Life Cycle Analysis Tools for 'Green' Materials and Process Selection

This 2006 book brings together researchers and practitioners from academia and industry, to discuss LCA principles and case studies on a variety of applications, ranging from hydrogen production and infrastructure assessments, to automotive materials and processes, photovoltaics and climate-change issues associated with greenhouse emissions. Part I of the book focuses on principles of life-cycle analysis and case studies of automotive-related materials, fuels and processes. The goal is to identify sources that contribute most adversely to environmental pollution. Part II includes papers on photovoltaic LCA which reanalyze and correct previously published estimates on the environmental profiles of these technologies. Part III highlights environmental and technological challenges associated with the emerging hydrogen economy, as well as several case studies that emphasize the systems approach to addressing materials selection. Part IV features papers from two joint sessions with Symposium S, Nanomaterials and the Environment. These papers address the large amount of toxicological information needed to ensure safe production and implementation of nanomaterials.