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Take proactive approach to nano, UO's Hutchison tells congressional caucus
As an invited speaker to the Congressional Nanotechnology Caucus, UO chemistry professor Jim Hutchison urged policymakers and their staffs to pursue a proactive approach to developing design rules so that nanomaterials, for any use, are safe for both the environment and the public.
Speaking today (Dec. 17) to the Congressional Nanotechnology Caucus in Washington, D.C., University of Oregon chemistry professor Jim Hutchison urged policymakers to take a proactive approach to determine the design rules for developing safer materials and guidelines for the efficient, safe production of these materials.
At issue is the 21st Century Nanotechnology Act, which Congress will consider for renewal and/or revision in 2008. The act was signed into law in December 2003 by President Bush.
"This approach is essential because the implications approach does not provide solutions to help us nimbly change course if hazards are found and does not provide a basis to fuel innovation," Hutchison said in a summary statement.
Hutchison, who also serves as associate vice president for research and strategic initiatives at the UO, was invited to address the caucus as part of its on-going series of meetings designed to provide legislators and their staffs insight on issues related to nanotechnology. The caucus is led by Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Democratic Rep. Bart Gordon of Tennessee and Republican Rep. Ralph Hall of Texas.
Hutchison led a briefing on “Nanotechnology and the Environment – Green Nano Applications.” He told the caucus that studying nanotechnology's implications in isolation from nanomaterial designers and application specialists would raise the risk of using information that is misleading or insufficient to provide guidance for future materials design.
Hutchison said that he applauds efforts being undertaken to determine the possible environmental health and safety implications of nanotechnology "as an important step toward understanding and managing these implications."
He also cited examples of the approach used so far by members of the Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Initiative (SSNI), an offshoot of the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI), a state-mandated signature research center. The SSNI, which Hutchison leads, already is being successful in designing safer nanoparticles, removing toxic byproducts from nanoparticles and developing greener, high-throughput production methods that provide better quality nanoparticles, he said.
"The proactive approach will aid the commercialization of nanotechnology, provide design rules that will influence product design in biomedicine and contribute to a framework for the development and stewardship of future technologies," Hutchison said.
Hutchison's appearance is important to Oregon as the state continues to position itself as a leading nanotechnology center. Hutchison is on the leadership team of ONAMI.