Projects

EU-project: NANOLYSE

The NanoLyse project focuses on the developing validated methods and reference materials for the analysis of engineered nano-particles (ENP) in food and beverages.

NanoDefine

One challenge consists in the development of methods that reliably identify, characterize and measure nanomaterials (NM) both as substance and in various products and matrices. In responses, the European Commission has recently recommended a definition of NM as a reference to determine this (2011/696/EU). The NanoDefine project will explicitly address this question over the next four years.

Marina

The aim of MARINA is to develop and validate the Risk Management Methods for Nanomaterials. To do this, MARINA will address the four central themes for the Risk Assessment and Management of Nanomaterials: Materials, Exposure, Hazard, and Risk. In MARINA we will develop beyond state-of-the-art referential tools from each of these themes and integrate them into a Risk Management Toolbox and Strategy for both human and environmental health.

SUN 

The Sustainable Nanotechnologies (SUN) project is based on the idea that the current knowledge on environmental and health risks of nanomaterials – while limited – can nevertheless guide nanomanufacturing to avoid liabilities if an integrated approach addressing the complete product lifecycle is applied.

NanoReg 

A common European approach to the regulatory testing of Manufactured Nanomaterials. The innovative and economic potential of Manufactured Nanomaterials (MNMs) is threatened by limited understanding of MNM safety aspects along the value chains. Substantial efforts have given insights in toxicity of and exposure to MNMs. However, today's knowledge is not comprehensive enough for regulatory purposes, answering open questions is urgently required. The outstanding approach of NANoREG will provide the right answers to Society, Industry and the National Regulation and Legislation Authorities.

NanonextNL

NanoNextNL is a consortium of more than one hundred companies, universities, knowledge institutes and university medical centres, which is aimed at research into micro and nanotechnology. The total sum involved for NanoNextNL is 250 million euros, half of which is contributed by the collaboration of more than one hundred businesses, universities, knowledge institutes and university medical centres and the other half by the Government of the Netherlands.

Wageningen Food Safety Research leads and participates in project on human and environmental health.

QualityNano

The aim of QualityNano is to integrate 28 top European analytical & experimental facilities in nanotechnology, medicine and natural sciences with the goal of developing and implementing best practice and quality in all aspects of nanosafety assessment. In this project we develop novel analytical approaches and tools to enhance understanding of health and safety issues in nanotechnology.

Innanopart

The Innanopart project (14IND12 - Metrology for innovative nanoparticles) focusses on the major unmet metrological needs in the production of high quality nanomaterials: measuring the concentration of particles and measuring the surface chemistry. These two measurements are critical to the performance of these novel materials in products and the development of valid measurement approaches, supported by documentary standards, will underpin trade and the supply chain for these novel products.
The project will establish reference materials, assess and compare the performance of different techniques, initiate pre-normalisation studies and provide input to internationally accepted standards.

NanoFASE

Sustainable development of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in industry requires the minimisation of risks, and the confirmation of this minimisation. However, the lack of conceptual understanding and availability of data on the fate and hazard of nanotechnology products poses large hurdles for legislators and regulators seeking to set and control rules for ENM production, use and disposal.

NanoFASE aims to deliver a streamlined approach to regulation that supports sustainable innovation in nanotechnology. The goal is to deliver a framework of knowledge and tools for the assessment of fate and exposure of industrially relevant ENMs and ENM–enabled products. This will bring the state-of-the-art of ENM risk assessment to a level equal to that currently available for conventional chemicals.

In this project Wageningen Food Safety Research is involved in research supporting the design of ENM bioavailability and bioaccumulation studies and in the detection and characterization of ENMs