Research

At present, the development and production of new materials are facing fundamental changes. New ways of material development include virtual material development with a computer-aided design, increasingly use digital data for modelling and simulation and support research into new material classes. Safety aspects must therefore be taken into account at an early stage in the development process and throughout the entire life cycle of the material. In order to meet these demands of industry and consumers, the new NanoCare4.0 funding measure is to investigate not only nanomaterials, but all innovative materials that are suspected of having harmful effects on the environment or health.

The funding initiative “NanoCare" as part of the framework program "From Material to Innovation" anchored in the new High-Tech Strategy aimed at innovation and growth of the industry in Germany. Based on the results and experiences of the previous action “NanoCare & NanoNature” (see below), the topic of safe handling of synthetic nanomaterials - research on the effects on humans and the environment was investigated in several project activities. A close cooperation between companies and research institutions in the university and non-university sector, the involvement of contributions from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the exploitation of project results in Germany was of outstanding importance. From 2014-2018, a total of 11 projects was funded.

FP7 ERA-NET SIINN - Safe Implementation of Innovative Nanoscience and Nanotechnology The ERA-NET SIINN Safe Implementation of Innovative Nanoscience and Nanotechnology promotes the safe and rapid transfer of European research results in nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N) into industrial applications. National and regional resources will be virtually pooled to create a transnational programme of research. SIINN will bring together today's fragmented research activities on the potential risks of engineered nanomaterials for environment, human health, and safety. http://www.siinn.eu/

NanoNature 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 were carried out and adapted measuring methods have been developed to assess the release, distribution, fate, and effect of synthetic nanoparticles and nanomaterials in the environment.

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

In a scientific alliance with more than 90 renowned partners from research and industry, the Inno.CNT initiative is systematically advancing the development of carbon nanotubes (CNT). The tiny carbon nanotubes have the potential to open up brand-new dimensions in materials technology and bring a unique quality to numerous products and applications.