Nanomaterials: towards a new industrial revolution?

The industrialised society of the 20^th century was built on an unprecedented voracity for the consumption of materials which came about thanks to an energy paradigm in which everything seemed to be inexhaustible, but which in fact has a high environmental cost. At the dawn of the 21^st century, clear evidence exists of the urgent need to introduce new, more sustainable paradigms for energy and manufacturing, at the same time as our communication needs and our desire to better our quality of life are increasing. Today’s challenges are probably the greatest we have ever had to face. Can we meet the material and energy needs of a population which, by the mid-21^st century, will have risen to some 10 billion people, all aspiring to a high quality of life, and at the same time without destroying our natural environment? In short, can we do more with less, and for everyone in the world?

The 20^th century has given us the best tool with which to tackle these massive challenges: scientific knowledge, which, with its transversal nature, allows us to create previously unimaginable synergies. This is precisely the field in which nanoscience and nanotechnology operate. The nanomaterials that are now being created will enable us to move towards creating new paradigms in which the maximum advantage can be taken from the processes being developed at the atomic and molecular scale, thereby facilitating manufacturing with the maximum saving of materials and energy. Are we at the gates of a new Neolithic age, a new industrial revolution?

In this presentation, the speaker will discuss the most spectacular breakthroughs that are currently taking place in the field of nanomaterials, as well as analysing how these will enable us to tackle the aforementioned challenges. It goes without saying that in order for nanomaterials to become important actors in this new challenge, maximum efficiency will be required in transferring the knowledge generated, so as to successfully innovate and embark on the journey into this new age of industrial manufacturing.

Cycle: CHALLENGES OF THE 21st CENTURY - VII THE VOICE OF DISCOVERIES: DISCOVERING, INNOVATING, TRANSFERRING KNOWLEDGE

Organized by: Residence for Researchers