This paper discusses the emergence of nanotechnology as a major new technology thrust which will revolutionize all aspects of the economy and society in the twenty-first century. This development results from the convergence of the fields of physics, chemistry,biology and engineering at the nanometer level (1 nm ¼ 10 29 m). At this level new phenomena operate and new devices and processes can be developed. The boundary between the established field of microtechnology and the new field of nanotechnology is blurred but it is clear that integrated technologies will be developed. In view of the importance of such developments in the Asia-Pacific region the APEC Center for Technology Foresight carried out a wide-ranging foresight study of nanotechnology in 2002/2003 and this is reported here. The study provides the strategic policy intelligence to enable economies to improve their strategic planning to deal with future changes stemming from nanotechnology.

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This paper presents a future-oriented technology analysis (FTA) project on the control and management of emerging infectious diseases (EID) in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation region. It combines several FTA methods. Technologies that are potentially effective in biosecurity and in combating EID were first identified by bibliometric analysis, online survey and scenario planning. Roadmaps of these technologies were then built. Workshops to conduct the foresight process were held in the region. Four scenarios and six technology roadmaps for the region were developed. The results show that many future technologies will converge to become most effective in dealing with biosecurity and EID. This paper deals with cross-disciplinary technologies in the context of a cross-boundary regional setting, which has important methodological implications.