The book 'III Libro Blanco de las Nanotecnologías' sets the course toward a more sustainable future

20.10.2025

The work, the result of collaborative efforts by more than 80 specialists from the Spanish Network for Safe and Sustainable Nanotechnologies (SustainableNano – SNSSN), offers a comprehensive vision of the role of nanotechnology in addressing current and future global challenges.

Madrid, 20th October, 2025.

Nanotechnology is a discipline that is already transforming many areas of our society—from health and electronics to engineering and the energy transition. Its potential to continue doing so is immense. For this reason, it is essential that its goals and challenges align with those of sustainable development and with policies that promote a fairer and more environmentally respectful future. This is the premise that inspires the book 'III Libro Blanco de las Nanotecnologías'.

This collective work is published at a pivotal historical moment, when science must face the proliferation of misinformation and denialist narratives by offering real solutions to major global challenges. As Professor Pablo Ordejón, Director of the Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2) and coordinator of the SNSSN Network, emphasizes: “The scientific community has the duty to combat anti-scientific discourse and to offer solutions based on science and technology. This book is a decisive contribution in that direction, within the field of nanotechnologies.”

The book 'III Libro Blanco de las Nanotecnologías' serves as a bridge between science and society, between innovation and sustainability, between cutting-edge research and everyday life. With scientific rigor but also a clear outreach vocation, the book is intended for researchers, educators, institutional and political leaders alike. It aims to become a reference for understanding how nanotechnology—from nanomaterials to quantum computing—will be key to building a more sustainable and equitable future for our society.

A collaborative and multidisciplinary work

The book brings together the collaboration of a large number of specialists from the scientific community of the SustainableNano – SNSSN network, made up of 13 research centers. IMDEA Nanociencia participated in the development of this work through contributions by Dr. Enrique Cánovas, coordinator of the IMDEA Nanociencia's contribution to the book; Dr. Milagros Castellanos and Dr. Ramón Bernardo.

The work is organized into six chapters that address different areas where nanotechnology plays a crucial role:

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

Nanotechnology and sustainability are two pillars that, when combined, have enormous potential to define the horizon of our society and our planet. The Third White Paper on Nanotechnologies is, ultimately, an invitation to look toward the future with responsibility and ambition. Through collaboration among leading research centers and the active participation of the SNSSN network, this work demonstrates that nanotechnology can—and must—be a driving force for social transformation.

Book is available under this link..

Contact:

Oficina de Divulgación y Comunicación de IMDEA Nanociencia
divulgacion.nanociencia [at]imdea.org

Source: Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).