Projects

Industrially produced nanoparticles offer potential for a wide range of products. Further research regarding the impacts of nanoparticles on people and the environment is needed. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funds projects together with industry to fill knowledge gaps and to initiate measures to identify and minimize risk. The goal of these projects is to find methods for an early assessment of the impact of nanoparticles on human health and the environment.

Within the framework of WING , the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has called for proposals on „NanoNature: Nanotechnologies for Environmental Protection – Benefits and Impacts“ and „NanoCare: Impacts of Synthetic Nanomaterials on Man“. By filling some further gaps in our knowledge on the effects of nanomaterials on man and the environment as well as on the related interactions, these projects will contribute to ensuring a safe, responsible use of nanotechnology in the German industry. 20 projects will be supported and be funded by a total sum of EUR 36 million.

NanoCare

NanoCare intends to further investigate systematically the human-toxicological effects and interactions occurring during the production, processing, and application of synthetic nanomaterials. External and internal exposures will be quantified, material-specific toxicity parameters will be determined, and mechanisms of action will be identified to detect and predict possible toxic effects on humans along the life cycle of the investigated nanomaterials.

NanoCare projects: CarbonBlack, CarboTox, NanoExpo, NanoGEM, NanoKon, NanoMed, Nanosilver particles

NanoNature

NanoNature is aimed at strengthening potential nanomaterial market segments in the environmental field and at enhancing the export of environmentally relevant materials and technologies. In addition, systematic analyses will be carried out and adapted measuring methods will be developed to assess the release, distribution, fate, and effect of synthetic nanoparticles and nanomaterials in the environment.

NanoNature projects: Fe-NANOSIT, NADINE, NanoFlow, NanoKiesel, NanoMembrane, NanoPharm, NanoPurification, NanoSan, Nano-SCR, NanoTrack, NAPASAN, UMSICHT

The EU also funds many projects on the effects of nanoparticles on human health and the environment.

The cluster NanoSafety  published in March 2010 a summary of projects funded: "Compendium of Projects in the European NanoSafety Cluster", updated version February 2011 "Compendium of Projects in the European NanoSafety Cluster 2011 Edition" (pdf-documents for download).

QNano, the European Union-funded infrastructure for nanomaterial safety testing. A four year project which begins in February 2011 comprises 27 top European analytical & experimental facilities in nanotechnology, medicine and natural sciences. It aims to create an integrated hub to support Europe’s nanosafety research community.