12.1 Industry PersPectIves
Our economy is made of up many sectors—transportation (automotive, aerospace), sports, textiles, construction, and others—that
in one way or another involve design and development activities
that are heavily dependent on materials. Though interest in virtually all these industries has been expressed, the actual type, degree,
and rate of application development of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in various industries depend on many factors. This
chapter takes a whirlwind tour across several industries to suggest
a sense of the role nanomaterials and nanotechnologies are or are
not playing in various sectors.
In looking across multiple industries, some of the driving forces
behind research and developments in the nanomaterials area are
broadly similar and generally include:
■ Improved product performances
■ Improved use experiences
■ Improved reliability and durability
■ Achieving safety and health objectives
■ Improved production techniques and rates
■ Cost reductions
■ Improved utilization of material resources
■ Energy minimization
■ Component miniaturization and multifunctionality
■ Improved product choice
501
The Broader Context
cha Pter 12
Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Design
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
Our economy is made of up many sectors—transportation (automotive, aerospace), sports, textiles, construction, and others—that
in one way or another involve design and development activities
that are heavily dependent on materials. Though interest in virtually all these industries has been expressed, the actual type, degree,
and rate of application development of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in various industries depend on many factors. This
chapter takes a whirlwind tour across several industries to suggest
a sense of the role nanomaterials and nanotechnologies are or are
not playing in various sectors.
In looking across multiple industries, some of the driving forces
behind research and developments in the nanomaterials area are
broadly similar and generally include:
■ Improved product performances
■ Improved use experiences
■ Improved reliability and durability
■ Achieving safety and health objectives
■ Improved production techniques and rates
■ Cost reductions
■ Improved utilization of material resources
■ Energy minimization
■ Component miniaturization and multifunctionality
■ Improved product choice
501
The Broader Context
cha Pter 12
Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Design
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.