Taylor & Francis Emerging Technologies: Socio-Behavioral Life Cycle Approaches

Traditional Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodologies affect the public health and environmental impacts from a material, product, process or activity. The authors of this book suggest that a more holistic approach that incorporates societal and behavioral dimensions will create better results. They discuss how to develop an adaptive framework that would include a wider range of perspectives and disciplines. The book will also include discussions about "Technological Black Swans," trading zones, ethics, behavioral nanotechnology, governance, risk, green design, tools for practitioners, and conclude with a chapter presenting a "strategic outlook." Review "Fact or fiction? This book is a great introduction to social behavior and the science aspects of technology-orientated people like me. The first two chapters present plausible fictional role-playing scenarios of the decisions the public could encounter when nanotechnology comes into their homes.The other chapters provide in-depth novel approaches on how to look at future impacts of nanotechnology that will impact a variety of stakeholders."―Prof. Paul Westerhoff, Arizona State University, USA"The last century has witnessed the evolution of technologies from vacuum tubes to semiconductors to nanomaterials. Unlike previous technologies, the spiral on innovations in nanotechnology has demonstrated unique applications that were previously impossible to attain by other means. Yet, there is growing concern about environmental impacts of nanomaterials, and thus the subject of life cycle analysis of nanomaterials and products employing nanomaterials is extremely engaging. The book by Gorman, Savage, and Street is very timely as it deals with topics as indispensable as water, mining, human health, to name just a few. The various contributions in this edited volume provide a well-balanced view and critical life cycle analysis of nanomaterials, which is useful for technologists, policy makers, and concerned citizens."―Prof. Ashok Vaseashta, Institute for Advanced Sciences Convergence & Int'l Clean Water Institute, NUARI, VA, USA and VTT/AVC, U.S. Department of State, Washington DC, USA About the Author Nora Savage is an environmental engineer at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, DC, in the Office of Research and Development (ORD). Her focus areas include nanotechnology, pollution prevention, and life cycle approaches for emerging technologies. Michael E. Gorman is a professor in the Department of Engineering & Society at the University of Virginia, USA, where he teaches courses on ethics, invention, psychology of science and communication. His research focuses on social psychology of science and technology, including collaborations among scientists, engineers, social scientists and ethicists. Anita Street is a program analyst in the Science and Technology Division within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). She is an environmental scientist by training and has spent 18 years with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Her areas of interest and expertise include nanotechnology, sustainability, resource depletion, and advanced manufacturing as they relate to energy, economic, and national security.