Using natural language processing techniques to inform research on nanotechnology

Abstract

Literature in the field of nanotechnology is exponentially increasing with more and more engineered nanomaterials being created,characterized, and tested for performance and safety. With the deluge of published data, there is a need for natural languageprocessing approaches to semi-automate the cataloguing of engineered nanomaterials and their associated physico-chemical properties,performance, exposure scenarios, and biological effects. In this paper, we review the different informatics methods that havebeen applied to patent mining, nanomaterial/device characterization, nanomedicine, and environmental risk assessment. Ninenatural language processing (NLP)-based tools were identified: NanoPort, NanoMapper, TechPerceptor, a Text Mining Framework,a Nanodevice Analyzer, a Clinical Trial Document Classifier, Nanotoxicity Searcher, NanoSifter, and NEIMiner. We conclude withrecommendations for sharing NLP-related tools through online repositories to broaden participation in nanoinformatics.