Nanotechnologies and the Materials Sector

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At the nanoscale, materials can exhibit improved and even novel physical, chemical and biological properties, phenomena and processes in comparison with their bulk material counterparts. Therefore, nanotechnologies (nanomaterials and nanoprocesses) promise numerous benefits to the materials industry as a means of enhancing or replacing existing conventional material technologies with solutions that can provide improved price-performance ratios, manufacturing cost advantages, product differentiation and enable evolutionary expectations to continue. Further, such materials may lead to lower life cycle costs and aid better resource efficiency (environmental sustainability). It is important to note that nanotechnologies are not new to the materials industry (as with the chemicals industry): Various nanomaterials (e.g. nanoparticles [carbon black, nanoclays], nanocomposites and nanostructured zeolites and aerogels) have been commercially available for many years.

Three main material sectors will benefit greatly from nanotechnologies over the next 5 years:

Paints and coatings
Nanoparticles (e.g. silicon) added to paints and coatings can lead to significant mechanical property improvements (scratch and abrasion resistance) without affecting transparency and are used in displays, windows, optical lenses etc. Nano-coatings also have medical applications for instance they can be used to provide longer lasting medical implants and surgical tools and antimicrobial nanosilver is used in wound dressings.

Composites
Nanofillers (nanoclays, carbon nano-tubes, metal oxides) have been added to polymer-, metal- and ceramic-matrices as replacements for conventional fibre reinforcements to improve barrier properties (in packaging materials, for example) and enhance strength and stiffness at much lower filler loading levels and without affecting processability, surface appearance and other properties.

Nanoporous materials
Nanoporous materials comprise nanosize pores and are characterised by their high surface area and controlled pore size, distribution and physical shape. Such materials can provide improved catalytic behaviour or greater absorbency and adsorbency. Most well known are the zeolites, which are used in various industrial processes. Nanoporous materials can be used in membranes, catalysts, electrodes, drug delivery, energy storage, and thermal insulation (e.g. aerogels).

Are nano material products already on the market?
Yes. The materials industry (ranging from small specialised producers to multinationals) already sells a wide variety of nanomaterials (pigments and catalysts), and will continue to expand product portfolios, for use in the manufacture of specialty products for numerous applications (see above for examples).

Managing risks and uncertainties
At present, existing regulations in place for the manufacture, handling and use of bulk chemicals and materials (e.g. LD50, REACH etc. requirements) are used for nanomaterials. However, the uncertainty surrounding the environment, health and safety (EH&S) aspects of nanomaterials has led to calls for new regulations and standards specific to these materials.

Conclusions
Nanotechnologies are likely to have an impact on the materials sector – but the key to wide application will be cost and the elucidation of any EH&S impacts of the materials.

Below is a SWOT analysis summarising Government understanding, from discussion with stakeholders, of the major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the UK in this sector. Please help to steer future actions and shape the UK business environment by answering the questions on the right hand side of the page.