Nanotechnology to Aid Chemical and Biological Defense

An Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) was held on "Nanotechnology to Aid Chemical and Biological Defense" on September 22-26, 2014 in Antalya, Turkey, to address the NATO SPS Key Priority of Defense against CBRN Agents and Environmental Security. This book is representative of the scientific contributions made at this meeting emphasizing both fundamental research as well as practical implications of the research to CBRN defense and environmental security.§§Highlights include the potential of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to characterize the nanoscale properties of microbial pathogens, the development of bacteriophage-based therapeutics, prophylactic and diagnostic preparations, and their uses in different fields, such as medicine, veterinary, agriculture, food and water safety, etc. Threats to environmental security due to bacteriophages and nanomaterials were discussed.§§Also of interest are chapters on an inexpensive bioassay suited for assessing chemical poisoning in the environment such as the presence of pesticides, sensors to detect ultra-trace quantities of the explosive Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) using nanotubes, electrochemical sensors to simultaneously detect and reduce the explosive trinitro toluene (TNT) to 2,4,6-triaminotoluene (TAT) in solution.§§The ARW brought together a diverse group of international civilian researchers focused on nanotechnology problems relevant to chemical and biological defense needs, in order to share current state-of-the-art and discuss future opportunities and challenges. Cooperative research among NATO countries and NATO partners can make a critical contribution to meeting these challenges.§