Nanotechnology and the environment

Capture, detect and transform

Environmental nanotechnology investigates membranes, sorbents, catalysts and sensors for water, air, soil and resource recovery.

Selective interfaces may capture or transform a target; fate, recovery and lifecycle impacts remain part of the system.

Questions to ask

• Where does the material go after use?
• Can it be recovered or contained?
• Was performance tested in a realistic matrix?

Examples

• Water-treatment membranes
• Contaminant sensors
• Photocatalytic surfaces