with the research process. Accordingly, this book on the historical, analytical, and ethical study of nanoscience and -technology has come together in a period of several years. Though it presents only first results, these results for the most part stem from sustained investigations of nanoscience and nanotechnologies and of the contexts that are shaping their development. Nanoscience and technologies are developing very quickly, and for this reason, both pose a challenge to the more reflective approach commonly taken by science studies, while at the same time requiring the perspective provided by science studies scholars. Many are convinced that nothing meaningful can be said about the social and ethical implications of nanotechnologies at this early stage, but one can already see what programmatic attitudes go into nanoscale research, what metaphors are shaping it, and what conception of nature is implicit in its vision. It is also often assumed that in order to consider all aspects of nanotechnologies it is sufficient to know a bit of the science and to have some ethical intuitions. This collection of papers establishes that one also needs to appreciate nanoscale research and development in the larger context of the changing relations of science, technology, and society.

Author : Stefaniak, Jill E.
Publisher : IGI Global
Page : 431 pages
File Size : 30,91 MB
Release : 2015-03-31
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 1466683317

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Management professionals regularly seek new, cost-effective ways to influence employee behavior to advance productivity and competency within their organization. While best practices are often taught in the classroom, many students lack an understanding of the real world challenges professionals face. Cases on Human Performance Improvement Technologies presents a collection of teaching cases that demonstrate the real-world application of digital tools for human performance enhancement across a variety of settings. Utilizing a problem-based instructional technique, the cases presented in this publication include the challenges and solutions industry professionals encounter. This publication is an essential reference source for educators, upper level students, and practitioners in the fields of human-computer interaction, organizational development, educational technology, and business management.

Author : Bert Gordijn
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 237 pages
File Size : 50,2 MB
Release : 2008-10-20
Category : Medical
ISBN : 1402088523

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As we are increasingly using new technologies to change ourselves beyond therapy and in accordance with our own desires, understanding the challenges of human enhancement has become one of the most urgent topics of the current age. This volume contributes to such an understanding by critically examining the pros and cons of our growing ability to shape human nature through technological advancements. The authors undertake careful analyses of decisive questions that will confront society as enhancement interventions using bio-, info-, neuro- and nanotechnologies become widespread in the years to come. They provide the reader with the conceptual tools necessary to address such questions fruitfully. What makes the book especially attractive is the combination of conceptual, historical and ethical approaches, rendering it highly original. In addition, the well-balanced structure allows both favourable and critical views to be voiced. Moreover, the work has a crystal clear structure. As a consequence, the book is accessible to a broad academic audience. The issues raised are of interest to a wide reflective public concerned about science and ethics, as well as to students, academics and professionals in areas such as philosophy, applied ethics, bioethics, medicine and health management.

Author : Mihail C. Roco
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 603 pages
File Size : 15,25 MB
Release : 2014-01-28
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 3319022040

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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, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Author : Mihail C. Roco
Publisher :
Page : 280 pages
File Size : 25,39 MB
Release : 2004
Category : Computers
ISBN :

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The convergence of nanoscience, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science (NBIC) offers immense opportunities for the improvement of human abilities, social outcomes, the nation's productivity, and its quality of life; it also represents a major new frontier in research and development. This conclusion was reached at a December 2001 workshop held by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Commerce in which leading experts from government, the academic research community and the private sector explored the nature and size of the potential opportunities in NBIC convergence. The report that resulted from this workshop, asserting that NBIC convergence is a broad, cross-cutting, emerging and timely opportunity of interest to individuals, society and humanity in the long term, recommended that an R&D initiative focusing on enhancing human performance (while governed by respect for human welfare and dignity) should become a national priority. The NBIC Convergence 2003 conference was organized as a first step in realizing the vision of this report. In this volume, a panel of nationally recognized experts analyzes the opportunities NBIC convergence prese