Risk Analysis of Carbon Nanotube Production Processes under Uncertain Occupational Health Risks and Regulatory Standards

Despite the many touted benefits of nanotechnology, considerable uncertainty exists regarding full-scale production costs, occupational health risks, and future regulatory standards. Monte Carlo models were developed to investigate the implications of these uncertainties on high pressure carbon monoxide (HiPco) processes, a common single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) production method. The health risks and production costs under alternate investments in occupational safety protection are shown to be significantly unpredictable, due to the large amount of uncertainty in model inputs. Experimental design methods therefore were used to identify which uncertainties have the greatest impact on this unpredictability to help manufacturers, policy makers, and researchers make informed decisions and research investments.