Vijay Gupta

Integration of data: the Nanomaterial Registry project and data curation

Due to the use of nanomaterials in multiple fields of applied science and technology, there is a need for accelerated understanding of any potential implications of using these unique and promising materials. There is a multitude of research data that, if integrated, can be leveraged to drive toward a better understanding. Integration can be achieved by applying nanoinformatics concepts. The Nanomaterial Registry is using applied minimal information about nanomaterials to support a robust data curation process in order to promote integration across a diverse data set. This paper describes the evolution of the curation methodology used in the Nanomaterial Registry project as well as the current procedure that is used. Some of the lessons learned about curation of nanomaterial data are also discussed.

A Nanomaterial Registry

The use of nanotechnology in consumer goods continues to grow at a rapid pace. According to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, the nanotechnology-enabled consumer products inventory contained 1317 self-identified products as of March 2011 (with potentially more going unreported), which is a growth of 521% since its initial release in March 2006. Stakeholders from the entire product life cycle are vested in understanding the potential effects that these nanomaterials may have on human health and safety and the fate and transport of these materials in the environment. Some examples of these stakeholders include research laboratories, manufacturers, consumers of nano-enabled products, and regulators involved in overseeing the safe use and disposal of these products. As a result, extensive research is being undertaken to relate the toxicity of nanomaterials to their structure and properties. A vast amount of data is being generated in the process.