Nanotechnology Industry Impact Research Service

SUMMARY

Report Overview

Nanotechnology Initiatives in Limelight with its Wide-ranging Applications

With the steadily increasing importance of nanotechnology across a broad spectrum of applications, this promising technology is likely to witnessgreater commercialization in the coming decade. Since nanotechnology is cross-disciplinary, research programs are aiming to discover and perfect thescience, engineering, and manufacturing of sub-micrometer systems that perform designed-for tasks analogous or related to diverse electrical,mechanical, biological, and computing systems. With the help of nanotechnology and its associated tools and techniques, scientists are gainingproficiency in manipulating atoms to create new molecules-the building blocks of our natural world-and produce new materials that are smaller,stronger, tougher, lighter, and more resilient than what is currently available.

This Technical Insights' report by Frost & Sullivan provides a detailed coverage of key nanotechnology developments and trends. Readers can geta broad perspective of the upcoming market opportunities with the help of comprehensive information on emerging applications in different sectors.Besides these, the report also provides the current status on technologies, investment and funding, a detailed list of pertinent patents along withabstracts, and profiles of key developers and their contact information.

Industry Buoyant and Opportunities Galore

"Nanotechnology is where computer technology was in the 1970's. Existing silicon-based technology's potential to fabricate smaller and fasterchips will plateau before 2015 and this is where nanotechnology is expected to make a difference," says the analyst. Nanopowders, nanoparticles,plastic nanocomposites, and other nanoscale materials are finding niche applications in various industries. Manufacturers are gaining a competitiveedge due to the utility of products in efficient waste management, protection of people and environment, and its molecular size.

Nanotechnology's growing stature is reflected by the research initiatives undertaken in various industries. It is already being used in thedevelopment of denser hard drives, superior optical switches, nanostructured fuel cells, novel fibers, and "unstainable" fabrics.Initiatives to develop scaled down genes and protein array-based diagnostics indicate its prominent use in the healthcare industry. Given the defenseand security requirements, the next five to seven years is likely to see the development of surveillance equipment, and biosensors for detecting DNA,protein, lipids, and anthrax. Fabrication and instrumentation industry is in the process of developing nanometrology tools and new lithographytechniques.

Revival in Funding will Set the Stage for Nanotechnology Revolution

The industry is dominated by small start-ups that are greatly dependent on government grants and venture capital funding for research processes.The analyst adds, "After the dot-com bubble burst, investors are cautiously optimistic about nanotechnology and it is a challenge for suchcompanies to secure adequate funding." As information available on novel nanotechnologies is insufficient, companies should focus on customereducation and find ways to add value to their existing processes for finding a foothold in the market.

There is no doubt that nanotechnology has the potential to eventually lead to remarkable scientific developments. Advancements can extend from amundane item such as scratchproof glass to precision drug delivery systems to a computer of the size of a sugar cube. Nanotech companies that candevelop cost-effective and readily 'implementable' technological processes are likely to enjoy the cream of the market share.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction to Nanotechnology

Overview

A Brief Background

Profile of Research Service Content

Scope

Methodology

2 NANOTECHNOLOGY MARKETPLACE ANALYSIS

Market Profile

Nanotech Sectors

Impact Analysis. Small Things Make a Big Difference

Forecasts and Funding; Drivers and Restraints

Nanotech Economic Projections by Sector

Global Funding and Investment

Investment Climate

Tabulated Drivers and Restraints

Challenges

3 ELECTRONICS AND COMPUTING. ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS; SECTOR TRENDS; AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Nanotubes and Other Nano Forms

Overview

World Coverage- Who's Developing What

Applications and Challenges

A Cost-Effective Carbon Nanotube

Fracture-Retardant Nanotubes

A Polymer-SWNT Multilayer Film

Tough SWNT Composites with Diamond Coating

Nanoditches Using Carbon Nanotubes

Electrolyte-Gated Carbon Nanotube Transistors

MWNTs from Carbon Black

Liquid Crystals for Control of Carbon Nanotube Assembly

Research In Europe: Low-Temperature Synthesis of Carbon Nanoparticles

Research in Canada: Carbon Nanotubes with Prepatterned Catalysts

Research in Asia: Carbon Nanotubes as Flow Sensors

Optoelectronics and Nano Devices

Overview

Ultra-Efficient LEDs

Quantum Dot LED with Electronics Applications

Nanobridges and Nanonails with Optoelectronic Applications

Nanoscale Batteries

Nanotech-Enabled Single Molecule Electroluminescence

Nanoribbons for Optoelectronic Devices

Carbon Nanoelectrode Arrays

Nanometer-Scale Antennas

Nanowires and Nanolasers

Overview

Layered Nanowire Structures Offer Semiconductor Promise

Compact Nanolasers

Silicon Nanowires for Nanophotonic Devices

Research In Europe: Flexible Conducting Polymers; Nanowires; and Nandots

Data Storage

Overview

Where is Technology Going?

Pixies and Millipedes

Probe Microscopy for Data Storage

Nanoscale Sensors for Data Storage

Research in South America: Cobalt Nanocrystals

General Computing Advances

Overview

Status

Biohazard Detection for Semiconductors

A New Nanocomputing Initiative

4 CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS. ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS; SECTOR TRENDS; AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Nanocomposites and Nanoparticles

Overview

Properties

World Coverage- Who's Developing What.

Strategic Alliances

Multinationals Exploit Nanomaterials as Growth Opportunities

Research Trends and Growth Opportunities

Diamondoids

Metal Nanocrystals

Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes

PLS Nanocomposites

Nanocomposite-Based Fire Extinguisher

Nano-Based Hybrid Solar Cells

Research in Canada: Hybrid Nanocomposites

Research in Europe: Organic Metals

5 DEFENSE AND SECURITY. ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS; SECTOR TRENDS; AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Defense and Security Tools and Applications

Overview

Strategic Alliances

Opportunities

Research Trends

Firearm Identification Technology

Nano Uniforms

Nano-Based Protective Chemical Glove

Tough Nanocoatings for Marine Applications

Immobilized Enzymes for Nanoporous Materials

Plasma Process for Nanoparticles

Nano-Based Pathogen Detection

Nano Abrasion-Resistant Coatings For Military Use

6 MEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY. ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS; SECTOR TRENDS; AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Medicine and Biotechnology

Overview

World Coverage- Who's Developing What?

Partnership with Academia

Research Trends

Nanoencapsulation

Microfluidics

Electrospun Fiber Bandages

Biomolecular Imaging

Gene Therapy

Medical Nanoparticles and Proteomics

Medical Nanosensors

Nanoparticles as Early Cancer Detection Agents

Shape-Memory Alloys

Peptide Sequence by Dip-Pen Nanolithography

Biopowered Nanodevice with Chemical On-Off Switch

Fluorescent Carbon Nanotubes with Biomedical Applications

Research in Australia: Nanostructured Materials

7 FABRICATION AND INSTRUMENTATION. ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS; SECTOR TRENDS; AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Fabrication and Instrumentation

Overview

World Coverage- Who's Developing What?

Strategic Alliances

Research Trends and Growth Opportunities

A Lateral Nanoscale Fabrication Concept

Nanoscale Fabrication

Nanopatterning Self-Assembly

Dendritic Self-Assembly

Nanoimprinting Technology

Nanoscale Crystallography

Soft Lithography

Ultrathin Layer Mediated Fabrication

Research in Europe: Nanochannels through Micromachining

Research in Europe: Colloidal Lithography

Research in Europe: Scanning Near-Field Photolithography

Research in Asia: 3D Nanolithography by Modified Soft Molding

8 ANALYSIS OF OTHER SECTORS

Consumer and Other Areas

Overview

World Coverage-Who's Developing What?

Research Trends and Growth Opportunities

Nanotech in Apparel: Intelligent Fabrics

Nanotech in Food

Nanotech in Solar Energy

Research in Europe: Nanotech in Filtration

Research in Europe and Australia: Nanotech in Sports Goods

Research in Europe and Australia: Nanotech in Cosmetics and Skin Care

9 TECHNOLOGY AWARDS

Technology Innovation

Award Description

Award Winner

Technology Leadership

Award Description

Award Winner

10 PATENTS AND DEVELOPERS

Patents

Key Patents: 2003

Key Patents: 2002

Key Patents: 2001

Key Developers

Brief Profiles and Contact Details for Developers: A to M

Brief Profiles and Contact Details for Key Developers: N to Z