 |
|
New research shows that environmental gains derived from the use of nanomaterials may be offset in part by the processes used to manufacture them.
October 29, 2008New research shows nanotech's environmental gains may be canceled out
Washington, DC - New research shows that environmental gains derived from the use of nanomaterials may be offset in part by the processes used to manufacture them. Research published in a special issue of the Journal of Industrial Ecology, a peer-reviewed journal owned by Yale University and headquartered at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, highlights the need for improved efficiency in the manufacturing of nanoscale materials to reduce energy use, emissions, solid waste, and the use of toxic input materials.
"Research in this issue reveals the potential of environmental impacts from nanomanufacturing to offset the benefits of using lighter nanomaterials," says Gus Speth, dean of the Yale University School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. "To date, most attention has focused on the possible toxic effects of exposure to nanoparticles¬ and appropriately so. But the 'old-fashioned' considerations of pollution and energy use arising from the production technologies used to make nanomaterials need attention as well."
One study, by Vikas Khanna and colleagues at the Ohio State University, found that the life-cycle environmental impacts of carbon nanofiber (CNF) production may be as much as 100 times greater per unit of weight than those of traditional materials. According to another paper by Hatice Şengül and colleagues at the University of Illinois at Chicago, strict material purity requirements, lower tolerances for defects and lower yields of manufacturing processes may lead to greater environmental burdens than those associated with conventional manufacturing.
"There is often a misconception that nanoscale production will necessarily be green and clean," says David Rejeski, director of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN), which helped support the production of this special issue. "This research shows that clean nanoscale production is not happening everywhere and it probably will not without a concerted effort by government and industry to green the emerging production infrastructure for nano materials and products."
Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
One study, by Vikas Khanna and colleagues at the Ohio State University, found that the life-cycle environmental impacts of carbon nanofiber (CNF) production may be as much as 100 times greater per unit of weight than those of traditional materials. According to another paper by Hatice Şengül and colleagues at the University of Illinois at Chicago, strict material purity requirements, lower tolerances for defects and lower yields of manufacturing processes may lead to greater environmental burdens than those associated with conventional manufacturing.
"There is often a misconception that nanoscale production will necessarily be green and clean," says David Rejeski, director of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN), which helped support the production of this special issue. "This research shows that clean nanoscale production is not happening everywhere and it probably will not without a concerted effort by government and industry to green the emerging production infrastructure for nano materials and products."
Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
Nanomaterials Current Events and Nanomaterials News RSSNano imagining takes turn for the better
Stephan Link wants to understand how nanomaterials align, and his lab's latest work is a step in the right direction.
Engineers explore environmental concerns of nanotechnology
As researchers around the world hasten to employ nanotechnology to improve production methods for applications that range from manufacturing materials to creating new pharmaceutical drugs, a separate but equally compelling challenge exists.
SNM's nanomedicine summit advances molecular imaging
SNM's Nanomedicine and Molecular Imaging Summit wrapped up today in Albuquerque, N.M., with in-depth discussion-and a high sense of energy looking ahead.
Researchers Develop "Nano Cocktail" to Target and Kill Tumors
A team of researchers in California and Massachusetts has developed a "cocktail" of different nanometer-sized particles that work in concert within the bloodstream to locate, adhere to and kill cancerous tumors.
MSU study sheds light on microscopic flower petal ridges
Microscopic ridges contouring the surface of flower petals might play a role in flashing that come-hither look pollinating insects can't resist. Michigan State University scientists and colleagues now have figured out how those form.
Taking the Heat: Pitt Team Conquers Hurdle to Nano Devices With First Metallic Nanoparticles Resistant to Extreme Heat
A University of Pittsburgh team overcame a major hurdle plaguing the development of nanomaterials such as those that could lead to more efficient catalysts used to produce hydrogen and render car exhaust less toxic.
Developing 'green' tires that boost mileage and cut carbon dioxide emissions
A new generation of "green" automobile tires that can boost fuel efficiency without sacrificing safety and durability is rolling their way through the research pipeline.
Small nanoparticles bring big improvement to medical imaging
If you're watching the complex processes in a living cell, it is easy to miss something important-especially if you are watching changes that take a long time to unfold and require high-spatial-resolution imaging.
Nanotech in Space: Rensselaer Experiment To Weather the Trials of Orbit
Novel nanomaterials developed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are scheduled to blast off into orbit on November 16 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.
Engineers image nanostructure of a solid acid catalyst and boost its catalytic activity
The catalytic processes that facilitate the production of many chemicals and fuels could become much more environmentally friendly thanks to a breakthrough achieved by researchers from Lehigh and Rice Universities.
More Nanomaterials Current Events and Nanomaterials News Articles
 |
Nanomaterials: An Introduction to Synthesis, Properties and Applications by Dieter Vollath (Author) This first full-colored introduction to nanomaterials and nanotechnology addresses in particular the needs of engineers who have to know the special phenomena and potentials, without going into too much scientific detail of the physics and chemistry involved. Based on the author's own successful courses, Nanomaterials: An Introduction to Synthesis, Properties and Applications shows how to produce nanomaterials and use them in engineering applications for novel products. Following an introduction, the text goes on to treat synthesis, characterization techniques, thermal, optical, magnetic and electronic properties, processing and, finally, emerging applications. Engineers looking for a sound introduction to the "nano world" will find this... |
 |
Nanostructures and Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties & Applications by Guozhong Cao (Author) This important book focuses on the synthesis and fabrication of nanostructures and nanomaterials, but also includes properties and applications of nanostructures and nanomaterials, particularly inorganic nanomaterials. It provides balanced and comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals and processing techniques with regard to synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of nanostructures and nanomaterials. Both chemical processing and lithographic techniques are presented in a systematic and coherent manner for the synthesis and fabrication of 0-D, 1-D, and 2-D nanostructures, as well as special nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and ordered mesoporous oxides. The book will serve as a general introduction to nanomaterials and nanotechnology for teaching and self-study... |
 |
Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Design: An Introduction for Engineers and Architects by Daniel L. Schodek (Author), Paulo Ferreira (Author), Michael F. Ashby (Author) How could nanotechnology not perk the interest of any designer, engineer or architect? Exploring the intriguing new approaches to design that nanotechnologies offer, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Design is set against the sometimes fantastic sounding potential of this technology. Nanotechnology offers product engineers, designers, architects and consumers a vastly enhanced palette of materials and properties, ranging from the profound to the superficial. It is for engineering and design students and professionals who need to understand enough about the subject to apply it with real meaning to their own work. * World-renowned author team address the hot-topic of nanotechnology * The first book to address and explore the impacts and... |
 |
Physics and Nanotechnology News - PhysOrg.com by PhysOrg.com Physics and nanotechnology stories from PhysOrg.com. Daily updates. Topics include: quantum physics, plasma, photonics, optics, nanomaterials, nanophysics, nanomedicine, soft & condensed matter and more.Kindle blogs are fully downloaded onto your Kindle so you can read them even when you're not wirelessly connected. And unlike RSS readers which often only provide headlines, blogs on Kindle give you full text content and images, and are updated wirelessly throughout the day. |
 |
Nanomaterials: Mechanics and Mechanisms by K.T. Ramesh (Author) The enabling science in much of nanotechnology today is the science of nanomaterials; indeed in the broadest sense, nanotechnology would not be possible without nanomaterials. Nanomaterials: Mechanics and Mechanisms seeks to provide an entrè into the field for mechanical engineers, material scientists, chemical and biomedical engineers and physicists. The objective is to provide the reader with the connections needed to understand the intense activity in the area of the mechanics of nanomaterials, and to develop ways of thinking about these new materials that could be useful to both research and application. The book covers all of the fundamentals of the mechanical properties of materials in a highly readable style, and integrates most of the literature on the emerging field of... |
 |
Nanomaterials Handbook by Yury Gogotsi (Editor)  Even before it was identified as a science and given a name, nanotechnology was the province of the most innovative inventors. In medieval times, craftsmen, ingeniously employing nanometer-sized gold particles, created the enchanting red hues found in the gold ruby glass of cathedral windows. Today, nanomaterials are being just as creatively used to improve old products, as well as usher in new ones. From tires to CRTs to sunscreens, nanomaterials are becoming a part of every industry. The Nanomaterials Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of nanomaterials. Employing terminology familiar to materials scientists and engineers, it provides an introduction that delves into the unique nature of nanomaterials. Looking at the quantum effects that come into... |
 |
Nanochemistry: A Chemical Approach to Nanomaterials by Geoffrey A. Ozin (Author), André C. Arsenault (Author), Ludovico Cademartiri (Author) Extracts of reviews of the 2nd Edition: ''...a comprehensive masterpiece of art that will introduce readers from various backgrounds to the fascinating world of nanomaterials and nanoscience. ...good writing and attractive presentation... Excellently written and well-structured... one of the best and most comprehensive available textbooks on the subject... magnificent value for money... a must have.''  Extracts of reviews of the 1st Edition: “A gem in the scientific literature...a beautifully written and richly illustrated book that is unlike any other.” “An invaluable reference book for undergraduate and graduate students. As a superb textbook for teaching of... |
 |
Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications, Second Edition by A.S Edelstein (Editor), R.C Cammaratra (Editor) Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications provides a comprehensive introduction to nanomaterials, from how to make them to example properties, processing techniques, and applications. Contributions by leading international researchers and teachers in academic, government, and industrial institutions in nanomaterials provide an accessible guide for newcomers to the field. The coverage ranges from isolated clusters and small particles to nanostructured materials, multilayers, and nanoelectronics. The book contains a wealth of references for further reading. Individual chapters deal with relevant aspects of the underlying physics, materials science, and physical chemistry. |
 |
Nanomaterials and Nanochemistry by C. Bréchignac (Editor), P. Houdy (Editor), M. Lahmani (Editor) Nanomaterials are a fast developing field of research and applications lie in many separate domains, such as in hi-tech (optics, electronics, biology, aeronautics), but also in consumer industries (automotive, concrete, surface treatments (including paints), cosmetics, etc.). |
 |
Introduction to Nanoscience by Gabor L. Hornyak (Author), Joydeep Dutta (Author), H.F. Tibbals (Author), Anil Rao (Author) Tomorrow’s nanoscientist will have a truly interdisciplinary and nano-centric education, rather than, for example, a degree in chemistry with a specialization in nanoscience. For this to happen, the field needs a truly focused and dedicated textbook. This full-color masterwork is such a textbook. It introduces the nanoscale along with the societal impacts of nanoscience, then presents an overview of characterization and fabrication methods. The authors systematically discuss the chemistry, physics, and biology aspects of nanoscience, providing a complete picture of the challenges, opportunities, and inspirations posed by each facet before giving a brief glimpse at nanoscience in action: nanotechnology. |
| © 2010 BrightSurf.com |