C haptEr 9 design Environments and systems
400
many technologically sophisticated and high-value products currently involving the use of nanomaterial or nanotechnologies are
normally quite high. Interestingly, the current price of a very highend hearing aid that has a nanotechnology component is currently
just under $1,000,000 per kilogram (mass: 2 grams, cost: $1800),
and the price of a cobalt-chrome denture involving nanomateriFigure 9.72
Material price in US$/kg for common engineering
materials and for typical nanomaterials. Costs
for nanomaterials vary dramatically with the type
of material, the degree of functionalization, and
special processing needs for inclusion in products.
10 -1
1
10
10 2
10 3
10 4
10 5
10 6
Material price per unit mass ($/kg)
10 -2
Fuels
Construction
materials
Structural
steel
Timber
Brick
Concrete
Oil
Coal
Metals
C-steels
Ti alloys
Al alloys
Stainless
steels
Glass
Cast irons
Alloy steels
Mg alloys
Ni alloys
Silicones
PTFE
PMMA
Nylons
Epoxies
PP, PE
Polymers
PEEK
EVA, PS
CFRP
GFRP
Structural
composites
Glass
Alumina
Silicon
carbide
Pyrex
Al nitride
Boron carbide
W carbide
Technical
ceramics
and glasses
Exotics
WC-Co
cermets
Diamond
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Sapphire
Beryllium
Iridium
Nanomaterials
Highly
functionalized
Nanoclays
MWNTs
SWNTs
Price per kg of
engineering
materials