Major industrial sectors such as construction, structural and functional materials, active ingredients, food, healthcare, energy, cosmetics and electronics are investing into research and technological development of multi-component nanomaterials (MCNMs), including high aspect ratio nanomaterials (HARNs). These advanced hybrid materials are formed by two or more functional components (e.g. nanoparticles, nanocrystals, organic molecules) conjugated by strong molecular bonds, or by a nanomaterial (NM) with a unique chemical origin modified by hard or soft coatings. Some of the most widely used components are (combinations of) carbonaceous (e.g. fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene) or metallic (metal or metal oxide) NMs with or without organic coatings (e.g. polymers, macromolecules and enzymes).
These new materials offer unprecedented technological benefits as the integration of different components in a unique system can produce new or improved functionalities. However, MCNMs also pose substantial design challenges as well as environmental, health and safety (EHS) concerns. The latter are particularly complex due to the differing rates of degradation and toxicities of the separate and interacting components, and their more complex interactions with biological and environmental systems. These concerns are magnified by the lack of fundamental research and regulatory guidance addressing the unique properties of these advanced materials.
To address these issues, the main goal of SUNSHINE is to develop and validate SSbD strategies for products enabled by MCNMs (including HARNs) and facilitate their implementation at industrial scale. To this end, the project generated essential new knowledge, tools and data to fill the gaps in our current understanding of the exposure, hazard and functionality characteristics of these materials, especially those arising from their unique properties and interactions. To support the uptake and utilization of the SSbD strategies by industry, especially SMEs, we delivered them as part of a user-friendly Safe and Sustainable Innovation Approach (SSIA) e-infrastructure.
SUNSHINE has promoted a two-way dialogue between industry and regulators, which can help to raise awareness and address regulatory concerns in the early stages of innovation. Ideally, this can shorten the time of novel MCNM-based products to reach the market. In addition, the project will provide recommendations on improvement and adaptation of the current regulatory hazard, exposure and risk assessment guidance (e.g. REACH, Biocides, Consumer Products, Food and Feed, Medical Technologies) and standard guidelines (i.e. OECD, ISO and CEN) for MCNMs. This will contribute towards increasing Regulatory Preparedness, which refers to the capacity of regulators to anticipate any EHS challenges posed by the emerging MCNMs early enough to take appropriate action, thus ensuring high levels of health and environmental protection.
