Nanotechnology can resolve issues that were believed unsolvable, according to a recent article titled ‘Big Innovations from Small Science’ written by Scott Rickert, Nanofilm’s President and Chief Executive Officer, in the Ceramic Industry magazine.
Dr. Scott Rickert is CEO of Nanofilm, a leader in nanofilm technology and self-assembling thin films
Rickert has referred to a BCC Research report that has predicted that the consumption of sophisticated nanoscale powders in the United States will grow from $3.1 billion in the fiscal year 2010 to $3.4 billion in the fiscal year 2011 and will be $5.4 billion by the fiscal year 2016. The growth of nanoscale powders, which account for 17% of current consumption, will increase to roughly $1.2 billion or 24% by 2016.
Rickert explained the growth by observing that the study shows that nanoceramic powders will be the key in a variety of markets such as chemistry, optics, microelectronics and environmental products. He believes that nanocoatings and nanomaterial composites find immediate applications in the ceramics market.
Rickert commented that the since the ingredient particles are smaller in nanocomposites, they can be more homogenous and tightly packed, which is not possible with micro parts. This improves their effectiveness, he added.
Rickert further said that nanocoatings offer superior performance properties when compared to a substrate material applied over the surface of the products. Nanotechnology can decrease costs, enhance performance and pave the way for new market applications in ceramics, he said. Nanotechnology will find use in almost all ceramic applications, he concluded.