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In a new report, “Nanotechnology:
A Realistic Market Assessment,” BCC Re-
search, Wellesley, Mass., forecasts that
the global market for nanotechnology
is expected to grow to $64.2 billion by
2019, with a five-year compound an-
nual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.8%. Nano-
devices—the fastest moving segment
of the overall market—are anticipated
to move at an impressive 34% CAGR,
say analysts. The study covers nano-
materials (nanoparticles, nanotubes,
nanostructured materials, and nano-
composites), nanotools (nanolithogra-
phy tools and scanning probe micro-
scopes), and nanodevices.
Nanotechnology, defined as the
creation and utilization of materials,
devices, and systems through the ma-
nipulation of matter at scales of less
than 100 nm, continues to have a broad
and fundamental impact on nearly all
sectors of the global economy, includ-
ing the biomedical, electronics, energy,
environmental, and pharmaceutical
industries. Nanomaterials, particularly
nanoparticles and nanoscale thin films,
dominated the nanotechnology market
in 2013, accounting for 78.8% of the
market. This segment is predicted to
grow to $52.7 billion by 2019 and regis-
ter a 20.7% CAGR.
The nanotools category, com-
prised of devices used to manipulate
or measure nanoscale objects or sub-
stances, accounted for 21% of the
2013 nanotechnology market. This
segment is expected to reach nearly
$11.3 billion by 2019 to register a CAGR
of 16.2% However, the nanodevices
category, which was valued at just $39
million in 2013, is projected to surge to
$183.4 million in 2019. This growth will
primarily be driven by increasing con-
sumer demand for smaller and more
powerful electronic devices, according
to the report.
“Increased R&D spending in both
the private and public sectors is driving
development of commercial nanoma-
terials applications such as nanocata-
lyst thin films for catalytic converters,
as well as new and emerging technolo-
gies such as nano thin-film solar cells,
nanolithographic tools, and nanoscale
electronic memory,” says analyst An-
drew McWilliams. “Rising demand for
miniaturization in electronics, as well
as public health and environmental
concerns, are anticipated to shape sig-
nificant growth in this market for the
foreseeable future.”
The report includes analysis of
global market trends, with data from
2013, estimates for 2014, and projec-
tions of CAGRs through 2019.
For more
information, visit
bccresearch.com.
MARKET SPOTLIGHT
Nanotechnologymarket
toreach$64.2 Billion in2019
FEEDBACK
Livinginabubble
I enjoyed the spotlight on Vienna
University of Technology’s
inflatable concrete construction
method. (“Stress Relief,” Nov/Dec
2014). It would be nice to have a
more detailed explanation on how
the process differs fromWallace
Neff’s bubble houses.
Matt Burr
[Wallace Neff inflated a giant bal-
loon and applied shotcrete after
inflation. The main difference
between Neff’s approach and our
technology is that we cast the
concrete in a flat formwork with
petal-shaped outlets lying on the
ground. After the concrete is hard-
ened, the flat plate is transformed
into a double-curved shell with
the aid of a pneumatic formwork
and additional post-tensioning
cables in the circumferential
direction.—
Benjamin Kromoser
,
Vienna University of Technology]
We welcome all comments and
suggestions. Send letters to
frances.richards@ asminternational.org.
WallaceNeff bubble house. Courtesy
of Jeffrey Head.
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