Nanoethics: the Ethical and Social Implications of Nanotechnology

Books

Nanoethics: The Ethical and Social use of commercial engineering software in design and costing. Implications of Nanotechnology It includes detailed worked examples, case studies, end-of- Fritz Allhoff, Patrick Lin, James Moor and John chapter exercises, plus supporting data, spreadsheet calcula- Weckert, Wiley-Interscience, Hoboken, NJ, 385 pp., tions and equipment specification sheets for downloading. In 2007, $40 paperback, ISBN: 978-0-470-08417-5, addition, there are over 100 typical industrial design projects $90 hardcover, ISBN: 978-0-470-08416-8 drawn from a diverse range of process industries. This anthology gives the reader an introduction to and basic foundation Separation Process Engineering, Second Edition in nanotechnology and nanoethics, Philip C. Wankat, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, and then delves into near-, mid-, and 738 pp., $116, 2007, ISBN: 0-13-084789-5 far-term issues. It goes beyond the “Separation Process Engineering, usual environmental, health and safe- Second Edition” helps readers thor- ty (EHS) concerns to explore such oughly master both standard equi- topics as privacy, nanomedicine, librium-stage separations and the human enhancement, global regula- latest new processes. tion, the military, humanitarianism, It starts by reviewing core con- education, artificial intelligence, cepts, such as equilibrium and unit space exploration, life extension, and operations, then introduces a step- more. With contributions from 40 by-step procedure for solving sepa- preeminent experts from academia and industry worldwide, ration problems. Next, it introduces many diverse perspectives are reflected. The book includes each leading process, including seminal works that influence nanoethics today, encourages an membrane separation, adsorption informed, proactive approach to nanoethics, and advocates and chromatography. The author presents essential princi- addressing new and emerging controversies before they ples, techniques and equations, detailed examples, and sim- impede progress or impact human welfare. ulation exercises using Aspen Plus. Dealing with critical issues that will affect industry as well An updated version of the book’s first edition, its enhance- as society, this book is designed to promote further investiga- ments include improved organization, extensive new coverage, tions and a broad and balanced dialogue in nanoethics, . While and numerous homework problems, more than 75% of which this will be a definitive reference for students, scientists in are new, all tested in the author’s Purdue Univ. classes. academia and industry, policy makers, and regulators, it is also a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the Microbial Fuel Cells challenges, principles, and potential of nanotechnology. Bruce E. Logan, Wiley-Interscience, Hoboken, NJ, 200 pp., $85, 2008, ISBN: 978-0-470-23948-3 Chemical Engineering Design This is the first book dedicated to Gavin Towler and Ray Sinnott, Butterworth- microbial fuel cells (MFCs), devices in Heinemann, an Elsevier Imprint, Burlington, MA, 1245 which bacteria create electrical power pp., $90, 2008, ISBN: 978-0-7506-8423-1 by oxidizing simple compounds such “Chemical Engineering Design” is a complete text for stu- as glucose or complex organic matter dents of chemical engineering. Written for the senior design in wastewater. It serves not only as an course, and also suitable for introduction to chemical engi- introduction to the theory underlying neering courses, it covers the basics of unit operations and the development and functioning of the latest aspects of process design, equiptment selection, MFCs, but also as a manual for ongo- plant and operating economics, safety and loss prevention. It ing research. The author provides prac- is a textbook that students will want to keep through their tical guidance for the effective design undergraduate education and on into their professional lives. and operation of MFCs based on his For students in an introductory course, the book illus- own first-hand experience. trates the relevance of various concepts. For the senior This reference covers everything one needs to fully design course, it allows them to learn from the expert understand MFCs, including: key topics such as voltage and knowledge of practicing design engineers who also have power genertion, MFC materials and architecture, mass extensive undergraduate teaching experience. transfer to bacteria and biofilms, bioreactor design, and fun- The book covers: all aspects of unit operations, design and damentals of electron transfer; applications across a wide economics, including the latest API, ASME, and ISA design variety of scales; the role of MFCs in the climate change codes and ANSI standards; up-to-date U.S. price data and cor- debate; detailed illustrations, charts, graphs and tables; and relations of equipment costs; robust plant economics; and the practice problems with step-by-step examples.

CEP February 2008 www.aiche.org/cep 51