JOTS v41n1 - Military And National Security Implications Of Nanotechnology
Jitendra S. Tate, Sergio Espinoza, Davontae Habbit, Craig Hanks, Walk Trybula, and Dominick Fazarro
ABSTRACT
All branches of the U.S. military are currently
conducting nanotechnology research, including
the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA), Office of Naval Research
(ONR), Army Research Office (ARO), and
Air Force Office of Scientific Research
(AFOSR). The United States is currently the
leader of the development of nanotechnologybased
applications for military and national
defense. Advancements in nanotechnology
are intended to revolutionize modern warfare
with the development of applications such
as nano-sensors, artificial intelligence,
nanomanufacturing, and nanorobotics.
Capabilities of this technology include providing
soldiers with stronger and lighter battle suits,
using nano-enabled medicines for curing
field wounds, and producing silver-packed
foods with decreased spoiling rate (
Tiwari, A., Military Nanotechnology, 2004
). Although the
improvements in nanotechnology hold great
promise, this technology has the potential to pose
some risks. This article addresses a few of the
more recent, rapidly evolving, and cutting edge
developments for defense purposes. To prevent
irreversible damages, regulatory measures
must be taken in the advancement of dangerous
technological developments implementing
nanotechnology. The article introduces recent
efforts in awareness of the societal implications
of military and national security nanotechnology
as well as recommendations for national leaders.
Keywords: Nanotechnology, Implications, modern warfare
INTRODUCTION
Advances in nano-science and nanotechnology
promise to have major implications for advances
in the scientific field as well as peace for the
upcoming decades. This will lead to dramatic
changes in the way that material, medicine,
surveillance, and sustainable energy technology
are understood and created. Significant
breakthroughs are expected in human organ
engineering, assembly of atoms and molecules,
and the emergence of a new era of physics and
chemistry. Tomorrow’s soldiers will have many
challenges such as carrying self-guided missiles,
jumping over large obstacles, monitoring vital
signs, and working longer periods with sleep
deprivation. (
Altmann & Gubrud, Anticipating military nanotechnology, 2004
). This will be
achieved by controlling matter at the nanoscale
(1-100nm). A nanometer is one-billionth of a
meter. This article considers the social impact
of nanotechnology (NT) from the point of view
of the possible military applications and their
implications for national defense and arms
control. This technological evolution may
become disruptive; meaning that it will come
out of mainstream. Ideas that are coming forth
through nanotechnology are becoming very
popular and the possibilities will in practice have
profound implications for military affairs as
well as relations between nations and thinking
about war and national security (
Altmann J. , Military Uses of Nanotechnology: Perspectives and Concerns, 2004
). In this article some
of the potential applicability uses of recent
nanotechnology driven applications within the
military are introduced. This article also discusses
how the impact of a rapid technological evolution
in the military will have implications on society.
POTENTIAL MILITARY TECHNOLOGIES
Magneto rheological Fluid (MR Fluid)
A magneto-rheological-fluid is a fluid where
colloidal ferrofluids experience a body force
on the entire material that is proportional to
the magnetic field strength (
Ashour, Rogers, & Kordonsky, 1996
). This allows the status of
the fluid to change reversibly from a liquid to
solid state. Thus, the fluid becomes intelligently
controllable using the magnetic field. MR
fluid consists of a basic fluid, ferromagnetic
particles, and stabilizing additives (
Olabi & Grunwald, 2007
). The ferromagnetic particles
are typically 20-50μm in diameter whereas in
the presence of the magnetic field, the particles
align and form linear chains parallel to the field
(
Ahmadian & Norris, 2008
). Response times 21
that require impressively low voltages are being
developed. Recently, (
Ahmadian & Norris, 2008
) has shown the ability of MR fluids to handle
impulse loads and an adaptable fixing for blast
resistant and structural membranes. For military
applications, the strength of the armor will depend
on the composition of the fluid. Researchers
propose wiring the armor with tiny circuits. While current is applied through the wires, the armor
would stiffen, and while the current is turned off, the armor would revert to its liquid, flexible state. Depending on the type of particles used,
a variety of armor technology can be developed
to adapt for soldiers in different types of battle conditions. Nanotechnology could increase the
agility of soldiers. This could be accomplished by increasing mechanical properties as well as the
flexibility for battle suit technology.
Nano Robotics
Nanorobotics is a new emerging field in which machines and robotic components are created at a scale at or close to that of a nanometer. The term has been heavily publicized through science
fiction movies, especially the film industry, and has been growing in popularity. In the movie
Spiderman
, Peter Parker and Norman Osborn briefly talk about Norman’s research which involves nanotechnology that is later used in the
Green Goblin suit. Nanorobotics specifically refers to the nanotechnology engineering discipline or designing and building nano robots that are expected to be used in a military and space applications. The terms nanobots, nanoids, nanites, nanomachines or nanomites have been used
to describe these devices but do not accurately
represent the discipline. Nanorobotics includes
a system at or below the micrometer range and
is made of assemblies of nanoscale components
with dimensions ranging from 1 to 100nm
(
Weir, Sierra, & Jones, 2005
). Nanorobotics can generally be divided into two fields. The first area deals with the overall design and control of the
robots at the nanoscale. Much of the research in
this area is theoretical. The second area deals with the manipulation and/or assembly of nanoscale
components with macroscale manipulators (
Weir, Sierra, & Jones, 2005
). Nanomanipulation and
nanoassembly may play a critical role in the
development and deployment of artificial robots
that could be used for combat.
According to Mavroidis et al. ( 2013 ), nanorobots should have the following three characteristic abilities at the nano scale and in presence of a large number in a remote environment. First they should have swarm intelligence. Second the ability to self-assemble and replicate at the nanoscale. Third is the ability to have a nano to macro world interface architecture enabling instant access to the nanorobots with control and maintenance. ( Mavroidis & Ferreira, 2013 ) also states that collaborative efforts between a variety of educational backgrounds will need to work together to achieve this common objective. Autonomous nanorobots for the battlefield will be able to move in all media such as water, air, and ground using propulsion principles known for larger systems. These systems include wheels, tracks, rotor blades, wings, and jets ( Altmann & Gubrud, Military, arms control, and security aspects of nanotechnology, 2004 ). These robots will also be designed for specific military tasks such as reconnaissance, communication, target destination, and sensing capabilities. Self-assembling nanorobots could possibly act together in high numbers, blocking windows, putting abrasives into motors and other machines, and other unique tasks.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a vast emerging
field that can be very thought provoking. AI has
been seen recently in a number of movies and
television shows that have predicted what the
possibility of an advanced intelligence could
do to our society. This intellect could possibly
outperform human capabilities in practically
every field from scientific research to social
interactions. Aspirations to surpass human
capabilities include tennis, baseball, and other
daily tasks demanding motion and common
sense reasoning (Kurzweil, 2005). Examples
where AI could be seen include chess playing,
theorem proving, face and speech recognition,
and natural language understanding. AI has been
an active and dynamic field of research and
development since its establishment in 1956 at
the Dartmouth Conference in the United States
(
Cantu-Ortiz, 2014
). In past decades, this has led
to the development of smart systems, including
phones, laptops, medical instruments, and
navigation software.
One problem with AI is that people are coming to a conclusion about its capabilities too soon. Thus, people are becoming afraid of the probability that an artificial intelligent system could possibly expand and turn on the human race. True artificial intelligence is still very far from becoming “alive” due to our current technology. Nanotechnology might advance AI research and development. In nanotechnology, there is a combination of physics, chemistry and engineering. AI relies most heavily on biological influence as seen genetic algorithm mutations, rather than chemistry or engineering. Bringing together nanosciences and AI can boost a whole new generation of information and communication technologies that will impact our society. This could be accomplished by successful convergences between technology and biology ( Sacha & P., 2013 ). Computational power could be exponentially increased in current successful AI based military decision behavior models as seen in the following examples.
Expert Systems
Artificial intelligence is currently being used
and evolving in expert systems (ES). An ES
is an “intelligent computer program that uses
knowledge and interference procedures to solve
problems that are difficult enough to require
significant human expertize to their solution”
(
Mellit & Kalogirou, 2008
). Results early on in
its development have shown that this technology
can play a significant impact in military
applications. Weapon systems, surveillance, and
complex information have created numerous
complications for military personnel. AI and
ES can aid commanders in making decisions
faster than before in spite of limitations on
manpower and training. The field of expert
systems in the military is still a long way from
solving the most persistent problems, but early
on research demonstrated that this technology
could offer great hope and promise (
Franklin, Carmody, Keller, Levitt, & Buteau, 1988
). Mellit
et al. argues that an ES is not a program but a
system. This is because the program contains
a variety of different components such as a
knowledge base, interference mechanisms, and
explanation facilities. Therefore they have been
built to solve a range of problems that can be
beneficial to military applications. This includes
the prediction of a given situation, planning
which can aid in devising a sequence of actions
that will achieve a set goal, and debugging and
repair-prescribing remedies for malfunctions.
Genetic Algorithms
Artificial intelligence with genetic algorithms
(GA) can tackle complex problems through the
process of initialization, selection, crossover, and
mutation. A GA repeatedly modifies a population
of artificial structures in order to adjust for a
specific problem (Prelipcean et al., 2010). In
this population, chromosomes evolve over a
number of generations through the application
of genetic operations. This evolution process of
the GA allows for the most elite chromosomes
to survive and mate from one generation to
the next. Generally, the GA will include three
genetic operations of selection, crossover, and
mutation. This is currently being applied to
solving problems in military vehicle scheduling
at logistic distribution centers.
Nanomanufacturing
Nanomanufacturing is the production of
materials and components with nanoscale
features that can span a wide range of unique
capabilities. At the nanoscale, matter is manufactured at lengthscales of 1-100nm with
precise size and control. The manufacturing of parts can be done with the “bottom up” from
nano sized materials or “top down” process for
high precision. Manufacturing at the nanoscale
could produce new features, functional
capabilities, and multi-functional properties.
Nanomanufacturing is distinguished from
nanoprocessing, and nanofabrication,
whereas nanomanufacturing must address
scalability, reliability and cost effectiveness (
Cooper & Ralph, 2011
). Military applications will need to be very tough and sturdy but at
the same time very reliable for use in harsh
environments with the extreme temperatures,
pressure, humidity, radiation, etc. The use of nano enabled materials and components
increase the military’s in-mission success. Eventually, these new nanotechnologies will be transferred for commercial and
public use. Cooper et al. makes known how
nanomanufacuring is a multi-disciplinary
effort that involves synthesis, processing and fabrication. There are however a great number of challenges that as well as opportunities in
nanomanufacturing R&D such as;
- Predictions from first principles of the progress and kinetics of nanosynthesis and nano-assembly processes.
- 23 Understand and control the nucleation and growth of nanomaterial and nanostructures and asses the effects of catalysts, crystal orientation, chemistry, etc. on growth rates and morphologies.
R&D IN THE USA
The USA is proving to have a lead in military research and development in nanotechnology. Research spans under umbrella of applications related to defense capabilities. NNI has provided funds in which one quarter to one third goes to the department of defense – in 2003, $ 243 million of $774 million. This is far more than any country and the US expenditure would be five times the sum of all the rest of the world ( Altmann & Gubrud, Military, arms control, and security aspects of nanotechnology, 2004 ).
INITIATIVES
The National Nanotechnology Initiative
The National Nanotechnology Initiative
(NNI) was unveiled by President Clinton in a
speech that he gave on science and technology
policy in January of 2000 where he called for
an initiative with funding levels around 500
million dollars (
Roco & Bainbridge, 2001
). The initiative had five elements. The first was to increase support for fundamental research. The second was to pursue a set of grand challenges.
The third was to support a series of centers of
excellence. The fourth was to increase support for research infrastructure. The fifth is to think about the ethical, economic, legal and social
implications and to address the education and
training of nanotechnology workforce (
Roco & Bainbridge, 2001
). NNI brings together the
expertise needed to advance the potential of
nanotechnology across the nation.
ISN at MIT
The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies
(ISN) initiated at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology in 2002 (
Bennet-Woods, 2008
).
The mission of ISN is to develop battlesuit
technology that will increase soldier
survivability, protection, and create new methods
of detecting toxic agents, enhancing situational
awareness, while decreasing battle suit weight
and increasing flexibility.
ISN research is organized into five strategic areas (SRA) designed to address broad strategic challenges facing soldiers. The first is developing lightweight, multifunctional nanostructured materials. Here nanotechnology is being used to develop soldier protective capabilities such as sensing, night vision, communication, and visible management. Second is soldier medicine – prevention, diagnostics, and far-forward care. This SRA will focus on research that would enable devices to aid casualty care for soldiers on the battle field. Devices would be activated by qualified personnel, the soldier, or autonomous. Eventually, these devices will find applications in medical hospitals as well. Third is blast and ballistic threats – materials damage, injury mechanisms, and lightweight protection. This research will focus on the development of materials that will provide for better protection against many forms of mechanical energy in the battle field. New protective material design will decrease the soldier’s risk of trauma, casualty, and other related injuries. The fourth SRA is hazardous substances sensing. This research will focus on exploring advanced methods of molecularly complicated hazardous substances that could be dangerous to soldiers. This would include food-borne pathogens, explosives, viruses and bacteria. The fifth and final is nanosystems integration –flexible capabilities in complex environments. This research focuses on the integration of nano-enabled materials and devices into systems that will give the soldier agility to operate in different environments. This will be through capabilities to sense toxic chemicals, pressure, and temperature, and allow groups of soldiers to communicate undetected (Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies).
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The purpose of country’s armed forces is to provide protection from foreign threats and from internal conflict. On the other hand, they may also harm a society by engaging in counter- productive warfare or serving as an economic burden. Expenditures on science and technology to develop weapons and systems sometimes produces side benefits, such as new medicines, technologies, or materials. Being ahead in military technology provides an important advantage in armed conflict. Thus, all potential opponents have a strong motive for military research and development. From the perspective of international security and arms control it appears that in depth studies of the social science of these implications has hardly begun. Warnings about this emerging technology have been sounded against excessive promises made too soon. The public may be too caught up with a “nanohype” ( Gubrud & Altmann, 2002 ). It is essential to address questions of possible dangers arising from military use of nanotechnology and its impacts on national security. Their consequences need to be analyzed.
NT and Preventative Arms Control
Background
The goal of preventive arms control is to limit
how the development of future weapons could
create horrific situations, as seen in the past
world wars. A qualitative method here is to
design boundaries which could limit the creation
of new military technologies before they are
ever deployed or even thought of. One criterion
regards arms control and how the development
of military and surveillance technologies
could go beyond the limits of international law
warfare and control agreements. This could
include autonomous fighting war machines
failing to define combatants of either side and
Biological weapons could possibly give terrorist
circumvention over existing treaties (
Altmann & Gubrud, Military, arms control, and security aspects of nanotechnology, 2004
). The second
criterion is to prevent destabilization of the
military situation which emerging technologies
could make response times in battle much
faster. Who will strike first? The third criterion,
according to Altman & Gubrud, is how to
consider unintended hazards to humans, the
environment, and society. Nanoscience is paving
the way for smaller more efficient systems
which could leak into civilian sectors that could
bring risks to human health and personal data.
Concrete data on how this will affect humans or
the environment is still uncertain.
Arms Control Agreements
The development of smaller chemical or
biological weapons that may contain less to
no metal could potentially violate existing
international laws of warfare by becoming
virtually undetectable. Smaller weapons could
fall into categories that would undermine peace
treaties. The manipulation of these weapons
by terrorist could give a better opportunity to
select specific targets for assassination. Anti-
satellite attacks by smaller more autonomous
satellites could potentially destabilize the space
situation. Therefore a comprehensive ban on
space weapons should be established (
Altmann & Gubrud, 2002
). Autonomous robots with a
degree of artificial intelligence will potentially
bring great problems. The ability to identify
a soldiers current situation such as a plea
for surrender, a call for medical attention, or
illness is a a very complicated tasks that to an
extent requires human intelligence. This could
potentially violate humanitarian law.
Stability
New weapons could pressure the military to
prevent attacks by pursuing the development
of new technologies faster. This could lead to an arms race with other nations trying to
attain the same goal. Destabilization may
occur through faster action, and more available
nano systems. Vehicles will become much lighter and will be used for surveillance. This will significantly reduce time to acquire a
targets location. Medical devices implanted in soldiers’ bodies will enable the release of drugs that influence mood and response times. For
example, an implant that attaches to the brains
nervous system could give the possibility to
reduce reaction time by processing information
much faster than usual (
Altmann & Gubrud, Anticipating military nanotechnology, 2004
). Artificial intelligence based genetic algorithms
could make tactical decisions much faster
through computational power by adapting
to a situations decision. Nano robots could
eavesdrop, manipulate or even destroy targets while at the same time being undetected
(
Altmann J. , Military Uses of Nanotechnology: Perspectives and Concerns, 2004
).
Environment Society & Humans
Human beings have always been exposed to
natural reoccurring nanomaterials in nature.
These particles may enter the human body
through respiration, and ingestion (
Bennet- Woods, 2008
). Little been known about how
manufactured nanoscale materials will have
an impact to the environment. Jerome (2005)
argues that nanomaterials used for military
uniforms could break of and enter the body
and environment. New materials could destroy
species of plants and animal. Fumes from fuel
additives could be inhaled by military personnel.
Contaminant due to weapon blasts could lead
to diseases such as cancer or leukemia due
to absorption through the skin or inhalation.
Improper disposal of batteries using nano
particles could also affect a wide variety of
species. An increase in nanoparticle release into
the environment could be aided by waste streams
from military research facilities. Advanced
nuclear weapons that are miniaturized may leave
large areas of soil contaminated with radioactive
materials. There is an increase in toxicity as
the particle size decrease which could cause
unknown environmental changes. Bennet-woods
(
2008
) argues that there is great uncertainty
in which the way nano materials will degrade
under natural conditions and interact with local
organisms in the environment.
Danger to society could greatly be affected due to self-replicating, mutating, mechanical or biological plagues. In the event that these intelligent nano systems were to be unleashed, they could potentially attack the physical world. There are a number of applications that will be developed with nanotechnology that could potentially crossover from the military to national security that can harm the civilian sector ( Bennet-Woods, 2008 ). There is a heightened awareness that new technologies will allow for a more efficient access to personal privacy and autonomy ( Roco & Bainbridge, 2005 ). Concerns regarding artificial intelligence acquiring a vast amount of personal data, voice recognition, and financial data will also arise. Implantable brain devices, intended for communication, raise concerns for actually observing and manipulating thoughts. Some of the most feared risks due to nanotechnology in the society are the loss of privacy ( Flagg, 2005 ). Nano sensors developed for the battlefield could be used for eavesdropping and tracking of citizens by state agencies. This could lead to improvised warfare or terrorism. Bennet-Woods ( 2008 ) argues that there should be an outright ban on nanoenabled tracking and surveillance devices for any purpose.
Nanotechnology in combination with biotechnology and medicine raise concerns regarding human safety. This includes nanoscale drugs that may allow for improvements in terrorism alongside more efficient soldiers for combat. Bioterrorism could greatly be improved through nano-engineered drugs and chemicals ( Milleson, 2013 ). Body implants could be used by soldiers to provide for better fighting efficiency but in the society, the extent in which the availability of body manipulation will have to be debated at large ( Altmann J. , Nanotechnology and preventive arms control, 2005 ). Brain implanted stimulates could become addictive and lead to health defects. The availability of body and brain implants could have negative effects during peace time. Milleson ( 2013 ) argues that there is fear that this technology could destabilize the human race, society, and family. Thus, the use in society should be delayed for at least a decade.
CONCLUSIONS
Nanoscience will lead to a revolutionary development of new materials, medicine, surveillance, and sustainable energy. Many applications could arrive in the next decade. The US is currently in the lead in nanoscience research and development. This equates to roughly five times the sum of all the rest of world. It is essential to address the potential risks that cutting edge military applications will have on warfare and civilian sector. There is a potential for mistrust in areas where revolutionary changes are expected. There are many initiatives by federal agencies, industry, and academic institutions pertaining to nanotechnology applications in military and national security. Preventive measures should be coordinated early on among national leaders. Scientists propose for national leaders to follow general guidelines. There shall be no circumvention of existing treaties as well as a ban on space weapons. Autonomous robots should be greatly restricted. Due to rapidly advancing capabilities, a technological arms race should be prevented at all costs. Nanomaterials could greatly harm humans and their environment therefore nations should work together to address safety protocols. The national nanotechnology of different nations should build confidence in addressing the social implications and preventive arms control from this technological revolution.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The material herein is developed under NSFNUE (Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education) award #1242087, NUE: NanoTRA- Texas Regional Alliance to foster ‘Nanotechnology Environment, Health, and Safety Awareness’ in tomorrow’s Engineering and Technology Leaders. Authors highly appreciate all help from program manager, Ms. Mary Poats.
Dr. Jitendra S. Tate is an Associate Professor of Manufacturing Engineering at the Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University, San Marcos.
Mr. Sergio Espinoza received his Baccalaureate in Manufacturing Engineering at Texas State University, San Marcos in 2014.
Mr. Davontae Habbit is an undergraduate manufacturing engineering major with an emphasis on mechanical systems at Texas State University, San Marcos.
Dr. Craig Hanks is professor in the Department of Philosophy, Texas State University, San Marcos. Dr. Walt Trybula is an adjunct professor in the Ingram School of Engineering at Texas State University, San Marcos.
Dr. Dominick E. Fazarro is an associate professor in the Department of Human Resource Development and Technology, University of Texas at Tyler. He is a Member- at-large of Epsilon Pi Tau.
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