Wide-Ranging Innovative Applications Expand the Scope of Nanotechnology

Vast Array of Benefits Attract Customers From Diverse Segments

LONDON, April 25/PRNewswire/ -- Nanotechnology has transformed and modernised the materials industry by empowering scientists to manipulate materials at the atomic level. This remarkable ability enables materials manufacturers to offer materials with customisable properties such as unsurpassed electrical as well as optical conductivity and mechanical strength.

After having established itself in the materials industry, nanotechnology has become the new wave in the medicine and life sciences, display devices and electronics industries.

While it can reduce a company's disposal costs and enhance its commitment to environment, it can also provide value-added features at only marginally higher costs.

Nanotechnology is finding extensive use in an increasing number of applications - from space and science to everyday materials such as glass. One such popular application is the drug delivery system for cancer therapies. Nanoparticles are particularly suited to curing specific conditions such as cancer, as their sizes are comparable with tissue cells.

"When combined with currently available binding agents, these nanoparticles can turn into targeted drug delivery systems," says Technical Insights Analyst Hrishikesh Bidwe from Frost & Sullivan (http://ti.frost.com). "Drug discovery processes can use nanofluidic technology to improve current assays and chromatographic techniques, while diagnostics can use nanoparticles and quantum dots to target and differentiate healthy molecules from damaged or infected molecules and cells."

Another emerging area of application is the automotive industry, where the smoother, stronger and more durable nanoparticles-based coating can provide scratch-resistant and self-cleaning surfaces. Their superior conductivity makes them excellent static charge bleeders in clear packaging for electronic parts and aircraft windows.

The electronics industry has also enthusiastically adopted this technology. It is already working on novel equipment such as high-density storage mediums and ultra fast memory chips. Display devices are also finding new uses for nanotechnology, especially for carbon nanotubes in field emission displays.

Using a novel technology such as nanotechnology to develop products is an arduous and complicated task, the details of which do not particularly interest the end user. They are more likely to be concerned about the features of the product and its functions.

"Once base technologies such as particle formulation and nanotechnology synthesis into polymers become standard processes, development of products for mainstream commercial applications is expected to become a lot easier," notes Bidwe. "This development is also likely to reduce the time to market and shorten the product development life cycle."

All these developments are likely to require substantial funding, which, very often, cannot be afforded by small companies. To stave off this challenge, most companies tend to collaborate with bigger enterprises to strengthen their base in terms of basic research, manufacturing, marketing and support. Some healthcare organisations partner with each other during the clinical stage so that they can create new and effective drugs or drug delivery systems.

"There are several European research programmes relating to nanomaterials that are carried out in collaboration with industry majors such as BASF Corporation and The Dow Chemical Company," observes Bidwe. "These programmes are conducted with specific commercialisation plans."

If you are interested in the virtual brochure which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview, summary, challenges, and latest coverage of Nanotechnology Developments in Europe - then send an e-mail to Katja Feick - European Corporate Communications at katja.feick@frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number and email. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you via e-mail.

Title: Nanotechnology Developments in Europe (D346)

Background

Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters, and research services.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community, by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com.

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Keywords in this release: nanotechnology, Europe, material building, optical conductivity, drug delivery system, nanoparticles, nanofluidic technology, assays, chromatographic techniques, quantum dots, static charge bleeders, carbon nanotubes, field emission displays, particle formulation, nanotechnology synthesis, polymers

Database of Important Industry Participants: ABR Innova Oy, ibidi GmbH Integrated BioDiagnostics, Liekki Oy, LiPlasome Pharma A/S, MagForce Nanotechnologies GmbH, Minatec Innovation Centre, Nanoaxis AB, Nanobiotix, Nanocyl S.A., Obducat AB, Oxonica, Philips Research, Solexa Ltd.

Source: Frost & Sullivan

Media Contacts: Katja Feick, Corporate Communications - Europe P: +44(0)20-7915-7856, F: +44(0)20-7730-3343, E: katja.feick@frost.com, Tolu Babalola; Corporate Communications - North America P: +1-210-477-8427, F: +1-210-348-1003, E: tolu.babalola@frost.com; Pramila Gurtoo, Corporate Communications - Asia Pacific; DID: +603-6204-5811, Gen: +603-6204-5800, Fax: +603-6201-7402, E: pgurtoo@frost.com