Industrial Safety of Nanoheaters

纳米技术的社会影响已经被公认为是由最近令人兴奋的科学发现产生的新的纳米产品的生命周期成功的关键。目前的社会重点大多集中在纳米颗粒和纳米管对环境和健康的影响上。相比之下，有一个领域存在显著的知识差距，正在进行的研究要少得多，那就是对工业安全的研究。特别是，虽然在煤矿、食品和制药工业以及粉末加工设施中微米级颗粒的潜在爆炸危险是众所周知的，但没有关于纳米颗粒的安全指南。因此，本中心补充的目标是更好地了解和减轻纳米级颗粒、电线、纤维和薄膜在加工、处理和运输过程中发生火灾和爆炸的风险。研究的重点是金属异质结构（如铝和镍），其放热反应性可以用于纳米尺度（空间和时间）加热，但也可能产生意外爆炸的风险。本研究的智力价值集中在通过综合建模和实验对以下方面的基本认识：(1)尺寸、形状、团聚和环境对着火和爆炸风险的影响；(2)分离膜对着火和反应传播速率的控制作用；(3)纳米加热器的包装方法，以优化其有效性，同时最大限度地降低处理、运输和使用过程中的安全风险。这种基本的理解将适用于更广泛的纳米结构。因此，随着对大量纳米颗粒需求的增加，这项研究的更广泛影响包括降低工业事故的风险，这些事故可能导致重大的生命损失、设备和建筑物的损坏、生产产出的延迟以及公众对新技术的信任的丧失。从这项研究中获得的知识将通过高速率纳米制造中心现有的基础设施进行传播，包括将其纳入面向工业的EHS研讨会。此外，我们强大的国际联系将有助于促进全球讨论和实施更有效的安全准则。

Societal implications of nanotechnology have been well-recognized as critical to the life-cycle success of new nano-based products arising from recent exciting scientific discoveries. Much of the current societal emphasis has been on environmental and health effects of nanoparticles and nanotubes. In contrast, an area in which significant gaps of knowledge exist, with much less ongoing research, is the study of the industrial safety. In particular, while the potential explosion hazards of micron-size particles in coal mines, in the food and pharmaceutical industries, and in powder processing facilities are well known, safety guidelines do not exist for nanoparticles. Thus, the objective of this Center supplement is to better understand and mitigate the risk of fire and explosion during processing, handling, and transportation of nanoscale particles, wires, fibers, and films. The specific focus of the research is on metallic heterostructures (e.g., Aluminum and Nickel) whose exothermic reactivity can be harnessed for nanoscale (spatial and temporal) heating, but can also create the risk of accidental explosion. The intellectual merit of this research focuses on a fundamental understanding through integrated modeling and experiments of: (1) the effect of size, shape, agglomeration, and environment on ignition and explosion risk; (2) the effect of separation membranes to control both the ignition and the reaction propagation rate; and (3) methods of packaging nanoheaters to optimize effectiveness while minimizing safety risks during handling, transportation, and use.This fundamental understanding will be applicable to a broader range of nanostructures. Thus, as the demand for larger quantities of nanoparticulates increases, the broader impacts of this research include reducing the risk of industrial accidents that can cause significant loss of life, damage to equipment and buildings, delay in production output, and loss of public trust in new technology. The knowledge gained from this research will be disseminated through the existing infrastructure of the Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing, including incorporation into EHS seminars to industry. In addition, our strong international connections will help to facilitate global discussion and implementation of more effective safety guidelines.