Reports on nanotechnologies range from dangerous nanoparticles in sunscreen to new medical breakthroughs. Gudrun Lettner and Jean Schmitt recently took over the NanoTrust project at the ITA. Currently, they are investigating the effects of nanomaterials in the workplace. In this interview they explain why it is important to conduct science close to the people, and how they want to reach researchers and start-ups with their work.

Gudrun Lettner and Jean Schmitt, you have taken over the nanotechnology division at ITA, where we have been conducting research for 17 years. What direction will you be taking now?

Gudrun Lettner: We want to be the point of contact for all topics related to nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is not just about researching consequences, but also about addressing fears. Right now, we feel that we still need a better overview of where research is being conducted throughout Austria. Which universities are researching nanotechnology in coatings, such as ceramic technologies, for example? I would also like to raise awareness of our work in basic research.

Jean Schmitt: First of all, I am thrilled to already be able to communicate research results directly to the right people here at the ITA. Thanks to the work of the previous project manager, André Gazsó, who is still the chairman of the Nano Information Commission of the Austrian Ministry of Health, we have excellent contacts within ministries and organizations such as the AUVA. This allows us to bring results straight to the right places, for example with our NanoTrust dossiers. Also, we can discuss our findings with stakeholders at the annual conference at the ITA. Like Gudrun said, now it's a matter of expanding connections with researchers and start-ups.

Nanomaterials are kind of difficult to imagine, can you name some concrete examples how they are being used?

Schmitt: There are many applications, for example in medicine or coatings. One example is graphene, which is carbon with a single atomic layer and is mostly used for its electrical properties, for example in sensors as a material that is very sensitive and reacts strongly to changes in temperature or pH, for example.

Lettner: Space technology is another field – nanomaterials can be used to produce materials that are much lighter and more resistant but have an equal volume. Temperature resistance can also be improved.

What are the most important questions on the subject of nanotechnologies?

Lettner: Health is a recurring theme in the context of nano. The challenges in researching nanomaterials, such as determining the permissible dose or assessing risks, are similar to those in environmental health research. As part of Nano EHS (Environment, Health and Safety), NanoTrust is not only researching the use of nano in medicine, but also possible risks in the workplace.

We are currently working with the AUVA (General Accident Insurance Institution) to compile an overview of national and international limit values for nanomaterials in the workplace. Right now, limit values are assessed on the basis of the mass concentration of the nanomaterial in question. However, since we are talking about unimaginably small particles, it is more a question of how many nanoparticles I find in a cubic meter of air. What is relatively new is that we are now also investigating the effects of advanced materials.

What exactly are advanced materials?

Lettner: Advanced materials are materials that are manufactured for a specific purpose and do not occur naturally. There is not yet a scientific definition of what constitutes an advanced material.

Schmitt: One characteristic is that advanced materials have new properties. However, if such a material is used more often, it is no longer “advanced,” but becomes normal. But if it is used in three out of ten products, how new is it then? That is why it is so difficult to find a clear definition for these substances.

How did you get into the field of technology assessment?

Schmitt: The pandemic really threw my doctoral thesis into disarray. I had just made a breakthrough and couldn't wait to take the next steps when I was told that all laboratories would be closed for the next few months. So I decided to volunteer and did research on COVID-19. I conducted a study on the protective efficiency of different masks. We also investigated 3D-printed adapters that were to be used in anesthesia for artificial respiration. I also examined the homemade fabric masks that people wore at the beginning. We used a model to simulate what happens to the particles in the air we breathe, depending on how the mask is worn and which type is used. After that, I did research at the University of Toronto on e-mobility in relation to air pollution. We found out how many advantages electric cars have over combustion engines; that's beyond dispute. However, as we had little access to political decision-makers, our findings were not followed up.

Both were topics that were close to people and had a direct impact on society. I also realized how little we can achieve if there is no bridge between science and politics. This is exactly where technology assessment comes in, and that fascinates me.

Lettner: I actually come from the humanities and worked as a librarian at the University of Vienna for a long time. After I became a mother for the first time, I suddenly felt the urge to work in a more future-oriented way. At an orientation event on process engineering, I met a chemistry professor whose approach fascinated me. He talked about how crazy it is that we simply burn 95 percent of petroleum, one of the most valuable substances we have. That's when I knew I was in the right place. I had wanted to learn more about sustainability and resource conservation for a long time. I wanted to contribute something. Working at the ITA offers the perfect opportunity to combine my skills in the humanities and cultural sciences with those in engineering.

I have long been aware that as engineers, we should not only focus on research and development, but also on the associated risks. We have to think about society. What impact does the technology I am working on have on people and the environment? That is a key question that we must always be aware of.

Gudrun Lettner is a cultural and social scientist and process engineer. She studied Japanese and Korean studies at the University of Vienna. In her ongoing master's degree in process engineering at TU Wien, she focuses on sustainability issues such as circular economy in construction, biofuels, and environmental chemistry. About

Jean Schmitt holds a doctorate in environmental engineering and has a background in micro-mechatronics and mechanical engineering. He has professional experience in both industry and academia. During his PhD in environmental engineering, which he completed in 2022 at ETH Zurich (Switzerland), he worked on the development of microsensors for air quality monitoring. Bio