Spotlight November 2020: Nanotechnology in the public perception

Home > Spotlight November 2020: Nanotechnology in the public perception

In November, we would like to draw your attention to a publication that examines public perception of the safety of nanomaterials in Austria.It shows, that although there is generally a rather positive attitude towards nanomaterials, there are different opinions on safety issues from different social groups. Further clarification seems necessary.

Despite the widespread use of nanomaterials in everyday life, consumer knowledge of the functions, benefits and potential risks of nanotechnology is still limited. As with any developing technology, their public perception has direct implications for future policy and needs to be taken into account by both academia and industry. Within the interdisciplinary research project “Nan-O-Style”, an online survey was conducted with an approach guided by the citizen science community. The main objective was to evaluate the current state of knowledge and attitudes towards nanotechnology in the general Austrian public and to determine how different socio-demographic factors can influence them.

Although Austrians generally have an optimistic and positive attitude towards nanotechnology, there are still concerns about its safety and possible risks. Participants expressed a strong desire for more information about nanotechnology and its applications, as well as for clear labeling and transparency of products containing nanomaterials. A consideration of various sociological factors was also made.

Original Publication::

Isabella A. Jouberta, Mark Gepperta, Stefanie Essa, Reinhard Nestelbacherb, Gabriele Gadermaiera, Albert Duschla, Arne C. Bathkec, Martin Himlya (2020) Public perception and knowledge on nanotechnology: A study based on a citizen science approach. NanoImpact 17. doi.org/10.1016/j.impact.2019.100201

Spotlight November 2020: Nanotechnology in the public perception

Weitere Spotlights


Spotlight February 2023: New sustainable and promising method to give cotton textiles an antiviral and antibacterial finish

Spotlight February 2023: New sustainable and promising method to give cotton textiles an antiviral and antibacterial finish

Textiles have been the subject of research into functionalization for many years, especially also to repel bacteria and viruses. Since the development of nanotechnological processes, there have been many attempts to incorporate UV protection with nano-titanium dioxide, or to provide textiles with anti-bacterial properties with nanosilver (see cross-sectional text “Nanoparticles in Textiles”). But nanosilver has […]

Read more

Spotlight June 2022: From small to clever – What does the future hold for the safety and sustainability of advanced materials?

Spotlight June 2022: From small to clever – What does the future hold for the safety and sustainability of advanced materials?

The smallest particles in materials research, nanoparticles, have occupied us intensively for more than 20 years to elucidate and further investigate their safety for humans and the environment. Now, however, the development is going from “small = nano” to “clever = advanced”, as discussed in a contribution by international scientists. Thereby, it is a great […]

Read more

Spotlight January 2021: Nanoplastics challenge – How to improve tracking of nanopolystyrene distribution in the environment.

Spotlight January 2021: Nanoplastics challenge – How to improve tracking of nanopolystyrene distribution in the environment.

In January, we present a paper published in the Nature Journal communications materials. The article focuses on the development of a new detection method of nanopolystyrene. The method not only makes it possible to detect nanoplastics in the environment for the first time, but also to determine their accumulation in plants and animals. Nanoplastics, which […]

Read more

Spotlight August 2022: Three-stage model for the formation of micro- and nanoplastic particles.

Spotlight August 2022: Three-stage model for the formation of micro- and nanoplastic particles.

Plastic pollution is a global problem that will continue to affect humanity for more than 100 years. There is the visible pollution, e.g. plastic debris in the environment, which leads to death for many animals (because they mistakenly think the plastic is food and eat it or because they get caught in the plastic waste). […]

Read more

Skip to content