Humboldt-Kolleg 2016

(See also Humboldt-Kolleg 2016 main page here)

Humboldt-Kolleg

NANO-2016: Ethical, Ecological and Social Problems of Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies

in Chişinău, Republic of Moldova (11.-14. May 2016)

Rapid development of one of the breaking-through area of human activity “Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies” during past 15 years (the first in the world National Program in Nanotechnologies was announced in USA in 2000) one can compare only with the development of nuclear energy problem in last century. After the world-wide euphoria: - “Nanotechnologies can resolve all problems of humankind!” (the opinion, which was spread out not only by journalists, but also by experts), now days came understanding of a high complexity of this multilateral problem.

Nanotechnologies and human society, Nanotechnologies and Environment, Nanotechnologies and food production and human health – from that point of view, some of the “hot questions” which appeared recently are:

What kind of negative tendencies and threats appeared in the area of Nanotechnologies?

What kind of influence that tendencies have shown on the human life and on the environment?

Which methods/approaches/ideas can be used for improvement of the situation?

What can we do, Humboldians and Humboldt-Associations, for changing that negative tendencies, and to attract young researchers for investigation of the novel challenges and threats?

Last 10 years in Moldova it was gained an extended experience in development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies in a tight collaboration with experts from leading research Centers of Europe and USA, it was approved National Program in Nanotechnologies (in 2004), created Institute of Electronic Engineering and Nanotechnologies (in 2006), it was organized several international Symposiums in this area. Fruitful discussions with colleagues (with Prof. Thomas Schimmel, editor-in–chief of Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology; with Prof. Horst Hahn, director of Institute of Nanotechnology of KIT, Karlsruhe; with Prof. Rudolf Gross, director of Walther-Meissner Institute, Garching; with Prof. Berndt Keimer, director of Max-Plank Institute, Stuttgart; with Prof. Fritz Frimmel, DVGW - Research Center for Water Technology, KIT, Karlsruhe, and with Prof. Mihail C. Roco, the author of the National Program on Nanotechnology of USA) – highlighted the necessity to discuss not only the technical advantages and a revolutionary applications of Nanotechnologies in all domains of human activities, but also several unexpected or negative aspects of the massive introduction of nanomaterials in human life.

With the aim to discuss in details the risen problems and for seeking of the optimal ways and methods for their resolving, a multidisciplinary Humboldt-Kolleg “NANO-2016” with the motto: “Ethical, Ecological and Social Problems of Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies” is to be organized in Mai 2016.

The program of the Humboldt Kolleg will consist of plenary talks (30 min) of leading, world-wide known researchers and oral reports (15 min) devoted to the novel problems of Nanoscience&Nanotechnologies, with additional poster sessions with participation of young researchers. The sittings are planned to be organized in the frame of following main sections:

- Ethical problems of implementation of Nanotechnologies in bioengineering, gen-engineering, prenatal treatment and anti-cancer treatment;

- Philosophical aspects of the NANO-Techno-Science;

- Ecological problems of nanomaterials circulation and their influence on the environment and human health;

- Problems of recycling of dangerous nanoparticles and nanomaterials;

- Social aspects of Nanotechnologies implementation.

Special session is planned:

- Cooperation with Research Centers of Germany in Nanoscience in frame of various programs - AvH, DAAD, BMBF, DFG, WTZ, HORIZON-2020.

In additional, a round table with a panel discussion “Networking of Collaboration – experience and forms” are planned.

The meeting will be organized within a three and half working days, enabling and promoting group discussions and round-tables for exchange of experience among participants and elaboration of the summing-up document – Memorandum. It is planned participation of 50 Humboldtians from Germany, France, Poland, Hungary, Chehia, Ukraine, Belorussia, Russia, Romania, Morocco, Jordan, Moldova; 3 invited colleagues from Germany, 30 “others” and 30 young researchers. The total number of participants to be invited is 110-120 persons.

Summarizing the gained information, Proceedings of the Kolleg and the poster “Ethical, Ecological and Social Problems of Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies” are planned to be published and disseminated among the Humboldt-Associations.

Fulfilment of the goals of the proposed Humboldt Kolleg should also attract young researchers and to motivate them for intensive scientific collaboration with colleagues from Germany and for application to the AvH-scholarship.

Download tentative program here.

Organizers of the Humboldt Kolleg:

Humboldt Club Moldova, Institute of Electronic Enginering and Nanotechnologies ASM, Institute of Applied Physics ASM, Moldavian Physical Society, Moldavian Chemical Society, Union of Science and Engineering Societies of Moldova, University of ASM.