chaPter 12 the Broader context
518
color, and interactivity. Possibilities are significant here. Improved
thermal control means may reduce the more visible manifestations
of needs for insulation and the like. Dramatic advances in structural nanocomposites will improve the performance of structures
and ultimately lead to component shape changes and size reductions but are not expected to immediately affect the organizational
and visual characteristics of passive structural systems to any big
degree. Improvements in active nanobased monitoring and
control systems and the development of “responsive” structural
systems, however, will have greater visible impacts. Surface characteristics of all elements can potentially be positively improved
(selfcleaning, scratchresistant, antimicrobial, and so on). Will
any nanotechnology actually be “disruptive” and change the fundamental nature of architecture? Probably not, but improvements
will indeed occur.
12.4 aerosPace, textIles, sPorts,
and other IndustrIes
Developments based on nanomaterials and nanotechnologies
that are expected in the electronics industry underpin many other
industries (automotive, aerospace, building). Huge research efforts
are under way in the electronics industry, and many applications are
being rapidly developed. It is abundantly clear that enormous performance and other gains can occur via the use of nanomaterials
and nanotechnologies in many areas, ranging from chips and communication systems to a host of optoelectrical devices. The potential
for performance and reliability improvements through exploitation
of the unique magnetic and electric properties of nanomaterials is
undoubtedly a primary driver for this industry. Many devices are
of high value and command high prices for even incremental performance improvements. Other devices may be of lesser value but
are produced in large quantities so that expensive research and
development costs directed toward performance improvements
can be absorbed. A second primary driver is also the push toward
smallness in many products. A huge number of electronic products
serve as components in a host of products produced by other industries and serve to provide important enabling or ancillary functions; however, since they are not the final product in themselves,
there are always pushes to minimize their size. At the same time,
their decreased sizes allow designers to be more aggressive about
integrating them into product lines or types where they were not
present before, thus increasing demand. (Consider the change in
518
color, and interactivity. Possibilities are significant here. Improved
thermal control means may reduce the more visible manifestations
of needs for insulation and the like. Dramatic advances in structural nanocomposites will improve the performance of structures
and ultimately lead to component shape changes and size reductions but are not expected to immediately affect the organizational
and visual characteristics of passive structural systems to any big
degree. Improvements in active nanobased monitoring and
control systems and the development of “responsive” structural
systems, however, will have greater visible impacts. Surface characteristics of all elements can potentially be positively improved
(selfcleaning, scratchresistant, antimicrobial, and so on). Will
any nanotechnology actually be “disruptive” and change the fundamental nature of architecture? Probably not, but improvements
will indeed occur.
12.4 aerosPace, textIles, sPorts,
and other IndustrIes
Developments based on nanomaterials and nanotechnologies
that are expected in the electronics industry underpin many other
industries (automotive, aerospace, building). Huge research efforts
are under way in the electronics industry, and many applications are
being rapidly developed. It is abundantly clear that enormous performance and other gains can occur via the use of nanomaterials
and nanotechnologies in many areas, ranging from chips and communication systems to a host of optoelectrical devices. The potential
for performance and reliability improvements through exploitation
of the unique magnetic and electric properties of nanomaterials is
undoubtedly a primary driver for this industry. Many devices are
of high value and command high prices for even incremental performance improvements. Other devices may be of lesser value but
are produced in large quantities so that expensive research and
development costs directed toward performance improvements
can be absorbed. A second primary driver is also the push toward
smallness in many products. A huge number of electronic products
serve as components in a host of products produced by other industries and serve to provide important enabling or ancillary functions; however, since they are not the final product in themselves,
there are always pushes to minimize their size. At the same time,
their decreased sizes allow designers to be more aggressive about
integrating them into product lines or types where they were not
present before, thus increasing demand. (Consider the change in