Nanotechnology

About Nanotechnology:

Background

The past decade has seen intense interest in developing technologies based on the unique behavior of nanometer-scale (nanoscale) structures, devices, and systems which has lead to the rapidly expanding and highly diverse field of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology is somewhat loosely defined, although in general terms it covers engineered structures, devices, and systems that have a length scale between 1 and 100 nanometers¹.  At these length scales, materials begin to exhibit unique properties that affect physical, chemical, and biological behavior. Researching, developing, and utilizing these properties is at the heart of new technology.

Although many nanotechnologies are still in the pre-competitive stage, nanoscale materials are increasingly being used in optoelectronic, electronic, magnetic, medical imaging, drug delivery, cosmetic, catalytic, and materials applications.  New nanotechnology consumer products are coming on the market at the rate of three to four per week, a finding based on the latest update to the nanotechnology Consumer Product Inventory maintained by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN)².   The number of consumer products using nanotechnology has grown from 212 to 609 since PEN launched the world’s first online inventory of manufacturer-identified nanotechnology goods in March 2006.

Also in 2006, according to Lux Research, governments, corporations, and venture capitalists worldwide spent $12.4 billion on nanotechnology research and development; this is up almost 30% from 2005³.  By 2014, Lux estimates that $2.6 trillion in manufactured goods will incorporate nanotechnology—or about 15% of the total global output.

The NIOSH documents included on this website are intended to raise awareness of the occupational safety and health issues being identified in this rapidly advancing field, and make interim recommendations using the best available science for occupational safety and health practices in the production and use of nanomaterials.

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1. NNI, What is Nanotechnology? www.nano.gov/html/facts/whatIsNano.html
2. The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies was established in April 2005 as a partnership between the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Pew Charitable Trusts
3. Lux Research, The Nanotech Report, 5th Edition, 2007