Nanotechnology and the Environment

Group U2:

Bryan HolekampKeaton HammRachael HoukKyle Demel

April 27, 2010 CHEN 489-501

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Outline

Introduction

Article 1: Economics of Conventional and Nano-enhanced Solar Water

Article 2: Exposure Modeling of Nanoparticles

Article 3: Environmental Impact of Carbon Nanotubes

Article 4: Assessing Environmental Implications of Nanomaterials

Article 5: Analysis of Environmental Impact of Fullerene Nanomaterials

Article 6: Ecotoxicity of Nanomaterials in Aquatic Environments

Further Research

References

Introduction

“Nanotechnology and the Environment”

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Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology focuses on the creation and utilization of materials, devices, and systems through the control of matter on the nano-scale – at the level of atoms, molecules, and molecular structure. Nanotechnology attempts to work at the small level to generate larger structures with fundamentally different properties. These new nanostructures are the smallest human-made objects and display new physical, chemical, and biological properties. The goal of nanotechnology is to exploit these properties while efficiently manufacturing and employing the new structures.

Nanotechnology will make many important contributions to science and engineering in the next century. Control of matter on the nano-scale already impacts physicist, chemists, material scientists, biologists, engineers, and doctors. Nanotech- nology offers to show many improvements in industrial chemical processing, electronic development, measuring and sensing, and design of “smart materials.”

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Environmental Applications

Nanotechnology has the potential to improve current environmental protection measures and our understanding of the environment. Current research could unveil new emission control schemes, develop new “green” technologies that minimize the production of undesirable byproducts, and remediate existing waste sites and polluted water sources. Nanotechnology has the potential to remove the smallest contaminants from the water we drink and from the air we breathe as well as to continuously measure and mitigate pollutants in the environment. Nanotechnology could also help reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, create environmentally benign composite structures, conserve energy reserves, and remediate current wastes.

Knowledge concerning the complex physical process involving nanostructures is essential to understanding the impact nanotechnology will have on the environment. Process at the interface between inorganic and biological systems are relevant to health and bio- chemical responses.

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Negative Aspects

Many scientists and researchers are concerned that nanomaterial residues may present detrimental health risks to humans and to the environment. Little data is available to show the quantitative effect that manufactured nanomaterials may have on the environment. Although particles on the nano-scale occur both in nature and as a result of industrial processes, the next generation of nanostructures are different because these materials are fabricated starting at the molecular level. These engineered nanomaterials are more reactive than traditional materials because the atoms in the nanoparticles reside on the surface of the material. The increase in reactivity may lead to different biological effects, which some scientists believe could lead to an increase in the toxicity of chemical pollutants.

Research aimed at understanding and anticipating the risks that nanotechnology may pose can reduce the uncertainty and enable risk assessment to support the responsible development of nano- technology.

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Areas of Impact

Nanotechnology is expected to impact a wide range of aspects concerning the environment. In order to formulate a plan for nanotechnology research and development in the coming years, the applications of nanotechnology are focused into the following five areas:

1. Nanotechnology applications for measurement in the environment

2. Nanotechnology applications for sustainable materials and resources

3. Nanotechnology applications for sustainable processes

4. Nanotechnology implications in natural and global processes

5. Nanotechnology implications in health and the environment

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Measurement in the Environment

The distinctive properties exhibited by nano-scale materials are expected to help develop the next generation of environmental sensing equipment. The advances in measurement science will enable the understanding of the interaction and outcome of natural and human-made nanomaterials in the environment. Further research is expected to impact the following areas:

Biological sensing on a continuous basis for high-density usage

Arrays of detection for a wide variety of potential analytes

Measurement techniques that distinguish the chemical composition and structure on a particle’s surface layers compared to the particle’s interior

Advances in spectroscopic instrumentation to rapidly detect nanoparticulates

The miniaturization and simplification of sensors will enable nanoparticles and nanostructures in the environments to be effectively measured.

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Sustainable Materials and Resources

Most scientists agree that nanotechnology offers enormous potential benefits to transforming the way we extract, develop, use, and dissipate materials. Nanotechnology will also change the flow, recovery, and recycling of valuable resources, especially concerning the use of energy, transportation of people and goods, supply of food, and availability of clean water. Further research identified for this topic are as follows:

Sustainable energy systems enabled by photovoltaics and biofuel cells

Optimization of the transport of people and goods using “green” vehicles and less energy-consumptive infrastructure

Better transport and storage of water by composite and multifunctional materials

Sustainable agriculture by developing more effective and less harmful pesticides

Application of life-cycle design and interdisciplinary training are needed to design new materials that meet sustainability requirements.

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Sustainable Processes

Sustainable manufacturing processes will help serve human needs while attaining high compatibility with the surrounding ecosystems and human population. The nano-scale science and technology focuses on integrated processes and a bottom-up assembly. Key research areas include:

Optimization of benign processing such as solvent-free or alternative processes

Control of the manufacturing process with sensors and actuators that will minimize defects, increases fault tolerance, and impart self-healing materials

Control of selectivity using multifunctional catalysts in chemical manufacturing

Increased stability of catalysts and sensors to monitor processes

Integration of biological processing with nanotechnology-driven manufacturing

Nanotechnology will develop new safety and environmental metrics for use in manufacturing, which will help reduce the waste and hazards present in current systems.

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Natural and Global Processes

Understanding and quantifying nanoparticles in Earth system processes is necessary in order to anticipate the impact that nanotechnology has on those processes. The research needed to successfully integrate environmental sustainability and nanotechnology includes the following:

Understanding nano-scale phenomena as they pertain to Earth systems

Quantifying the inputs, cycling, and effects that nanoparticles have in the environment in order to predict the impacts of future particle releases

Research will be able to help identify, quantify, and predict ecological effects on individuals, populations, and ecosystems on both short and long time frames. The needs can be addressed by building a broader community of interdisciplinary scientists with a focus on biologists and ecologists. Eventually, a database of nanoparticle properties will be accessible for models and academic reference to help develop real-time characterization of nanoparticles.

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Health and the Environment

Nanotechnology is likely to become incorporated into all aspects of daily life in 30 years or less. These emerging technologies need to be designed responsibly with a complete awareness of the potential health and environmental impacts. Further research will focus on the following:

Better understanding of the diversity of human-made nanoparticles through the development of a nanomaterial inventory.

Development of multianalyte toxicological procedures for risk assessment research.

Increased information on the effects of exposure to nanomaterials.

Prediction of biological properties of nanomatierals for both acute and chronic exposure through a toxicological assessment.

An accurate database to access nanotechnology-based environmental measurements along with new statistical software will allow scientists to better identify public health effects caused by exposure to nanomaterials as well as current environmental pollutants..

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Articles

The following articles attempt to address current research pertaining to the impact that nanotechnology has on human health and the environment. The articles cover the following issues:

Economic analysis of conventional technologies vs. nanotechnology applications

Exposure monitoring of nanoparticles in the environment

Evaluation of the potential environmental impact of carbon nanotubes

Uncertainty in the analysis of nanomaterials and the environment

Quantitative analysis of specific nanomaterials on the environment

Ecotoxicity of nanomaterials in an aquatic environment

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Article 1“Comparative Environmental and Economic Analysis of Conventional and Nanofluid Solar Hot Water Technologies”

by Otanicar TP, Golden JS

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Background (Article 1)

This article compares an economic and environmental impact Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of traditional solar hot water technologies with new nanofluid technology. The nanofluid concept has been tested both experimentally and numerically and has been shown to work in the laboratory.

Traditional solar collectors consist of a black copper plate coupled with tubing containing a thermal fluid. Insulation surrounds the plate to prevent heat loss due to conduction, and a glass plate is above the copper plate to prevent convective heat losses. In contrast, the nanofluid collectors have a layer of nanofluid on the top to directly absorb the sun’s radiation, eliminating the need for the copper plate and tubes. The following slide shows schematics and materials for both types of collectors for comparison.

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Collector Comparison (Article 1)

Otanicar TP, et. al.

Collector Comparison (Article 1)

The nanofluid collectors actually perform better on average throughout the year than the conventional collectors as shown in the figure below.

The average solar fraction of the nanofluid collector is 85% compared to 80% for the conventional collector.

Otanicar TP, et. al.

Economic Comparison (Article 1)

Preliminary experimental data suggest that the nanofluid collectors present a 3.5% improvement in efficiency over current copper-plate collectors. So from this, the technology of the new collectors is an improvement over pre-existing methods. The next step was to do a life cycle analysis to determine the economic comparison between the two products.

The cost of both products for their entire lifetime can be expressed as the sum of the area dependent cost and the area independent cost. These costs are taken to be the same for each collector, except that for the nanofluid collector, the cost of the fluid must be included (about $3/g of fluid). The lifetimes of the collectors are assumed to be the same.

The economic comparison data are shown in the following slide.

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Economic Comparison (Article 1)

Due to the high cost of the nanofluid, the new solar collector has a higher total cost and longer payback period than the conventional solar collector. However, in the future as the nanofluids become more widely used, the cost will go down and the nanofluid collectors will become more like conventional collectors in price.

Otanicar TP, et. al.

Environmental Comparison (Article 1)

To accomplish an environmental comparison, data for yearly hot water and natural gas usage was taken for the state of Arizona.

The life cycle assessment compared the gases emitted by production of each solar collector as well as the gas emissions saved by the use of the collectors over conventional hot water heaters. The gases considered were CO2, SOx, and Nox. The figure below shows the comparison.

Evidently, the nanofluid collector requires less gas emission to produce and saves more than the conventional solar collector. Over the lifetimes of the two products, the nanofluid collector would offset around 740 kg CO2 more than the conventional collector, and 23,000 kg more than traditional hot water heaters.

Otanicar TP, et. al.

Conclusions (Article 1)

Both conventional and nanofluid solar collectors are feasible solutions for hot water heating. While the nanofluid collector costs more upfront and has a longer payback period, it also offsets more gaseous emissions into the environment. Also, the nanofluid collector is more efficient on average throughout the year than the conventional collector.

The study was done based on data from Phoenix, Arizona, and the researchers propose that solar collector technology for hot water heating would be a terrific environmental incentive for the area due to the long summer months in Arizona where solar radiation is abundant. The following figure shows the yearly cost prevented based on environmental damage from greenhouse and other gases.

Otanicar TP, et. al.

Article 2“Exposure Modeling of Engineered Nanoparticles in the Environment”

by Mueller NC, Nowack B

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Background (Article 2)

This article deals with three main nanoparticles and analyzed their accumulation in the environment in Switzerland. The main goal of the analysis was to determine if the levels of nanoparticles accumulating in the soil, air, and groundwater were dangerous. As such, a risk factor was determined for the particles. The three nanoparticles are:

nano-Ag (silver nanoparticles)

nano-TiO2

Carbon nanotubes (CNT’s)

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Background (Article 2)

The purpose of the analysis in this paper is to determine the levels of nanoparticles that people will be exposed to because of the dramatic increase in production and manufacturing of products containing these nanoparticles. One of the drawbacks of such analysis is that there is not yet enough information on the toxicity of some nanoparticles such as titanium oxide. However, many assumptions were made to simplify the modeling in order to provide a crude initial estimation of the levels of nanoparticulate exposure of the population.

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Methods (Article 2)

The calculations were based on prior papers considering environmental impacts of nanoparticles and were not expounded in the paper explicitly. To determine a risk factor two things were used. The model was used to calculate the predicted environmental concentration (PEC) of a given nanoparticle. For comparison, previously obtained data were used to calculate the predicted no observed effect concentration (PNEC). From this, the risk factor was calculated as PEC/PNEC. If this factor is less than 1, the exposure to the nanoparticle is not dangerous based on previous levels in the environment.

For the life cycle assessment of the nanoparticles, flows were considered out of two main systems: waste incineration plants (WIP) and sewage treatment plants (STP).

Additionally, two estimates were made: a reasonable estimate (RE) based on current exposures, and a high estimate (HE) based on the worst case scenario.

Results (Article 2)

It was assumed that the majority of the CNT’s were burned and released into the air rather than into soil or groundwater.

On the other hand, most of the silver nanoparticles are found in the groundwater supply. Also, the titanium oxide nanoparticles are found spread in the air and soil. The figure on the next slide shows the resulting flow breakdown estimated for each type of nanoparticle and the ultimate destination, whether it is into the air via a waste incineration plant or into soil and groundwater via a sewage treatment plant.

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Results (Article 2)

Mueller NC, et. al.

Discussion (Article 2)

From the calculations, the ranges of the silver and carbon nanotube exposure from RE to HE were very small, and were always less than unity. Consequently, from current usage, CNT’s and silver nanoparticles do not pose a viable toxic threat to people.

The range for titanium oxide was very broad: from 0.7 for the RE to 16 for the HE. Because of this broad range, the article poses that more research must be done on the toxicity of titanium oxide nanoparticles to people when introduced into the environment. It is clear that exposure to titanium oxide nanoparticles may be quite high, so this research is essential in the near future.

The following slide contains the estimations of risk factors for each of the types of nano- particles for both the RE and HE estimates.

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Discussion (Article 2)

Mueller NC, et. al.

Article 3“Early Evaluation of Potential Environmental Impacts of Carbon Nanotube Synthesis by Chemical Vapor Deposition”

by Plata DL, Hart AJ, Reddy CM, Gschwend PM

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Background (Article 3)

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are made through a number of different techniques. One of the few methods that has been successfully scaled up to an industrial level is chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This article investigates the knowledge researchers garnered from examining this method in the laboratory.

CVD can produce several by-products which are environmentally unfavorable. This paper discusses these by-products and suggests changes to the method before it is further implemented. These by-products are things like the greenhouse gas methane, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).

Changing the manufacturing method could have several potential benefits including Lower costs for heating/cooling utilities

and effluent treatment More efficient use of raw materials Less effect on the local environment of the

production facilityhttp://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/TECHNOLOGY/tech_cnt.html

Suggested Plan (Article 3)

This paper suggests that an environmentally appropriate method of production should be found as part of the R&D that goes into a product. This process is counter to current practices that develop a product with focus only on cost and efficiency without regard to environmental impact, resulting in high costs of post-implementation remediation and production changes.

Develop new

materialProduce it

Clean up and change manufacturi

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Develop new

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Develop “green”

manufacturing

Produce it

Considerations (Article 3)

Currently, there is little data on the side products made during CNT manufacturing. The researchers developed an experimental method to specifically test these products as they were made during CNT manufacturing under a wide set of different conditions.

The two primary conditions manipulated were the composition of the feed gas (ethyne or ethylene; H2 or He) and the temperature of the pre-heater.

The goal was to find a set of conditions that produced minimal side products while at the same time optimizing the CNT product purity and growth rate, and the final size, along with the energy used.

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Experimental Method (Article 3)

To test the side products made during CNT production, the feed gases (some combination of C2H4, C2H2, H2, He) were pre-heated in a thermal treating chamber. In this section, the majority of the side products were formed.

Next, the gas passes to a cooling chamber where it cools to room temperature. Here, the VOC and PAH samples were removed to determine the amounts produced during the first step.

Finally, the gases passed to the reaction chamber. The CNTs grew on the Fe nanoparticle seeds, which sat on a layer of Al2O3 above a Si support. The growth rate of the CNTs was monitored in real-time.

Afterwards, the VOC and PAH compositions were analyzed using GC-MS.

The set-up for this experiment is shown on the next page.

Experimental Set-up (Article 3)

Heated Silicon Block

Al2O3 sublayerPre-heater

Cooling to Room Temp.

and VOC/PAH collection

Fe nanoparticle seeds

**Not to scale

Feed gas

Results (Article 3)

More VOCs were formed when the pre-heater temperature was higher. These compounds, however, also sped the growth rate of the CNTs. These experiments were the first to report the specific compounds that were produced during this thermal treatment of the feed gases. Some gases such as methane and benzene depended strongly on temperature, while both 1,3- and 1,2- butadiene were less sensitive.

As the temperature of the pre-heater increased, the CNTs formed faster, but grew to be less tall. The figure shows these relationships.

Plata DL, et. al.

Article 4“Decreasing Uncertainties in Assessing Environmental Exposure, Risk, and Ecological Implications of Nanomaterials”

by Wiesner MR, Lowry GV, Jones KL, Hochella MF, Di Giulio RT, Casman E

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Theory (Article 4)

Currently, the environmental impact of nanomaterials (NMs) is unknown in nearly every respect. There are three categories of NMs that can appear in nature: natural, incidental, and manufactured. These categories are based on the origin of the NMs and say nothing of the types or potential impact.

Nanomaterials can have direct or indirect effects on organisms and the environment. Direct effects include catalyzing undesired reactions or changing the conformation of proteins. Indirect effects include acting as a carrier for another compound to convey it to areas where it would not travel by itself (taking Hg into a cell).

The Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEINT) is studying these effects and developing research methods to allow for standardized testing of NMs for environmental impact. This paper is part of their work.

http://www.ceint.duke.edu/

Natural Nanoparticles (Article 4)

Natural nanomaterials have existed in nature since the origins of life. Consequently, they may not be well understood, but all forms of life encounter them and have evolved to function with them.

Natural nanomaterials can be found in almost every place in the universe including oceans, the atmosphere, soil systems, glaciers, and interplanetary space. The authors of the paper suggest that the oceans contain most of the naturally occurring nanomaterials.

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Incidental Nanomaterials (Article 4)

Incidental NMs result from human activities but are not made on purpose.

The most common example is the NMs released from the combustion of such fossil fuels as coal. One of the better known incidental NMs is fullerene-related nanocrystals. Because fossil fuels are used in almost every corner of the earth, incidental NMs can be found almost everywhere.

This widespread distribution of both natural and incidental NMs distinguishes them from the manufactured NMs. Manufactured NMs are only expected to appear in localized distributions like where these NMs are made, used, and disposed of.

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Manufactured Nanomaterials (Article 4)

There are many types of manufactured NMs; this paper defines a nanomaterial as something that has at least one dimension in the magnitude of 1-100 nanometers.

Manufactured NMs can be specifically designed for special properties that include optical, physical, and chemical. These NMs may act very distinctly from their bulk (not NM) counterparts with the same compounds. There is a concern that these different properties could make the NMs behave differently within an ecosystem or biological organism, making them more harmful or less toxic.

Another concern is that the NMs could be changed by the environment to have properties, particularly chemical properties, potentially making them more reactive than manufactured.

A method of determining the hazards associated with manufactured is not yet fully established. The CEINT is working to make a standardized procedure for doing this.

Potential Impacts (Article 4)

Because of the increased surface area to mass ratio of NMs, they can have more severe toxic effects at the same mass-based dosage than the bulk material. For example, Ag nanoparticles (NPs) cause an observable “nano” effect of toxicity that is not seen in larger particles. However, this is not true for all compounds because TiO2 does not show this “nano” effect when comparing NPs and the bulk material.

The significantly increased surface area of NMs affects their behavior with respect to the agglomeration, dispersion, and deposition. These differences because these properties are based on surface chemistry. This new behavior needs a non-conventional model to aid in the understanding.

Nanomaterials can react with chemicals found in the environment or in an organism. This possibility is perhaps one of the most severe impacts because NPs might do such things as changing DNA or something else catastrophic for an organism. These changes might not be seen for several generations; this means that these effects can not be fully anticipated

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Experimental Methods (Article 4)

These researchers are proposing dramatic changes to the way toxicology and environmental safety are assessed in the laboratory because of the potential for NMs to behave so radically different than previously tested materials.

For example, a study was done showing C60 fullerenes are very toxic to two types of bacteria when tested in a culture that was only these bacteria. However, when the fullerenes were added to a soil containing these bacteria, no toxic effects were observed. This mechanism is unknown, but it demonstrates the principle that nanomaterials should be tested to simulate a system, not just one organism or tissue sample, because that is the way the NMs will encounter life once manufactured and used on a large scale.

A big leap for this idea of testing in vivo is the ability to breed transparent fish. These fish allow for testing and analysis of a live specimen at the cellular level.

http://www.physorg.com/news121521450.html

Follow-up (Article 4)

The differences between nanomaterials and the bulk material need to be understood more thoroughly. If this can be done in some areas, maybe the results can be extrapolated to other areas where testing would not be so easy.

Interactions between NMs and existing environmental pollutants should be studied to determine if NMs increase, decrease, or do not affect the present contaminants. It there is an increasing effect, then great care needs to prevent the co-occurrence of the two materials. If NMs decrease the effect, the perhaps they can be used intentionally as a remediation tool.

Another area of research is the effect that certain environmental or biological systems can have on coatings used on NPs. If the coated NP is not harmful, then it may not be a logical conclusion that it will always be so since the coating might be unintentionally removed.

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Article 5“Quantitative Analysis of Fullerene Nanomaterials in Environmental Systems: A Critical Review”

by Isaacson CW, Kleber M, Field JA

http://www.nanopaprika.eu/profiles/blogs/now-on-view-nanoart-200809

Fullerenes (Article 5)

A fullerene is any molecule composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube. Fullerene spheres are also called Buckyballs. Cylindrical fullerenes are referred to as carbon nanotubes. Fullerenes are structurally similar to graphite (sheets of graphene comprised of hexagonal rings) except fullerenes are typically enclosed and may also contain pentagonal and heptagonal rings.

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Uses (Article 5)

Fullerenes and surface-functionalized fullerene classes can be used in various applications: Visual and optical enhancement of electronics

Reliability and efficiency in electronic equipment

Safety and property addition in cosmetics

Research in biomedical discoveries

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Fullerene Analysis (Article 5)

The current analytical methods common for fullerene analysis include transmission electron microscopy, quartz crystal microbalance, x-ray photon spectroscopy, light scattering and electrophoretic mobility.

The extraction of fullerenes from environmental solids including sediments and combustion-derived soots currently consist of sonication or Soxhlet extraction with toluene.

Differentiating between various fullerene forms is accomplished through chromatographic separation.

The ability to differentiate between the various molecular forms of fullerenes includes liquid chromatography and ultraviolet light detection.

The quantification of fullerene nanomaterials in geological, biological, or aqueous matrices is not widely available.

Problems with analysis (Article 5)

Extraction is difficult because fullerenes have a tendency to change from their hydrophobic state to a more water stable form when introduced to certain solvents.

Temperature only aids solubility up to a certain point and depends greatly on choice of solvent.

Fullerenes of different sizes and with different functional groups attached are incredibly difficult to isolate from one another and few reliable methods are available

Most analytical methods for detection are used for pure samples, not naturally occurring particular matter.

Role of Chemistry (Article 5)

The applicability of fullerenes is limited in regards to current research opportunities. Until the previously mentioned procedures are modified and improved, it will be difficult to determine the exact amounts in which fullerenes and their various forms occur in nature.

Fullerene concentration and purity in biological samples cannot be guaranteed within acceptable ranges until better analytical methods are obtained.

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Article 6“Ecotoxicity and Analysis of Nanomaterials in the Aquatic Environment”

by Farré M, Gajda-Schrantz K, Kantiani L, Barceló D

http://blogs.nature.com/nm/spoonful/zebrafish.jpg

Introduction (Article 6)

Application of nanotechnology permits the alteration of the fundamental physical and chemical properties of conventional materials. It allows us to fabricate new materials with unique electrical, optical and mechanical properties. Various purposes exists for nanomaterials such as Fillers

Catalysts

Semiconductors

Cosmetics

Microelectronics

Pharmaceuticals

Drug carriers

Energy storage

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Nano Implications (Article 6)

The estimated global market worth for nanotechnology was $10.5 billion in 2006.

The ability to manipulate material properties has opened the door for research in nearly every field of materials production imaginable.

One of the implications of rapid research and implementation however is a lack of understanding of the effects of these artificial materials in natural settings, including environmental and biological effects.

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Natural/Non-engineered NPs (Article 6)

Nanomaterials are not only generated in multimillion- dollar laboratories. Nanoparticles (NPs) are also part of the range of atmospheric particles generated by somewhat frequent natural events such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires.

Nanoparticless also occur in the fumes generated during welding, metal smelting, automobile exhaust, and industrial processes.

The prevalence of these various processes in industry have triggered several studies over the years. As such, the effects that these processes have on worker health and the environment are starting to be discovered.

Farré M, et. al.

Manufactured Nanomaterials (Article 6)

Modern manufactured nanomaterials production research has vastly surpassed the toxicological research.

Traditional toxicological research approaches usually do not take into consideration the effects of physical size and surface area.

When the particle size shrinks, there is a tendency to increase the toxicity, even if the same material is relatively inert in bulk form.

While nanoparticle inhalation has been studied extensively, other forms of exposure still remain unexplored.

Farré M, et. al.

Toxicological Studies (Article 6)

The effects of fullerenes, a very common type of nanomaterial, while dissolved in water have been studied.

Treatments with solvents are used to increase the water solubility of these hydrophobic molecules for certain uses.

These same treatment increase the chance of unintentional water pollution.

Farré M, et. al.

Preparation Methods (Article 6)

The carbon nanomaterials were presented into the aquatic environment through a variety of methods to determine the effect on several aquatic fish species. Solvents and dispersants prevented a fast and stable dispersion of nanoparticles

into the environment. The solvents may be toxic, potentially altering the observed effects of the experiment. The solvents can also affect the toxicity of the solutes.

Ultrasonication does not introduce solvents or any other toxicants into the system. Ultrasonication can, however, produce a change-of-shape in nanomaterials, potentially altering their toxicity. Also, this is an unstable dispersion method.

Stirring and shaking do not add solvents or any toxicants into the system. Yet, long stirring/shaking times are needed, and this is also an unstable dispersion method.

Using the different dispersion methods, various nanoparticles are introduced to different species of fish. The observed responses are then measured and tabulated. Disappointingly, the results proved inconclusive due to a lack of comparative data.

Conclusions (Article 6)

The main conclusion from the various experiments showed that new analytical techniques must be developed for studying nanoparticles and nanomaterials. More extensive research is needed to determine nanomaterial toxicity. Eventually, guidelines need to be established for the use of nanomaterial solvents in applications where water pollution is a possible outcome.

The results from this particular experiment did not conclusively show that nanomaterials presented real hazards to the fish in this experiment. However, the exposure times and the list of known nanomaterials was very short. The nanoparticles may still present a danger to the aquatic ecosystem. More research is needed to confirm the toxicity of the nanomaterials.

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Further Research

“Nanotechnology and the Environment”

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Conclusions

This reported focused on how nanotechnology will affect the environment and human health. The articles focused on specific areas where nanotechnology effects are currently being measured or investigated. The topics covered by the articles included an economic comparison, exposure monitoring, a carbon nanotube evaluation, an analysis on how to decrease the uncertainty with nanomaterials, an analysis of nanomatierals in land-based and aquatic environments.

Nanotechnology is expected to impact a wide range of aspects concerning the environment. The five main areas include measurement of nanomaterials, sustainable resources, sustainable processes, natural and global implications, and health and environmental implications.

The knowledge of nanomaterials and their impacts in the environment has rapidly increased in the last few years. Yet many questions still linger. The following slides present ideas and questions for further research for each of the articles covered in this presentation.

Article 1

How can the nanofluid be made more economically efficient?

Can the solar cells themselves be improved with nanotechnology?

Is the nanofluid system as safe and reliable as the conventional set-up?

How do other traditional and nanotechnology-enhanced applications compare in terms of economics, reliability, and safety?

What new technologies will make the nanofluid cheaper?

How do the environmental considerations affect the demand for nanofluid?

Is the technology as effective in other regions outside Arizona?

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Article 2

What are the effects of the most prevalent nanoparticle, titanium oxide?

Do these nanoparticles pose a serious risk to health and the environment?

What other nanoparticles should be monitored for exposure potential?

What concentration of nanoparticles is needed to pose risks to human health?

What is the accumulation of nanomaterial in other parts of the world?

How can the model be improved upon?

What are the most effective methods to eliminating nanoparticles?

What are the health cost of addressing nanoparticle exposure? http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/dcblog/health%20care.jpg

Article 3

What side products and their health consequences are synthesized in other carbon nanotube manufacturing techniques?

What are the effects of scaling up current manufacturing techniques?

Is it possible to removes the VOCs/PAHs after producing them?

Can the production techniques be tweaked to avoid making side products?

What are the costs of cleaning up the side products?

What additional health effects do the carbon nanotubes have?

Is chemical vapor deposition environmentally harmful with the creation of other materials?

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Article 4

How do nanomaterials impact the environment differently then bulk materials?

Do nanomaterials interact with existing environmental pollutants?

How can nanotechnology mitigate existing toxins and pollutants?

How do nanoparticles behave in different biological systems?

Can nanoparticle coatings pacify otherwise aggressive nanoparticles?

Can nanoparticles become biodegradable?

How can observed effects in a Petri dish be used to predict the effects that occur in a biological ecosystem?

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Article 5

What are the effects on the environment based on the size of the fullerene?

What additional applications will fullerenes be used for?

What are better ways to quantify fullerene nanomaterials?

How do you eliminate problems with fullerene analysis?

What concentrations of fullerenes are ecologically toxic?

What other analytical methods can be used to measure fullerenes?

What are the current environmental concentrations of fullerenes?

What should be done to mitigate fullerene contamination? http://www.ccp14.ac.uk/ccp/web-mirrors/shape/fuller8.GIF

Article 6

What are all the nanomaterials that can impact the aquatic environment?

What aquatic life do these nanomaterials threaten or impact?

Do some organisms benefit from the presence of nanomaterials?

How much would aquatic remediation cost?

What are effective ways to model nanomaterial dispersant?

What laws should be enforced to prevent the dispersion of harmful or toxic nanomaterials into the environment?

How do nanomaterials present in the aquatic environment affect the rest of the ecosystem, including humans?

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References

“Nanotechnology and the Environment”

http://florence20.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83452a77469e20120a704fccf970b-800wi

References

Farré M, Gajda-Schrantz K, Kantiani L, Barceló D. Ecotoxicity and Analysis of Nanomaterials in the Aquatic Environment. BioMedSearch.com. Available at http://www.biomedsearch.com/ nih/Ecotoxicity-analysis-nanomaterials-in-aquatic/18987850.html. Published January 26, 2009.

Isaacson CW, Kleber M, Field JA. Quantitative Analysis of Fullerene Nanomaterials in Environmental Systems: A Critical Review. Environmental Science & Technology. Available at http://pubs.acs.org/ doi/abs/10.1021/es900692e. Published August 5, 2009.

Mueller NC, Nowack B. Exposure Modeling of Engineered Nanoparticles in the Environment. Environmental Science & Technology. Available at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es7029637. Published May 9, 2008.

National Science and Technology Council. Nanotechnology and the Environment. Available at http://www.nano.gov/NNI_Nanotechnology_and_the_Environment.pdf. Accessed April 22, 2010.

Otanicar TP, Golden JS. Comparative Environmental and Economic Analysis of Conventional and Nanofluid Solar Hot Water Technologies. Environmental Science & Technology. Available at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es900031j. Published June 23, 2009.

Plata DL, Hart AJ, Reddy CM, Gschwend PM. Early Evaluation of Potential Environmental Impacts of Carbon Nanotube Synthesis by Chemical Vapor Deposition. Environmental Science & Technology. Available at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es901626p. Published October 7, 2009.

Wiesner MR, Lowry GV, Jones KL, Hochella MF, Di Giulio RT. Decreasing Uncertainties in Assessing Environmental Exposure, Risk, and Ecological Implications of Nanomaterials. Environmental Science & Technology. Available at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es803621k. Published July 29, 2009.