Bernd Nowack: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Name Prof. Bernd Nowack
FieldUmweltchemie
Consultation hoursBy appointment
Address
Inst. f. Terrestrische Oekosysteme
ETH Zürich, CHN E 37.1
Universitätstrasse 16
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 633 60 12
E-mailnowack@env.ethz.ch
URLhttp://www.empa.ch/nowack
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipAdjunct Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
701-0985-00LSocial Intercourse with Current Environmental Risks1 credit1VB. Nowack, C. M. Som-Koller
AbstractThe lecture treats the social intercourse with risks of technical systems. The notion of risk and the perception of risk are discussed by case studies (e.g. nanotechnology) and socio-political instruments for decision-making are presented. Methods are presented that can be applied to deal with environmental risks and how they can be used for sustainable innovation.
Objective- Getting acquainted to the extended risk concept
- Evaluation of the risks caused by technology within the societal context
- Knowledge about the mode science and society handle current environmental risks (examples gene- and nanotechnology)
- Knowledge about handling risks (e.g. precautionary principle, protection goal, damage definition, ethics)
Knowledge about possibilities for sustainable innovation
Content- Risks and technical systems (risk categories, risk perception, risk management)
- Illustration with case studies (nanotechnology)
- Implementation (politics, science, media, etc.)
- Decision making (technology assessment, cost/benefit analysis etc.)
- The role of the media
- prospects for future developments
Lecture notesCopies of slides and selected documents will be distributed
Prerequisites / NoticeThe lecture is held biweekly (for 2 hours). The dates are 26.9., 3.10. (out of schedule), 24.10, 7.11, 21.11, 5.12, 19.12
701-1351-00LNanomaterials in the Environment3 credits2GB. Nowack, T. Bucheli
AbstractThe lecture provides an overview on the behavior and effects of engineered nanomaterials in the environment as far as they are currently understood. The course will cover definitions, analysis, fate in technical and natural systems, effects (nano-ecotoxicology) and environmental risk assessment of nanomaterials.
Objective- Successful application of knowledge gained in the traditional disciplines of environmental sciences (e.g. biogeochemistry, environmental chemistry) to elucidate nanomaterial fate and behavior in the environment
- Identify key parameters of nanomaterials that potentially influence their environmental fate and behavior
- Get acquainted with the most common analytical tools for the quantification of nanomaterials in the environment
- Critical assessment of current state of research in this juvenile field, including the sometimes controversial literature data
ContentTopics

- Definitions; nano-effects; engineered, natural and incidental nanoparticles
- Sources and release; Material flow modeling
- Analysis in environmental samples
- Fate in technical systems: water treatment, waste incineration
- Fate in the environment: water and soil
- Effects: nano-ecotoxicology
- Environmental risk assessment


Group work

Case studies about specific nanomaterials in environmental systems, topics will be provided
Written report submitted and presentation at the end of the lecture
Lecture notesHandouts will be provided
Literaturewill be provided during lecture