Question

I am writing a research report on nanocellulose electronics. Can you tell me what would be considered social negatives of this development?

Answer 1

Answer.

Nanocellulose presents a novel ecofriendly and sustainable material for a variety of industrial products. They are particularly becoming a popular choice in electronics industry. Today’s consumer electronics, such as cell phones, tablets and other electronic devices, are typically made of non-renewable, non-biodegradable, and potentially toxic (for example, gallium arsenide) materials. The consumer electronics industry poses a major risk of environmental contamination. Thus, electronic systems consisting of renewable materials like nanocellulose are desirable. However, as a technological commodity, the use of nanocellulose may likely face a small market because of the apprehensions in the consumer population about the use of a new and relatively more expensive technology. Moreover, popular opinion may be influenced by the government policies towards a wide scale adoption and circulation of innovative and sustainable technology as opposed to the conventional technology. It is likely that political powers may opt in favour of existing electronics corporations rather than funding new and responsive scientific research. Another negative social implication of nanocellulose technology is that it may lead to economic imbalance and increase the rate of unemployment by compelling a closure of older electronics industries which relied on the skills of its workers and labourers.