NSF-EPA Workshop on Life Cycle Aspects of Nanoproducts, Nanostructured Materials, and Nanomanufacturing: Problem Definitions, Data Gaps, and Research Needs

0933674这是一个建议，召开一个研讨会的生命周期研究的需要和机会的纳米技术材料，制造方法和产品。纳米技术生命周期方面的研究已经落后于整体的研究工作，即使是小（但不断增长）的努力，对环境，健康和安全主要是致力于了解命运，运输和毒理学性质的纳米结构材料-而不是生命周期的资源需求，排放和环境影响。尽管人们普遍同意生命周期观点的重要性，但与之相比，目前关于生命周期评估本身的研究工作微不足道，没有显示出明显的趋势。缺乏对生命周期和纳米技术的协调一致的研究努力意味着影响环境质量的一些关键问题没有得到充分解决。这些包括资源可用性和分配、能源需求、制造效率、供应链管理、纳米材料的环境特性、废物产生和寿命终止管理（包括处置、遏制和回收/再利用）。计划举办一次为期两天的重点研讨会，邀请12-15名专家参加。其他与会者将使总数达到约50人。每位受邀者将提前准备一份两页纸的论文，其中涉及构成会议议程的一系列关键问题中的一个或多个问题。这些将在所有与会者中提前分发和讨论。研讨会的目标是建立一个重点研究计划，全面解决使用生命周期方法的纳米技术的环境影响的基础。该研讨会与其他纳米技术研究工作的区别在于其对生命周期评估方法，研究需求和结果的具体关注。具体目标是（1）审查现有的研究，评估科学状况，并确定知识库中关于纳米技术产品和工艺生命周期的差距;（2）发展对纳米结构材料组合的批判性理解，它们的制造过程，以及为社会提供最大改善前景的最终产品，以及那些没有多大希望或很有可能造成或恶化环境危害的项目（3）制定一项研究计划，以满足所确定的需求（4）建立一条前进的道路，可由政府间或政府间-私营部门联合就纳米技术的生命周期采取行动;及（5）探讨纳米技术应用的生命周期规管架构的基础本项目将制定一项重点研究策略，以管理和改善纳米技术的环境状况。研讨会的主要成果是向NSF和EPA提交一份最终报告或白色文件，该报告将：（1）总结纳米技术产品生命周期的知识、差距和研究及监管需求;（2）为生命周期和纳米技术的重点研究计划的必要性提供理论依据，包括成本和效益分析;以及（3）为这一研究项目制定初步计划，探讨其结构（包括政府与私营部门合作的可能性），建议必要的资金水平，并确定研究领域的优先次序。

0933674 TheisThis is a proposal to convene a workshop on life cycle research needs and opportunities of nanotechnological materials, manufacturing methods, and products. Research on life cycle aspects of nanotechnology has lagged overall research efforts, and even the small (but growing) effort on environmental, health, and safety is devoted largely to understanding the fate, transport, and toxicological properties of nanostructured materials - rather than life cycle resource demands, emissions and environmental implications. Despite widespread agreement on the importance of the life cycle perspective, current research efforts with regard to life cycle assessment per se are miniscule by comparison and exhibit no discernable trend. The lack of a concerted research effort on life cycle and nanotechnology means that a number of critical issues that impact environmental quality are not being adequately addressed. These include resource availability and allocation, energy requirements, manufacturing efficiency, supply chain management, environmental properties of nanomaterials, waste generation, and end-of-life management (which includes disposal, containment, and recycling/reuse). A focused, two day workshop is planned with a core of 12-15 expert invitees. Additional attendees will bring the total to approximately 50 individuals. Each invitee will prepare in advance a two-page paper that addresses one or more of a series of critical questions that frame the proceedings. These will be circulated and discussed in advance among all attendees. The goal of the workshop is to establish the basis for a focused research program that comprehensively addresses the environmental impacts of nanotechnology using the life cycle approach. This workshop is differentiated from other nanotechnology research efforts by its specific focus on life cycle assessment methods, research needs and findings. The specific objectives are to (1) review existing research, assess the state of science, and identify gaps in the knowledge base regarding the life cycle of nanotechnological products and processes; (2) develop a critical understanding of combinations of nanostructured materials, their manufacturing processes, and resultant products that offer the greatest promise for improvements for society, as well as those that offer little promise or have a high probability of creating or worsening environmental hazards (3) develop a research plan to address the needs identified (4) establish a pathway forward that could be pursued by an intergovernmental, or joint intergovernmental-private, initiative on the life cycle of nanotechnology; and (5) explore the basis of a life cycle regulatory framework for nanotechnological applications This project will result in a focused research strategy for managing and improving the environmental profile of nanotechnologies. The principal output of the workshop will be a final report, or white paper, to NSF and EPA that will (1) summarize the state of knowledge, gaps, and research and regulatory needs of life cycle applied to nanotechnological products; (2) provide a rationale for the need for a focused research program on life cycle and nanotechnology that includes an analysis of costs and benefits; and (3) develop an initial plan for such a research program that will explore how it might be structured (including the potential for a joint government-private partnership), suggest necessary funding levels, and prioritize research areas.