Prof Kosal delivers brief on nanotechnology and chemical weapons agents at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, The Netherlands on November 9th. The OPCW is the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the international arms control treaty responsible for implementing the international ban on chemical weapons, works for nonproliferation of current and future types of chemical weapons, and oversees the destruction of the world's remaining chemical weapons stockpile. Currently 188 nations are States Parties to the CWC.

Kosal will be giving an invited briefing on the possibilities of nanotechnology and emerging technology for the mission of the OPCW. She will discuss current and potential uses of nanotechnology for the development of protective countermeasures against chemical warfare agents, such as detectors, diagnostics, decontaminants, and medical therapeutics. The challenges of controlling potential malfeasant applications of nanotechnology and her ideas on paths forward for international scientific and technical cooperation will also be highlighted.