Phase 1: Nanomaterial Selection

 NANOMATERIAL EVALUATION

The NanoRelease Steering Committee (SC) is composed of risk management experts from government, industry, nongovernmental organizations, and international organizations. Committee members deliberated over a 9-month period to identify potential nanomaterials and release methods for further study. More than 20 materials were identified and grouped into 3 priority groups. After conducting an extensive evaluation as well as ranking and voting on the materials, the SC narrowed the list of nanomaterials to either nano-silver (n-Ag) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).

Materials Selected by the Steering Committee for Review

Nanomaterial Selection Criteria

Nanomaterial Selection Process

2011 STEERING COMMITTEE WORKSHOP

2011 Steering Committee Workshop Output

Forty-five experts from academia, industry, and US and Canadian government agencies attended a May 10–11, 2011 workshop aimed to refine the project objectives, select the material that will be used to develop methods to measure release, and select and charge experts to develop white papers that will inform the development of a state-of-the-science document and workplan for “Phase 3” methods testing, development, and proof of utility for articles in commerce.

SELECTION OF THE FIRST TOP-PRIORITY NANOMATERIAL

MWCNTs in Polymer

After considerable discussion, the SC selected MWCNTs embedded within polymer matrices as the first nanomaterial to carry forward to the next phases of the project. The next steps include recruiting experts to develop white papers on several topics, convening a workshop to gather feedback on the resulting documents, and creating the state-of-the-science document and Phase 3 work plan.