The environmental health and safety implications of nano-enabled products need to be assessed in parallel with nanotechnology and its applications in order to promote the sustainability of the industry and to safeguard public health and the environment. This will require a drastic change in the current modus operandi and requires joint efforts by all stakeholders involved – academia, industry, and regulators.
In our nanocenter, we are working with industrial partners not only on assessing possible toxicological implications of nanomaterials but also in developing “safer-by-design” concepts as well as on a number of environmental nanotechnology applications.
Current industrial partners include:
BASF is a global leader in chemical nanotechnology and exploring nanotechnology’s full potential while ensuring its safe application through special analytical methods; expertise in chemistry, physics, biology and engineering; long experience in the safe handling of new materials.
Panasonic is one of the leading manufacturers of home appliances including indoor air regulators (A/C units, air purifiers, etc.). We work closely with Panasonic to bring together new sustainable and green technologies based on recent advances in nanotechnology, closer to the market, while keeping the best interest of the consumer in mind.
Nano Terra is a translational research company with headquarters in Brighton, MA, USA. Its goal is to develop long-term collaborations with the industry and build significant new business value by applying interdisciplinary expertise, nano- and micro-technology toolsets, and know-how to commercial problems. While working at the cutting edge of science, Nano Terra bridges the gap between the research lab and the marketplace. In this way, it plays the role of a nano-technology “innovation accelerator” between academia and industry.
STERIS is the leading company in hospital decontamination, helping customers create a healthier and safer world by providing innovative healthcare and life science products and service solutions around the globe. STERIS offers a unique mix of innovative capital equipment products, such as sterilizers and washers, surgical tables, lights and equipment management systems, and connectivity solutions such as operating room integration; consumable products, such as detergents and gastrointestinal endoscopy accessories and other products; and services, including equipment installation and maintenance, microbial reduction of medical devices, instrument and scope repair solutions, laboratory services and off-site reprocessing. A key pillar in Steris’ success is to identify and implement new technologies that can revolutionize the way healthcare products are delivered.
Nature’s Touch is a leader in the frozen fruit market, founded by John Tentomas and his cousin, Philip, in 2004, with a vision to change the way consumers look at frozen fruit. In less than ten short years, Nature’s Touch has won the private label frozen fruit accounts of all major grocery chains across Canada and many major retailers in the USA. They also distribute the Welch’s and Nature’s Touch organic brands of frozen fruit. Today, most of the frozen fruit consumed in Canada is packaged by Nature’s Touch. Nature’s Touch has a vast portfolio of over 100 different products of frozen fruit, blends, smoothie kits, and vegetables, both in the conventional and organics spheres. Being committed to delivering quality products, they are keenly interested in utilizing nanotechnology based solutions for food safety applications.
P3Nano is a public-private partnership designed to help keep America’s forests and forest-based economy healthy and sustainable through the development and use of wood-based nanomaterials for a wide range of commercial products. P3Nano will help diversify the economy; create new family-supporting jobs; provide materials for a new green economy; and contribute to critical forest restoration needs of working forests across all ownerships. P3Nano is collaborating with HSPH, Vireo Advisors, and others to develop 21st century toxicity testing methods for cellulose nanomaterials to advance commercialization of these important materials.
