Green nanotechnology has drawn on the field of green chemistry, and the framework of the 12
Principles of Green Chemistry [3] features significantly in work to design new nanotechnologies
for joint economic, social, and health/environmental benefit [4]. These efforts have been aided by
awareness throughout the nanotech community that they need to address the potential negative
impacts of nano from the outset.1
That has not meant, however, that green nanotechnology
has gained widespread and popular acceptance in the scientific and business communities.
Awareness is still limited in many sectors, and green nanoscience, along with nanoscience more
broadly, still faces significant challenges in transitioning from concept to reality