The end of nanotechnology

Filed in archive Business on October 21, 2006

Well, at least the end of the term nanotechnology to distinguish novel materials. That's what Matthew Nordan, president of Lux Research sees coming, according to CNET News.com.

"In 10 years, or maybe five, if you use the term 'nanotechnology,' it will date you," he said. "Today's 'nanomaterials' are tomorrow's 'materials.'"

That may seem like stating the obvious to those familiar with nanotechnology, but it sometimes pays to step back and remember that we are well on track to see nanomaterials integrated into most products within a decade.

That's not just my opinion, but the view of the man behind the National Nanotechnology Initiative, Dr. Mihail Rocco. "By 2015-just 10 years time," said Rocco, "I expect at least half of the newly designed advanced materials and manufacturing processes will be built using control at the nanoscale in at least one of the key components."

When nanotechnology is integrated into that many products, it will be almost pointless to talk about nanotech products. But In the meantime, you can find those nanotech products at the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies' database of the estimated 200 nano-containing products currently available. (photo Lux Research)