New War Technologies and International Law: The Legal Limits to Weaponising Nanomaterials

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Kobi Leins (King's College London)

New War Technologies and International Law

Name: New War Technologies and International Law
Price: 79.39 AUD
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ISBN: 9781108799843

The Legal Limits to Weaponising Nanomaterials

Kobi Leins (King's College London)

$92.95 $79.39

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English

Cambridge University Press
09 April 2026

International humanitarian law

The desire for humanity and the desire for security have co-existed as long as humans have been alive. As science has become increasingly sophisticated, so have the methods of self-defence by States. Nanotechnology is already changing warfare by increasing capabilities upon which armed forces are heavily reliant: more efficient energy storage, advanced photovoltaics, and improved military protective equipment to name a few of these developments. Some applications of nanomaterials by the military are both powerful and subtle, and have neurological and biological applications: 'devices that can infiltrate electronics and seize control at crucial moments, artificial “disease” agents that can rest harmlessly in victims' bodies until activated by an external signal'. The advance of the use or contemplation of use of these types of nanoscale applications by the military requires urgent analysis in light of existing international law, particularly in light of their potential effects on humans and on the environment.

By: Kobi Leins (King's College London)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Weight: 432g
ISBN: 9781108799843
ISBN 10: 1108799841
Pages: 295
Publication Date: 09 April 2026
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

1. International law and the use of nanomaterials in war; 2. The three technologies using nanomaterials; 3. International treaty law; 4. International customary law and principles; 5. International environmental law and principles; 6. International human rights law; 7. Conclusion and recommendations.

Kobi Leins is Senior Visiting Research Fellow at King's College, London; an Expert for Standards Australia providing technical advice to the International Standards Organisation on forthcoming AI Standards; Co-founder of IEEE's Responsible Innovation of AI and the Life Sciences; Non-Resident Fellow of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research; and Advisory Board Member of the Carnegie Initiative on AI and Equality.

Reviews for New War Technologies and International Law: The Legal Limits to Weaponising Nanomaterials

'The book is both legally sophisticated and practically oriented, concluding with a series of recommendations for scientists, governments and armed forces.' Professor Hilary Charlesworth, University of Melbourne, and Judge, International Court of Justice 'The book will fully inform – with sufficient detail and clarity - an expert in one field who needs or wants information in another field … to analyse future 'means or methods of warfare', involving any number of new technologies, in the complex and broad legal review of contemporary arms control frameworks.' Professor Emerita Nancy Connell, Rutgers University 'Through her nuanced advocacy of existing rules and methodologies, Leins makes positive recommendations for a more cooperative future discussion across legal, social, and technical communities, bypassing the past conflicts faced in the relationship between LOAC and human rights law groups.' Professor Robert McLaughlin, Australian National Centre for Oceans Resources and Security 'New War Technologies and International Law provides an authoritative account of the legality of using nanotechnology in war.' Dr Filippa Lentzos, King's College London