Review of decision analytic tools for sustainable nanotechnology

摘要: Nanotechnology innovation is hampered by data gaps and knowledge limitations in evaluating the risks impacts of nano-enabled products. ‘‘Sustainable nanotechnology’’ a growing concept literature, which calls for comprehensive evaluation nanotechnology at an early stage product life cycle. ‘One such method to frame sustainable triple bottom line (TBL) approach, comprises environmental, economic, societal ‘‘pillars’’ that contribute overall sustainability product. For context nanotechnology, risk analysis (RA), cycle assessment (LCA), multi-criteria decision (MCDA) are frequently called upon support governance. This paper provides systematic review these tools nanotechnology. The results indicate number applications with LCA contributing environmental economic pillars, RA pillar. MCDA structural scaffold mathematical techniques necessary integrate within TBL, also means address uncertainty early-stage assessment. Using tools, integrated could provide viable industry regulators make near-term decisions about complex problems.