The State of Nanotechnology

1

Roadmap for the new Nano Frontier Some
suggested frameworks
Lloyd L. Tran President International
Association of Nanotechnology
2

Why do we need a roadmap?

• To find the best route
• To identify avoid obstacles and detours
• To optimize resources
• To collaborate with partners
• To maximize return of investment
• To communicate stakeholders

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Important factors in developing a roadmap

• What is the industry we are in?
• i.e. semiconductor, chemical, biotechnology,
  aerospace
• What is the use of it?
• i.e. A better computer chip, method to treat
  diseases, stronger material for aerospace
  applications
• What are the obstacles?
• i.e. Quantum effects at nanoscale, unknown
  toxicity, public acceptance
• What is the key strategy?
• i.e. focusing on the beneficial applications
  of nanotechnology
• What are the resources?
• i.e. government funding, private investment
• What is the time frame?
• i.e. a 5- 10 year plan

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Framework of a Nanotechnology Roadmap

• Scientific Research
• Nano -manufacturing and commercialization
• Venture capital Investment
• Public Relations
• Societal, Ethical, Environmental Safety
  Consideration

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Scientific Development Factors

• Multi-disciplinary nature of nanoscience and
  nanotechnology
• More funding are needed to realize the full
  potential of nanoscience
• Limited resources are available for
  nano-manufacturing production
• Need to focus on a certain list of priority of
  research topics, rather than
• scattered resources every where.
• Need to develop internationally accepted
  nomenclature
• Need to develop internationally accepted
  standards for research methodology
• and quality control and quality assurance.
• Need to collaborate internationally, while
  strengthen expertise locally

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Economic Factors

• Small technology-based entrepreneurial
  companies as a source of
• innovation and generator of jobs.
• Investors shy away from applications with
  lengthy time periods
• between R D and market penetration.
• Small companies at risk through the valley
  of death in funding and
• the period nexus between public policy and
  industry realities.
• Public/Private funding i.e. Incubator facility
  and seed capital needed to
• nurture start-up companies with promising
  technology
• Building an accessible labor pool of
  nanotechnologists and workforce in
• nanotechnology to create jobs and foster
  economic growth.

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Public Relations Factors

• Limited public awareness of nature and
  potential of nanotechnology
• Public funding to date focused on R D- Ratio
  of R D to successful
• product development is low
• Limited resources focusing on
  nano-manufacturing Commercialization's
• Government has not yet fully recognized
  barriers that could be assisted
• through increased public support
• Government support for nanotechnology
  innovation, i.e. FDA stamp of
• approval that a discrete nanomaterial is
  approved for market.
• Product liability guidelines for
  nanotechnology to clarify ambiguity
• surrounding market opportunities for
  nanotechnology products

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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• Public Trust
• Ethical
• Societal
• Environmental
• Health Safety

Public Engagement ?

• Nomenclature
• Methodology
• Measurement
• Peer Reviews
• Standards

• Costs vs. Benefits
• Utilization
• Intellectual Property
• Value
• Profits

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Challenges in developing international
nomenclature/ standards

• Communication across multi-disciplines
• National and international geo-political
  differences
• Intellectual Property protection
• Confidential business information
• Lack of funding for this long term endeavor
• Concern about potential government regulations
  and public policy

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Why International Standards are needed ?

• The Standard Project will develop
  interoperability specifications for
  nanomaterials, devices and nanoscale structures
  and systems.
• To set international standards for testing
  methods and processes so data is reported
  uniformly and results can be compared and
  verified
• This will help researchers, designers,
  manufacturers and suppliers as well as customers
  to communicate effectively and harmonize best
  practices worldwide.
• To optimize the manufacturing processes while
  ensure the trust and confidence of customers and
  public at large
• Without standards the emerging field cannot
  grow to become an major industry.

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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International nomenclature and standards in
Nanotechnology are urgently needed for

• Research laboratory
• Publication
• Patent Protection
• Communication
• Clinical study
• Manufacturing
• Commercialization

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Example of some nanotechnology terms

• Bottom-up
• Top-down
• Wet/wet, wet/dry, dry/dry
• Nano-scale hybrid materials
• Taxonomy of carbon nanostructured
• carbon black, diesel exhaust, filtration carbon,
  C60, fullerene, single-wall carbon nanotubes,
  multiwall carbon nanotubes

http//www.mb.tn.tudelft.nl/images/AnimatedTube.gi
f
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Lloyd L. Tran
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Current Nomenclature Standards Development
Effort

• IEEE has had standard for electrical
  characteristics of carbon nanotubes
• IUPAC and CAS have had some nomenclature
  frameworks for fullerene
• American National Standard Institute (ANSI)
  initiated a Nanotech panel
• ASTM and ASME has recently begun metrology
  effort
• ISO has begun development of international
  standards in nanotechnology

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Nanotechnology Standard Development

1. Metrology and test Methods
2. Properties and characteristics of
   nanomaterials
3. Risk assessment and management
4. Toxicology study
5. Environmental impact

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Nanotechnology Standards
1. Metrology and test methods

• Aggregation
• Agglomeration
• Airborn concentration
• Aspect ratio
• Dispersivity
• Hydroxylation
• Zeta potential
• Light scattering absorbance
• Mass concentration
• Surface area/ concentration
• Standards for calibration
• Statistical significance
• and others

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Nanotechnology Standard Development

• Metrology/measurement test methods
• 2. Properties and characteristics of
  nanomaterials

• naturally occurring vs. engineered particles
• size, shape, morphology
• surface area
• porosity
• solubility
• magnetic
• electrical
• bioactive
• composite, etc

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Single Wall Carbon Nanotube contains Redox-Active
Iron
Source Valerie E. Kagan, Dept. Environmental
Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh
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Nanotechnology Standard Development

1. Metrology/measurement test methods
2. Properties and characteristics
3. Risk Assessment and management

• exposure assessment
• hazard identification
• dose-response assessment
• risk characterization
• containment procedures
• threshold levels
• adverse effect report
• etc.

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Nanotechnology Standard Development

1. Metrology/measurement test methods
2. Properties and characteristics
3. Risk Assessment and management
4. Toxicology study

• bioavailability
• bioaccumulation
• bio-interaction
• pathogenicity
• toxic levels ppm, ppb
• acute vs chronic
• in vitro vs. in vivo
• by-products, metabolites, degradation products
• exposure route external, ingestion and
  inhalation,
• animal toxicity vs. human toxicity
• susceptibility children vs. adult exposure
• short-term and long term toxicity
• Etc

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Nanotechnology Standard Development

1. Metrology/measurement test methods
2. Properties and characteristics
3. Risk Assessment and management
4. Toxicology study
5. Environmental impact

• water and air quality
• land and soil quality
• energy conservation
• pollution and life cycle
• waste disposal
• route of exposure
• measures of exposure
• distribution of hazardous waste
• balanced risk/benefit evaluation
• pollution prevention
• Etc

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Lloyd L. Tran
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Nanoparticle Characterization

• What are the forms in which particles are
  presented to host, cells and organelles?
• What are residual solvents, processing variables,
  impurities and excipients?
• What are validated assays to detect and quantify
  nanoparticles in in vitro and in vivo?
• How do we determine long and short-term stability
  of nanomaterials?
• How do you analyze the degradation of
  nanoparticles
• How to maintain quality assurance in scaling-up
  to mass production.
• What are the reference materials and
  manufacturing standardization

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Nanoparticle Safety

• What are the nanoparticle pathways inside the
  human body?
• How long do the nanoparticles remain in the
  tissues and how are they cleared?
• What effects do nanoparticles have on cellular
  and tissue functions?
• Can nanoparticles gain access to the systemic
  circulation from dermal exposure? If
  nanoparticles enter skin cells, is there an
  effect on cellular functions?
• What are unanticipated reactions in vivo?

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Nanomaterial Environmental Issues

• How to protect workers from exposure to
  nanoparticles?
• Following human and animal use, can nanoparticles
  be released or excreted into the environment
• How to determine the extent of quantity of
  nanoparticle release in the environment?
• What might the nanoparticles effect on the
  environment?

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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FDA Standard Test Methods for Biological
Responses

• Guidelines for evaluating biological safety for
  pharmaceutical products
• Guidelines for nanoparticles are in development

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Toxic Substances Control Act 15 U.S.C. s/s 2601
et seq. (1976)

• The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of
  1976 was enacted by Congress to give EPA the
  ability to track the 75,000 industrial chemicals
  currently produced or imported into the United
  States.
• EPA repeatedly screens these chemicals and can
  require reporting or testing of those that may
  pose an environmental or human-health hazard.
• EPA can ban the manufacture and import of
  those chemicals that pose an unreasonable risk.

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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• Public Trust
• Ethical
• Societal
• Environmental
• Health Safety

Public Engagement ?

• Nomenclature
• Methodology
• Measurement
• Peer Reviews
• Standards

• Costs vs. Benefits
• Utilization
• Intellectual Property
• Value
• Profits

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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Conclusion

• A priority list of scientific research topics
  should be developed and focused
• Nano-manufacturing and quality
  control/assurance to be developed to expedite
• commercialization
• International nomenclature and standards are
  urgently needed
• Venture investment is needed for start-up
  nanotech companies
• Societal, safety consideration are important
  for public acceptance
• Public engagement should be part of the
  decision making process

International Association of Nanotechnology by
Lloyd L. Tran
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THANK YOU !
Lloyd L. Tran President International
Association of Nanotechnology http//www.ianano.or
g Email ltran_at_ianano.org