Integrating Sustainability into Innovation Processes: Methodological Development and Coordination of Interdisciplinary Research within the DIAGONAL Project

Abstract

La presente tesis doctoral aborda la creciente necesidad de integrar evaluaciones de seguridad y sostenibilidad en el desarrollo de materiales avanzados emergentes (Advanced Materials, AdMa), con especial atención a los nanomateriales en etapas tempranas de desarrollo tecnológico. La investigación se desarrolló en el marco del proyecto europeo DIAGONAL (H2020), una iniciativa multidisciplinar orientada a avanzar la implementación del enfoque Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) en el ámbito de los nanomateriales complejos. El trabajo se centra en el desarrollo y aplicación de metodologías que permitan evaluar de forma temprana los impactos potenciales asociados al desarrollo de nuevos materiales, con el objetivo de apoyar la toma de decisiones durante las fases iniciales de diseño e innovación. Para ello, se seleccionaron dos casos de estudio industriales representativos: nanohilos de plata, clasificados como nanomateriales de alta relación de aspecto (High Aspect Ratio Nanomaterials, HARNs), y nanopartículas dopadas de óxido de zinc (ZnO), consideradas nanomateriales multicomponente (Multicomponent Nanomaterials, MCNMs). Ambos materiales fueron evaluados mediante una combinación de indicadores ambientales, sociales y económicos, en línea con el marco conceptual del SSbD. Los estudios toxicológicos, incluidos ensayos in vitro, permitieron analizar posibles efectos sobre la salud humana y el medio ambiente, integrando dichos resultados en una evaluación global de sostenibilidad. Una de las principales contribuciones metodológicas de esta tesis es la integración de los tres pilares de la sostenibilidad mediante un enfoque de análisis multicriterio de decisión (MCDA), que permite evaluar de forma estructurada las sinergias y compensaciones entre diferentes criterios. Los resultados obtenidos se incorporaron además en una herramienta de soporte a la decisión (Decision Support Tool, DST), diseñada para facilitar la adopción de los principios SSbD por parte de empresas del sector de los materiales avanzados. Finalmente, la tesis analiza los desafíos metodológicos y regulatorios asociados a la aplicación del enfoque SSbD en tecnologías emergentes

This doctoral thesis addresses the pressing need for integrated safety and sustainability assessments in the development of emerging advanced materials (AdMa), with a particular focus on nanomaterials at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). The research has been conducted within the framework of the European DIAGONAL project (H2020, Grant Agreement No. 935152), a multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder initiative funded under the NMBP-16 call. This work is the result of the joint effort led to design, get funding and implement this project, from the Proposal Coordination during the funding acquisition phase to the Project Co-coordinator, as well as Task Leader for the sustainability assessment activities. The thesis reflects a comprehensive research effort coordinated across academic, industrial, and regulatory stakeholders, aimed at advancing the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) concept in the field of advanced nanomaterials. Two industrial case studies were selected to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodologies: silver nanowires, classified as High Aspect Ratio Nanomaterials (HARNs), and doped ZnO nanoparticles, considered Multicomponent Nanomaterials (MCNMs). Both materials were assessed using a combination of environmental, social, and economic indicators, in line with the SSbD framework. Toxicological studies, including in vitro experiments, were conducted to address potential human health and environmental impacts, and their results were incorporated into the overall sustainability evaluations. An important contribution of this work is the integration of the three sustainability pillars using a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach. This allowed for the systematic evaluation of trade-offs and synergies between environmental, social, and economic factors, providing a more balanced and holistic assessment and also providing knowledge on the barriers and drawbacks of this methodology. Finally, the project integrated the results in a Decision Support Tool (DST), aimed at facilitating the adoption of SSbD principles by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the AdMa sector. This tool, developed as part of DIAGONAL, incorporates modeling capabilities to address data gaps and supports decision-making during material design and development. Finally, the thesis presents a critical review of methodological, regulatory, and operational challenges associated with the implementation of SSbD in low TRL technologies. Through this work, the author contributes to advancing the state of the art in sustainable innovation for nanotechnologies, highlighting both opportunities and remaining barriers for future research and policy development