Converging Technologies For Improving Human Performance: Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology And Cognitive Sci

This book describes the vast opportunity created by unifying science and integrating technology, and recommends transforming ideas for individuals and society. We stand at the threshold of a new renaissance in knowledge based on the structure and behavior of matter from the nanoscale up to the most complex system yet discovered, the human brain. Unification of science based on unity in nature and its holistic investigation will lead to technological convergence and a more efficient societal structure for reaching human goals. In the early decades of the twenty-first century, concentrated effort can bring together nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and new humane technologies based in cognitive science. With proper attention to ethical issues and societal needs, rapid advances in convergent technologies have the potential to enhance both human performance and productivity. Examples of payoffs will include improving work efficiency and learning, enhancing individual sensory and cognitive capabilities, revolutionary changes in healthcare, improving both individual and group efficiency, highly effective communication techniques including brain to brain interaction, perfecting human-machine interfaces, enhancing human capabilities for defense purposes, reaching sustainable development using NBIC tools, and ameliorating the physical and cognitive decline that is common to the aging mind.

This is the first book addressing the convergence of technologies in coherence with social sciences, with a focus on people. Science and technology will increasingly dominate the world, as population, resource exploitation, and potential social conflict grow. Therefore, the success of this convergent technologies priority area is seen as crucial to the future of humanity.

Table Of Contents:

Executive SummaryOverview1General Statements and Visionary Projects29AMotivation and Outlook29National Strategy towards Converging Science and Technology31Converging Technologies and Competitiveness33Vision for the Converging Technologies36Zone of Convergence Between Bio/Info/Nano Technologies: NASA's Nanotechnology Initiative55Biomedicine Eyes 202060Balancing Opportunities and Investments for NBIC67The Impact of Convergent Technologies and the Future of Business and the Economy71Coherence and Divergence of Megatrends in Science and Engineering79BExpanding Human Cognition and Communication97NBICS (Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno-Socio) Convergence to Improve Human Performance: Opportunities and Challenges101Sensor System Engineering Insights on Improving Human Cognition and Communication117Can Nanotechnology Dramatically Affect the Architecture of Future Communications Networks?120Spatial Cognition and Converging Technologies122Visual Language and Converging Technologies in the Next 10-15 Years (and Beyond)141Sociable Technologies: Enhancing Human Performance when the computer is not a tool but a companion150Socio-tech: the Predictive Science of Societal Behavior158Breaking the Limits on Design Complexity161Enhancing Personal Area Sensory and Social Communication Through Converging Technologies164The Consequences of Fully Understanding the Brain166User-Interface Olympics: Using Competition to Drive Innovation170Accelerating Convergence of Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, and Information Technology174CImproving Human Health and Physical Capabilities179Nanobiotechnology and Life Extension182The Nano-Bio Connection and Its Implication for Human Performance191Gene Therapy: Reinventing the Wheel or Useful Adjunct to Existing Paradigms?194Implications of the Continuum of Bioinformatics207Sensory replacement and sensory substitution: Overview and prospects for the future213Vision Statement: Interacting Brain224Focusing the possibilities of Nanotechnology for Cognitive Evolution and Human Performance227Science and Technology and the Triple D (Disease, Disability, Defect)232Brain-Machine Interface via a Neurovascular Approach244Human-Machine Interaction: Potential Impact of Nanotechnology in the Design of Neuroprosthetic Devices Aimed at Restoring or Augmenting Human Performance251Nanotechnology: The Merging of Diagnostics and Treatment255Artificial Brains and Natural Intelligence256Converging Technologies for Physiological Self-regulation260Improving Quality of Life of Disabled People using Converging Technologies270DEnhancing Group and Societal Outcomes275Cognition, Social Interaction, Communication and Convergent Technologies277Engineering the Science of Cognition to Enhance Human Performance281Engineering of Mind for Enhancing Human Productivity281Making Sense of the World: Convergent Technologies for Environmental Science294Fundamentally New Manufacturing Processes and Products300The Communicator: Enhancement of Group Communication, Efficiency and Creativity302Enhanced Knowledge-Based Human Organization and Social Change307A Vision for the Aircraft of the 21st Century313Memetics: A Potential New Science318ENational Security327Cognitive Readiness: An Important Research Focus for National Security330DARPA's Programs in Enhancing Human Performance337NBIC for Homeland Defense: Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Explosive (CBRE) Detection/Protection341Future Roles for Science and Technology in Counterterrorism344Nanotechnology and the Department of Defense349Advanced Military Education and Training351High-performance Warfighter352Non-Drug Treatments for Enhancement of Human Performance355Brain-Machine Interface357Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno as Enabling Technology for Uninhabited Combat Vehicles359Data Linkage and Threat Anticipation Tool361FUnifying Science and Education363Combining the Social and the Nanotech: A Model for Converging Technologies367Breadth, Depth and Academic Nano-Niches373Unifying Principles in Complex Systems380Mind Over Matter in an Era of Convergent Technologies410Converging Technology and Education for Improving Human Performance412Converging Technologies: A K-12 Education Vision416Expanding the Trading Zones for Convergent Technologies424Biological Language Modeling: Convergence of computational linguistics and biological chemistry428App. AList of Participants and Contributors439App. BIndex of Authors445App. CIndex of Topics457