Annual SNNI Conference Series

"NanoEHS" and "green chemistry" have become staples in nearly every undertaking or conversation involving nanotechnology.  Is this change in mindset helping the community make progress in designing greener materials and processes, and supporting effective policy?  Is the promise of nanomaterials innovation for energy, security, medicine, and for resource conservation and environmental protection being advanced or slowed down by all of this attention?  It appears that, although many have embraced the principles of green chemistry and recognize the need for sound science to inform policy,

SNNI's 5th annual conference was a great success! Held at the Historic White Stag Building, we featured the latest developments in the design and production of greener nanomaterials and the reduction of principles to practice. We discussed and debated how to move the technology forward while developing environmentally sound products and processes. We focused on a few critical developments that could determine whether the U.S. will be a leader or a follower in this critical field.

SNNI's 4th annual conference focused on cutting edge research in greener nanomaterials design and production and brought together academics, industrialists and policymakers to discuss approaches to developing economically viable, environmentally benign methods to advance nanotechnology.

As nanotechnology advances, many questions arise regarding putative effects of nascent nanomaterials on the environment and health. How do we make the right decisions in the face of these uncertainties? This conference focuses on cutting edge research in sustainable nanomaterials design, the latest developments in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and potential biological impacts of nanomaterials. SNNI faculty will also present their latest research advances in developing greener nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing processes.

This year's conference focused on educating stakeholders on the benefits of using a proactive approach to developing responsible nanotechnologies. The second day of the conference concluded with our technical session describing research progress of the Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Initiative in designing environmentally benign nanomaterials. In addition to our technical session, we sponsored a free public forum on nanotechnology on Monday evening.

What is being done to ensure that the promise of nanotechnology, especially the manufacture and handling of nanomaterials, will be realized in a safe and cost effective manner? Leading researchers and industry practitioners addressed these issues in a two day symposia.