Nanotechnology: Large scale gains for small scale work
What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is an emergent area that is developing quickly. It is the branch of science and engineering that studies and exploits the unique behaviour of materials at a scale of approximately 1-100 nanometres.
Nanotechnology is widely seen to offer huge potential for development in fields as diverse as healthcare, IT and energy generation and storage. Interest in nanotechnology is growing rapidly, and governments and businesses across the world have begun to invest heavily in it.
Increased energy efficiency, a cleaner environment, more effective medical treatment and improved manufacturing production are just some of the potential benefits of nanotechnology. Working at a scale 10,000 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair, its potential is enormous and far reaching.
As with many newly emerging technologies, there are still significant challenges to overcome in taking nanotechnology-enabled applications to market. BSI British Standards' publications can help solve these problems at every stage in developing a product or service, from idea to implementation, covering crucial aspects of safety, reliability and quality and defining terminology.
The UK is playing a key role in leading the development of nanotechnology standards through its national committee NTI/1 "Nanotechnologies" and holds both the chair and secretariat of ISO TC/229 "Nanotechnologies" and CEN/TC 352 "Nanotechnologies". Through these committees, and through participation in IEC/TC 113 "Nanotechnology standardization for electrical and electronic products and systems", the UK will be able to support this emerging discipline and use standardization to help ensure its safe and successful global development and growth globally.
Find out more about NTI/1 – Nanotechnologies Standardization Committee
Download presentation on nanotechnologies standardization entitled: An introduction to standards and standardization for nanotechnologies (powerpoint 719KB)
View the documents for nanotechnology terminologies
View the documents for nanotechnology guidance
View BSI’s presentation about nanotechnology standards, and get an introduction to nanotechnology standards and standards development
View this and other BSI presentations including free guidance on standards on Slideshare.
A range of documents relevant to nanotechnology is available from BSI to provide guidance for UK stakeholders. These publications address nanotechnology terminology, health and safety issues, product labelling and materials specification. Terminology and guidance are available for free download. See the links below.
BSI, CEN and ISO are all working on further documents, which will be published in due course.
Why standards for nanotechnologies are important
BSI’s publications will help to ensure that nanotechnology is developed and commercialised in an open, safe and responsible manner and will support:
- Safety testing, legislation and regulation
- Worker, public and environmental safety
- Commercialisation and procurement
- Patenting and IPR
- Communication about the benefits, opportunities and potential problems associated with nanotechnologies.
Published ISO and CEN documents for purchase
PD ISO/TR 12885:2008
Nanotechnologies. Health and safety practices in occupational settings relevant to nanotechnologies
DD CEN ISO/TS 27687:2009
Nanotechnologies. Terminology and definitions for nano-objects. Nanoparticle, nanofibre and nanoplate
Published BSI documents for free download
PAS 71 Vocabulary - Nanoparticles.
PAS 130 Guidance on the labelling of manufactured nanoparticles and products containing manufactured nanoparticles
PAS 131 Terminology for medical, health and personal care applications of nanotechnologies.
PAS 132 Terminology for the bio-nano interface
PAS 133 Terminology for nanoscale measurement and instrumentation.
PAS 134 Terminology for carbon nanostructures
PAS 135 Terminology for nanofabrication
PAS 136 Terminology for nanomaterials
PD 6699-1 Good practice guide for specifying manufactured nanomaterials
PD 6699-2 Guide to safe handling and disposal of manufactured nanomaterials
View the documents for nanotechnology guidance
DD CEN ISO/TS 27687:2009
Nanotechnologies. Terminology and definitions for nano-objects. Nanoparticle, nanofibre and nanoplate
PD ISO/TR 6699-2:2007
Guide to safe handling and disposal of manufactured nanomaterials