SwampFox

USC Center for Nanoenvironmental Research and Risk Assessment Announced by South Carolina Centers of Economic Excellence Program

Submitted by: Tom Vogt on Jun 13, 2008 at 6:27 pm Tagged with: Advanced Materials, Environment, Nanotechnology Source: Center for Nanoenvironmental Research

The Center for Nanoenvironmental Research & Risk Assessment was among seven new
centers announced June 9 by the review board that oversees the South Carolina Centers
of Economic Excellence Program.

The Center for Nanoenvironmental Research and Risk Assessment was awarded $3
million and will have one endowed chair. The center will focus on the impact of
nanotechnology on the environment, with specific attention to scientific, technological,
economic, legal, and societal effects. The center will build on the Universityʹs strong
existing program of research in nanoscience, which includes the NanoCenter, the
recently established Keck Laboratory for nanobioparticle research, and partnerships
with federal agencies and laboratories.

Nanoenvironmental risks are possible because some potentially toxic nanomaterials are
small enough to cross cell membranes. For example, silver nanoparticles are sometimes
added as an anti‐bacterial agent to socks and released into wash water when the socks
are laundered. These nanoparticles can then make their way into the wastewater
treatment plant sludge, which is sometimes used as a fertilizer for food crops or
influence the performance of bacteria in waste water remediation.

The Onsite Review Panel commented: ʺWhen combined with the recently appointed
endowed chairs in nanoelectronics and in nanocomposites associated with the
Universityʹs NanoCenter, South Carolina is well positioned to make major contributions
in the development of nanotechnology‐enabled products.ʺ