I like to think of molecular manufacturers as two types - those who produce nanomaterials, and those who use nanomaterials to make larger commercial items.
For the first type, a website by the name of nanowerk.com provides a database for nanomaterials and associated molecular manufacturers - it is located at http://www.nanowerk.com/phpscripts/n_dbsearch.php.
For the 2nd type - those who use nanomaterials in the production of larger commercial manutacturing are growing in numbers, and use the special properties of nanomaterials for more strength, flexibility, longevity, better electrical conduction, and many other enhancements to traditional manufactured items...
Many types of molecular manufacturers are focusing on products which are either available now or will be available prior to the close of the first decade of the 21st century (2010). Here are some of the industries in which these manufacturers reside...
Paints Incorporating nanoparticles in paints will provide thinner paint coatings on aircraft or automobiles, and also for stronger paint coatings.
Ecological Remediation The potential of nanoparticles to react with pollutants in soil and groundwater and transform them into harmless compounds holds great promise. Applications are focused on alleviating global warming (reduction of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere) to making safe the groundwater by removing heavy metals such as lead and mercury.
Fuel Cells The potential use of nano-engineered membranes to intensify power creation in fuel cells - could result in higher-efficiency, small-scale fuel cells.
Monitors / Displays Carton nanotubes are currently being used in manufacturing low voltage,large area, high brightness, flat-panel displays, as used in television screens and computer monitors. This technology is already coming to the market in Japan, and is expected also in the USA during 2007.
Batteries Portable electronic equipment (mobile phones, navigation devices, laptop computers, etc.), is ubiquitous today - and there is a great demand for lightweight, high-energy density batteries. Nickel–metal hydride batteries made of nanocrystalline nickel and metal hydrides - and are expected to require much less frequent recharging and to last longer.
Fuel Additives Research is underway into the addition of a particular nanoparticulate to diesel fuel to improve fuel economy by reducing the degradation of fuel consumption over time.
Well before 2020, the following molecular manufacturers will develop billion dollar industries in the following areas...
Medical Implants Certain nanomaterials have been found to be much bettter for implants, being bio-corrosion resistant and bio-compatible. For example, nanocrystalline silicon carbide is a candidate material for artificial heart valves primarily because of its low weight and high strength.
Machinable Ceramics Nanocrystalline ceramics have been used in such automotive applications as high-strength springs, ball bearings and valve lifters, because they can be easily formed and machined, as well as exhibiting excellent chemical and high-temperature properties.
Water Purification Nano-engineered membranes could potentially lead to more energy-efficient water purification processes, notably in desalination by reverse osmosis.
Military Battle Suits Enhanced military body suits are being developed which incorporate sensors to detect or respond to chemical and biological weapons.
Molecular Manufacturers will be the manufacturing titans of the 21st century. Expect also the emergence of personal molecular manufacturing devices such as a person nanofactory - in which an object similar to a desktop printer will actually use sophisticated software to organize the molecules of "feeder stock" to actually build physical objects like laptop computers and cellphones.
Thanks for stopping by MolecularManufacturers.com. This website is developed for the layperson - providing articles and news items concerning the emergence of new manufacturing processes using molecular-level components. Very similar to nanotech manufacturing - the application of both living and non-living chemistry to the production process will mushroom in the years and decades ahead. Please bookmark MolecularManufacturers.com - and come back often.
