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Presentation 1:Examples of uses of nanomaterialsat work

Sectors / products using nanomaterials

Date, location

Construction sector

• More generally, construction uses include composite materials to improve strength, stiffness, electrical conductivity or heat resistance

• Cement, concrete and wet mortar (e.g. nano-binders in ultra-high performance concrete)

• Steel (increased strength, reduced wear, reduced cracks, strengthened welds)

• Glass (temperature control, heat resistant, self-cleaning, anti-reflection)

• Insulation materials – thermal, noise, temperature regulation (aero-gel, vacuum insulation panels)

• Coating and paints (e.g. UV and water sensitive coatings for self-cleaning buildings, graffiti-resistant paints; electro-chromic windows, flame retardance, anti-bacterial, scratch resistance)

• Road and other infrastructure construction (longer life, water-repellence, noise reduction, energy collection, self-cleaning)

• Wood – protective coatings, to prevent wear and erosion, algal growth, infestation by woodworm and termites, UV/light degradation,

References:http://www.efbww.org/pdfs/Nano%20-%20GB%20Summary.pdf

http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=26700.php

http://www.hielscher.com/nano_cement_concrete_01.htm

Date, location

Construction sector (cont/d)

Reference:http://www.efbww.org/pdfs/Nano%20-%20GB%20Summary.pdf

Date, location

Agriculture and food production/processing

Agriculture• Limited public information on use as no legal requirement to identify

nanomaterials in agricultural products• Nanomaterials presumed used for improved delivery of agrochemicals

in the field, better efficacy of pesticides and better control of dosing of veterinary products: e.g. slow- or controlled-release fertilizers/pesticides.

• Worker exposure to nanomaterials relates to workers in food and feed processing and on farms

References: FAO/WHO technical report on state of the art on initiatives and activities relevant to risk assessment and risk management of nanotechnologies in the food and agriculture sectors (http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3281e/i3281e.pdf) and FAO/WHO Expert meeting on the application of nanotechnologies in the food and agriculture sectors: potential food safety implications (http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1434e/i1434e00.pdf)

Images: http://www.ecpa.eu/page/application and http://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/93/25/c/4723/2014_Tiny_Ingredients_Big_Risks_Web.pdf

Food production/processing• Key areas of development are “nanostructures” (or “nanotextures”) in

foodstuffs and nano-sized or nano-encapsulated food additives• Nanotextures used in spreads, mayonnaise, cream, yoghurts, ice

creams, etc.• Nano-encapsulated food additives include colours, preservatives,

flavourings and supplements (neutraceuticals)• Both uses are claimed to give new and enhanced tastes, improved

textures, consistency and stability of emulsions

Date, location

Textiles

• Used in uniforms, laboratory coats, outdoor clothing, protective clothing (firefighters,)

• Nanomaterials provide key properties: antistatic, self-cleaning (dirt and water repellence), moisture absorbency, UV protection, increased durability, antimicrobial, fire resistance, heat insulation, shielding of electromagnetic radiation

References:

http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/376/publikationen/datenblatt_nanoprdukte_textilien_e.pdf

Images:

http://www.nanotechproject.org/cpi/products/white-swan-uniforms-and-scrubs-with-nano-tex/

http://www.elliottaustralia.com/site/pages/Firefighting/Reference_Center.phpDate, location

Pigments

• Used in paints and coatings for decorative (e.g. deeper colour intensity) and protective (e.g. resistance to corrosion, wear, scratching, graffiti) purposes

• Relevant to the printing, painting and electronics sectors, and those using inks, paints, and pigments (e.g. transportation (automotive, ships, trains), construction, communications)

• Many nanomaterials used for light absorption so have brighter colours • Nano has long been used in colouring products, but is more specifically engineered

now to create particles in nano-scale

References:

http://www.inkworldmagazine.com/issues/2003-02/view_features/nanotechnology-is-impacting-inks-pigments-pri/

http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/378/publikationen/use_of_nanomaterials_in_coatings_0.pdf

Photo: http://eramanath.wordpress.com/nanocoatings/Date, location