by Playfuls Staff |
19th February 2007
A U.S. scientist said researchers should be using "green" chemistry to reduce future risks of nanotechnology.[more]
"Around the world, there is a growing urgency about nanotechnology and its possible health and environmental impacts," said University of Oregon Professor James Hutchison. He said there is a concern such issues will hinder commercialization of the emerging industry.
Nanotechnology refers to research on extraordinarily tiny materials that are a nanometer in size and is applicable to virtually every technology and medicine.
Now is the time, Hutchison said, for scientists to "seriously consider the design of materials, processes and applications that minimize hazard and waste, and this will be essential as nanoscience discoveries transition to the products of nanotechnology."
Hutchison is an expert in nanofabrication and assembly processes and also leads the Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Initiative, which is funded by a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory grant to the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute.
He outlined his philosophy during the weekend in San Francisco at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
© 2007 UPI
