Green nanotechnologies: Potentials and prospects

I&EC 146

A. Vaseashta, prof.vaseashta@marshall.edu, Graduate Program in Physical Sciences, Department of Physics & Physical Sciences, Nanomaterials Processing and Characterization Laboratories, Marshall University, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755-2570, M. Vaclavikova, vaclavik@saske.sk, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geotechnics, 45 Watsonova St, Kosice, 043 53, Slovak Republic, G. Gallios, gallios@chem.auth.gr, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry, Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Greece, J. Schoonman, j.schoonman@tudelft.nl, Faculty of Applied Sciences, DelftChemTech, Julianalaan 136, Delft, 2628 BL, Netherlands, and I. Stamatin, istarom@polymer.fizica.unibuc.ro, 3NANO-SAE, Res. Center, Polymer science Dept, Faculty of Physics, University Of Bucharest, 3nano-Sae Res. Center, Bucharest-Magurele, Mg-38, Romania.
Materials at nanoscale exhibit remarkable properties with numerous unique applications such as in chem.-bio sensors, nanophotonics, nanobiotechnology, and in-vivo analysis of cellular processes. Use of nanomaterials to produce energy and to remediate environmental pollution is in its preliminary stages and requires urgent and detailed investigation as environmental pollution is a leading contributor to chronic and deadly health disorders and diseases affecting millions of people each year. A perpetual increase in population and thus consumption of fossil fuels has led to increased pollution worldwide. Although correlation between environmental pollution and global warming is debatable, the effects of pollution and its impact on human health are irrefutable and highly observable. Long-term exposure to air pollution provokes inflammation, accelerates atherosclerosis, and alters cardiac function. This presentation describes responsible manufacturing of nanomaterials to drastically reduce and isolate emission by-products with its use as catalysts for enhanced efficiency; materials in underground CO2 sequestration; remediation of toxic metals in water streams; efficient thin film photovoltaic devices; fuel cells; and biodegradable consumable products. The presentation will cover an exhaustive overview of the scope of our investigation and some specific applications relating to the use of nanomaterials in environmental friendly investigations. Nanotechnologies are expected to make a major contribution to improving the quality of the life of citizens worldwide, in particular in sectors such as material sciences, health care, and information technology. The convergence of nano-bio-info-cogno-physico-chemical technologies offers tremendous opportunities for the improvement of human life, individual productivity, and our overall quality of life. Furthermore, it also offers a new direction in research and development.
 

Nanotechnology and the Environment: Emphasis on Green Nanotechnology
8:30 AM-12:30 PM, Thursday, April 10, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 231, Oral

Division of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008