Evaluation of 'Green' Nanotechnology Requires a Full Life Cycle Assessment

Summary posted by Meridian on 2/25/2009
Source: Nanowerk
Author: Michael Berger

This article argues that as nanotechnology and nanomaterials become more ubiquitous in our everyday lives, there will need to be an increasing focus on the environmental footprint that the production of various nanomaterials creates. According to Vikas Khanna, a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Ohio State University, "[L]ife cycle studies of emerging nanotechnologies are susceptible to huge uncertainties due to issues of data quality and the rapidly evolving nature of the production processes. With missing data about the large scale impact of nanotechnology, life cycle assessments of potential nanoproducts should form an integral part of nanotechnology research at early stages of decision making as it can help in the screening of different process alternatives." Khanna and colleagues conducted research on the life cycle of carbon nanofiber (CNF) reinforced polymer nanocomposite (PNC) materials used in automotive body panels, and compared it with that of conventional materials. They found that the CNF-based PNCs are 1.6-12 times more energy intensive compared with traditional steel. Further study, however, showed that the material has the potential for net life cycle fossil energy savings due to the improved fuel economy benefits during the use phase of the vehicle. The article points out that this type of research - life cycle analysis - is critical to ensure a safe and sustainable development of emerging nanotechnologies. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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our team contact us site map	Evaluation of 'Green' Nanotechnology Requires a Full Life Cycle Assessment Summary posted by Meridian on 2/25/2009 Source: Nanowerk Author: Michael Berger This article argues that as nanotechnology and nanomaterials become more ubiquitous in our everyday lives, there will need to be an increasing focus on the environmental footprint that the production of various nanomaterials creates. According to Vikas Khanna, a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Ohio State University, "[L]ife cycle studies of emerging nanotechnologies are susceptible to huge uncertainties due to issues of data quality and the rapidly evolving nature of the production processes. With missing data about the large scale impact of nanotechnology, life cycle assessments of potential nanoproducts should form an integral part of nanotechnology research at early stages of decision making as it can help in the screening of different process alternatives." Khanna and colleagues conducted research on the life cycle of carbon nanofiber (CNF) reinforced polymer nanocomposite (PNC) materials used in automotive body panels, and compared it with that of conventional materials. They found that the CNF-based PNCs are 1.6-12 times more energy intensive compared with traditional steel. Further study, however, showed that the material has the potential for net life cycle fossil energy savings due to the improved fuel economy benefits during the use phase of the vehicle. The article points out that this type of research - life cycle analysis - is critical to ensure a safe and sustainable development of emerging nanotechnologies. The article can be viewed online at the link below. The original article may still be available at www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=9386.php As tagged by Meridian Institute: Implications: Human Enhancement, Human Health Risks, Worker Safety, Governance, Environmental Risks, Ethics Nanomaterials: Carbon Nanoparticle, Metal Nanoparticle, Naturally Occurring Regions: North America Stakeholders: Government, Industry, NGO, Academia, International Institutions Environment: Green Nanotechnology Related Forums: Environment Human Health Risks and Worker Safety Environmental Risks Governance Ethics print format	NDN Home Subscribe Manage Subscription Search News Archives Nanotechnology Quintuples Heating Capacity of Solar Water Heaters -- Renewable Energy Magazine (9/1/2010) Researchers at the University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil, have developed a solar heating system that uses nanotechnology to heat water to five times the temperature of a conventional system, while also permitting the collector surface area to retain up to 98 percent of heat from solar radiation. [More] Pakistan's Science Minister Attacks Funding Cuts -- SciDev.Net (9/1/2010) The Pakistan government has cuts its funds for the Pakistan Ministry of Science and Technology's 2010-2011 budget by almost half, causing the science minister, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, to criticize his own government. [More] Nanotechnology: Small wonders -- Nature (9/1/2010) This article takes an in-depth look at the United States National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)'s first 10 years - to find out where the money went and what the initiative plans to do next. [More] Nanotech on Farmers' Fields -- Silicon Nutrition (8/31/2010) A plant nutrition study that addresses nano-sized plant nutrients is now available from the Landbouwkundige Uitgeverij G.C. van den Berg (Veenendaal, The Netherlands). [More] More News... Learn how to include these headlines on your own website by clicking here. Please email us if you require text-only versions of the daily emails.