Bayer Participates in "NanoCare" Research Project
Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.
Bayer has announced that it is participating in the "NanoCare" research project which aims to further enhance scientific analysis of nanomaterials.
The project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is focusing on the properties of nanoparticles, i.e. atom- or molecule-sized particles, to ensure that they pose no risk to humans and the environment when used in chemical materials.
"NanoCare will provide a set of key basic principles for pioneering materials research and support the responsible use of innovative nanomaterials," says Dr. Harald Pielartzik, Head of the Nanotechnology Working Group at Bayer.
Thirteen companies, universities and research institutes are contributing their expertise to the NanoCare partnership. They will work together to develop generally accepted measuring and test methods that can be utilized to analyze the safety issues relating to nanomaterials.
The project partners also intend to create new nanoparticles and use model systems to analyze their effects on human health and the environment.
The expertise of Bayer HealthCare and above all the methods of Bayer Technology Services will play a crucial role in characterizing the physical and chemical properties of the materials, e.g. particle size, particle surface composition and particle quantity.
All the findings and data from the NanoCare research project will be accompanied by an evaluation of appropriate specialist literature and will include the results of research carried out by other scientific groups.
Following completion of the study, the project partners intend to maintain the database created and to make it available to the general public on an Internet platform.
"We place great value on communication with interested sections of society," says Dr. Franz Saykowski, manager of the NanoCare project at Bayer. "As with any new technology, people have to be convinced of the benefits of nanotechnology."
"Nanotechnology offers Bayer vast potential for increasing the performance of its products and processes. Moreover, it will enable us to develop completely new products that will improve our quality of life in many respects," explains Pielartzik. At present, Bayer already leverages nanotechnology across all its subgroups.
The focus of its research and development is on nanoparticles and nanocoatings, nanoadditives and nanocomposites, and on nanoelectronics and nanobiotechnology.
In addition to NanoCare, Bayer is also involved in further initiatives that deal with nanomaterials, including working groups organized by the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) and in the "Responsible Production and Use of Nanomaterials" working group of the German Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (DECHEMA).
