A Method of Prospective Technological Assessment of Nanotechnological Techniques

Nanotechnology is frequently described as an enabling technology and a fundamental innovation, i.e. it is expected to lead to numerous innovative developments in the most diverse fields of technology and areas of application in society and the marketplace. Nanotechnologies are regarded as a substantial element for environmental reliefs. As a result the following questions arise: How large are the possible relief effects on the environment by nanotechnological techniques? This contribution describe a new method of prospective technological assessment of nanotechnological processes and gives a current overview of existing studies of published LCAs of the manufacture of nanoparticles and nanocomponents.