nanonews

Tatiana Velitchkov asked:


What is Nanotechnology and why should I care about it?

Nanotechnology, referred to commonly as molecular manufacturing, is making huge strides within scientific and government communities. Despite its growth and the potential impact it will have on society at large, too little emphasis has been placed on the ethical considerations of nanotechnology and the ever-rippling effects of its applications.

The control of molecular matter has led to amazing breakthroughs in medical treatments, which of course is a benefit to mankind. However, the military is hard at work creating powerful weapons that are no larger than any known bacteria. In addition, molecular level surveillance techniques for surreptitiously keeping track of other organizations and individuals are changing the face of military, law enforcement and humankind in general.

Just like with human genome capability and stem cell research breakthroughs, scientists, governments and individuals need to weigh the obvious advantages of nanotechnology against the residual disadvantages. Although the power of nanotechnology is indisputable, the possibilities of irreversible harm from its indiscriminate use must also be taken into consideration.

What are the Social and Ethical Implications of Nanotechnology?

This is where social and ethical dilemmas present themselves. As life saving tools, nanotechnology is unsurpassed in its promise of an absolute revolution for medical treatment of previously incurable or untreatable conditions.

Conversely, when this technology is used to manufacture miniature weapons or explosives the infinite possibilities of far-reaching repercussions is a very real prospect. Given that researchers fear that nano-machines can become self replicating, theories abound that their by-product, known in scientific circles as “the gray-goo scenario”, could result in unheard of havoc. In addition nanotechnology has the potential to erode our privacy and freedom by providing human rights violations via monitoring and tracking devices that can invade our everyday lives without our knowledge.

For this reason the social and ethical issues relevant to nanotechnology must be addressed before its many technological innovations are unleashed upon society.

Every action has a reaction and nanotechnology is no different. Whether the anticipated power of nanotechnology ever reaches fruition, as a society we must be prepared to deal with any fallout that may arise from its inception and universal acceptance.

There is no doubt that development of nanotechnology and its many proven advantages, is going to continue, yet as a responsible society we must prepare a social policy that will address the benefits in correlation with the ethical consequences of it effect on life as we know it. Why should society be concerned with the Fallout?

When trying to incorporate nano-technological advances into society, there are a myriad of items that require intensive study, such as: issues regarding equity of disbursement, privacy rights of individuals and/or corporations, security considerations, the effect on the environment and the social and ethical impact on the human race.

As responsible humans who are concerned with passing a legacy of improvement down to upcoming generations, it is essential that we develop and create guidelines and working hypotheses that address the far reaching impact that nanotechnology can have on human lives and on the universe itself.

Bharat Book Bureau asked:


The 2009 Report on Products Incorporating Nanotechnology: World Market Segmentation by City

 

 This report was created for global strategic planners who cannot be content with traditional methods of segmenting world markets. With the advent of a “borderless world”, cities become a more important criteria in prioritizing markets, as opposed to regions, continents, or countries. This report covers the top 2000 cities in over 200 countries. It does so by reporting the estimated market size (in terms of latent demand) for each major city of the world. It then ranks these cities and reports them in terms of their size as a percent of the country where they are located, their geographic region (e.g. Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America, Latin America), and the total world market. ( http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research-Reports/Report-on-Products-Incorporating-Nanotechnology-World-Market-Segmentation-by-City.html )

 

 In performing various economic analyses for its clients, I have been occasionally asked to investigate the market potential for various products and services across cities. The purpose of the studies is to understand the density of demand within a country and the extent to which a city might be used as a point of distribution within its region. From an economic perspective, however, a city does not represent a population within rigid geographical boundaries. To an economist or strategic planner, a city represents an area of dominant influence over markets in adjacent areas. This influence varies from one industry to another, but also from one period of time to another.

 

 In what follows, I summarize the economic potential for the world’s major cities for “products incorporating nanotechnology” for the year 2009. The goal of this report is to report my findings on the real economic potential, or what an economist calls the latent demand, represented by a city when defined as an area of dominant influence. The reader needs to realize that latent demand may or may not represent real sales. For many items, latent demand is clearly observable in sales, as in the case for food or housing items. Consider, however, the category “satellite launch vehicles”. Clearly, there are no launch pads in most cities of the world. However, the core benefit of the vehicles (e.g. telecommunications, etc.) is “consumed” by residents or industries within the world’s cities. Without certain cities, in other words, the market for satellite launch vehicles would be lower for the world in general. One needs to allocate, therefore, a portion of the worldwide economic demand for launch vehicles to both regions and cities. This report takes the broader definition and considers, therefore, a city as a part of the global market.

 

 Market Potential Estimation Methodology Overview

 This study covers the world outlook for products incorporating nanotechnology across more than 2000 cities. For the year reported, estimates are given for the latent demand, or potential industry earnings (P.I.E.), for the city in question (in millions of U.S. dollars), the percent share the city is of the region and of the globe. These comparative benchmarks allow the reader to quickly gauge a city vis-à-vis others. Using econometric models which project fundamental economic dynamics within each country and across countries, latent demand estimates are created.

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F2F Author asked:


The role of nanotechnology in textile industry has accelerated with a positive momentum during the recent past years. Textile companies have been spending ample in research and development activities in order to discover appropriate products, and add innovations to their existing ones. In fact, textile industry is the first manufacturing industry to come up with finished products that are enhanced through nanotechnology-based products. Nanotechnology has versatile applications in Textile Chemicals industry in manufacturing garments with stain resistance, flame retardant finishes, wrinkle resistance finishes, moisture management, antimicrobial qualities, UV protection, and soil release properties, etc.

Fibre2fashion has got feedback from the Schoeller Technologies AG, one of the leaders in Nanofinishes from the textile industry regarding the role of Nanotechnology in textile industry.

The leaves of certain plants always stay clean, because dirt cannot adhere to the finely- structured Surfaces and is easily washed off by rain.

The natural non-stick, and cleaning process, also known as the self-cleaning effect, is permanently transferred to the textile surface by means of nanotechnology.

The result is NanoSphere an ecologically clean textile finish, developed in accordance with the bluesign standard.

Water and stains have no chance:

Water and annoying stains have no chance on textiles with a NanoSphere finish. The nanotechnology-based textile impregnation is characterized by a high level of water resistance, a natural self-cleaning effect and a durable protective function.

Advantages:

• High level of water resistance

• Naturally self- cleaning

• Durable protective function

High level of water resistance:

On NanoSphere textiles, water drops, e.g. when it is raining steadily, runoff simply and reliably

Naturally self-cleaning:

Oil, dirt and dust do not adhere to the NanoSphere surface and can be rinsed off with water.

Durable protective function:

Due to the extremely high level of abrasion resistance, the NanoSphere protective function is retained even with heavy duty use, frequent washing or cleaning.

The NanoSphere-finish when compared to other traditional textile finishes has a very high level of both wet and dry abrasion resistance.

Durable protective function:

• Normal washing or dry cleaning.

• Garments with NanoSphere finish can be washed and dry cleaned very easily.

• After 50 washing cycles the function still remains.

• Fabric softeners or dryer sheets are not recommended.

• Ironing or Tumbling.

• Heat and ironing recommended for optimum function.

NanoSphere is based on blue sign standard:

This NanoSphere technology is based on the blue sign standard, and guarantees the highest possible exclusion of substances which are harmful to human so the environment and promotes the economical use of resources in manufacturing.

• Elimination of all problematic substances

• Nano particles are fixed into a coating matrix.

• First class hygienic working conditions.

NanoSphere advantages at a glance:

• Uniquely repels water and stains.

• High level of abrasion resistance.

• NanoSphere offers reliable protection and lots of comfort

• The function is maintained even after numerous washing or cleaning cycles.

• NanoSphere can be applied on all types of textiles (cotton, synthetics etc.)

• Look, feel and breath ability are not affected.

• Ecologically clean textile finish developed in accordance with the bluesign standard.

Aarkstore Enterprise asked:


While nanotechnology is only in its earliest stages of development and application within the apparel industry, experts agree that nano-enhanced garments will likely become as expected and commonplace as attributes such as stretch, breathability and comfort.

One thing is clear, if investment by other industries is any indication of market potential, apparel is on track to reap many benefits.

The first in a series of timely Executive Briefings, provides a completely fresh look at how nanotechnology – by enhancing the functionality of fashion at all levels, from athletic wear to luxury – is set to completely revolutionise the apparel sector.

Table of Contents :

1.0 Executive summary

2.0 The marketplace

-a rapidly growing market

3.0 An overview of apparel applications

-the next revolution in apparel

-nanotechnology and anti-counterfeiting

4.0 Stumbling blocks ahead?

-educating the consumer

-buzzwords causing confusion

5.0 Nanotechnology’s market impact—present and future

-different cultures, different end uses

-the application of nano particles

-the cost-benefit of nanotechnology

6.0 Key products in apparel

-Schoeller

-Nano-Tex

-Evident Technologies

7.0 Products coming down the pipeline

-Endless opportunities

Table 1: Key apparel nanotechnology products

 

For more information, kindly visit :

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Nanotechnology-and-the-apparel-industry-7225.html

 

While nanotechnology is only in its earliest stages of development and application within the apparel industry, experts agree that nano-enhanced garments will likely become as expected and commonplace as attributes such as stretch, breathability and comfort.

One thing is clear, if investment by other industries is any indication of market potential, apparel is on track to reap many benefits.

The first in a series of timely Executive Briefings, provides a completely fresh look at how nanotechnology – by enhancing the functionality of fashion at all levels, from athletic wear to luxury – is set to completely revolutionise the apparel sector.

Table of Contents :

1.0 Executive summary

2.0 The marketplace

-a rapidly growing market

3.0 An overview of apparel applications

-the next revolution in apparel

-nanotechnology and anti-counterfeiting

4.0 Stumbling blocks ahead?

-educating the consumer

-buzzwords causing confusion

5.0 Nanotechnology’s market impact—present and future

-different cultures, different end uses

-the application of nano particles

-the cost-benefit of nanotechnology

6.0 Key products in apparel

-Schoeller

-Nano-Tex

-Evident Technologies

7.0 Products coming down the pipeline

-Endless opportunities

Table 1: Key apparel nanotechnology products

Bharat Book Bureau asked:


 

The 2009-2014 World Outlook for Nanotechnology

 

 This econometric study covers the world outlook for nanotechnology across more than 200 countries. For each year reported, estimates are given for the latent demand, or potential industry earnings (P.I.E.), for the country in question (in millions of U.S. dollars), the percent share the country is of the region and of the globe. These comparative benchmarks allow the reader to quickly gauge a country vis-à-vis others. Using econometric models which project fundamental economic dynamics within each country and across countries, latent demand estimates are created. This report does not discuss the specific players in the market serving the latent demand, nor specific details at the product level. The study also does not consider short-term cyclicalities that might affect realized sales. The study, therefore, is strategic in nature, taking an aggregate and long-run view, irrespective of the players or products involved. This study does not report actual sales data (which are simply unavailable, in a comparable or consistent manner in virtually all of the 230 countries of the world). This study gives, however, my estimates for the worldwide latent demand, or the P.I.E. for nanotechnology. It also shows how the P.I.E. is divided across the world’s regional and national markets. For each country, I also show my estimates of how the P.I.E. grows over time (positive or negative growth). In order to make these estimates, a multi-stage methodology was employed that is often taught in courses on international strategic planning at graduate schools of business. ( http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research-Reports/World-Outlook-for-Nanotechnology.html )

 

 WHAT IS LATENT DEMAND AND THE P.I.E.?

 

 The concept of latent demand is rather subtle. The term latent typically refers to something that is dormant, not observable or not yet realized. Demand is the notion of an economic quantity that a target population or market requires under different assumptions of price, quality, and distribution, among other factors. Latent demand, therefore, is commonly defined by economists as the industry earnings of a market when that market becomes accessible and attractive to serve by competing firms. It is a measure, therefore, of potential industry earnings (P.I.E.) or total revenues (not profit) if a market is served in an efficient manner. It is typically expressed as the total revenues potentially extracted by firms. The “market” is defined at a given level in the value chain. There can be latent demand at the retail level, at the wholesale level, the manufacturing level, and the raw materials level (the P.I.E. of higher levels of the value chain being always smaller than the P.I.E. of levels at lower levels of the same value chain, assuming all levels maintain minimum profitability).

 

 The latent demand for nanotechnology is not actual or historic sales. Nor is latent demand future sales. In fact, latent demand can be lower or higher than actual sales if a market is inefficient (i.e. not representative of relatively competitive levels). Inefficiencies arise from a number of factors, including the lack of international openness, cultural barriers to consumption, regulations, and cartel-like behavior on the part of firms. In general, however, latent demand is typically larger than actual sales in a country market. For reasons discussed later, this report does not consider the notion of “unit quantities”, only total latent revenues (i.e. a calculation of price times quantity is never made, though one is implied). The units used in this report are U.S. dollars not adjusted for inflation (i.e. the figures incorporate inflationary trends) and not adjusted for future dynamics in exchange rates. If inflation rates or exchange rates vary in a substantial way compared to recent experience, actually sales can also exceed latent demand (when expressed in U.S. dollars, not adjusted for inflation). On the other hand, latent demand can be typically higher than actual sales as there are often distribution inefficiencies that reduce actual sales below the level of latent demand.

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Tatiana Velitchkov asked:


The overwhelming disparity in riches between third world countries and the more developed nations has never been more poignant that in today’s modern society. While the technology exists, in the form of rapid strides in nanotechnology, its access is limited to and concentrated on the more affluent power brokers of the world.

The innovative strides in nanotechnology have the potential control poverty, eliminate hunger, and provide safer and cleaner water for the poor as well as providing a ready cure for tropical diseases in those areas where human suffering is the hallmark of existence.

But, will this technology ever reach those who need it the most? This is the burning question that must be addressed by the controlling agents within the government, military and private sectors.

Unfortunately, history has a disquieting way of repeating itself and, traditionally, the poorer nations of the world have been last on the list for technological advances that contribute to easing their innate suffering. Rather than focusing on enveloping poorer nations within the bosom of caring and just actions, far too often the gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ is ever widening.

Nanotechnology, with its promise of hope and renewal could be the solution to drastically improving the quality of life for all, if it is distributed fairly and evenly.

Nanotechnological strides are being developed in some third world countries like Brazil, India, Thailand and South Africa where millions of dollars has been earmarked to encourage the progression of research and development of nanotechnology and its promise of overwhelming advancements in environmental, agricultural, medical and sustainable natural resources. The hope is that the resulting developments will benefit rich and poor alike, thus satisfying the Millennium Development Goals as set out by the United Nations in their bid to eliminate, or at least control poverty in the poorest nations.

The more powerful scientific communities, like those in the United States, Britain and Japan lead the universal thirst for nanotechnology perfection. Yet there are those who decry the seeming objectives of these more powerful nations. They say the nations who are able to encourage the rapid strides in scientific research in nanotechnology appear to be allocating more effort into using it for military gains and covert surveillance than in benefiting the poor and disadvantaged.

It is said that if you want to see into the future, you need only look to the past. In previous decades, humanitarians put a lot of faith and hope into burgeoning technologies in biotechnology and its promise to solve world hunger via genetically modified organisms. However, the proposed benefits to the poorer nations have yet to materialize. It appears the developed nations are reaping the rewards of widely grown and readily available GMO enhanced foods which are being consumed in countries that do not have the abject poverty of the under-developed worlds.

The promise of dramatic improvement to the quality of life for the poor has yet to come to fruition. It can only be hoped that saner minds will take precedence in the development of nanotechnology and that its benefits will be shared by both rich and poor throughout the entire world.