2011 NNI Environment, Health, and 

Safety Research Strategy

Treye A. Thomas, Ph.D.

Co-chair, Nanotechnology Environment and Health 

Implications Working Group

Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology 

Subcommittee
DHS

NRC

FDA

CPSC ITC

USPTO

NIOSH

DOC BIS

USDA

FS

DOEd

DOL

NSF

DOD

DOE

NASA

NIST

NIH

OSTP OMB

EPA

DOT

DOTr

DOJ

ITIC

DOS

USDA

National Nanotechnology Initiative

Collaborative, Multi-agency, Cross-cut 

Program Among 25 Federal agencies

Ensures US Leadership in fundamental R&D 

to advance understanding and control of 

matter at nanoscale to for:

National economic benefit

National security

Improved quality of life

USGS

What is the National Nanotechnology Initiative?
Office of Science and 

Technology Policy 00

Public Engagement and 

Communication

Global Interest in 

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology Environment

and Health Implications (NEHI)

Working Group

Nanotechnology Industry 

Liaison and Innovation

Nanoscale Science, 

Engineering and Technology 

(NSET)

Subcommittee

National Nanotechnology

Coordination Office 

(NNCO)

Organizational Structure
NNI Environmental, Health, and Safety Research 

Strategy

NNI Environmental Health and Safety Mission

• Protect public health and the environment 

• Employ science-based risk analysis and risk management 

• Foster technological advancements that benefit society

Provides guidance to Federal agencies 

– EHS research priorities

– 2011 NNI EHS research strategy replaces the 2008 

document
Highlights from the NNI EHS Research Strategy

Process

•Reviews of 2008 strategy

•Workshops with stakeholder engagement

•Assessment of strengths and weaknesses

• Writing Process

Structure

• Vision, mission

• Research framework

• Core chapters

• Path forward

What’s New

• Informatics and predictive modeling

• Key concepts for targeting and accelerating research

• Best practices for coordination and implementation of research

Review of the Federal 

Strategy for

Nanotechnology-Related 

Environmental, 

Health and Safety Research
Framing the Research Strategy

Risk Assessment Process 

Core research areas include

• Nanomaterial measurement infrastructure 

• Human exposure assessment

• Human health

• Environment

• Risk assessment and management methods 
Risk Management Research Framework 
Product Life Cycle Stages

Measurement Research Needs

• Develop measurement tools for : 

– Physico-chemical properties of ENMs

– Detection and monitoring of ENMs in realistic 

exposure media and conditions

– Transformations of ENMs and NEPs

– Biological responses to ENMS and NEPs

– Release mechanisms 
Nanomaterials

Measurement 

Infrastructure:

Enabling the 

Human Health and 

Environment 

Research
Protocols 

• well-defined procedures, methods, or assays that may require the use of 

reference materials and controls, as well as methods for data analysis.

Standards

• internationally recognized reference materials and certified reference materials, 

developed by organizations such as NIST, and consensus-based documentary 

standards published by national and international standards development 

organizations such as ISO and ASTM International.

Instruments

• new or improved measurement apparatuses that may be broadly transferred to 

and adopted by other organizations.

Models

• representations that support interpretation and structure and other properties. 

Data

• “benchmark” data that have been measured using validated protocols and 

reference materials (if relevant) or other well-characterized test materials.

Measurement Definitions
Informatics and Modeling for NanoEHS Research

• Aid development, analysis, organization, archiving, sharing, and 

use of data that is acquired in nanoEHS research projects in the 

core research. 

• Effectively manage reliable, high-quality data to support advanced 

modeling and simulation. 

• Sections:

o Data acquisition, analysis, sharing

o Structural models

o Predictive models and simulations

o Collaborative informatics infrastructure

• New research need
• Prioritize which nanomaterials to research

• Establish standard measurements, terminology, and 

nomenclature 

• Maximize data quality

• Stratify knowledge for risk assessment 

• Partner to achieve the NNI EHS research goals

• Engage internationally

Targeting and Accelerating Research
Prioritizing Nanomaterials for Research

• Potential for hazard

• Likelihood of exposure

• High reactivity

• Biological Novelty

•Identified in a health or 

environmental event
Vision 

•A future in which the ability to understand and control matter on the 

nanoscale leads to a revolution in technology and industry that benefits 

society.

Goals

• Advance world-class nanotechnology research and development

• Foster the transfer of new technologies into products for commercial 

and public benefit

• Develop and sustain educational resources, a skilled workforce, and 

the supporting infrastructure and tools to advance nanotechnology

• Support responsible development of nanotechnology

Objectives (new)

• Three to five year outcomes and deliverables

2011 NNI Strategic Plan
NNI Strategic Plan Goal 4:

Responsible Development

4.1 Incorporate safety evaluation of nanomaterials into the 

product life cycle, foster responsible development, and, 

where appropriate, sustainability across the 

nanotechnology innovation pipeline

4.2 Develop tools and procedures for domestic and 

international outreach and engagement to assist 

stakeholders in developing best practices for 

communicating and managing risk

4.3 Identify and manage the ethical, legal and social 

implications (ELSI) of research leading to nanotechnologyenabled products and processes

4.4 Employ nanotechnology and sustainable best practices 

to protect and improve human health and the environment
NNI Strategic Plan Goal 4 objectives are laid out in the National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan 

2010 (NSET/NSTC, Washington, DC, 2010; forthcoming) pp. 24–26.

Alignment between Goals and Objectives of the 

NNI Strategic Plan and the NNI EHS Research Strategy
2011 NNI Environment, Health, and 

Safety Research Strategy

Draft document available at: 

http://strategy.nano.gov/

More information on the NNI: 

nano.gov