nanotechnology and the environment, 2009, p.296

[...]... colloid The zeta potential is the charge measured at the outermost portion of the Stern layer As discussed further in Chapter 6, the stability of a nanoparticle suspension relates to its zeta potential The electrostatic repulsion resulting from surface charge can counter the tendency toward agglomeration These properties affect the fate and transport of nanomaterials in the environment, their toxicity, and. .. that consumers may favor products with the cachet of nanotechnology — or at any rate, that advertisers believe they will In the early years of the nanotechnology revolution, then, regulators and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) acknowledge the lack of information on the risks of nanotechnology Surveys have shown that much of the public is unfamiliar with nanotechnology Despite this limited knowledge,... ago — becomes transparent at the nanoscale These examples illustrate some of the ways in which the small size of some nanoparticles can affect their behavior and properties It is these changes in properties relative to those of the corresponding bulk materials that account for many of the uses and much of the excitement surrounding nanotechnology 2.3.2  Critical Physical and Chemical Properties It is... opinion influences the development of regulations Given the possible weight and effects of public opinions, they are worth examining in this Introduction Public surveys between 2003 and 2007 showed some common themes and some different perceptions regarding nanotechnology around the world Table 1.1 shows the results of six surveys of people in the U.S., Great Britain, and Japan between 2003 and 2007 This... [2, 5, 6]: • Energy savings The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (U.S EPA) has cited one estimate that the use of nanotechnology could reduce the energy consumption in the U.S by more than 14% [5] For example, the use of nanotechnology- based materials such as lightweight composites and thinner paint coatings can reduce the weight of airplanes and automobiles, and thus their fuel usage Solid-state... nanoscale materials, their properties, and their uses, and describes the processes used to manufacture nanoscale materials Subsequent chapters provide information on possible risks to human health and the environment and on developing regulations to manage those risks The penultimate chapter of this book examines an apparent paradox given concerns over the possible risks of nanotechnology: the use of nanoscale... developing field It presents the current state of the science and identifies critical areas undergoing further research Even such fundamentals as definitions, classification schemes, and understanding of the properties of nanoparticles are evolving Intensive research into many aspects of the behavior of nanoparticles in the environment and biological systems continues, and thus the information presented... for understanding nanotechnology and the environment A later edition of this book, if 60198.indb 8 6/12/08 1:31:43 PM Introduction  written in a few years, would contain much more detail and could address technical questions more fully But the community of scientists, engineers, regulators, and the public cannot wait for the results of mature research; given the possible risks and rewards of nanotechnology, ... any dimension; the creation and use of structures, devices and systems that have novel properties and functions because of their small size; and the ability to control or manipulate matter on an atomic scale.” [3] These definitions suggest three critical aspects of nanotechnology: (1) size, (2) functionality due to that size, and (3) intentional manufacture As the Nanoforum notes [4], nanotechnology. .. physical characteristics, and toxicological effects of nanoscale materials Table 2.1 summarizes information about the structure and composition of the specified nanomaterials and indicates some of their uses The focus on these materials continues through subsequent chapters of this book on the manufacture of nanomaterials, fate and transport, and potential toxicological effects The sections that follow . automotive) applications. Kim Henry brings her experience as a hydrogeologist to the fate and transport of nanoparticles in the environment, and the application of those principles to waste- water. relationships (QSAR) and physiologically based pharmacokinetics (PBPK), as well as rst principal models for stochastic competition and thermodynamic energy transfer. These models have been applied. workshops with 50 participants in urban areas, researchers further explored perceptions. Participants perceived the benets might include medical breakthroughs and other enhancements to the