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Nanomaterials
Technology Analyst: Michael Adeogun
Phone: +44-(0)20-8256-1417
Fax: +44-(0)20-8760-0635 |
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Viewpoints
About This Technology
This Technology Map assesses the commercial potential of nanomaterials of nonbiological origin whose structures—because of their nanoscale size—exhibit novel physical, chemical, and biological properties, phenomena, and processes that significantly improve on those of larger-scale structures. At nanoscale dimensions (0.1 to 100 nanometers), nanomaterials and structures that derive from nanomaterials can behave in ways that are not predictable from observing their behaviors at large scales. The most important behavioral changes do not derive from nanostructures' order-of-magnitude size reduction but from new phenomena that are intrinsic to or predominant in nanoscale, such as size confinement, predominance of interfacial phenomena, and quantum mechanics. Scientists' control of feature size will lead to enhanced material properties and device functions in ways that we currently do not foresee or even consider feasible. Dimensional reduction of structures leads to entities—such as carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, thin films, laser emitters, and resonance-tunneling transistors—with unique properties. Such new forms of materials and devices could launch a revolutionary age for science and technology if scientists can discover, understand, and fully use the underlying principles.
How far materials science is from realizing practical benefits from nanomaterials depends on the aspect of nanomaterials technology one considers. Nature applies nanotechnology daily to grow the multifunctional cells and tissues of plants and animals from single biological cell structures, which contain programmable sequences of molecules. Nanomaterials already exist in their natural form, and they already help run our daily economy—for example, when we use quantum-based lasers to read compact discs and compact videodiscs. But the real challenge for materials scientists is to synthesize nanomaterials and nano-related structures and devices in efficient and cheap ways. Some scientists believe that the real contribution of nanomaterials will come when nanotechnology allows development of the first "universal assembling molecular machine"—a programmable molecular machine or assembler that can scale up production at frenetic rates; others believe that this goal is unreachable. Various nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles, are commercially available for the manufacture of specialty products such as antistatic compounds and transparent coatings. Early users of nanomaterials include the chemical and materials industry, the cosmetics industry, the paint industry, and the nanobiotechnology industry. The nanobiotechnology industry uses nanomaterials in a range of applications, including biosensors, diagnostic devices, drug-release systems, and tissue repair and regeneration. In addition, the consumer-products and electronics and computer industries, energy-device developers, and the automotive industry will make good use of nanomaterials. The regional markets most active in commercializing nanomaterials are Japan, North America, and European countries, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
Nanomaterials technology is still in its infancy, but as the technology matures, it could launch an era of technological revolutions. In the near term, not only will nanomaterials refine the development of existing technologies, but also they will bring new emerging and disruptive technologies to the marketplace. Venture capitalists will see opportunities to invest in new start-ups, not all of which will prosper. In the long term, according to popular hype, nanomaterials may lead to a powerful and accelerated social revolution in which virtually all present industrial processes become obsolete, along with our contemporary concept of labor. The reality will be somewhat different, but without doubt, nanomaterials have an important role to play in nanotechnology and will over time have a strong impact on people's lives. Consumer goods could become plentiful, inexpensive, smart, and durable. The capabilities of medicine could make a quantum leap. However, the application of stringent regulations at an early stage of the development of nanomaterials technology is likely to slow or inhibit its commercial expansion in some areas, and the practicalities and costs of developments will be prohibitive. Close attention to feasible and practical aspects of the technology is essential to form a realistic view of the future of nanomaterials.
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