Nanomaterials in consumer products

Description

Graphical representation of stages of a nanomaterial's life incorporated into a consumer product from incorporation as a raw material to use and subsequent disposal.  Nanomaterial release and human exposure to nanomaterials or nano-enabled products is possible at all stages.  Further physical and chemical transformations from the original product is possible when the product is in use and at the end of the material's life. [1.  Nguyen et al. J Nanosci. Nanotech 2012 2. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/?page=biomass_biogas

Credit: J. Gorham and D. Gorka

Nanomaterials (e.g. carbon nanotubes; silver, gold, copper and silica nanoparticles) are increasingly employed into new and existing consumer products for their novel or improved properties that they can impart.  Nano-enabled products, like all products, have stages in their lifecycle of use where they can encounter man-made or environmental factors which may lead them to transform physically and/or chemically from their original form.  Additionally, release of the nanomaterials from their products, intentional or otherwise, may lead to their eventual exposure to the public and/or the environment. 

In MMSD, we have evaluated many of the potential pathways of transformation and release, mostly in the "production" and "in-use" conditions.  Outlined below are select projects that have evaluated different nano-enabled products through the development of controls/control methods, simulating practical use, and others.

Other specific projects

• Development of test materials and methods for detecting nanosilver in textiles
• Release from consumer use nanocomposites
• Chemical transformations of silver nanomaterials in commercial textiles