„Nanomaterials now offer a wide range of applications from medical diagnostics to energy production“, says BAM president Professor Ulrich Panne. „As a German departmental research institute we assume an important role: we aim to assess the safety of innovative materials with our research and derive appropriate measures and regulations to protect human health and the environment.“
BAM conducts nanotechnology research, particularly involving new substances and materials and their safe use. Nanoparticles in plastics or ceramics enable entirely new applications that require an understanding of the structure-property relationships as well as reliable and reproducible analyses and measurement technology. The focus is on new measurement techniques for non-destructive characterisation of ceramics, metal foams and composites, both during production and after damage events.
The departmental research institutes’ joint research strategy is part of the 2020 Nanotechnology Action Plan of the German Federal Government adopted on 14 September. The key issues are measurement and test methods and concepts for the characterisation and assessment of health and environmental risks that need to be adapted and tested for new materials. The senior federal authorities aim to create foundations for science-based policy advice. This in particular concerns recommendations to the German Federal Government and the EU Commission to further develop legislation for the protection of humans and the environment while enabling advances in materials science. However, the research activities should also support institutions and enterprises in developing application-safe and environmentally compatible materials and resulting products.
The research strategy will be implemented through the participating institutes’ own research, tendering and awarding research services to third parties and through participation in predominantly publicly funded third-party projects. Interdisciplinary approaches should link more closely risk and safety research with innovation research and materials development.
Contact:
Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)
Venio Quinque, M.A., LL.M./LL.B.
Head of Corporate Communications
Phone: + 49 30 8104-1002
presse@bam.de
www.bam.de
About BAM
BAM promotes safety in technology and chemistry.
As a BMWi departmental research institute BAM performs research, testing and offers advisory support to protect people, the environment and material goods. Its activity in the fields of materials science, materials engineering and chemistry is focussed on the technical safety of products and processes. BAM’s research is directed towards substances, materials, building elements, components and facilities as well as natural and technical systems important for the national economy and relevant to society. It also tests and assesses their safe handling and operation. BAM develops and validates analysis procedures and assessment methods, models and necessary standards and provides science-based services for the German industry in a European and international framework.
Safety creates markets
BAM sets and represents high standards for safety in technology and chemistry for Germany and its global markets to further develop the successful German quality culture „Made in Germany.“
For more information see www.bam.de.