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Milestones & Moving Forward

"The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology is a uniquely effective contributor to understanding of crucial issues."
       — K. Eric Drexler

Milestones, 2002-2005
Selected Accomplishments from CRN's First Three Years

Dec 2002: The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology is established as a non-profit research and advocacy organization to "raise awareness of the issues presented by advanced nanotechnology: the benefits and dangers, and the possibilities for responsible use."

Feb 2003: We publish "Safe Utilization of Advanced Nanotechnology," the first CRN position paper.

Jun 2003: CRN forms a Board of Advisors, including José Cordeiro, Eric Drexler, Jerry Glenn, Lisa Hopper, Doug Mulhall, Rosa Wang, and Sinclair Wang (no relation).

Oct 2003: "Three Systems of Action," our second major position paper, is presented at an international nanotechnology conference in Darmstadt, Germany.

Oct 2003: "Design of a Primitive Nanofactory," by CRN research director Chris Phoenix, is published in a peer-reviewed journal. The article is later featured in Information Week, March 21, 2005 issue.

Dec 2003: Chris Phoenix makes a presentation to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science Advisory Board in Washington, DC.

Jan 2004: We launch our blog, Responsible Nanotechnology. To date, we have posted more than 800 articles, and received nearly 5000 comments.

Feb 2004: CRN is honored by Nanotechnology Now as "Best Advocate" and "Best of the Best" for 2003.

Mar 2004: Arizona State University's Center for the Study of Law, Science, and Technology begins a collaborative research project with CRN.

May 2004: CRN publishes "Thirty Essential Studies."

May 2004: Chris Phoenix is a session chair and featured speaker on nanotechnology at the Life Spring Forum in Dalian, China.

Aug 2004: Chris Phoenix, with co-author Eric Drexler, publishes "Safe Exponential Manufacturing" in the journal Nanotechnology. The article is covered by BBC News, C&E News, and others.

Sep 2004: Chris Phoenix is awarded a research grant from the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts. In Aug 2005, results of this research are featured on NASA's website.

Oct 2004: CRN executive director Mike Treder delivers a keynote speech at an international seminar on nanotechnology, in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Feb 2005: CRN executive director Mike Treder participates in an Expert Group Meeting in Trieste, Italy, sponsored by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Feb 2005: Upon request, we prepare a series of white papers for the Congressionally mandated NAS/NRC study on "Molecular Self-Assembly." Chris Phoenix is an invited panelist for the NRC meeting.

Jul 2005: Portions of this website are translated into Russian, joining our Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese translations.

Jul 2005: CRN participates in an exclusive small gathering of nanotechnology policy experts convened in Vermont by the Terasem Foundation.

Aug 2005: CRN announces the formation of a new Global Task Force to study the societal implications of advanced nanotechnology. Charter members are Nick Bostrom, David Brin, Jerome Glenn, Ray Kurzweil, and Glenn Reynolds.

Oct 2005: CRN's Responsible Nanotechnology weblog is chosen as one of the Top 100 technology-oriented blogs by CNET News.

Nov 2005: CRN executive director Mike Treder gives a talk at Yale University's Institute for Social and Policy Studies, on "Transforming Society: Ethical Issues in the Nanotech Revolution."

"Nanotechnology Now supports the efforts of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology. Help prepare for tomorrow by supporting CRN today."
        — Rocky Rawstern, Editor, Nanotechnology Now

 
Moving Forward
2006 and Beyond

We are proud of everything we have accomplished so far, but also mindful that greater challenges await us in the years to come. This is important work that few others are doing.

Our current priorities:

Research, including 1) the work of the CRN Global Task Force on Implications and Policy, and 2) further development of the Wise-Nano collaborative web-based research project.

Outreach, including 1) presentations at conferences and seminars, and 2) publishing the findings of CRN and the CRN Task Force, so we can reach decision makers effectively.

Development, including 1) establishment of a communication and collaboration web application for the CRN Task Force, 2) improvement of the main CRN website, and 3) funding for specialized professionals to assist in our growth.

How you can help:
The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology is and always has been an entirely volunteer organization. CRN has no paid positions and reimburses no expenses. Our principals, Chris Phoenix and Mike Treder, each have taken extended unpaid leaves of absence from their professional careers to dedicate their time to this cause.

Recent technical steps toward molecular manufacturing make the work of CRN more important than ever. It is critical that we examine the global implications of this rapidly emerging technology, and begin designing wise and effective solutions.

But it won't be easy. We need to grow, and rapidly, to meet the expanding challenge. If you share our belief that CRN needs to keep this dialogue and research moving ahead, we would welcome your participation.
 
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bulletRead and comment on our blog
bulletMake a donation to CRN

Thank you!

 

             
CRN was a non-profit research and advocacy organization, completely dependent on small grants and individual contributions.

             

Copyright © 2002-2008 Center for Responsible Nanotechnology TM        CRN was an affiliate of World Care®, an international, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.