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Introduction:-
The
stage is being set for a transformation of the chemical industry in the
21st century. The traditional boundaries separating chemistry and biology
in production strategies is blurring and this is a growing trend. The
advancement of materials and systems at the nano scale expanding.Leading
chemical companies such as DuPont, Dow, Eastman Aventis (Hoechst and Rhone
Poulenc merger), Novartis and Monsanto which will merge with
Pharmacia-Upjohn are reinventing themselves as life Sciences companies
or are using acquisitions and strategic alliances with companies like
Genecor and Diversa to take advantage of the increasingly important role
of biotechnology. Through biotech-based R&D these companies will
likely grow and prosper throughout the coming century. Nanoscale science
and engineering is the creation of functional materials, devices and
systems through the control of matter on the nanometer (1 to 100+nm)
length scale and the exploitation of novel properties and phenomena
developed at that scale. Nanoscale materials are not new, but our
understanding of them is. With better analytical techniques we are gaining
a better understanding of the kinetic and thermodynamic conditions that
give rise to nanoscale structures. The following table lists some examples
of old nano-technologies which have been re-juvenated by the availability
of better analytical tools.
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Old
technology
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New
technology
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Carbon Block
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Carbon Nanotubes
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Fumed Silica
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NEMS
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Colloidal silver
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Quantum dots
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Zeolites
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De-aggregated
nanoparticles
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Catalysts
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Nanowires
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Experts believe
that the
US chemical industry will offer
a library of diverse, high quality nanomaterial building blocks (less
than 100 nanometers) that can be synthesized by well-defined, economically
viable manufacturing processes into materials with well characterized
compositions, stable architectures and predicted properties. Reproducible,
cost-effective and clearly defined methods of assembly will be available
to incorporate nanomaterials into systems and devices designed to perform
specified functions. Developments in nanotechnology will also enhance the
role biotech plays. Examples include: the silicon nano interface, the
carbon nano interface and functional materials based on these
technologies. For example Dow Corning and Genecor have formed a
partnership to explore nanoscale systems for biosensing devices and
performance materials. Some of the companies involved in an industry
partnership (Vision 2020) to advance nanotechnology are: Air Products,
DuPont, Eastman, Honeywell, GE, Rohm and Haas, Dow Chemical, Cargill and
Ciba Specialty Chemicals
The Chemical Industry Vision2020
Technology Partnership (Vision2020):-
The Chemical Industry Vision2020 Technology Partnership
(Vision2020) is an industry-led partnership/process among public and
private sector stakeholders in the chemical and allied industries.
Stakeholders identify common problems and leverage technical expertise and
financial resources to develop the critical enabling technologies of the
future. Through collaborative efforts among industry, national
laboratories, and academia, the Vis.Partnership
fosters step-change technology innovation, which may be beyond the risk
threshold of individual companies. Vision2020 is helping to maintain
U.S. leadership as the worlds
largest Chemical
producer.
The Vision2020
process was launched in 1996 when company representatives created a Vision
for the chemical industry's future and identified the key technical
challenges that need to be overcome to realize that vision. Detailed
roadmaps have been developed to outline research needs addressing many of
these challenges. The roadmaps are used to guide academic and government
funding and research in directions that will benefit the industry. An
ongoing review process updates the vision and research
priorities.
Nanotechnology is
an important new research area. The chemical industry may be the only
industry with R&D capabilities and expertise to commercialize
nanotechnology advances. Consequently, the chemical industry should have a
voice in the selection of R&D topics pursued by the Federal
government. The chemical industry, along with the electronics industry,
are the two industries that have the most to benefit from guiding the
nanotechnology R&D funding.
Vision2020 is
currently working to improve communication with nanotechnology funding
agencies to make sure they are focusing on areas relevant to the industry.
The systematic research in nanotechnology is just beginning. The
infrastructure is forming. The integration of new phenomena into
macroscopic systems is not yet being
emphasized
Activity in
Nanotechnology:-
What is the market
size for Nanotechnology? The answer to this question is three-fold. What
is the market size for microtechnology or nanotubes? What is the
opportunity size for specific applications enabled by nanotechnology? What
new markets can be created as a result of enabling nanotechnology?
Capturing value is a major issue today for nanotechnology. Who will get
the value the nanomaterials manufacturer or nanocomponents manufacturer
or systems/applications supplier? |