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Computing infrastructure for the definition, performance testing and implementation of safe-by-design approaches in nanotechnology supply chains

Project description

An open e-infrastructure to making nanomaterials safer by design

As the use of functional engineered nanomaterials and nano-enabled products becomes more widespread, so too will concerns around their safety and impact on humans and the environment. The EU-funded NanoUptake project plans to develop an open e-infrastructure that will help guide the development of 'safe-by-design' nanomaterials. The platform will foster dialogue and collaboration among various actors involved in the nanomaterial supply chain. It will provide resources that will aid the design of high-performance nanomaterials with minimal hazard and development costs. Cost–benefit analysis algorithms will help find the best compromise between safety and technical performance in line with industrial requirements. NanoUptake offers a unique opportunity to promote open science for nanomaterials and explore exposure risk, considering their sheer number and diversity.

Objective

A major challenge for the global nanotechnology sector is the development of safe and functional engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and nano-enabled products (NEPs). In this context, the application of the Safe-by-Design (SbD) concept has been adopted recently by the nanosafety community as a means to dampen human health and environmental risks, applying preventive safety measures during the design stage of a facility, process, material or product. However and despite its importance, SbD prescriptions are still in their infancy, and are hampered among other things by the lack of comprehensive data about the performance, hazard and release potential of the great variety of NEPs in use.

SbD4Nano addresses that problem creating a comprehensive new e-infrastructure to foster dialogue and collaboration between all actors in the supply chain for a knowledge-driven definition of SbD setups that optimize hazard, technical performance and economic costs. Our project developes a validated rapid hazard profiling module, coupled to a new exposure-driven modelling framework to reduce toxicity. This safe-born material also undergoes a cost-benefit analysis algorithm to find the best compromise between safety and a industrially convenient technical performance. Finally, a new software interface where product information can be exchanged between the supply chain participants is the tool that wraps up, finishing the collaborative spirit of SbD4Nano between regulators, researchers and industry. Coherently with its goals, our SbD4Nano project is international and open-scienced in essence, with the clear aim of impacting the EU policies as well as directly and clearly benefiting the citizen.

Call for proposal

H2020-NMBP-TO-IND-2018-2020

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Sub call

H2020-NMBP-TO-IND-2019

Coordinator

INSTITUTO TECNOLOGICO DEL EMBALAJE, TRANSPORTE Y LOGISTICA
Net EU contribution
€ 858 351,66
Address
CALLE ALBERT EINSTEIN 1 PARQUE TECNOLOGICO DE VALENCIA
46980 Paterna
Spain

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Este Comunitat Valenciana Valencia/València
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 858 351,66

Participants (23)