2009 NCMS Study of Nanotechnology in the U.S. Manufacturing Industry

National Center for Manufacturing Sciences. (2010) 2009 NCMS Study of Nanotechnology in the U.S. Manufacturing Industry. Project Report. National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI.

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Abstract

This is the third NCMS survey sponsored in the past decade by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to gauge the momentum of the nanotechnology development and deployment in the U.S manufacturing industry. The survey targeted key players throughout the manufacturing landscape, providing valuable insights on myriad of precompetitive and strategic issues influencing their organizations’ pursuit of nanotechnology, an inter-disciplinary field involving the control of matter at the atomic and molecular scale of 1 to 100 nanometers. The data shows that U.S. manufacturers are increasingly using nano-enhanced materials to improve their products, having indentified nanotechnology as being vital to competing globally. Small particles translate into big advantages in durability and functionality, ultimately benefiting consumers. Many companies have realized the need to quickly integrate nanotechnology into their strategic plans. However, the enthusiasm of these manufacturers is tempered with the daunting challenges that many face when adopting nanotechnology into their production. These challenges include a lack of awareness of nanotechnology’s potential advantages as well as access to the required design tools and training. The data showed that while the U.S. nanotechnology industry is currently well positioned to compete globally, foreign R&D investment is increasing and poses a significant risk.

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