In this talk, Dr. Lynch discusses the many benefits of nanotechnology for the environment, such as water purification and desalination, remediation, energy capture and storage and green nanotech manufacturing and engineering. Nanoscale sensors are being investigated for detection of biological compounds such as algal toxins in the marine environment or mycobacteria present in drinking water. Nanoscale particles used in treatment and remediation have the ability to access areas that larger molecules cannot, and their large surface area means that they can absorb very large amounts of pollutants or other toxic waste chemicals, thereby removing them from the soil or water.