NANOTECHNOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT Q&A ● Dr. Iseult Lynch ● Alchemist Cafe Dublin

The nano-environment: nanotechnology applications and impact on the environment.

Dr. Iseult Lynch is the Strategic Research Manager for the Centre for BioNano Interactions at UCD, which looks at the relationships between engineered objects at the nanoscale and living systems, and is one of the top nanosafety experts in Ireland.

In this talk, Dr. Lynch discusses the many benefits of nanotechnology for the environment, such as water purification and desalination, remediation, energy capture and storage and green nanotech manufacturing and engineering. Nanoscale sensors are being investigated for detection of biological compounds such as algal toxins in the marine environment or mycobacteria present in drinking water. Nanoscale particles used in treatment and remediation have the ability to access areas that larger molecules cannot, and their large surface area means that they can absorb very large amounts of pollutants or other toxic waste chemicals, thereby removing them from the soil or water.

Due to their very small size, engineered nanomaterials are able to access many compartments of living systems not usually accessible to bulk materials. This presents significant challenges for scientists to ensure that the applications being developed are safe and do not cause environmental harm.

While no clearly identifiable hazards have as yet emerged from nanoscale science alone, according to Dr. Lynch, it will be necessary to develop a thorough knowledge of any ecotoxicological impacts (and methods to identify them) before developing future practices in environmental and health protection agencies.


Date: 5th August 2009
Location: The Mercantile, Dame St, Dublin 2

Camera: Marek Bogacki
Produced by DOCUMENTAVI 2009

Category:

Education

Tags:

• nanotechnology
• environment