Nanotechnology Project

Topics

Environment and Green Nano

The GreenNano series aims to advance development of clean technologies using nanotechnology, to minimize potential environmental and human health risks associated with the manufacture and use of nanotechnology products, and to encourage replacement of existing products with new nano products that are more environmentally friendly throughout their lifecycle.

  • news/archive January 28, 2008 EPA Takes First Step In Filling Nanotech Information Gaps The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published today in the Federal Register its plan for the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The plan takes a positive first step by offering industry, non-governmental organizations and other groups the opportunity to voluntarily submit safety data on engineered nanoscale materials.
  • publications/archive January 4, 2008 Looking Back on the First Two Years This report reviews the Project’s major activities, key contributions, and most significant impacts over its first two years.
  • publications/archive December 3, 2007 Feynman, Voltaire and Beckett on Nanotechnology This presentation examines flaws in the assertion by the U.S. government that the existing regulatory system is adequate to address risks from nanotechnologies and explores actions that need to be taken to help foster successful commercialization of nano products.
  • news/archive August 2, 2007 Does EPA Have an Adequate Strategy to Oversee Nanotechnologies? Can it get needed information through a proposed program where companies voluntarily submit details about the nature of the nanomaterials they are using to manufacture products and about their steps to ensure safety? What incentives, if any, exist for firms to take part in this new EPA program? And how appropriate is the agency’s approach for classifying nanoscale substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)?
  • news/archive July 9, 2007 Tomorrow’s Green Nanofactories Viruses are notorious villains – a blight on both humans and their computers. A new episode in the Trips to the NanoFrontier explores how materials scientists Angela Belcher is improving their behavior, coaxing viruses and other microorganisms to self-assemble nanomaterials into a functional electronic devices. audio
  • publications/archive July 1, 2007 Where Does the Nano Go? End-of-Life Regulation of Nanotechnologies
  • news/archive June 29, 2007 Green Nanotechnology: Why We Need a Green Nano Award & How to Make It Happen
  • events/archive April 26, 2007 Green Nanotechnology: It’s Easier Than You Think On April 26, 2007, the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies will release its first report on green nanotechnology, which highlights the research breakthroughs, industry perspectives, and policy options discussed at those meetings. The report, Green Nanotechnology: It’s Easier Than You Think, is written by journalist and science writer, Karen Schmidt. video
  • news/archive April 13, 2007 The Project Goes Carbon Neutral As part of its overall goal to minimize risks to humans and the environment the Project is working to reduce its impact on climate change. Although we are a small full-time staff of eight people, we recognize that our activities add to the rising global greenhouse gas emission levels. We are committed to reducing these levels and mitigating their impact.
  • publications/archive April 1, 2007 Green Nanotechnology: It’s Easier Than You Think (Report)
  • events/archive March 26, 2007 4th Symposium in Nanotechnology and the Environment at the American Chemical Society Meeting in Atlanta
  • events/archive October 5, 2006 Regulating the Products of Nanotechnology Former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner for Policy Michael R. Taylor analyzes FDA’s ability to properly protect the American public from the potential hazards associated with nanotechnology in a new report, Regulating the Products of Nanotechnology: Does FDA Have the Tools It Needs? video
  • events/archive May 24, 2006 Green Nanotechnology IV—Policy Options For Greening New Technologies Are regulations necessary? Are there barriers to being green? What incentives might work? Who cares about green? video
  • events/archive April 26, 2006 Green Nanotechnology III—Engineering Green Nanotechnology How can environmentally benign manufacturing, Green Engineering and Design for the Environment be integrated into nanoproduct manufacturing? What tools would engineers need to manufacture nanomaterials and products “greenly?” video
  • events/archive April 19, 2006 Green Nanotechnology II—Industrial Perspectives How does industry perceive its role in preventing environmental harm from new technologies; how can nanotechnology industries take preventive measures? What are the economics of being green? Is green a competitive advantage? video