AVS 51st International Symposium
    Technology for Sustainability Thursday Sessions
       Session TS-ThM

Invited Paper TS-ThM5
Emerging Applications for Electrodeposited Nano-Structured Materials: Environmental Benefits and Potential Risks

Thursday, November 18, 2004, 9:40 am, Room 303D

Session: Sustainable Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, and Environmental Policy
Presenter: G. Palumbo, Integran Technologies, Inc., Canada
Correspondent: Click to Email
From the first engineering structural application for nanostructured materials in 1993 (the Electrosleeve process for nuclear component repair), electrodeposition has emerged as one of the most simple and cost-effective ‘bottom-up’ manufacturing methods for the commercial-scale production of a wide variety of nanostructured product forms, including powders, foams and fully-consolidated, net shape nano-structured components. In this presentation, an overview is provided of the electroforming production method, as well as of some of the unique functional and structural properties possessed by these materials. Particular emphasis will be placed on current and near-term applications where this technology can provide significant environmental benefits such as (1) replacement of hard chromium electroplating, (2) elimination of toxic metals in electronic materials, (3) enhanced energy efficiency through the emergence of superior soft magnetic materials, (4) anti-bacterial products, etc. These environmental benefits are discussed in the light of potential risks to human health associated with the possibility of more widespread release of ultra-fine metal/ceramic particulate to the environment.