NanoWIR2ES
Silver nanowires are novel, cutting-edge materials that are bringing forward transparent conducting film technology for electronics, photovoltaics and textile.
The NanoWIR2ES consortium covers several aspects of safety and safety improvement of silver nanowires with the aim to be a guide in product design with minimal health risks and potential exposure for consumers.
Within NanoWIR2ES, silver nanowires are being synthesized with varying sizes and coatings and multiple toxicity criteria are used to evaluate potential impacts of NW for Human and Environment. Properties of concern are evidenced and safer-by-design approaches for minimum risk are being developped.
Production of nanosilver reached 450 Mg in 2010 worldwide, of which more than 50 % are estimated to end up as waste in soil, water and air compartments of the environment. The consortium is developping a novel, eco-friendly approach for removal of silver from NW thin films in order to promote silver reclamation from end of life products and to avoid silver release into landfills. The current state of silver transfer from product to the environment in landfill is being addresses in weathering studies.
The project is organised in 10 work-packages as presented below.
