Nanotechnology in Germany: from forecasting to technological assessment to sustainability studies

The issues of innovations and sustainability are discussed more or less separately, so that risks and potentials of new technologies for a sustainable development often fail to be detected as early as possible. This article analyses this relationship in light of the development of the nanotechnology funding strategy in Germany which was guided by an integrated approach of technology management activities. This led from technological forecasting activities, the definition of application fields and market surveys to early technological assessment activities and sustainability studies combined with communication measures. The importance of sustainability aspects grew steadily throughout this process, and the integrated approach facilitated the early detection of relevant sustainability issues to be dealt with in the future. This underlines the importance of integrating innovation measures in research funding with work on systematically assessing the sustainability potential of the new technologies.