According to European Commission [EC, COM (2012) 572, 3.10.2012] important challenges at European level are related to the establishment of validated method and instrumentation for detection, characterization andanalysis of nanoparticles.
In the framework of the SETNanometro project, the use of various measurement techniques for the determination of the NPs properties will allow to move from the currently used “trial and error” approach toward the development of well defined and controlled protocols for the production of TiO2 NPs. A particular care will be devoted to the establishment of correct metrological traceability chain in order to ensure the reliability of the results.
The lack of international measurement standards for calibration is an aspect of particular relevance in nanotechnologies as it is difficult to select a universal calibration artefact to achieve repeatability at nanoscale.
The materials produced according to such procedures, will be hence sufficiently characterised and homogeneous in their properties to become candidate Certified Reference Materials to be used in various applications where the lack of metrological traceability is encountered.
The project results are expected to lead to fundamental impacts on the following areas: