Engineered nanomaterials reduce but do not resolve life cycle environmental impacts of power capacitors

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Engineered nanomaterials reduce but do not resolve life cycle environmental impacts of power capacitors. / Alaviitala, Tiina; Mattila, Tuomas J.

In: Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 93, 15.04.2015, p. 347-353.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

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Alaviitala, Tiina ; Mattila, Tuomas J. / Engineered nanomaterials reduce but do not resolve life cycle environmental impacts of power capacitors. In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 2015 ; Vol. 93. pp. 347-353.

Bibtex - Download

@article{2e3e06d14da14bea87cf44bb6028d9af,

title = "Engineered nanomaterials reduce but do not resolve life cycle environmental impacts of power capacitors",

abstract = "Abstract Engineered nanomaterials are used to improve the properties of products. Often this results in size reduction or increased functionality, which may result in reduced environmental impacts. At the same time the manufacturing and disposal of the nanomaterials increases the life cycle impacts of the product. In this study the effects of using nano-silica polymers in power capacitors were investigated through life cycle assessment (LCA). The analysis was based on existing production technology which was modified to represent a prototype using nanomaterials. Based on the results, the nanomaterials would reduce impacts by c.a. 20{\%} in the most relevant environmental life cycle impact categories. The main impact categories of the power capacitors were in metal depletion, land transformation and ecotoxicity. Although the nanomaterial based capacitor had slightly lower impacts, it did not resolve the main problems in these categories. Contribution analysis revealed that most of the impact is caused by only a few processes in the life cycle, especially raw materials supply for tin solders and waste treatment of insulating oil. Ecodesign alternatives for targeting the identified environmental hotspots are discussed.",

keywords = "Ecodesign, Electronics, Life cycle assessment, Nanotechnology, Power capacitors",

author = "Tiina Alaviitala and Mattila, {Tuomas J.}",

note = "INT=dee,{"}Alaviitala, Tiina{"}",

year = "2015",

month = "4",

day = "15",

doi = "10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.01.036",

language = "English",

volume = "93",

pages = "347--353",

journal = "Journal of Cleaner Production",

issn = "0959-6526",

publisher = "Elsevier",

}

RIS (suitable for import to EndNote) - Download

TY - JOUR

T1 - Engineered nanomaterials reduce but do not resolve life cycle environmental impacts of power capacitors

AU - Alaviitala, Tiina

AU - Mattila, Tuomas J.

N1 - INT=dee,"Alaviitala, Tiina"

PY - 2015/4/15

Y1 - 2015/4/15

N2 - Abstract Engineered nanomaterials are used to improve the properties of products. Often this results in size reduction or increased functionality, which may result in reduced environmental impacts. At the same time the manufacturing and disposal of the nanomaterials increases the life cycle impacts of the product. In this study the effects of using nano-silica polymers in power capacitors were investigated through life cycle assessment (LCA). The analysis was based on existing production technology which was modified to represent a prototype using nanomaterials. Based on the results, the nanomaterials would reduce impacts by c.a. 20% in the most relevant environmental life cycle impact categories. The main impact categories of the power capacitors were in metal depletion, land transformation and ecotoxicity. Although the nanomaterial based capacitor had slightly lower impacts, it did not resolve the main problems in these categories. Contribution analysis revealed that most of the impact is caused by only a few processes in the life cycle, especially raw materials supply for tin solders and waste treatment of insulating oil. Ecodesign alternatives for targeting the identified environmental hotspots are discussed.

AB - Abstract Engineered nanomaterials are used to improve the properties of products. Often this results in size reduction or increased functionality, which may result in reduced environmental impacts. At the same time the manufacturing and disposal of the nanomaterials increases the life cycle impacts of the product. In this study the effects of using nano-silica polymers in power capacitors were investigated through life cycle assessment (LCA). The analysis was based on existing production technology which was modified to represent a prototype using nanomaterials. Based on the results, the nanomaterials would reduce impacts by c.a. 20% in the most relevant environmental life cycle impact categories. The main impact categories of the power capacitors were in metal depletion, land transformation and ecotoxicity. Although the nanomaterial based capacitor had slightly lower impacts, it did not resolve the main problems in these categories. Contribution analysis revealed that most of the impact is caused by only a few processes in the life cycle, especially raw materials supply for tin solders and waste treatment of insulating oil. Ecodesign alternatives for targeting the identified environmental hotspots are discussed.

KW - Ecodesign

KW - Electronics

KW - Life cycle assessment

KW - Nanotechnology

KW - Power capacitors

U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.01.036

DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.01.036

M3 - Article

VL - 93

SP - 347

EP - 353

JO - Journal of Cleaner Production

JF - Journal of Cleaner Production

SN - 0959-6526

ER -

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