ASTM E3172-18

5.1 A nano-object at any specific time can be considered well-defined.

5.2 The life-cycle of a nano-object can be viewed as a series of production processes that transforms starting materials or a well-defined nano-object into a new, equally well-defined nano-object.

5.3 Each step of the life-cycle can be considered a separate production action and can be described by the information categories and descriptors within this guide.

5.4 The following are examples of nano-object productions that can be described by this guide.

5.5 A nano-object can be subjected to a series or sequence of production steps. The steps can be fully planned and controlled or some steps can happen due to random events. This guide is applicable to describe one, many, or all steps in detail.

5.6 Use of this guide to describe the individual production steps leading to the creation of a tested nano-object can be important in ascertaining the cause-effect relationship between a test result and a nano-object that was made in one of the sequence production steps prior to creation of the tested nano-object.

5.7 The reactivity of individual and collections of nano-objects gives rise to questions about their stability under “non-reactive” conditions such as movement, temperature changes, exposure to heat, and shock. These occurrences are frequent enough in the life cycle of nano-objects that additional information categories and descriptors should be used as detailed in 6.2.

5.8 ISO TC 229 has produced ISO/TS 80004-1:2010(en) that defines terminology applicable to nanomanufacturing.

5.9 Information on quality control with respect to the production process or production results is covered by ASTM and ISO quality control guides.

1.1 This guide provides guidelines for describing the production of one or more individual nano-objects. It establishes essential and desirable information categories and descriptors important to specify the production process, including the starting materials, the process itself, and the resulting nano-objects.

1.2 This guide is designed to be directly applicable to reporting production information and data for nano-objects in most circumstances, including but not limited to reporting original research results in the archival literature, developing of ontologies, database schemas, data repositories and data reporting formats, specifying regulations, and enabling commercial activity.

1.3 This guide is applicable to an individual nano-object and a collection of nano-objects.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.