Jump to Content

< back

Current potential research project

Sustainable Manufacturing for Industry-Scale Production of Nanomaterials

  1. Supervisors: Dr Ke Xing and Prof. Peter Majewski
  2. Area: Nano technology, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering
  3. Abstract: With the significantly increasing use of nanoparticles the fundamental question arises whether the various production techniques of these nanoparticles are economically and ecologically sustainable. Or does the requirements of especially the large scale production of nanoparticles on resources, handling, and disposal of by-products outweigh the benefits of the innovative products which exciting properties base on nanoparticles? The proposed research project is aimed for studying this fundamental question, which is crucial for the industrial future of nanotechnology, through Life Cycle Analysis and Life Cycle Costing analyses. Based on the results of these studies a comprehensive decision support tool will be developed for the design of optimal production processes to achieve economic and environmental sustainability in manufacturing of nanomaterials, e.g. carbon nanotubes or gold nanoparticles.
  4. Related references:
    • Ok, Z.D., J.C. Benneyan, and J.A. Issacs, Risk Analysis Modelling of Production Costs and Occupational Health Exposure of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Manufacturing. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2008. 12(3): p. 411-434
    • Naidu, S., R. Sawhney, and X.-P. Li, A Methodology for Evaluation and Selection of Nanoparticle Manufacturing Processes Based on Sustainability Metrics. Environmental Science and Technology, 2008. 42: p. 6697-6702.

top^