Nanotechnology has transformed and
modernised the materials industry by empowering scientists to manipulate
materials at the atomic level. This remarkable ability enables materials
manufacturers to offer materials with customisable properties such as
unsurpassed electrical as well as optical conductivity and mechanical
strength.
After having established itself in the materials industry, nanotechnology
has become the new wave in the medicine and life sciences, display devices
and electronics industries.
While it can reduce a company's disposal costs and enhance its commitment
to environment, it can also provide value-added features at only marginally
higher costs.
Nanotechnology is finding extensive use in an increasing number of
applications - from space and science to everyday materials such as glass.
One such popular application is the drug delivery system for cancer
therapies. Nanoparticles are particularly suited to curing specific
conditions such as cancer, as their sizes are comparable with tissue cells.
"When combined with currently available binding agents, these
nanoparticles can turn into targeted drug delivery systems," says Technical
Insights Analyst Hrishikesh Bidwe from Frost & Sullivan
(http://ti.frost.com). "Drug discovery processes can use nanofluidic
technology to improve current assays and chromatographic techniques, while
diagnostics can use nanoparticles and quantum dots to target and
differentiate healthy molecules from damaged or infected molecules and cells."
Another emerging area of application is the automotive industry, where
the smoother, stronger and more durable nanoparticles-based coating can
provide scratch-resistant and self-cleaning surfaces. Their superior
conductivity makes them excellent static charge bleeders in clear packaging
for electronic parts and aircraft windows.
The electronics industry has also enthusiastically adopted this
technology. It is already working on novel equipment such as high-density
storage mediums and ultra fast memory chips. Display devices are also finding
new uses for nanotechnology, especially for carbon nanotubes in field
emission displays.
Using a novel technology such as nanotechnology to develop products is an
arduous and complicated task, the details of which do not particularly
interest the end user. They are more likely to be concerned about the
features of the product and its functions.
"Once base technologies such as particle formulation and nanotechnology
synthesis into polymers become standard processes, development of products
for mainstream commercial applications is expected to become a lot easier,"
notes Bidwe. "This development is also likely to reduce the time to market
and shorten the product development life cycle."
All these developments are likely to require substantial funding, which,
very often, cannot be afforded by small companies. To stave off this
challenge, most companies tend to collaborate with bigger enterprises to
strengthen their base in terms of basic research, manufacturing, marketing
and support. Some healthcare organisations partner with each other during the
clinical stage so that they can create new and effective drugs or drug
delivery systems.
"There are several European research programmes relating to nanomaterials
that are carried out in collaboration with industry majors such as BASF
Corporation and The Dow Chemical Company," observes Bidwe. "These programmes
are conducted with specific commercialisation plans."
If you are interested in the virtual brochure which provides
manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview,
summary, challenges, and latest coverage of Nanotechnology Developments in
Europe - then send an e-mail to Katja Feick - European Corporate
Communications at katja.feick@frost.com with the following information: your
full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number and email. Upon
receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you via e-mail.
Title: Nanotechnology Developments in Europe (D346)
Background
Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that
produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters, and research
services.
