Laboratory Management considerations when working with Nano-Engineered Materials
Laboratory Management considerations when working with Nano-Engineered Materials
Índice
Purpose of the research Nanotechnology is said to be an innovative and novel way to address the world’s future needs. However, there is limited knowledge on the behaviour of nano-engineered (NEM) materials even though their use is widespread.
The context of this study is Quality Management (QM). This study was undertaken to seek the extent to which QM practices were adopted during the research and development and manufacture of NEM. It is purely exploratory and draws on the literature from research and technical guidelines in the field on risk management.
Research approach. Due to the limited literature related to QM in this field this paper aimed to establish suitable quality management steps that could be adopted by a laboratory to monitor, measure and control its activities when working with nano-engineered materials. It attempts to show both the quality management (in terms of systems) and the quality technical (laboratory practise) activities that should be undertaken to achieve this. Due to the novelty of this focus area, this study adopted a qualitative paradigm, an interpretivist strategy
and was stimulated by the inductive reasoning from the calls for consistency and uniformity of practice
Findings. From literature indicated that the outcome of most of the research papers were in the same quandary which primarily related to unknown behaviour of NEM throughout its lifecycle, its potential toxicity, its effects on flora and fauna and lack of standardisation of practice, guidelines and legislation.
Limitations of the research Work with NEM is in its infancy and due to its potential applications is very confidential. Therefore, the findings of this study cannot be generalised to all R and D laboratories and manufacturers of NEM and is applicable only to the interviewees and their organisations which formed part of this study. Practical implications.The importance of standards was suggested by Delgado (2010) because he believes that without it individuals may develop their own perceptions on working with NEMs and this may not necessarily support the manufacturing organisation.
Originality and value of the study This paper presents original work. At the time of this publication no known quality standard was found. This study developed the schematic models based purely on literature and interviews conducted during the preparation of this research
See paper
See paper
Laboratory, Nano material
