It is evident that nanotechnology has created a new era of transformative science [1,2,3]. Nanomaterials have unique properties that are dramatically different from those of bulk materials, and also require more stringent experimental conditions in preparation, characterization, and applications. Analytical science is pivotal to advance our understanding of the complex behavior observed with engineered nanomaterials. For example, analytical technologies must shed light on the elemental composition and the size distribution of the sample with unprecedented accuracy. The implementation and design of experiments involving nanoscale phenomena have stretched the limits of the tools currently available to evaluate nanoscale systems. This has led to the pursuit of new analytical approaches and enabling technologies to sustain continued innovation through nanotechnology. Many of these exciting analytical advances have recently been described in this Journal [4,5,6,7,8,9,10].
Responsible implementation of nanotechnology prompts a new and multifaceted perspective on safety. Safety in nanotechnology encompasses more than practices in the laboratory and in manufacturing. The integrity of a commodity made with nanomaterials must be sustained beyond the lifetime of the product, which requires an understanding of the molecular interactions of nanoparticles. As so much has yet to be clarified within the field of nanotechnology, the impacts that engineered nanomaterials have on environmental and human health are unclear. Elucidating these impacts challenges existing research paradigms [11] because following production nanomaterials can go through diverse pathways. Different mechanisms of nanoparticle transformation are known and therefore must be considered. For example, nanoparticles may collect contaminants from the surroundings. They may slowly dissolve; thereby, changing the concentration of materials in a local environment. Nanoparticles may convert harmless chemicals into different chemical species with unknown toxic effects through the photocatalytic production of reactive oxygen species. Nanoparticles may become airborne, which allows them to be inhaled and potentially lead to toxicity effects as observed with asbestos. Any potential for media-induced differences in particle aggregation must be taken into account. Likewise, proteins, lipids, and other biomolecules in solution may lead to the formation of a biofilm, which will dramatically influence the chemical and physical properties of the nanomaterials.
National and international regulatory and research organizations have offered advice regarding the handling, disposal, and delivery of nanomaterials under different circumstances [12,13,14,15,16]. One such ongoing national effort is the research supported by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences on gaining fundamental understanding of engineered nanomaterial interaction at the cellular and organ systems level through Nanotechnology Health Implications Research (NHIR) consortium. As the field progresses, more information about nanomaterials, interactions within the biological systems and their transformation, as well as interaction with the cellular organelles will guide the responsible use of this technology which holds promise to advance society in so many positive ways. Articles within this topical collection address these topics through proposed strategies to test nanomaterial safety [17, 18] as well as nanomaterial stability [19] and sample handling [20]. New models to evaluate toxicity including heart-on-a-chip [21] and system-wide proteomics [22] approaches to evaluate biological response are presented as well as an in-depth study of how nanoparticles impact wastewater treatment [23]. New approaches to evaluate nanoparticles are addressed in this topical collection as well, including a report on evaluation of the interaction of nanoparticles with lipids [24] and a review of emerging analytical technologies for the detection of reactive oxygen species [25]. Finally, the role of analytical technology in nanotechnology education and educational strategies to sustain a vibrant workforce through academic research experiences is discussed [26]. Nanotechnology has captured the attention of researchers in all areas of science dedicated to identifying safe nanomaterials that will continue to advance manufacturing, commercialization, and scientific research in diverse fields such as biotechnology, energy production, wastewater treatment, and chemical synthesis. We thank the contributors and editors for the opportunity present this topical collection.
References
Kagan CR, Fernandez LE, Gogotsi Y, Hammond PT, Hersam MC, Nel AE, et al. Nano day: celebrating the next decade of nanoscience and nanotechnology. ACS Nano. 2016;10(10):9093–103. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6b06655.
Soriano ML, Zougagh M, Valcárcel M, Ríos Á. Analytical nanoscience and nanotechnology: where we are and where we are heading. Talanta. 2018;177:104–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2017.09.012.
Roco MC, Mirkin CA, Hersam MC. Nanotechnology research directions for societal needs in 2020: summary of international study. J Nanopart Res. 2011;13(3):897–919. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-011-0275-5.
Gigault J, El Hadri H, Reynaud S, Deniau E, Grassl B. Asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation methods to characterize submicron particles: application to carbon-based aggregates and nanoplastics. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2017;409(29):6761–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-017-0629-7.
Efeoglu E, Maher MA, Casey A, Byrne HJ. Toxicological assessment of nanomaterials: the role of in vitro Raman microspectroscopic analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018;410(6):1631–46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-017-0812-x.
Takechi-Haraya Y, Goda Y, Sakai-Kato K. Imaging and size measurement of nanoparticles in aqueous medium by use of atomic force microscopy. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018;410(5):1525–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-017-0799-3.
Correia M, Loeschner K. Detection of nanoplastics in food by asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled to multi-angle light scattering: possibilities, challenges and analytical limitations. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-0919-8.
Johnson ME, Montoro Bustos AR, Winchester MR. Practical utilization of spICP-MS to study sucrose density gradient centrifugation for the separation of nanoparticles. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2016;408(27):7629–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-016-9844-x.
Mattarozzi M, Suman M, Cascio C, Calestani D, Weigel S, Undas A, et al. Analytical approaches for the characterization and quantification of nanoparticles in food and beverages. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2017;409(1):63–80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-016-9946-5.
Contado C. Field flow fractionation techniques to explore the “nano-world”. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2017;409(10):2501–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-017-0180-6.
Grassian VH, Haes AJ, Mudunkotuwa IA, Demokritou P, Kane AB, Murphy CJ, et al. NanoEHS - defining fundamental science needs: no easy feat when the simple itself is complex. Environ Sci: Nano. 2016;3(1):15–27. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5EN00112A.
NIOSH (2012) General Safe Practices for Working with Engineered Nanomaterials in Research Laboratories, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-147. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH: U.S.
Schulte PA, Geraci CL, Murashov V, Kuempel ED, Zumwalde RD, Castranova V, et al. Occupational safety and health criteria for responsible development of nanotechnology. J Nanopart Res. 2014;16:2153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-2153-9.
Amoabediny GH, Naderi A, Malakootikhah J, Koohi MK, Mortazavi SA, Naderi M, et al. Guidelines for safe handling, use and disposal of nanoparticles. J Phys Conf Ser. 2009;170(1):012037.
Holder AL, Vejerano EP, Zhou X, Marr LC. Nanomaterial disposal by incineration. Environ Sci: Processes Impacts. 2013;15(9):1652–64. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3EM00224A.
OECD (2018) OECD Environment, Health and Safety Publications No. 87. Developments in Delegations on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials - Tour de Table. Series on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials, vol ENV/JM/MONO(2018)10.
Chen R, Qiao J, Bai R, Zhao Y, Chen C. Intelligent testing strategy and analytical techniques for the safety assessment of nanomaterials. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-0940-y.
Liu Q, Wang X, Xia T. Creative use of analytical techniques and high-throughput technology to facilitate safety assessment of engineered nanomaterials. Anal Bioanal Chem (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1289-y.
Xi W, Phan HT, Haes AJ. How to accurately predict solution-phase gold nanostar stability. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1115-6.
Chen C, Marcus IM, Waller T, Walker SL. Comparison of filtration mechanisms of food and industrial grade TiO2 nanoparticles. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1132-5.
Ahn S, Ardoña HAM, Lind JU, Eweje F, Kim SL, Gonzalez GM, et al. Mussel-inspired 3D fiber scaffolds for heart-on-a-chip toxicity studies of engineered nanomaterials. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1106-7.
Zhang T, Gaffrey MJ, Thrall BD, Qian W-J. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics for system-level characterization of biological responses to engineered nanomaterials. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1168-6.
Waller T, Marcus IM, Walker SL. Influence of septic system wastewater treatment on titanium dioxide nanoparticle subsurface transport mechanisms. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1136-1.
Lee JY, Wang H, Pyrgiotakis G, DeLoid GM, Zhang Z, Beltran-Huarac J, et al. Analysis of lipid adsorption on nanoparticles by nanoflow liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1145-0.
Herman J, Zhang Y, Castranova V, Neal SL. Emerging technologies for optical spectral detection of reactive oxygen species. Anal Bioanal Chem (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1233-1.
Holland LA, Carver JS, Veltri LM, Henderson RJ, Quedado KD. Enhancing research for undergraduates through a nanotechnology training program that utilizes analytical and bioanalytical tools. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1274-5.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Published in the topical collection Analytical Developments in Advancing Safety in Nanotechnology with guest editors Lisa Holland and Wenwan Zhong.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Holland, L., Zhong, W. Analytical developments in advancing safety in nanotechnology. Anal Bioanal Chem 410, 6037–6039 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1298-x
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1298-x