What is Green Nano?

Green nanotechnology envisions the application of nanotechnology towards sustainability. This new technology could be applied to the environment and for the benefit of society. Applications of green nanotechnology include sensors, treatment of pollutants, remediation, green manufacturing, green energy, for example nano-enabled fuel cells. These are all part of good applications of nanotechnology that help the environment. Some of the applications research that have already done in this area involve destroying chlorinated organics through zero-valent iron, sensors to detect bacteria and metal species, and catalysts to help improve the air quality, water quality and enable more efficient manufacturing. A number of researchers and some commercial businesses are working on ways of using it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, generate and use energy more efficiently and even clean up existing contamination.

The emerging field of green nano applies green chemistry and engineering principles to the synthesis of nanomaterials.

Adopted from Eckelman, M. J., Julie B. Zimmerman, and Paul T. Anastas. 2008. “Toward Green Nano E-factor Analysis of Several Nanomaterial Syntheses”, Journal of Industrial Ecology 12 (3): 316-328

Green nano has two goals: first, to make nanomaterials and their products without harming the environment or human health, and second, to produce nanoproducts that provide solutions to environmental challenges. There are many agencies (both governmental and non-governmental) are promoting this green nanotechnology.

To know more about this special branch of inquiry, please refer to the articles, presentations, and links available under "Resources" in this website.

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