Single particle ICP-MS applications in nanomaterial safety
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences
Abstract
Nanotechnology presents society with incredible opportunities, in the form of novel materials and processes, applicable to
energy capture and storage, climate change mitigation, water treatment, biomedical applications and many more. Analysts
expect the value of the nanomaterials market to reach hundreds of billions of Euros by 2015. However, the novelty of
nanomaterials also brings significant challenges due to the potential of these materials to present unknown and unforeseen
behaviour and toxicity to humans and biota. A key challenge in assessing the potential environmental impact of
nanomaterials involves their tracing and characterisation, particularly in environmental matrices. The proposed project will
contribute to the solution of this problem, by developing single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SPICP-
MS), a newly developed analytical method uniquely capable of measuring both chemical (composition) and physical
(particle size and number) characteristics of nanomaterials.
SP-ICP-MS is an extremely novel method, which has emerged in the past five years, and although robust, it is currently
only tested with a small number of nanomaterials. Further development will expand and augment the capability of SP-ICPMS
and transform it into a powerful analytical tool for assessing and potentially monitoring, nanomaterials in real
environmental matrices. The novelty of the proposed work will stem from attempting to trace and characterise nanoparticles
in complex forms (i.e. within cells and surrounded by a protein corona) and to identify the effect of particle shape and
surface modification to their traceability. Comparisons with other quantification methods, such as field flow fractionation,
dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis will also be made. The findings will underpin future regulation of
nanomaterials, by enabling their fuller and better tracing and characterisation. It will be particularly important in enabling
NE/M009947/1 Page 1 of 3 Date Saved: 10/07/2014 11:51:18
Date Printed: 10/07/2014 12:03:04
original proforma document
Classification of Proposal
(a) Scientific Area (mandatory)
Assign % relevance (in multiples of 5) to one or more areas, totalling 100%.
(b) Secondary Classification
Assign % relevance (in multiples of 5) to any areas that are relevant. Otherwise, leave blank.
(c) ENRI (mandatory)
Assign % relevance (in multiples of 5) to one or more ENRIs, totalling 100%.
implementation of the European Commission's new definition of nanomaterials, which involves not only particle size but
also number of particles within a given size range.
The partners in this project are the University of Birmingham (UoB) and PerkinElmer Ltd (PE). UoB is a research-focussed
university, with an established reputation in nanosafety research; for example, UoB host the Facility for Environmental
Nanoscience Analysis and Characterisation, a NERC funded facility, supporting the UK research community's nanocharacterisation
needs. PE are leaders in instrumentation and pioneers of SP-ICP-MS. Three academic (UoB) and two
non-academic (PE) supervisors, all with extensive research expertise and significant supervisory abilities, will ensure an
excellent learning and training environment for the student, who will be selected using academic excellence as the key
criterion. Extensive academic training in a strong interdisciplinary environment at UoB and applied training with plenty of
hands-on opportunities at PE will be offered to the student, whose full engagement in the structure of the team, academic
or commercial, will enable a thorough integration in operational aspects of both facilities
energy capture and storage, climate change mitigation, water treatment, biomedical applications and many more. Analysts
expect the value of the nanomaterials market to reach hundreds of billions of Euros by 2015. However, the novelty of
nanomaterials also brings significant challenges due to the potential of these materials to present unknown and unforeseen
behaviour and toxicity to humans and biota. A key challenge in assessing the potential environmental impact of
nanomaterials involves their tracing and characterisation, particularly in environmental matrices. The proposed project will
contribute to the solution of this problem, by developing single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SPICP-
MS), a newly developed analytical method uniquely capable of measuring both chemical (composition) and physical
(particle size and number) characteristics of nanomaterials.
SP-ICP-MS is an extremely novel method, which has emerged in the past five years, and although robust, it is currently
only tested with a small number of nanomaterials. Further development will expand and augment the capability of SP-ICPMS
and transform it into a powerful analytical tool for assessing and potentially monitoring, nanomaterials in real
environmental matrices. The novelty of the proposed work will stem from attempting to trace and characterise nanoparticles
in complex forms (i.e. within cells and surrounded by a protein corona) and to identify the effect of particle shape and
surface modification to their traceability. Comparisons with other quantification methods, such as field flow fractionation,
dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis will also be made. The findings will underpin future regulation of
nanomaterials, by enabling their fuller and better tracing and characterisation. It will be particularly important in enabling
NE/M009947/1 Page 1 of 3 Date Saved: 10/07/2014 11:51:18
Date Printed: 10/07/2014 12:03:04
original proforma document
Classification of Proposal
(a) Scientific Area (mandatory)
Assign % relevance (in multiples of 5) to one or more areas, totalling 100%.
(b) Secondary Classification
Assign % relevance (in multiples of 5) to any areas that are relevant. Otherwise, leave blank.
(c) ENRI (mandatory)
Assign % relevance (in multiples of 5) to one or more ENRIs, totalling 100%.
implementation of the European Commission's new definition of nanomaterials, which involves not only particle size but
also number of particles within a given size range.
The partners in this project are the University of Birmingham (UoB) and PerkinElmer Ltd (PE). UoB is a research-focussed
university, with an established reputation in nanosafety research; for example, UoB host the Facility for Environmental
Nanoscience Analysis and Characterisation, a NERC funded facility, supporting the UK research community's nanocharacterisation
needs. PE are leaders in instrumentation and pioneers of SP-ICP-MS. Three academic (UoB) and two
non-academic (PE) supervisors, all with extensive research expertise and significant supervisory abilities, will ensure an
excellent learning and training environment for the student, who will be selected using academic excellence as the key
criterion. Extensive academic training in a strong interdisciplinary environment at UoB and applied training with plenty of
hands-on opportunities at PE will be offered to the student, whose full engagement in the structure of the team, academic
or commercial, will enable a thorough integration in operational aspects of both facilities
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Eugenia Valsami-Jones (Primary Supervisor) |
| Description | The density and determination of multiple element nanoparticles using spICP-MS which allows for greater range of particles analysed using spspICP-MS. Preliminary results in single cell ICP-MS starting with experiments to determine if plants can be analysed and to be continued throughout the next year. Plants have been analysed in partnership with Nottingham University. Intrinsic metal content of multiple cell lines has been developed and experiments on the uptake of nanoparticles within Daphnia has been completed with results written up and in the process of publication |
| Exploitation Route | Single cell ICP-MS is a new technology that needs further development, by developing the technique my work is demonstrating the wide range and capabilities the techniques have. In the wider community the applications in Environmental and biological sciences is potentially large as the increased sensitivity of an ICP-MS over other techniques allows for new avenues of research and development to occur. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Electronics Environment Healthcare Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |