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Nanotechnology for Chemical
and Biological Defense
Margaret E. Kosal
Nanotechnology for
Chemical and Biological
Defense
Margaret E. Kosal
Georgia Institute of Technology
Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
Center for International Strategy, Technology, and Policy
Atlanta, GA 30332
USA
margaret.kosal@inta.gatech.edu
ISBN 978-1-4419-0061-6
e-ISBN 978-1-4419-0062-3
DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-0062-3
Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York
Library of Congress Control Number: 2009926040
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009
All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written
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Preface
New and unpredicted technologies are emerging at an unprecedented pace around
the world. Communication of those new discoveries is occurring faster than ever,
meaning that the unique ownership of a piece of new technology is no longer a
sufficient position, if not impossible. In today’s world, recognition of the potential
applications of a technology and a sense of purpose in exploiting it are far more
important than simply having access to it.
Technological surprise has and will continue to take many forms. A plethora of
new technologies are under development for peaceful means but may have unin-
tended security consequences and will certainly require innovative countermeas-
ures. A relevant example is the tremendous development in biotechnology that has
occurred since the advent of recombinant DNA and tissue culture-based processes
in the 1970s. If US government agencies and the defense and academic communi-
ties had more clearly recognized the potential for biotechnology to affect funda-
mental security and warfighting doctrines 20 years ago, the situation today could be
very different. Defense against chemical and biological weapons – from both states
and nonstate actors – currently presents a threat that is difficult to predict and for
which traditional solutions are increasingly less effective.
Nanotechnology has emerged as a well-funded discipline that, like biotech-
nology, carries the potential for groundbreaking applications and the potential for
unpredictable harm. The world is likely 20 years away from the full impact of the
nanotechnology on defensive capabilities. Now is therefore the time to explore
the potential for new science and new breakthroughs, and now is the time to
begin the strategic thinking needed to achieve, exploit, and defend against these
discoveries.
The ability to preempt technological surprise by forward thinking is a tempting
goal. Making accurate predictions, however, is never easy and can many times be
dangerous. For these reasons, any attempt to look forward more than 20 years must
be driven by strategic concerns as well as deep knowledge, flexible thinking, and
sound tactics.
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