| |
Nanotechnology arises from the exploitation of the novel and improved physical,
chemical, mechanical, and biological properties, phenomena, and processes of
systems that are intermediate in size between isolated atoms/molecules and bulk
materials, where phenomena length and time scales become comparable to those
of the structure. It implies the ability to generate and utilize structures,
components, and devices with a size range from about 0.1 nm (atomic and molecular
scale) to about 100 nm (or larger in some situations) by control at atomic,
molecular, and macromolecular levels. Novel properties occur compared with bulk
behavior because of the small structure size and short time scale of various
processes.
Nanoscience as an enabling technology is opening up an increasing number of
applications in a wide range of industries. The interest in nanotechnology has
been fueled in large part by visions of molecule-sized machines, nanoscale computers,
nanoscale electronics, nanoscale manufacturing with self-assembly capabilities
(i.e., bottom-up manufacturing) and nano-based medical cures. The push in nanotechnology
research is occurring worldwide, with a large number of corporations, new start-up
companies and research institutions studying basic science and potential applications.
A number of chemical products are being touted as nanoscale chemicals with
properties not generally claimed for the same chemical when the particle size
is greater than 100 nm. In actuality, nanoscale chemical materials is not a
new concept. Typical particles of carbon black, a chemical product that has
long been a major chemical commodity, usually exist as nanosized particles.
What generally separates the “new” nanoscale material from the “conventional”
is control not only over the size of the particle, but the distribution of sizes,
crystal structure and other properties that do indeed make them new materials
with unique properties. Some of the new materials are indeed specific molecules,
generally of rather high molecular weights, such as buckyballs, which are carbon
cages of 60 carbon atom (or different numbers of carbons for variations).
In 2001, world consumption of nanoscale chemicals totaled about 580 thousand
metric tons, including some materials that have been commercial for decades.
The value of these materials was over $3 billion.
Since many of the new products are at embryonic stages of growth, growth rates
will vary widely depending on material. Conventional nanomaterials should also
benefit, since application of nanotechnology to improve surface characteristics
or to exercise better control over size distribution may add incremental growth
to some markets. Nonetheless, growth of the embryonic markets (e.g., nanotubes)
will likely be more rapid than that of established products (e.g., fumed silicas).
Worldwide, governments spent approximately $2.7 billion in 2002 on nanotechnology
R&D. According to industry sources, this amount is probably matched by corporate
R&D funding in basic and applied R&D. Although there are major R&D
programs worldwide, it is notable that China is expending significant resources
to assure that it will have a major position in this new, evolving field.
The companies that are participating in nanotechnology R&D cover the range
from established, global chemical companies, to a host of start-up companies.
The pattern is not the same in all regions, however. In the United States, there
are over a hundred small entrepreneurial start-ups, often affiliated with universities
and started by graduate students or faculty. This includes nanomaterials and
products/technologies not covered in detail by this report. Many established
companies are undertaking a number of projects to explore ways of expanding
their product lines and technologies. Companies involved with “traditional”
nanomaterials are also monitoring developments, but much of their efforts are
directed toward improvement and expansion of their current technologies and
products. Many specialty chemical companies in Europe—mostly in Germany—are
very active in nanotechnology research, either with their own programs, or in
cooperation with university spin-offs and through participation in venture capital
funds. As in the United States, many start-up companies have formed based on
previous or ongoing research work at universities. In Japan, much of the effort
is being led by major chemical companies rather than small R&D start-ups.
In the United States, nanotechnology is a very busy area of research.
Although there is a healthy amount of skepticism among scientists and business
leaders—especially with the recent boom and bust “technology”
cycles freshly in mind—it is safe to say that a majority of large companies
in many industries are closely monitoring this field.
Industries with the greatest focus include pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and
health care; computing, communications and electronic equipment; composite materials
and plastic com-pounding; energy generation and storage; and chemical and ceramic
materials. At many companies in these industries, it is not uncommon to find
a director or coordinator of nanotechnology within the R&D department.
The U.S. government also is very interested in nanotechnology. This stems from
efforts to maintain technological superiority in an important evolving field,
as well as military recognition that some applications of nanotechnology could
have significant implications for national security. Many research centers have
been set up at leading universities, but the government itself is also performing
research. Some states have established funding to entice new industries to locate
there and it has become a favored field for research funding for some members
of Congress.
The National Science Foundation has listed seven research and education themes
for research in nanotechnology. These are:
-
Biosystems at the nanoscale
-
Nanoscale structures, novel phenomena and quantum control
-
Nanoscale devices and system architecture
-
Manufacturing processes at the nanoscale
-
Societal and educational implications of scientific and technological advances
on the nanoscale
In Europe there are EU-wide and national programs, collaborative European
networks, venture capital companies and large corporations that fund nanotechnology
research in Europe. In the 1990s, multinational European programs were formed.
For years, research funded by the European Union has played a key role in building
European scientific and industrial leadership in nanotechnologies. The Fifth
European Community Framework Programme, in effect during 1998–2002, covered
research, technological development and demonstration activities within seven
thematic programs. Three of these programs—quality of life and management
of living resources, user-friendly information society, and competitive and
sustainable growth—include nanotechnology-related projects. The growth
program alone included more than forty nanotechnology-based projects, many of
which have a direct impact on sustainable development. Topics were related to
reduced consumption of energy and materials, and to new process developments
for waste reduction, effluent elimination and recyclability. It is estimated
that nanotechnology was funded with approximately $45 million during 1998–2002.
The Sixth Framework Programme will commit 700 million euros to research and
is in effect during 2003–2006.
In Japan, the Bureau of Science and Technology Policy was established
by the former Prime Minister, Mr. Mori, in 2001 as one of the components of
the Cabinet Office. The Council for Science and Technology Policy (CSTP) made
recommendations for the second Science and Technology Basic Plan for 2001–2005.
The Basic Plan selected four major areas of R&D to be primarily funded:
The assumption is that the innovations in nanotechnology and materials will
have a significant impact on the technological innovations and applications
in the other three areas. Additionally, research will be directed toward new
energy sources, manufacturing technologies, infrastructure and new frontier
science. The Basic Plan is being implemented by the collaboration of two ministries,
the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
The projects listed are classified in five categories:
-
Flagship-Type Projects. The projects focus on areas of technology
that will have practical applications and an economic impact within five
to ten years.
-
Basic Research Projects. The projects focus on the development
of a basic understanding of nanotechnology and the development of nanoscale
particles and nanostructured materials, based on extensive in-depth research
in physics, chemistry, and biology, and the development of new theories
and methods of modeling, simulation and analysis. This research is largely
in support of the develop-ment projects.
-
Challenge-Type Projects. The goal is to create fundamental and
revolutionary technologies to support industry in the next ten to twenty
years.
-
Seed Projects. Support of unique ideas generated by individual
researchers that will lead to topics for application/basic research for
the next few decades.
-
Common Fundamental Technologies. Research topics include nanoanalysis,
nano-fabrica-tion, and nanosimulations. These are tools that will be used
to provide continuing development of new processes and products.
The government is undertaking several reorganizations to facilitate these R&D
objectives. In 2001, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and
Technology (AIST) became an independent administrative organization and is no
longer one of the subsidiaries of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
(METI). In 2004, the national universities as administrative organizations will
become independent from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology (MEXT).
China, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan have all made nanotechnology a major
focus of research. As a result, there are significant plans for spending and
a number of government initiatives have been undertaken to support nanotechnology.
Government agencies are not only supporting research through funding, but are
facilitating cooperative efforts between government and industry both domestic
and foreign.
In China, the Ministry of Science and Technology supports nanotechnology-related
R&D, including basic research, coordinates technology innovation and commercialization
and mentors integrated and multidisciplinary research. Currently, fifty universities,
twenty research institutes within the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), and
approximately 300 enterprises are active in nanotechnology-related projects.
Tsinghua University, Beijing University, Fudan University, Nanjing University,
East China University of Science and Technology, and Shanghai Transportation
University are among the major nanotechnology research centers.
China’s R&D focus has been mainly on nanoparticles, including carbon
nanotubes, nano-oxides, and nanometals, and the development of industrial-scale
production of these nanoparticles. Development of nanodevices, including quantum
dots and nanowires, is another important target. Examples of typical research
topics include photocatalytic nanomaterials for the treatment of contaminated
water, superamphipholic materials, and nanostructured plastics (e.g., block
copolymers).
In the Republic of Korea, the government first emphasized its science
and technology policy focusing on life sciences, particularly biotechnology,
to enhance international competitiveness in 1997. In September 1999, the Republic
of Korea launched a long-term strategic initiative called Vision 2025. It includes
three time frames spanning a 25-year period.
-
By 2005, place the Korean scientific and technological capabilities at
competitive levels with those of the world’s leading countries.
-
By 2015, stand out as a major R&D promoting country in the Asia Pacific
region, actively engaging in scientific studies and creating a new atmosphere
for the promotion of R&D.
-
By 2025, secure scientific and technological competitiveness in selected
areas comparative to those of the G-7 countries (United States, Canada,
Japan, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom).
Vision 2025 has four major features:
-
Shifting innovation from government-led to private sector–led systems
-
Improving the effectiveness of national R&D investment
-
Developing R&D systems from a domestic to an international network
-
Meeting the challenges of information technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology
In Taiwan, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) represents
Taiwan’s science and technology research activities. In January 2002, Taiwan
launched a six-year plan to promote nanotechnology development with public funding
of about $670 million. About half will be administered by ITRI. Two objectives
of ITRI’s nanotechnology program are: (1) to establish Taiwan as one of
the world’s front-runners in the industrialization of nanotechnology and
(2) to build and sustain core ITRI competencies that would ensure the program’s
strategic relevance long-term.
SRI Consulting’s Nanoscale Chemicals and Materials report focuses on technology,
products, markets and applications of nanoscale chemicals and materials, while
only briefly discussing nanoelectronics and nanobiotechnology. Definitions of
nanosized chemicals vary considerably throughout the industry. We have chosen
to include in this report
-
nanoscale metals
-
silica sols and fumed silicas
-
metal oxides produced by gas-phase and wet chemical processes
-
pearl effect pigments
-
nanoclays
-
carbon compounds (e.g., fullerenes, nanotubes and carbon fibers)
-
organics such as dendrimers, hyperbranched polymers and POSS (polyhedral
oligomeric silsesquioxanes)
A list of likely applications to be developed over the next ten years (including
some already in use) includes nanocomposites in new applications, controlled
release in crop protection, easier-to-clean/self-cleaning surfaces using the
Lotus-Effect, alternative computing technologies, nonporous systems fuel cells,
solar energy devices, nanobiotech instrumentation and materials, prosthetics,
pharmaceuticals, personal care items and diagnostics.
Skeptics about the technology and its products abound. But controlling materials
at an ever-smaller dimension is simply a continuation of a trend that occurred
when Leeuwenhoek and Hooke developed microscopy during the 17th and 18th centuries,
and during the next century, when Pasteur with the aid of a microscope separated
asymmetric crystals of tartrates and isolated optical isomers. Definitions of
what nanomaterials are and are not will be problematic for some time; however,
the cumulative effect of these materials and technologies on the chemical and
materials industries will be significant, especially for certain markets and
materials.
Although many resources are being expended toward entirely new classes of materials,
manufacturers of other chemicals and materials will learn how to improve the
performance of their current products. Indeed there will likely be a spectrum
of products where different sizes—and other attributes—bring a range
of performance characteristics. In this sense, a large portion of the chemical
industry will benefit from the discoveries that will be made.
In the nano range, it is not only the chemical composition but also the size,
shape and surface characteristics of the particles that determine their properties.
They are small enough not to scatter light, they can show quantum effects, and
their large surface area provides totally new applications. Optical, electric
and magnetic properties, as well as hardness, toughness or melting points of
nanomaterials can differ substantially from the properties of macroscopic powders.
The spectrum of new applications for nanosized chemicals and materials is broad,
ranging from ultraprecise polishing of surfaces and scratch-proof, transparent
coatings to communications electronics and innovative tires in the automobile
industry. Nanomaterials and ultrathin functional coatings of nanoparticles will
determine the utility of many products in the future, such as superhard materials,
superfast computers, dirt-repellent surfaces, new cancer treatments, scratch-proof
coatings, environmentally friendly fuel cells and highly effective catalysts.
Also, new tools and processes to prepare and characterize nanoscale chemicals
and materials are being developed globally. Thus, nanotechnology, with its high
potential for innovation, is becoming one of the key technologies for the 21st
century.
The future growth of nanotechnology and nanomaterials is a subject of hot debate.
The economic effect has been characterized as in the trillions [sic] by some
observers, but this includes all aspects of nanotechnology and presumes the
development of some highly speculative products. Nanoscale chemicals and materials
will grow at rates above the general chemical industry. Growth rates for the
new materials will likely be high, but from a relatively small base.
Growth rates for “conventional” nanomaterials should also show good
growth, but the high base precludes the double-digit growth forecast for some
of the newer materials. Of equal importance is the effect of chemical consumption
due to secular shifts in chemical consuming industries that are likely to be
affected by nanotechnology. An example of this effect is electronic chemicals,
where a major shift from the traditional silicon base computer chip to something
different may occur in the not too distant future.
|
