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Research Highlights
Nanotechnology: Getting SmallPodcastsListen to or download the podcast to learn more about how NRMRL research helps to support the protection of human health and the environment.   Nanotechnology — working with materials that are 100 nanometers or smaller — has potential applications in many facets of human life, from consumer products to medicine. It allows scientists to work with completely new materials by controlling matter at the atomic level, where the properties of matter change in ways researchers are just beginning to understand. While the potential benefits of nanotechnology are known, researchers and concerned consumers alike have raised questions about the potential risks. For example:
Scientists in NRMRL’s Sustainable Technology Division (STD) have developed comprehensive assessment tools to help answer these questions. Life Cycle Assessment
A buckyball: a spherical fullerene structure that has potential uses as a superconductor, drug delivery vehicle, light-activated antimicrobial agent, and structural reinforcer.
Currently, STD’s Systems Analysis Branch is using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to address the sustainability issues of nanotechnology. LCA is an effective scientific tool for gauging the environmental impacts of products, materials, and processes. It assesses all phases — production, manufacture, distribution, use, and disposal — to establish a comprehensive understanding of potential environmental harm. Although it is a well-established method, the application of LCA to nanotechnology is challenging due to several factors. The collection of necessary data is difficult because most processes are proprietary in nature. Toxicity assessment of nanomaterials is currently inconclusive because of a lack of a unified testing protocol. Furthermore, LCA methodology does not account for socioeconomic impacts/benefits when assessing nanoproducts. ProcessSTD’s project aims to address the concerns of nanotechnology through the development of a comprehensive integrated decision-making framework. The goal is to provide stakeholders (companies, consumer groups, government agencies, etc.) with a tool to evaluate processes and products to ensure the safety of both the environment and the general public. The first step in the process is to make contacts within the nanotechnology industry in order to compile a database of accurate manufacturing data reflecting the production of nanomaterials. The data is then used to perform representative LCA studies and identify areas of the methodology that can be strengthened and/or clarified. The final step, and perhaps the biggest challenge, is offering guidance on how to incorporate the potential economic and life-changing benefits that various nanotechnologies can offer to society. The resulting lessons learned will culminate in the creation of a versatile decision-support tool that can be used to make informed choices regarding the use of nanotechnology. ContactJane Ice, NRMRL Office of Public Affairs (513) 569-7311
Hot Off the Presses—NRMRL PublicationsJournal Articles
Adams, W. A. and C. A. Impellitteri. (2009). “The Photocatalysis of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) Using Dispersions of Degussa P-25 TiO2 Particles.” Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry. Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands, 202(1):28–32. Barth, E. F., T. Reponen, and P. Succop. (2009). “Evaluation of Bioaersol Components, Generation Factors, and Airborne Transport Associated with Lime Treatment of Contaminates Sediment.” Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. Air & Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA, 59(5):540–552. Black, K., V. Martinez, M. Gaber, R. W. Baldauf, E. Thoma, and D D. L. Costa. (2009). “Study Design to Evaluate Mobile Source Emissions in the Near-Roadway Environment.” EM: Air and Waste Management Association’s Magazine for Environmental Managers. Air & Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA, (1):26–29. Elliott, D. T., K. W. Tang, and A. Shields. (2009). “Mezozooplankton Beneath the Summer Sea Ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica: Abundance, Species Composition, and DMSP Content (PDF).” (10 pp, 497 KB) Polar Biology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 32(1):113–122. Johnson, C. H. and L. A. Boczek. (2008). “Inactivation of Helicobacter pylori by Chloramination.” Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Restoration. Society of Advocates for Sustainable Environment, Orangeburg, SC, 4:83–87. Lu, J. and J. W. Santo-Domingo. (2008). “Turkey Fecal Microbial Community Structure and Ecological Functions Revealed By 16s Rdna and Metagenome Sequences (PDF).” (9 pp, 381 KB) The Journal of Microbiology. Springer, New York, NY, 46(5):469–477. Mayer, P. M., L. M. Smith, R. G. Ford, D. C. Watterson, M. McCutchen, and M. R. Ryan. (2009). “ Nest Construction by a Ground-nesting Bird Represents a Potential Trade-off Between Egg Crypticity and Thermoregulation (PDF).” (9 pp, 647 KB) Oecologia. Springer, New York, NY, 159(4):893–901. Nadagouda, M. N., M. R. Schock, D. Metz, M. K. DeSantis, D. Lytle, and M. Welch. (2009). “Effect of Phosphate Inhibitors on the Formation of Lead Phosphate/Carbonate Nanorods, Microrods and Dendritic Structures.” Crystal Growth and Design. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 9(4):1798–1805. Samara, F., B. K. Gullett, R. O. Harrison, A. Chu, and G. C. Clark. (2009). “Determination of relative assay response factors for toxic chlorinated and bromiated dioxins/furans using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and a chemically activated luciferase gene expression cell bioassay.” (Calux). Nvironmental International. Pergamon Press Ltd., New York, NY, 35(3):588–593. Shinyashiki, M., A. Eiguren-Fernandez, D. A. Schmitz, E. Di Stefano, N. Li, W. P. Linak, S. Cho, J. R. Froines, and A. K. Cho. (2009). “Electrophilic and Redox Properties of Diesel Exhaust Particles.” Environmental Research. Academic Press Incorporated, Orlando, FL, 109(3):239–244. Thoma, E. D., C. Secrest, E. S. Hall, D. Jones, R. C. Shores, M. Modrak, R. Hashmonay, and P. Norwood. (2009). “Measurement of Total Site Mercury Emissions from a Chlor-Alkali Plant Using Ultraviolet Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy and Cell Room Roof-Vent Monitoring.” Atmospheric Environment. Elsevier Science, New York, NY, 43(3):753–757. Wilkin, R. T., S. D. Acree, R. R. Ross, D. G. Beak, and T. R. Lee. (2009). “Performance of a Zerovalent Iron Reactive Barrier for the Treatment of Arsenic in Groundwater: Part 1. Hydrogeochemical Studies.” Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 106(1-2):1–14. EPA Proceedings Hantush, M. M., L. Kalin, and R. S. Govindaraju. (2009). “Predictive Uncertainty in Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling: Approaches, Application to Environmental Management, and Future Challenges.” In Proceedings, International Conference: Water, Environment, Energy, and Society, Vol. II, New Delhi, India, January 12–16, 2009. Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India, 898–912. Moore, M., T. Shea, and J. E. Smith, Jr. (2009). “Climbing the Knowledge Mountain - The New Solids Processing Design and Management Manual.” In Proceedings, WEF/NBMA/ PNCWA/ACWA Residuals and Biosolids 2009, Portland, OR, May 3–6, 2009. Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA, 1–68. Smith, J. E., Jr. (2009). “The History and Future Directions of Biosolids Disinfection.” In Proceedings, WEF Disinfection 2009, Atlanta, GA, February 28–March 03, 2009. Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA, Session 2. Tang, K. W., W. O. Smith, D. T. Elliott, and A. Shields. (2009). “Survival and Recovery of Phaeocystis Antarctica (Prymnesiophyceae) from Prolonged Darkness and Freezing.” In Proceedings of the Royal Society. B. Royal Society Publishing, London, UK, 276(1654):81–90. You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. |
