What is Nanomanufacturing?

Nanomanufacturing is about locating and manipulating individual atoms and molecules in a material. The technology can be used to create new products or increase the useful functions in existing products.

Although nanometer-size particles have been in use by industry for decades, the knowledge of the exact size, location and function of those materials increased dramatically during the 1980s and 1990s with the development of new scientific instruments and tools. Rapid advances have already included the discovery of new materials, with the promise of more in the future.

Definitions of nanomanufacturing will blur as traditional approaches to mechanical engineering, chemistry, electronics and biology are combined in new ways.

In applications of molecular manufacturing or molecular self-assembly techniques, additive processes place atoms or molecules precisely where they are needed. These molecules are engineered to have natural chemical attraction, or to be catalyzed by some energetic input, such as heat, electricity, light or enzyme.

Atomically precise nanoscale speed reducer gear simulated using nanoENGINEER-1 molecular dynamics engine. Photo courtesy Nanorex

Other types of nanotechnology

Challenges facing manufacturers

• Costs are high. The technology required to produce things at nanoscale is expensive. Large corporations have the resources to purchase the equipment and tools needed and integrate them into in-house manufacturing operations. They are also well set to undertake and/or outsource the R&D related to nanomanufacturing.



• Skill gaps exist. Especially in the United States where there is a lack of young researchers/scientists with the ability to tackle nano. There is no formal knowledge network for smaller companies that could support the testing, manufacturing and packaging of products.



• Cost of production is a variable. Until mass production of nanotubes is perfected and prices come down, there will be limited deployment. That said, individual companies are working to integrate nanotechnologies into their product development and improvement efforts. For example, Motorola announced recently that the use of carbon nanotubes will enable them to produce the first sub-$1,000 priced giant flat-screen television within two years.



• Supply chains are not established. Nanomaterials and coatings are the closest to wide-scale commercial deployment. Integrating the supply chain into working with nanomanufacturing could pose challenges. New supply chains may need to be formed.



• Unknowns at the material science level. As nanomaterials are produced, significant research is needed to understanding their properties and applications.



• Significant environmental impact unknowns. Environmental groups are raising concerns about potential toxicity and making recommendations for governmental oversight. The NanoBusiness Alliance and the Environmental Protection Agency are separately investigating health and safety impacts of nanomaterials.



• Lack of skilled manufacturing workers. It's estimated that by the year 2015, more than 800,000 workers will be needed for nanomanufacturing.



• Practical applications are still few. Nano is still mostly at the science phase, though advances are being announced at a rapid-fire pace. Practical, low-cost technological application is still on the horizon.



• Sustained investment is also critical. Though funding for nanotechnology companies has increased over the past few years, significant work is still needed to transfer R&D into practical, cost-effective manufacturing processes.