EU Framework Programme FP7
Geoff Hunt is a funded partner in the following three projects:
1) NanoImpactNet www.nanoimpactnet.eu
Title: European Network on the Health & Environmental Impact of Nanomaterials.
Period: Four years: 2008-12.
Type: Coordinating and Support Action (CSA).
Aims: Involves compiling information, creating clusters of expertise, identifying future research priorities, education & training initiatives, facilitating access to specialised equipment and facilities, harmonisation of standards, identifying safety and regulatory issues, dissemination and knowledge transfer.
Project Coordinator: Dr Michael Riediker, Institute for Occupational Health Sciences, Switzerland.
Countries: 11 Countries, plus EU Joint Research Centre.
Objective: The objective of the NanoImpactNet co-ordination action is to create a widely supported scientific basis to ensure the safe and responsible development of engineered nanoparticles and nanotechnology-based materials and products, and to support the definition of regulatory measures and implementation of legislation in Europe. This framework includes a strong two-way communication, which will ensure efficient dissemination of information to the various stakeholder groups (notably the European Commission, industry and SMEs, and the general public) while at the same time obtaining input from these groups about their needs and questions. By combining excellence in research with open communication, NanoImpactNet aims to: Develop a framework for the (final and intermediate) critical evaluation of methods, protocols and results of research supported by the FP5, and FP6 and FP7 programmes, as well as nationally funding agencies. Guide the development of best practice to ensure that studies are comparable in terms of basic parameters such as particle type, cell types, dispersion and characterisation protocols and appropriate testing methodologies. Enhance scientific output through better cross-talk and coordination between European scientists and research projects, identifying knowledge gaps and research strategies to address them. Develop strategies to improve access of researchers to the health data that presumably exists within industry. Provide active communication of the findings of the researchers to and with major stakeholders, including policy makers, industries and SMEs, and the public. Draw policy-relevant recommendations from the activities mentioned, especially in terms of the occupational and public health and environmental impact potentially associated with the findings of the studies.
2) NaPolyNet http://www.napolynet.eu
Title: Setting up research-intensive clusters across the EU on characterization of polymer nanostructures
Period: Three years: 2008-11.
Type: Coordinating and Support Action (CSA).
Aims: Involves compiling information, creating clusters of expertise, identifying future research priorities, education & training initiatives, facilitating access to specialised equipment and facilities, harmonisation of standards, identifying safety and regulatory issues, dissemination and knowledge transfer.
Project Coordinator: Dr Clara Silvestre, National Research Council (CNR), Italy.
Countries: 10 countries
Objectives:
1. to network at regional, national and international level with experts on the characterization of polymer nanostructured materials in the field of packaging, textiles and membranes, bridging the gap between scientific and engineering approaches for the improved understanding of the structure-performance correlation in polymer devices;
2. to facilitate transnational access to important and unique equipment and to train young scientists and SMEs technologists;
3. to harmonise the work necessary for new standards in the field of characterization of polymer nanostructures for packaging, textiles and membranes. NaPolyNet will also focus on latest findings for managing the safety implications of polymer nanostructure along the life-cycle of those products.
The activities are grouped into 7 work-packages (WP): After setting up the procedures for managing the project (WP1), the team will map the competences in the different fields of characterization of polymer nanostructures at international level and will set up an European Open Laboratory (EOL) open to outside the consortium partners (WP2) incorporating the best and novel characterization methodologies and expertises. The EOL will be the base of the mobility and training activities planned in WP3 and WP4. An international workshop is planned on processing-structure-dynamics-and-properties of polymer nanostructures (WP5) in order to further support development and design of intrinsically safe nanomaterials. WP6 is completely dedicated to harmonize the work for preparation of new standards for polymeric nanomaterials characterization. WP7 aims at disseminating, knowledge-transfer and reporting with the aim of giving the project a significant impact beyond the consortium participants and contributing to overcome barriers to the industrial application of polymer nanostructured materials especially in SMEs.
3) COST (Cooperation on Science & Technology) Action FA0904: Eco-sustainable food packaging based on polymer nanomaterials.
As of the first Management Committee meeting (Brussels, March 2010), a total of 18 Parties had accepted the MoU according to the official records of the COST Council Secretariat. The acceptance countries were Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Finland; Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; France; Germany; Greece; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Netherlands; Poland; Romania; Spain; Switzerland; United Kingdom. 5 Parties have the intention to accept the MoU; these are Czech Republic; Denmark; Israel; Norway; Sweden.
Prof Hunt is Ledaer of WG4 on Ethics, Standardisation and Science-Society Dialogue.
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