Future nano needs 

DESCRIPTION

FutureNanoNeeds aimed to develop a novel framework to enable naming, classification, hazard and environmental impact assessment of the next generation nanomaterials prior to their widespread industrial use. It wouldl uniquely achieve this by integrating concepts and approaches from several well established contiguous domains, such as phylontology and crystallography to develop a robust, versatile and adaptable naming approach, coupled with a full assessment of all known biological protective responses as the basis for a decision tree for screening potential impacts of nanomaterials at all stages of their lifecycle. Together, these tools would form the basis of a “value chain” regulatory process which allows each nanomaterial to be assessed for different applications on the basis of available data and the specific exposure and life cycle concerns for that application. Exemplar materials from emerging nano-industry sectors, such as energy, construction and agriculture were evaluated via this process as demonstrators. The FutureNanoNeeds consortium was uniquely placed to achieve this, on the basis of expertise, positioning, open mindedness and a belief that new approaches are required.

The project ended successfully, covering the objectives set at the beginning and allowing NANOGAP to participate, with their experience in the sector, in defining recommendations for the European Commission on priorities in the next framework program regarding new materials and new technologies. In addition, a database of nanomaterials was created  and the criteria for the categorization and nomenclature of the new generation of nanomaterials was configured, developing its own tool based on image processing obtained by electron microscopy. All this served to define an adequate and necessary framework for the future regulation of nanomaterials that will be part of the products of the future.

Funding info

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research,  technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 604602

Consortium members

• UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN
• FUNDACIO PRIVADA INSTITUT CATALA DE NANOTECNOLOGIA
• PHILIPPS UNIVERSITAET MARBURG
• ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
• INSTITUT FUR ENERGIE UND UMWELTTECHNIK EV – IUTA
• HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY
• Centre de Recherche Public – Gabriel Lippmann
• THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
•  THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
• NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK – TNO
• ISTITUTO DI RICERCHE FARMACOLOGICHE MARIO NEGRI
• RIJKSINSTITUUT VOOR VOLKSGEZONDHEIDEN MILIEU*NATIONAL INSTITUTEFOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENTEN
• VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK N.V.
• COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
• TECHNICKA UNIVERZITA V LIBERCI
• COMITEE DES DONNEES SCIENTIFIQUES ET TECHNOLOGIQUES
• NANOFUTURES ASBL
• FILARETE SERVIZI SRL
• NANOGAP SUB-NM-POWDER SA
• Solarprint Limited
• NANONICA EUROPE SL
• CENTRO RICERCHE FIAT SCPA
• UNIVERSIDADE DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA