The Life Cycle of Nanomanufacturing Technologies

University Of Illinois At Chicago, Chicago IL

Investigators

Abstract

0646336 Theis This project has as its overall goal the initiation of studies in which life cycle inventory (LCI) and assessment (LCA) methods are used for carrying out evaluations of the environmental footprints of nanomanufacturing technologies. To date many research programs have taken up the product cycles and health impacts of nanomaterials, and many are exploring the potential of nanoproducts for environmental applications (membranes, sensors, etc.), but none have begun to examine directly nanomanufacturing technologies. At this stage of understanding and development of nanomanufacturing technologies, it is difficult to form testable hypotheses. It is very likely that some nano approaches will be measurably better in terms of their comparative environmental performance, while others will be worse. Thus this research is need-driven, as are many new research problems.