Nanotechnology is one of the fastest-growing areas of research, with federal funding in the U.S. having almost quadrupled since 2001. And the Wilson Center’s Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies already tracks over 500 commercial applications that are currently on the market, including waterproof sunscreen, stain-resistant clothing, and high-performance sports equipment. When forming attitudes about nanotechnology, the U.S. public, at least for now, seems to focus mostly on these novel applications and their potential benefits and is not particularly interested in or concerned about the potential risks of the new technology
