Interlaboratory Testing:Preliminary Concepts

Carolyn Cairns and Janet Carter

16 May 2013

Purpose for the Workshop

• Present framework for ITG testing– Develop recommendations on specifics for testing

strategy

–Workshop will provide solid recommendations to steering committee on path forward for ITG

• Identify critical considerations for inter-laboratory testing

ITG Charge

To develop a testing strategy* to assess– Robustness– Reproducibility– Repeatability– Transferability

of analytical methods available to detect nanoscale releases from selected nanocomposites for priority release scenarios

*based on TG and SOS white papers

Initial Approach

• Small pilot project to explore feasibility of inter-laboratory testing– Quickly identify inconsistencies or deficiencies– Fine tune methods for broader testing

• Design appropriate analytical and process controls– Creation and transport of samples– Identification of MWCNT– Polymer and polymer/MWCNT– Standardized material as laboratory control – Positive and negative controls

Materials (CNT/Polymers)

Suppliers

Sample Generation

Analytical Methods

Development (e.g. particle

count, SEM, AUC, etc.)

C. Weathering/Environmental

C. Weathering/Environmental

B. Sanding/Occupational

B. Sanding/Occupational

A. Abrasion/Consumer

A. Abrasion/Consumer

Module

Identify specific

scenarios and CNT/polymer for consumer

and occupational

settings

Identify specific

scenarios and CNT/polymer for consumer

and occupational

settings

CNT/polymer specific to

uses subject to weathering

CNT/polymer specific to

uses subject to weathering

Lab ALab A

Lab BLab B

Lab CLab C

Lab DLab D

Lab ELab E

Lab ALab A

Lab BLab B

Break Out Sessions• Make decisions regarding materials, scenarios,

and methods to be used in Phase 3 – the interlaboratory testing– Decisions based on information obtained in TGs and

SOS as well as Phase 2.5 document

• Recommendations from breakout sessions will be sent back to steering committee for final analysis

• Information from breakout sessions will be used for potential future studies

Additional Considerations

• Recruit labs to participate– Develop criteria for lab inclusion

– Number of labs needed for initial pilot study

• Amount of Funding and Mechanism of Funding

• Develop CRADA or other enabling tools to foster cooperation and coordination – if needed

• How and when to transition from pilot to method validation and standardization