Nanophase Materials -- Analysis Of Cutting Edge Technologies and Trends

SUMMARY

Pioneering Developments in Laboratories Throw up Complex Issues to beUnderstood and Tackled

Nanotechnology is at a promising stage and with the development of new toolsand synthesis techniques, plenty of opportunities are arising for advancementsin areas of material science. Everyday, groundbreaking progress is being made inlaboratories and research institutions across the globe in understanding complexnanoscale phenomena. Several new issues and challenges also emerge fortheoretical scientists to tackle, constantly calling for high-end techniques andtools to study this fast developing field of nanoscience.

This Frost & Sullivan research offers a detailed coverage ofbreakthroughs in the field of nanotechnology and identifies key technologiesclose to commercialization. It focuses on nanophase materials such as quantumdots and thin films, and provides an overview of important markets,applications, and technology trends as well as obstacles in the way ofcommercial success.

Accurate Interpretation on Experimental Information

"Nanophase materials, apart from their predictive capabilities, are alsovaluable for unambiguous explanation of experimental information at thenanoscale level where quantum effects are dominant," says the analyst. Bydeveloping precise computer models of the chemical and physical properties ofnanomaterials, researchers can examine lab-made tiny constructions moremeticulously than a bench scientist ever could.

Besides laboratory use, nanomaterials are utilized in a variety ofapplications across various industry verticals including automotives,healthcare, medicines, and electronics. Since the field of nanotechnology isrelatively new, not many nanophase materials exist commercially. Intense R&Dis carried out in this field to cater to the mounting demand for improvedmaterials at lower costs. With rapid progress in the area of nanofabrication,superior techniques are likely to make it easier to fabricate materials anddesign them into devices.

Vast Array of Applications for Quantum Dots

Semiconductor nanocrystals or quantum dots impart to materials, specialoptical and electrical properties that are fundamentally and technologicallysignificant. They enable the creation of lasers, detectors, optical amplifiers,transistors, and tunneling diodes that operate through novel, quantummechanisms. Quantum dots are also used as building blocks of othernanostructures such as bio-imaging agents, and as tools for nanoscalemanipulation such as nanopatterning.

"Research in quantum dots has made the transition from continuousimprovement of synthesis and manipulation of individual quantum dots to makinghigh-density quantum dot assemblies and fabrication of real-life optoelectronicand biomedical devices," says the analyst. Several companies are engaged inintense research on semiconductor nanocrystals to utilize them in developinginnovative, cost-effective devices and compelling products that would impactbiotechnology, telecommunications, and energy fields.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overview

Introduction

Summary of Key Findings

Scope and Methodology

Scope of this Research Service

Methodology

2 NANOPHASE MATERIALS: BACKGROUND AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT

Nanoscale Materials: Background

Definition and Classification

Properties and Applications

Analysis of the Technology

Status and Roadmap of R&D Efforts

Major Players and Investment

3 QUANTUM DOTS: ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGY AND RECENT ADVANCES

Quantum Dots - Promise Packed into Pittance

Physics and Chemistry of Quantum Dots

Technical Drivers and Challenges

Research Trends

Snapshots of Recent Advances in Quantum Dot Materials Research

Quantum Dot-Based Infrared Detectors

Quantum Dot Inks for Forgery Prevention

Quantum- Dot-Based Single Photon Emission Sources

Quantum Dots for Quantum Computing

Hybrid Quantum Dot/Quantum Well Light Emitting Diodes (QD/QW-LEDs)

Impact Ionization Enhancement in PbSe Nanocrystals

Quantum Dots as Pens for Nanopatterning

Fluorescent Probes Form Quantum Dots

Prevention of Clumping of Nanocrystals by Insulating with Silicon Dioxide

High-Volume Production of Germanium Nanocrystals

Commercial Polymer-Quantum Dot Composites

4 NANOPHASE THIN FILMS: ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGY AND RECENT ADVANCES

Nanophase Thin Films - Gifted Ultrathin Coatings Glorify Surfaces

Definition and Classification

Technical Drivers and Challenges

Snapshots of Recent Advances in Nanophase Thin Film Materials Research

Properties of Superhard Nanocomposite Coatings

Nitride Containing Superhard Nanocomposite Coatings

Improved Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) Coatings

Core Shell Gold-Platinum Nanoparticulate Films

Nanoparticle Additives for Superhydrophobic Coatings

Nanocarbon Films - Potential Terahertz Radiation Sources

Nanophase Zirconia - Toughening of Hydroxyapatite Coatings

Thin Film Nanolaminates - Next Generation Thermal Barriers

Semiconductor Nanocrystal Thin Films - High-Density Optical Storage Media

Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films - Blended at the Nanoscale

Protective Layers on Magnetic Storage Media

5 COMPUTATIONAL NANOSCIENCE: ANALYSIS OF IMPACT ON THE UNDERSTANDING OFNANOPHASE MATERIALS

Computational Nanoscience - Unraveling Mysteries of the Nanoscale;Insights Beyond Intuition

Introduction

Key Technical Issues

Drivers and Challenges

Commonly Used Modeling Techniques

Snapshots of Recent Advances in Modeling and Simulation

GHz Nanomechanical Oscillators from MWNTs

Figuring Out How Fullerenes Form

Nanotubes and Water May Yield a New Type of Semiconductor

Modeling Suggests that Silicon Nanotubes Could Be Metallic

Investigating SWNTs as Pressure Sensors

Accelrys Tastes Success in Mesoscale Modeling of Nanoscale Materials

Flexible Approximation Method for Simulation of Nanoassembly

6 OTHER NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS: ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGY AND RECENT ADVANCES

Buckyballs

Physical Chemistry

Fullerenoid Oxides

Doping Buckyballs with Atoms

Photovoltaic Buckyballs

Using buckyballs to Improve Fiber-Optic Communications

Nanowires

Physical Chemistry

Branched Nanowires for 3D Nanoelectronics

Controlling the Growth of Gallium Nitride Nanowires

Ferromagnetic Iron Nanowire Arrays

Nickel Silicide Nanowires Build Nanoscale Junctions

Addressable Arrays of Polymer Nanowires

Nanotrees: A Route to 3D Photonic Structures

Nanowire Memory Cells for Molecular Devices

Grow Metal Nanowires Using Telomerase-Generated Templates

One-Step Method to Make Polymer Nanowires

FETs with Metal Oxide Nanowires

Nickel Silicide Nanowires

Magnetic Semiconducting Nanowires

Nanoparticles

Physical Chemistry

Electrostatic Patterning of Quantum Dots

Silicon Nanoparticles Build a Better Photodetector

Polymer Microgels as Nanoparticle Synthesis Template

Better Colorimetric Detection with Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles Illuminate Brain Tumors

Polymeric Biosensors with Contrasting Functionality

Catalysis from Nanoparticle Behavior

Making \'Green\' Nanoparticles at Room Temperature

Confinement of Light with Metal Nanoparticles

Nanotubes

Physical Chemistry

Titania Nanotubes - Self-Cleaning Hydrogen Sensors

Novel Method for the Synthesis of Boron-Nitride Nanotubes

Complex Nanocomposite Materials from Porous Spheres

Polymer-Carbon Nanotube Composites for Shape-Memory Actuators

Polymer-Carbon Nanotube Composites in Textile Fibers

Polymer-Carbon Nanotube Composites in Optoelectronic Memory Devices

Carbon Nanotube-Tin Oxide Composites for Room Temperature Gas Detection

7 KEY PATENTS AND CONTACT DETAILS

List of Patents

Selected Patents - 2004

Selected Patents - 2003

Selected Patents - 2002

Contact Details of Key Players

Industry

Universities & Research Labs

8 FROST & SULLIVAN 2004 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARDS

Frost & Sullivan Science and Technology Award For TechnologyLeadership

Award Description

Award Recipient

Frost & Sullivan Science and Technology Award for TechnologyInnovation

Award Description

Award Recipient

9 DECISION SUPPORT DATABASE

Decision Support Database

Number of Manufacturing Establishments

Commercial & Consumer Car Sales

Number of Diagnostics Testing Facilities

US Plastic Consumption

US Transportion Industry Revenue