See the complete list of trends that we analyze.

1) Introduction to Nanotechnology & MEMS

Nanotechnology is a cutting-edge technology that is slowly beginning to revolutionize many sectors of manufacturing. Few consumers or business executives realize the extent to which nanotech, over the mid-term, is going to change the materials they use everyday.

Investment in nanotechnology research and the market for nanotech products have expanded steadily. Analysts at Cientifica estimate that global funding of nanotechnology research by governments will total $9.75 billion in 2009. The U.S. government alone budgeted more than $1.6 billion in nanotech research grants and projects for 2009, up from $464 million in 2001. RNCOS Research estimates the global market for products manufactured in part using nanotechnology will reach $1.6 trillion by 2013. This represents dramatic growth. Lux Research estimates that $50 billion in products containing some nanotech component were sold globally in 2006.

The Japanese government may be at the top of the ranks of national funding. Meanwhile, the European Nanotechnology Trade Alliance (ENTA) boosts the nanotech industry in Europe, where funding is very substantial.

Nanotechnology is generally defined as the science of designing, building or utilizing unique structures that are smaller than 100 nanometers in size (a nanometer is one billionth of a meter). This involves microscopic structures that are no larger than the width of some cell membranes. In particular, nanotech may involve the manipulation of materials on the atomic level so that they take on new characteristics, such as increased strength or resistance. (“Nano” comes from a Greek word for dwarf or pygmy.)

MEMS refers to the very exciting field of the miniaturization of electronics. Specifically, we define MEMS as “Micro Electro Mechanical Systems,” micron-scale structures that transduce signals between electronic and mechanical forms. Both MEMS and nanotech are today’s leaders in the long-term trend of greater and greater miniaturization of electronics and other systems.

Estimates of the size of the MEMS market vary. Analysts at Lyon, France-based Yole Developpement (www.yole.fr) estimated the global market for MEMS devices at $7.8 billion for 2008. The global MEMS systems market reached approximately $6.7 billion in 2007 revenue, according to electronics research firm iSuppli Corporation. However, due to the global economic crisis, this firm estimates that revenues fell by 7% in 2008, and are expected to fall by another 7.5% in 2009.

Nanotechnology has applications in fields such as semiconductors, biotechnology, solar power, chemistry, automotive systems, apparel, coatings, robotics and aerospace. The result will be new ways to solve problems and create products, based on the use of micro components.

Over the next few years, the fastest-growing commercialized uses of nanotechnology will most likely be in coatings, including advanced paints used in demanding environments; specialty chemicals; and textiles. As the technology matures, many more uses will be commercialized.

The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (www.nanotechproject.org) lists 803 items in its August 2008 inventory of consumer products that have a nanotech component, up from 475 in 2007 and 209 products listed in their initial March 2006 inventory. The new list included 502 health and fitness items (such as cosmetics, sunscreens and sporting goods), 80 food and beverage products, 91 home and garden items and 56 electronics and computer products.

Fortunately, MEMS technology is presently available and widely utilized. A contemporary use of MEMS technology affecting consumers is the micro switch used in passenger-side airbags. These MEMS switches must be accurate enough to determine when, and at what level of strength, a collision occurs, and then set off the inflation of the air bag quickly enough to protect passengers before the collision’s impact reaches them.