SAFETYFANS · SAFEty and sustainabiliTY by design: a Framework for Advanced Nano-materials Synthesis.

SAFETYFANS: SAFEty and sustainabiliTY by design: a Framework for Advanced Nano-materials Synthesis.

SAFETYFANS emerges in response to critical challenges in nanotechnology, where there is a growing need for safer and more sustainable material designs in line with the EU’s Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework. SSbD is a novel, multi-dimensional approach that addresses safety, functionality, and sustainability considerations for advanced materials (AdMa) early in the innovation process. SAFETYFANS, specifically targeting Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), aims to provide a science-based solution for predicting and ranking materials based on their SSbD dimensions. The project is inspired by FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles, ensuring that outputs contribute to the broader research community. In partnership with the CNR-ISSMC, SAFETYFANS will harness a dataset of AdMa. SAFETYFANS will employ New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), specifically Machine Learning (ML) integrated with explainable AI (xAI), to predict the safety, functionality, and sustainability of TiO2. This approach not only leverages data-driven insights but also builds a foundational tool for addressing the ongoing safety controversies associated with TiO2, making SAFETYFANS a pivotal initiative within the SSbD framework. SAFETYFANS is structured around four key objectives: 1. Objective 1 (Data Foundation): Establish a comprehensive, FAIR-aligned data asset that compiles and organizes essential SSbD indicators for TiO2 from existing knowledge bases and forthcoming EU projects. This foundational dataset will ensure consistency, quality, and accessibility, setting the stage for subsequent project work packages. 2. Objective 2 (ML and xAI Models): Develop a portfolio of ML models tailored to predict the SSbD dimensions (safety, functionality, and sustainability) using the compiled data asset. Through explainable AI (xAI), SAFETYFANS will identify primary determinants that impact each SSbD dimension, allowing for an in-depth understanding of the most influential factors. The resulting insights will offer material designers actionable guidance on minimizing potential human and environmental risks. 3. Objective 3 (Experimental Validation): SAFETYFANS will integrate the experimental and modeling domains by synthesizing and characterizing novel TiO2 formulations and assessing them through toxicological and functional tests. This iterative approach will validate the model predictions against empirical results, ensuring a robust, validated framework that aligns with FAIR data principles and improves communication between experimentalists and modelers. 4. Objective 4 (Composite Indicator for Ranking): The project will culminate in the development of a Composite Indicator (CI) that ranks TiO2 formulations based on their SSbD potential, offering a streamlined approach for material scientists to prioritize designs that maximize functionality while reducing adverse effects. This CI will be a valuable asset for stakeholders, providing a materials sustainability portfolio that serves both environmental and human health needs. SAFETYFANS is positioned to address the EU’s urgent need for practical, scalable SSbD solutions that resonate across academia, regulatory bodies, and industry. The project moves beyond theoretical frameworks, presenting a real-world instance of SSbD through its data-driven methodologies and predictive modeling. This will be significant, offering the EU a pragmatic, digital asset for enhancing nano-safety and advancing sustainable manufacturing within the nanotechnology sector. Through SSbD integration, SAFETYFANS promotes an economically viable and circular approach to nanotechnology. The ability to rank AdMa by SSbD dimensions during the early design phase offers an economically efficient route to sustainability, aligning nanotechnology with EU goals for circularity. SAFETYFANS mitigates potential disruptions, such as those caused by the ban on TiO2 as a food additive, which has complicated decision-making in the industry. The SSbD framework provides clarity, allowing for proactive compliance beyond regulatory demands, thereby supporting a steady innovation pace without sacrificing safety or functionality. By the project’s end, SAFETYFANS will leave a lasting impact in the nanotechnology community, addressing the gaps in nanosafety, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting a culture of responsible innovation in materials design.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз