This book is based on the lectures and contributions of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on “Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Security and Protection Against CBRN Threats” held in Sozopol, Bulgaria, September 2019. It gives a broad overview on this topic as it combines articles addressing the preparation and characterization of different nanoscaled materials (metals, oxides, glasses, polymers, carbon-based, etc.) in the form of nanowires, nanoparticles, nanocomposites, nanodots, thin films, etc. and contributions on their applications in diverse security and safety related fields. In addition, it presents an interdisciplinary approach drawing on the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology know-how of authors from Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science and Biology. A further plus-point of the book, which represents the knowledge of experts from over 20 countries, is the combination of longer papers introducing the background on a certain topic, and brief contributions highlighting specific applications in different security areas.
This book focuses on threats, especially contaminants, to drinking water and the supply system, especially in municipalities but also in industrial and even residential settings. The safety, security, and suitability landscape can be described as dynamic and complex stemming from necessity and hence culpability due to the emerging threats and risks, vis-a-vis globalization resulting in new forms of contaminants being used due to new technologies. The book provides knowledge and guidance for engineers, scientists, designers, researchers, and students who are involved in water, sustainability, and study of security issues. This book starts out with basics of water usage, current statistics, and an overview ofwater resources. The book then introduces different scenarios of safety and security and areas that researchers need to focus. Following that, the book presents different types of contaminants – inadvertent, intentional, or incidental. The next section presents different methodologies of contamination sensing/detection and remediation strategies as per guidance and standards set globally. The book then concludes with selected chapters on water management, including critical infrastructure that is critical to maintaining safe water supplies to cities and municipalities. Each chapter includes descriptive information for professionals in their respective fields. The breadth of chapters offers insights into how science (physical, natural, and social) and technology can support new developments to manage the complexity resident within the evolving threat and risk landscape.
The preparation and characterization of various nano-scaled materials and their applications in diverse security and safety- related fields. Readers are provided with a broad overview on the topic as it combines articles addressing the preparation and characterization of different nano-scaled materials (metals, oxides, glasses, polymers, carbon-based, etc.). The contributions derive from the lectures and contributions of the NATO Advanced Study Institute meeting “Nanoscience Advances in CBRN Agents Detection, Information and Energy Security” held in Sozopol, Bulgaria, 29 May - 6 June, 2014. In addition, it presents an interdisciplinary approach, utilizing Nanoscience and Nanotechnology research from different disciplines including; physics, chemistry, engineering, materials science and biology. A major advantage of this book, which represents the knowledge of experts from 20 countries, is the combination of longer papers introducing the basic knowledge on a certain topic, and brief contributions highlighting specific applications in different security areas.
Recent technological advances have transformed the sectors of security and defense. While creating challenges for NATO and its partner countries, this has also led to opportunities. Technology has facilitated the emergence of new and unprecedented threats, as terrorists and other non-NATO state actors utilize new technologies to exploit personal data, gather and misuse information and devise new methods. On the other hand, AI technology in particular has the potential to detect cyber intrusions, predict terrorist acts and contribute to the development of better surveillance and reconnaissance systems and more effective responses. It is therefore of vital importance that NATO and its partners keep their knowledge of these modern technologies up to date. This book presents papers from the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) entitled: Practical Applications of Advanced Technologies for Enhancing Security and Defense Capabilities: Perspectives and Challenges for the Western Balkans, held online from 14 to 21 October 2021. The main objective of the ARW was to explore the application of advanced technology for security and defense purposes and explore the development of strategies for regional cooperation between public, academic and private actors. The book also covers the legal, technical and ethical challenges which can emerge in the deployment of AI and other advanced technologies in the defense and security sectors. The book will be of interest to all those seeking a better understanding of the technical aspects of the threat environment and responses in the region and wishing to explore the use of AI and other advanced technologies in counter terrorism.
Amplified by a volatile security environment, technology and globalization, terrorism and violent extremism have become a genuine threat on a global level, and the ability of terrorist groups to capitalize on local issues such as poverty and inequality have helped to fuel the process of radicalization and recruitment. The region of the Western Balkans is not immune to these trends, and the gender component has been recognized as an important aspect in efforts to counter and prevent such practices. This book presents edited contributions delivered at the NATO Advanced Training Course (ATC) “Gender Mainstreaming in Counter-terrorism Efforts in Western Balkans” held from 16 to 21 May 2021. The event was designed to explore gender perspectives in counter-terrorism efforts in the Western Balkans and in the wider security-sector, and to analyze drivers to radicalization through the lens of gender. This ATC brought together more than 50 military and civilian participants from 7 countries in the Western Balkans and south-eastern Europe and 35 expert lecturers. Topics include the legal and political framework of gender mainstreaming; the role of technology; the drivers, motivations and roles of women in radicalization and extremist groups; counter-terrorism and gender; gender-sensitive approaches to counter terrorism; gendered perspectives from the frontline; the prospects for women’s leadership roles in community-based approaches; and challenges to the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in the Western Balkans. Highlighting critical components and providing a unique insight which contributes to the academic debate on gender mainstreaming in P/CVE and CT efforts, the book will be of interest to all those involved in countering the spread of terrorism worldwide.
A reference is needed that addresses the recent progress in aspects of PK/PD methods and developments of nanoparticles for novel drug delivery systems. No other consolidated published reference discusses the PK/PD study of nanoparticle drug delivery systems. This book discusses the advantages of nanoparticle drug delivery systems (NPDDS) in enhancing the pharmacokinetics of many drugs that are not easily metabolized or that obtain the desired therapeutic effect with minimum toxicity. The authors provide an overview of biodistribution with a focus on polymer and lipid nanoparticles. This thorough reference is divided into three parts: Modelling, Specific carries and their potential to treat specific diseases.
Today’s security environment is increasingly complex and unpredictable, with cyber attacks and hybrid warfare blurring the lines between conventional and unconventional forms of conflict, threats to energy security such as climate change and natural disasters, and disruptive technologies like AI and quantum computing. The challenge of adapting and responding to these threats calls for cooperation and novel ways of thinking. This book presents 11 edited contributions from the NATO Advanced Training Course (ATC) Strengthening SEE Resilient Cyber Defense against Hybrid Threats (STRENGTH), held as an online event from 26 September – 02 October 2021. The ATC brought together more than 60 military and civilian expert participants with 19 renowned professors, experts and practitioners from 14 NATO Member and Partner countries as speakers and lecturers. The ATC aimed to raise awareness about the Alliance and the South Eastern Europe (SEE) evolving complex-threat environment and establish the foundation for a long-term multidisciplinary collaboration among defense and security experts and academia, with the event serving as a first step in the creation of a SEE Network of defense-security and academic experts which can work across borders, linking state of the art of research and practice to build resilience against hybrid warfare capabilities. Participants learned how state and non-state actors acquire hybrid threats via cyberspace to achieve their strategic ends, and took part in working groups, moderated by invited speakers/lecturers, engaging in the productive discussion of questions related to the course topic. The event concluded with briefings presenting relevant case studies and lessons learned.
This book examines the application of nanoscience and nanotechnology in military defence strategies. Both historical and current perspectives on military technologies are discussed. The book provides comprehensive details on current trends in the application of nanotechnology to ground, air, and naval specializations. Furthermore, nanotechnology-enabled high energy explosives and propellants, chemical, biological, radiation, and nuclear threats and their detection/protection, and camouflage and stealth for signature management of military targets in multispectral wavelength signals are analyzed. The book also covers nanotechnology-enabled armor and platforms, which may serve as lightweight and high mechanical strength options in contrast to conventional systems. Finally, the book also emphasizes future military applications of nanotechnology and its integration into ‘smart’ materials. Provides comprehensive details on trends in the application of nanotechnology to ground, air, and naval defence systems; Examines the application of nanoscience and nanotechnology in military defence strategies; Offers pathways and research avenues for development of nanotechnology and materials applications in military capacities.
A new high-level book for professionals from Atlantis Press providing an overview of nanotechnologies now and their applications in a broad variety of fields, including information and communication technologies, environmental sciences and engineering, societal life, and medicine, with provision of customized treatments. The book shows where nanotechnology is now - a fascinating time when the science is transitioning into complex systems with impact on new products. Present and future developments are addressed, as well as a larger number of new industrial and research opportunities deriving from this domain. An overview for professionals, researchers and policy-makers of this very rapidly expanding field. Brief chapters and colour figures with a contained overall length make the book attractive at an attractive price - a must for every professional’s shelf. Mihail C. Roco, National Science Foundation and National Nanotechnology Initiative, wrote the preface underlying the importance and weight of the present book to this exciting and epoch-awakening field of research and applications: “Nanotechnology is well recognized as a science and technology megatrend for the beginning of the 21st century. This book aims to show where nanotechnology is now - transitioning to complex systems and fundamentally new products - and communicates the societal promise of nanotechnology to specialists and the public. Most of what has already made it into the marketplace is in the form of “First Generation” products, passive nanostructures with steady behaviour. Many companies have “Second Generation” products, active nanostructures with changing behaviour during use, and embryonic “Third Generation” products, including 3-dimensional nanosystems. Concepts for “Fourth Generation” products, including heterogeneous molecular nanosystems, are only in research.”
Over the last decade, techniques for materials preparation and processing at nanometer scale have advanced rapidly, leading to the introduction of novel principles for a new generation of sensors and detectors. At the same time, the chemical industry, transport and agriculture produce huge amounts of dangerous waste gases and liquids, leading to soil, air and water contamination. One more modern threat - international terrorism - demands that scientists make efforts to apply new principles and technologies to protect society against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks and to develop novel effective technologies for the remediation of large contaminated areas. Accordingly, the main goal of this book is to bring together experts (theorists, experimentalists, engineers and technologists) for an extensive discussion covering: novel principles for functional nanostructures and detector fabrication and implementation, the development of novel technologies for the deactivation of CBRN agents, their experimental realization and their application in novel monitoring and control systems, and technological processes for soil and water remediation, with a view to environmental protection and defence against CBRN-based terrorism. In keeping with the book’s main goal, the following topics are highlighted and discussed: - Sensors and detectors - detection of chemicals, principles of “artificial nose” and chemical “micro-lab on a chip” design, surface and underground water quality monitoring systems, molecular electronics, superconducting electronic devices, quantum detectors and Qubits. - Environmental protection and CBRN - detection of infrared, microwave, X-ray and terahertz radiation. Principles for novel IR-, UV-, and Terahertz-wave devices for the detection of low-contrast objects. - Novel technological processes for CBRN destruction and deactivation. All these topics are strongly interrelated, both with regard to fundamental aspects and to fabrication and implementation technologies; in addition, they are highly promising for application in novel functional devices, computer logics, sensing and detection of low-concentration chemicals, weak and extremely weak magnetic and microwave fields, infrared and ultraviolet radiation. Given its scope, the book will be a useful and interesting guide for a broad readership of engineers, scientists, PhD students and experts in the area of defence against environmental terrorism.
