A Definition Framework for the Terms Nanomaterial and Nanoparticle
A Definition Framework for the Terms Nanomaterial and Nanoparticle
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DOI：
10.1007/s11569-015-0249-7
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发表时间：
2016-04-01
期刊：
影响因子：
1.3
通讯作者：
Arvidsson, Rickard
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Boholm, Max;Arvidsson, Rickard
科学著作和政策文件以各种方式定义了纳米材料和纳米颗粒这两个术语。这一变化被认为是有问题的，因为缺乏共同的定义被理解为可能阻碍纳米材料知识的生产和监管。另一种观点认为，共享定义的存在本身可能会造成问题，因为僵化的定义可以说排除了所研究现象的重要方面。这篇论文的目的是通过提供分析概念来告知这种不一致的状态，以便系统地理解纳米材料和纳米颗粒可以而且应该如何定义，甚至是否应该定义。为此，我们回顾了研究文章和政策文件中提出的纳米材料和纳米颗粒的定义。确定定义的方法是，首先进行Scope搜索，然后追溯所引用的定义的来源。总共确定了36个定义。哲学和语言学的定义理论为确定定义的结构和分类提供了分析指导，然后确定和讨论了定义的主要分析维度。最后，我们提出了一个理解纳米材料和纳米颗粒定义过程的框架。这一框架既考虑了达成共同理解所需的一般性(通过建议纳米材料和纳米颗粒的原始定义)，也考虑了不同目的所需的精确度水平(通过允许对原始定义进行各种解释)。
Scientific writings and policy documents define the terms nanomaterial and nanoparticle in various ways. This variation is considered problematic because the absence of a shared definition is understood as potentially hindering nanomaterial knowledge production and regulation. Another view is that the existence of a shared definition may itself cause problems, as rigid definitions arguably exclude important aspects of the studied phenomena. The aim of this paper is to inform this state of disagreement by providing analytical concepts for a systematic understanding of how, and even whether, nanomaterial and nanoparticle could and should be defined. To do this, we review definitions of nanomaterial and nanoparticle presented in research articles and policy documents. Definitions were identified by first conducting a Scopus search and then tracing cited definitions back to their sources. In total, 36 definitions were identified. Theories of definition from philosophy and linguistics provide analytical guidance for structuring and categorizing the identified definitions, and the main analytical dimensions of the definitions are then identified and discussed. Finally, we propose a framework for understanding the process of defining nanomaterial and nanoparticle. This framework considers both the generality needed for a shared understanding (by suggesting proto-definitions of nanomaterial and nanoparticle) and the level of precision required for different purposes (by allowing for various explications of the proto-definitions).