ASTM Int'l Approves Terminology for Nanotechnology Standard - ASTM E 2456

December 11, 2006 // Published as a news service by IHS

The standard is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E56.01 on Terminology and Nomenclature.

Because of the great need for a terminology document that is globally recognized and because of the cooperation of several organizations in making the document a reality, ASTM E 2456 will be available free of charge from the ASTM International web site.

Developing a nanotechnology terminology standard driven by multiple stakeholder needs has been an early priority for ASTM Committee E56, which was formed in 2005.

Research into the properties, synthesis and applications of nanostructures has been growing at an exponential rate, and has outpaced the development of a language to describe the chemical compositions and physical forms of these new materials.

According to ASTM, without precise terminology, communications about nanotechnology risks and benefits are riddled with overgeneralizations. For example, the term carbon nanoparticles often is used to describe a range of very diverse nanomaterials such as carbon-60, single-walled carbon nanotubes and even diesel exhaust.

Documents such as ASTM E 2456 define more precisely the language for nanotechnology, and thus ensure effective technical communication within the myriad fields involved in nanotechnology, as well as outreach to the public at large as products containing nanomaterials enter the marketplace.

"This ASTM terminology standard will change how I communicate with policymakers, teachers and my neighbors," said Vicki Colvin, chair of Committee E56.

"For the first time I can use critical terms such as 'nanoparticle,' confident my language is precise and shared with other nanotechnologists across the globe. Even better is that the document is freely available. Now teachers and students interested in nanotechnology can access this dictionary and learn for themselves the nuances of our field."

In order to facilitate the development of a terminology standard, ASTM International initiated and signed partnership agreements with the following organizations:

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
• NSF International.
• Japan National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.
• Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI).
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).

These agreements contain several unique provisions that pertain specifically to ASTM E 2456.

In addition to the terminology standard being available at no charge online, technical experts (named by the partner organizations) can participate in ASTM E56 without fee and will have all membership voting privileges. Finally, the partner organization cooperation in the development of ASTM E 2456 was noted by adding partner corporate logos to the standard.

ASTM believes that the partnership agreements will:

• Eliminate redundant resource allocation among a variety of standards organizations.
• Provide for the pooling of technical experts in a single standards development venue.
• Help create a truly global terminology document in terms of input as well as application.

Nanotechnology has been described as the ability to build products of any size with atomic precision and the projected ability to make things from the bottom up using techniques and tools to place every atom and molecule in a desired place. If this form of materials engineering is achieved it will result in a manufacturing revolution. It also has significant economic, social, environmental and military implications.

Source: ASTM International.