Why use the NanoMeter?

Nanotechnologies (NT) raise high expectations to deliver great benefits while at the same time potential impacts (e.g. in the area of health, environment etc.) are largely unknown. Although the development of NT-based applications involves many societal aspects that are critical for its market success, these are not part of conventional application assessment even though public funding institutions increasingly require information on societal and sustainability implications.

This is where the NanoMeter comes in.

The NanoMeter…

• assists you in identifying societal aspects that are critical for NT-based applications currently under development
• stimulates the consideration of these aspects, which can be most critical to an application’s success, but are commonly not part of comprehensive early assessment
• helps to consider additional benefits of your application that can be further strengthened and communicated
• highlights potential risks and gives illustrative examples on where they can occur
• forms a good starting point to structure your internal discussion on societal issues
• can serve as meaningful framework to address societal issues that are increasingly relevant for the acquisition of public R&D funding
• gives you a first indication of how the public might perceive and accept your application