Nanotechnology is already transforming many areas of our society —from healthcare and electronics to engineering and the energy transition. Its potential to continue doing so is immense. That is why its challenges and goals must be aligned with sustainable development and policies that promote a fairer and more environmentally respectful future. This is the guiding principle behind the III Libro Blanco de las Nanotecnologías.

We are living in an era where fake news and denialist speeches are on the rise, making scientifically proven solutions to global challenges more important than ever. As Prof. Pablo Ordejón, Director of ICN2 and coordinator of the SNSSN Network, states:
“The scientific community has a duty to stand up to anti-science narratives and to provide solutions rooted in science and technology. This book represents a significant step in that direction, within the field of nanotechnology.”

Scientifically rigorous yet clearly aimed at a wider audience, the book is aimed at researchers, educators, and institutional leaders and policymakers alike. At the same time, it seeks to be a reference document for understanding how nanotechnology —from nanomaterials to quantum computing —will play a crucial role in building a more sustainable and equitable future for society.

A collaborative and multidisciplinary work

Coordinated by Jordi Díaz Marcos, Joan Mendoza Gonzálvez (CCiTUB) and Pedro A. Serena Domingo (ICMM, CSIC), the book brings together contributions from a wide range of experts within the SustainableNano – SNSSN, which connects 13 research centers. It is structured into six chapters that explore key areas where nanotechnology plays a crucial role:

• The impact of nanotechnology on science, policy and society
• The potential of nanomaterials for innovation
• The link between energy and sustainability— from catalysts to smart buildings
• Achievements and challenges related to water, the environment and agri-food systems
• Nanomedicine, with a focus on early diagnosis, personalised medicine and tissue regeneration
• Information and communication technologies (ICT) and their role in sustainable development
• The impact of nanotechnology on science, policy, and society

In addition to the Director, Pablo Ordejón, several ICN2 researchers have contributed to the publication, both as authors and chapter coordinators: Víctor Puntes, Javier Rodríguez-Viejo, Mónica Lira, Claudio Roscini, Sònia Ruiz, Jordi Fraxedas, María José Esplandiu, Neus Bastús, Inhar Imaz, Salvio Suárez, Alejandro Gómez, Juan F. Sierra, Marianna Sledzinska, Stephan Roche, and Sergio Valenzuela. Each of them has brought their expertise, covering a wide range of fields including nanomedicine, advanced materials, electronics, and quantum technologies.

In short, we can say that nanotechnology and sustainability are two key pillars which, together, hold huge potential to shape the future of both our society and our planet. According to Guillem Aromí, Director of the IN2UB and coordinator of the SNSSN network, “development can no longer be imagined without the word ‘sustainable.’ And nanotechnology plays a key role in this transformation—it’s already shaping our present with real solutions and applications”. 

Cofunded by the Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia de la Universitat de Barcelona (IN2UB) and the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (through the SNSSN Network), the III Libro Blanco de las Nanotecnologías encourages the reader to look toward the future with both responsibility and ambition, while showing how nanotechnology can—and should—be a driving force for social transformation.

Download the book now for free here!