The Next Big Revolution is Small

Nanotechnology heralds the next scientific revolution. The revolutionary changes promised by nanotechnology will do more to change our physical and social spaces than the silicon revolution and the last industrial revolution combined. Nanoscience however is not a new science, but is the logical progression of work that has been already done to examine the nature of our world at an increasingly smaller scale.

Nanotechnology is a highly multidisciplinary field revolving around controlling matter on the atomic and molecular scale (generally accepted as the range from 1 - 50 nanometers, whereby 1 nm = 1 billionth of a meter). Nanoparticles have increased surface area to volume ratio, which can strongly influence the mechanical properties of a material, like stiffness or elasticity.

Scientists, engineers and biologists are now working together to build with great precision new structures on the nanoscale with fundamentally new properties. These novel nano materials enable weight reduction, an increase in stability and lifetime, reduced costs, and improved functionality. Nanoscientists are exploring ways to make materials as strong and elastic as silk, that can change shape or literally “morph” to suit the end-user needs.

Further, miniaturization is essential for the development and efficiency of most of our current technologies such as computer chips and mobile devices - but the limits of this miniaturization will be reached in the next 10 - 15 years. Nanoscience, by enabling molecular engineering, offers us a way to overcome this dilemma.

Research in nanoscience is therefore naturally exploding. Analysts estimate that by 2015, nanotechnology products will soar above the 2.6 trillion dollar mark. Industry giants such as IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, Nestle, Siemens, BMW, Ford, Boeing and Nikon have been increasingly pouring investment dollars in nanotechnologies and nanotech research, some investigating nanoscience for 20 years already.

Nanotechnology offers a host of opportunities in high-tech high-growth innovations that offer not only to evolve current technologies but to radically transform entire industries.

Nanotech solutions are applicable for areas as diverse as:

• Healthcare (painless, targeted drugs without side effects, cheap and disposable diagnostic systems, breakthrough cures)
• Textiles (clothing that can change color on voice command, or draw sweat away from the body, wearable electronics)
• Agriculture (increased accurateness and safety of pesticides)
• Water management (highly efficient water filtration devices)
• Food Sector (sensors to detect food contamination or the presence of pathogens, highly effective packaging)
• Environmental management (waste reduction, water purification)
• Energy and petrochemical industry (longer lasting batteries, solar power, cleaner coal, more efficient use of gas and petrol)
• Electronics (laptops the size of a wristwatch, bendable and stretchable electronics, improved telecommunications networks)
• Engineering and construction (lightweight and highly durable materials, novel materials, increased energy-efficiencies, cost-savings)
• Automotive (reduced carbon footprint, self-tinting glass, flexible but strong materials for body frame)

Nanotech is here and now

Nanotechnology is not science fiction, but is already having a huge impact upon our already existing technologies - ranging all the way from cosmetics to electronics. Computer transistors are now all nano-sized, airbag sensors in cars are more powerful and accurate thanks to nanotechnologies, and nanoscale silica is being used as a filler in range of products - even in tooth fillings. High performance improvements in mobile telephones such as increased bandwidth, effective and energy efficient LED screens, smaller battery sizes, all owe thanks to nanoscience research. Two of the very early adopters of nanotechnology products and processes are the textiles and cosmetics industries, with products already on the market from odorless and antibacterial undergarments to transparent sunblock. Coatings are another area where nanotechnology made its mark, with novel coatings already commercially available that are scratch-resistant, anti-microbial, water repellant, and providing UV protection. Mercedes Benz for example uses a paint mixed with nanoparticles to create an ultraprotective and shiny finish on its cars.

In the coming years we are going to increasingly find more and more products based on nanotechnologies entering our lives. The nanorevolution is just around the corner, in a few years we will begin to see huge impacts on our societies from these emerging technologies. For global business, this means new jobs due to new markets and enormous growth prospects.

Sabrycorp aims to grow with and decisively shape this coming technological revolution. We provide counsel to business and financial leaders, policy advisors, academia, the media to accelerate innovation and facilitate global nanotech uptake.

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