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Sustainable Nanotechnology: Through Green Methods and Life-Cycle Thinking

Author

Listed:
  • Rajive Dhingra

    (Department of Industrial and Information Engineering, University of Tennessee, 416 East Stadium Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Sasikumar Naidu

    (Department of Industrial and Information Engineering, University of Tennessee, 416 East Stadium Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Girish Upreti

    (Department of Industrial and Information Engineering, University of Tennessee, 416 East Stadium Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Rapinder Sawhney

    (Department of Industrial and Information Engineering, University of Tennessee, 416 East Stadium Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

Abstract

Citing the myriad applications of nanotechnology, this paper emphasizes the need to conduct “life cycle” based assessments as early in the new product development process as possible, for a better understanding of the potential environmental and human health consequences of nanomaterials over the entire life cycle of a nano-enabled product. The importance of this reasoning is further reinforced through an illustrative case study on automotive exterior body panels, which shows that the perceived environmental benefits of nano-based products in the Use stage may not adequately represent the complete picture, without examining the impacts in the other life cycle stages, particularly Materials Processing and Manufacturing. Nanomanufacturing methods often have associated environmental and human health impacts, which must be kept in perspective when evaluating nanoproducts for their “greenness.” Incorporating life-cycle thinking for making informed decisions at the product design stage, combining life cycle and risk analysis, using sustainable manufacturing practices, and employing green chemistry alternatives are seen as possible solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajive Dhingra & Sasikumar Naidu & Girish Upreti & Rapinder Sawhney, 2010. "Sustainable Nanotechnology: Through Green Methods and Life-Cycle Thinking," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(10), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:2:y:2010:i:10:p:3323-3338:d:9991
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    2. H. Scott Matthews & Lester Lave & Heather MacLean, 2002. "Life Cycle Impact Assessment: A Challenge for Risk Analysts," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(5), pages 853-860, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jacqueline A. Isaacs & Carol Lynn Alpert & Matthew Bates & Christopher J. Bosso & Matthew J. Eckelman & Igor Linkov & William C. Walker, 2015. "Engaging stakeholders in nano-EHS risk governance," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 24-28, March.
    2. Ineke Malsch & Vrishali Subramanian & Elena Semenzin & Danail Hristozov & Antonio Marcomini, 2015. "Supporting decision-making for sustainable nanotechnology," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 54-75, March.
    3. Stella Stoycheva & Alex Zabeo & Lisa Pizzol & Danail Hristozov, 2022. "Socio-Economic Life Cycle-Based Framework for Safe and Sustainable Design of Engineered Nanomaterials and Nano-Enabled Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, May.
    4. Henning Wigger & Till Zimmermann & Christian Pade, 2015. "Broadening our view on nanomaterials: highlighting potentials to contribute to a sustainable materials management in preliminary assessments," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 110-128, March.
    5. Vrishali Subramanian & Elena Semenzin & Danail Hristozov & Esther Zondervan-van den Beuken & Igor Linkov & Antonio Marcomini, 2015. "Review of decision analytic tools for sustainable nanotechnology," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 29-41, March.

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