Grantee Research Project Results
A Life Cycle Analysis Approach for Evaluating Future Nanotechnology Applications
EPA Grant Number: R830905Title: A Life Cycle Analysis Approach for Evaluating Future Nanotechnology Applications
Investigators: Lave, Lester
Current Investigators: Lave, Lester , Lloyd, Shannon
Institution: Carnegie Mellon University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: May 1, 2003 through April 30, 2005
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Environmental Futures Research in Nanoscale Science Engineering and Technology (2002) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , Safer Chemicals
Objective:
Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize technology to improve the health and well being of all people while improving environmental quality and sustainability. By reducing the amount of energy and materials required to accomplish a desired task, nanotechnology can provide the goods and services we desire "smarter, cheaper, faster" and with a smaller environmental footprint. Academics, business leaders, and government officials have predicted innovative technological changes from nanotechnology that range from incremental improvements to the establishment of new technologies and markets. Our hypothesis is that a technological push towards greater investment in nanotechnology without a commensurate consideration of the net environmental and social benefits will inevitably lead to scenarios where the nanotechnology substitute is worse than the product or process replaced. We are developing methods for examining the economic and environmental implications of specific nanotechnology products, processes, and markets.
Approach:
We employ both conventional and economic input-output life cycle analysis (EIO-LCA) methods to predict the life cycle implications of particular nanotechnology applications for environmental quality, resource use, and the economy more generally. Using an application-oriented focus, we apply these methods to industrial applications to compare the total (direct and indirect) economic and environmental implications of a conventional product or process with its nanotechnology substitute. We then assess whether potential substitutions of nanotechnology for existing products and processes can be cost-effective and improve environmental quality and explore the economics and societal changes necessary for wide scale commercialization of a particular technology. The result of each analysis will be a life cycle picture of the environmental discharges, energy, and raw materials required for a current product and its nanotechnology substitute, including commercial, environmental, and sustainability implications.
Expected Results:
This project will produce methods for considering commercial and societal implications of potential nanotechnology applications early in the R&D process. These methods that can be used by policy makers and industry during early research and development stages to estimate the potential lifecycle economic and environmental implications of new and future nanotechnology-based products. The work will aid society in deciding how much resources to put into developing nanotechnology, where to focus the investments, and how to craft policies that reap of the benefits of this technology while protecting human health and the environment. Our findings will enable policy-makers to make informed judgments concerning government funding for R&D and explore policy scenarios for enlisting private R&D to meet national objectives. Finally, examination of the social benefits and costs of a nanotechnology will enable legislators and regulators to understand the regulatory needs to gain the greatest economic and social benefit from a specific nanotechnology application.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 11 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
nanotechnology, life cycle analysis, EIO-LCA., RFA, Economic, Social, & Behavioral Science Research Program, Scientific Discipline, Sustainable Industry/Business, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Chemistry, Technology for Sustainable Environment, New/Innovative technologies, Chemistry and Materials Science, decision-making, Environmental Engineering, Economics & Decision Making, life cycle analysis, waste reduction, detoxification, membranes, economic benefits, nanotechnology, environmental sustainability, economic incentives, environmentally applicable nanoparticles, economic input output, sustainability, life cycle assessment, hazardous organics, nanoparticles, cost-effective ecosysem protection, innovative technologiesProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.