The use of nanotechnology has tremendous potential to stimulate economic growth and is a key feature for the long-term success of Discovery Park. With the impending increases in industrial production there exists an almost certain likelihood that releases of Manufactured Nano-Materials (MNM) or devices into the environment will occur. However, a fundamental lack of data on the impacts of manufactured nanoparticles on natural ecosystems points to a significant vulnerability.

The importance of identifying the possible consequences of introducing MNP into the environment is addressed in recent papers (Brown, 2003; Masciangioli and Zhang 2003; Mnyusiwalla, et al., 2003; Roco, 2003; Sweeney et al., 2003.) Contained within many of these documents is the suggestion that manufactured nanoparticles will eventually reach the environment where their potential to accumulate or affect biota is real but largely unevaluated. Mnyusiwalla, et al., (2003) provides an assessment of the current state of ethical issues (including environmental consequences) and nanotechnology and concluded, “the ethics lag behind.”

The goal of this new effort at Purdue University is to provide essential information about the impact of MNM on our water, soil, and subsurface ecosystems. The subsequent transfer of these data to risk assessment models is obvious and necessary. The expected results of this proposed research are substantial. It is still possible to avoid labeling nano-materials as an emerging contaminant only if we have factual understanding of their environmental behavior. The knowledge gained from our research will be used by governments and industry for developing public policy and technology for the management of any environmental risks of nano-materials. In order to engage in a publicly transparent evaluation of risks and benefits, and to develop public policy and technology to manage potential risks, fundamental scientific environmental research must be completed.

Research on the response of terrestrial microorganisms to manufactured nanoparticles will improve our understanding of their environmental fate. It is critical to develop these data so that society can engage in scientifically sound discussions of this emerging technology. Our program is based around two recently funded grants: a NSF-NIRT ($1.6M) and an EPA-Nano sciences project ($400,000). When combined the two projects support the work of Bruce Applegate, Tim Filley, Larry Nies, Natalie Carroll, Chad Jafvert, Robert Blanchette a collaborator at the University of Minnesota and Ron Turco.

Our present efforts include:

• Determine the degradability and solubility of carbon-based manufactured nanoparticles in soils and water. (Jafvert)
• Determine baseline information on the toxic effects of carbon-based manufactured nanoparticles on aquatic bacteria. (Applegate and Turco)
• Examine how microbes in the soil react to and alter themselves due to the presence of carbon-based manufactured nanoparticles. (Nies, Filley, and Turco)
• Determine how carbon-based manufactured nanoparticles are broken down in the soil, how long the degradation takes, and how the change in their chemical structure during this process affects toxicity and impact on soil processes. (Filley, Blanchette, and Turco)
• Educational outreach to promote public awareness and understanding of nanoscale science and its applications. (Carroll)

It should be noted, however, we have already expanded our work to include nano-tubes and quantum dots.

Our group feels we can provide a strong “Broader Impacts” component to any future Purdue nanomaterials proposals. For example, Natalie Carroll is currently cooperating on a large NSEC proposal by providing a well developed outreach and education plan. Her proposed project is an extension from her work in our group. In this regard we would like combine our efforts with existing and emerging nano-sciences and engineering programs at Discovery Park thereby providing a well defined environmental component to emerging Discovery Park projects. We are requesting a formal recognition of our group with an inclusion in Birck Nanotechnology Center.

We look forward to discussing future projects and feel that a great deal can be gained thorough this shared interest.