Center for the Environmental Implications of Nanotechology

1. Center for the Environmental Implications of Nanotechology Program Solicitation NSF 07-590 Preliminary Proposal Due: December 10, 2007 National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences Directorate for Education and Human Resources Directorate for Engineering Directorate for Geosciences Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences Alan J. Tessier, Lead Program Officer BIO/Division of Environmental Biology Environmental Protection Agency Nora Savage, Lead Program Officer EPA/Office of Research & Development National Center for Environmental Research

2. Center for the Environmental Implications of Nanotechology Preliminary Proposal Due: December 10, 2007 15 page project description Anticipated Funding Amount: $5 M/year for 5 years ($4M/yr NSF, $1M/yr EPA) Possibility of one 5-year renewal No cost share required Full proposal deadline: March 17, 2008 (invitation only)

3. CEIN Goals and Structure: “The CEIN will address the implications of nanotechnology on environmental healthand safety through fundamental research on the interactions of nanomaterials withthe living world at all scales.” “A National Center that will conduct fundamental research and education on the short- and long-term impact of nanotechnology on the environment and livingsystems at all scales.” “A multidisciplinary research approach involving the biological, chemical, physical,computational, mathematical, social and behavioral sciences will be needed to understand the fundamental processes and related risks associated with the interaction of naturally derived and engineered nanomaterials in the environmentand living systems.”

4. CEIN Research and Education Focus: • Understanding the bioaccumulation of nanomaterials and their effects on living systems including their routes of environmental exposure, deposition, transformation, bio-persistence, clearance, and translocation, as well as mechanisms for their adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion by organisms. • Understand the interactions of nanomaterials with cellular constitutents, metabolic networks and living tissues including interactions at the molecular, cellular, organ, and systemic levels,and effects on organisms ontogeny and multi-generational life histories. • Determining the biological impacts of nanomaterials dispersed in the environment includingthe ecological and evolutionary effects of nanomaterials on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystemssuch as: species interactions, factors that contribute to bioaccumulation and biomagnificationof nanomaterials in food webs, distribution of nanomaterials and their byproducts within ecosystems, biotic processes that influence the persistence and chemical transformations ofnanomaterials in the environment, and the mode and duration of effects on ecosystems.

5. Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology Rice University • Transforming Nanotechnology into a Tool to Solve Real-World Problems • CBEN’s mission is to discover and develop nanomaterials that enable new medical and environmental technologies. • The mission is accomplished by the following: • Fundamental examination of the ‘wet/dry’ interface between nanomaterials, complex • aqueous systems, and ultimately our environment (Theme 1). • Engineering research that focuses on multifunctional nanoparticles that solve problems in • environmental and biological engineering (Themes 2, 3). • Educational programs that develop teachers, students, and citizens who are well informed • and enthusiastic about nanotechnology. • Innovative knowledge transfer that recognize the importance of communicating • nanotechnology research to the media, policymakers, and the general public.

6. Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology Rice University Research Activities listed on website • Theme 1: Nanoscience at the Wet/Dry Interface • Nanomanufacturing: Materials Design and Production • Forming, Characterizing and Optimizing Bionanoconjugates • Developing SWNTs as Biological Materials • Theme 2: Nanoparticles that Detect and Treat Disease • Immunotargeted NIR Contrast Agents for Cancer Imaging • Functional Imaging of Gene Expression • NIR-absorbing Particles for Cancer Therapy • Protease-activated Imaging Agents for Therapeutics • Engineering Self-Organized Nano-Biomechanical Resonators • Nanoparticle-cell: Structure-function Relationships for Cytotoxicity • Theme 3: Effective, High-Performance Water Purification Systems • Arsenic Removal using Nanoscale Magnetite • Metal Nanocatalysts for Reducing Organics in Water • Disinfection and Biofouling Control • The Environmental Chemistry of Nanoscale Carbons • Fate and Transport of Engineered Nanoparticles • Environmental Toxicology, Biological Interactions and Bioavailability of Fullerenes • Health, Environmental, and other Societal Impacts • Assessing Public Trust and Perceptions of Risk • The Ethics and Politics of Nanotechnology

7. Research Areas listed on website Biomolecular Optoelectronic Function Molecular Motions Single Molecular Probes Ethics of Nanotechnology Nano/Bio Interface Center The University of Pennsylvania

8. Meeting Objectives: • Develop a preliminary OU vision and research foci • Identify currently available resources at OU and in Oklahoma- faculty and staff - equipment and facilities - governmental and industrial partners • Identify resources necessary to obtain in order to be competitive • Organize a working committee- identify potential members not present • List potential candidates for PI / Center Director