In 2011 triple innova once again carried out research within the EU project  Observatory Nano on the risks and opportunities facing nanotechnologies, and further developed business tools to encourage companies to use nanotechnologies responsibly.

The "NanoMeter" is now online and available for researchers, developers and providers of nano-enabled applications and products. This is how it works: you choose a product or an application and answer questions that guide you through the relevant sustainability aspects. This process enables you to detect opportunities and risks that, potentially, you had not previously considered. Additionally, you are provided with key topics where specific information, research and action are needed. You can opt for the short version of the tool, which enables you to work through some important general nano-related questions in a couple of minutes, or you can choose to work in greater detail and respond to all the questions or only a selection. Depending on your technology sector, you will receive additional information to help you come to a greater understanding of sustainability.

triple innova made a contribution in the field of nanotechnology and sustainability research at the conference nANO meets water III on 10^th November  2011 in Oberhausen, which was hosted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology. At the conference, the risks and opportunities of using nano applications in the water sector were discussed in a dialogue between science and industry. Dr. Brigitte Biermann gave a lecture entitled "Opportunities and risks of nano applications at a glance: practical test of NanoMeter”, which was delivered in section 3 of the conference, “Risk, toxicity und sustainability". A short version is available here (in German only).

The annual report 2010-2011 of the ObservatoryNANO project summarises current results. The report also contains a short depiction of the business tools that have been developed by triple innova within the framework of the EU funded project. The business tools enable companies to deal responsibly with nanotechnologies.

The final ObservatoryNANO workshop will take place in Brussels on Thursday 1^st March and will provide an exciting and dynamic summary of the work of the ObservatoryNANO. If you would like to attend please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .