Research shows Australians are increasingly positive about nanotechnology

Australians are increasingly positive about nanotechnology, in particular its potential to improve people’s lives, according to a study by independent company Market Attitude Research Services.

Nanotechnology is the science of the very small, using materials at the scale of one ten-thousandth the width of a human hair. At this size the properties of materials can change, and they can be used to develop new products or processes - like nanoscale silver that is antimicrobial, or nano-sized medicines that can target individual cells.

Releasing the findings of a study of public attitudes towards nanotechnologies, Australia’s Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said the Gillard Labor government was working with researchers and industry to ensure the benefits of nanotechnology were realized, while ensuring any risks were identified and managed. This study is the fifth conducted since 2005 and in that time we have found the understanding of nanotechnology is increasing, he noted.