Nanotechnology

Overview:

The American Competitiveness Institute (ACI) was tasked by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to review the state of development in “nanotechnology” to determine manufacturing issues that the Navy should address in order to transition the technology into system applications. To accomplish this task, ACI performed a survey to (1) develop an understanding of the maturity of the technology; (2) identify technologies that have potential for Navy applications; (3) identify organizations that have a potential for manufacturing capability; (4) determine if there was interest in the technology within the Navy acquisition community; and (5) establish recommendations for manufacturing capability. Additionally, ACI also created a nanotechnology roadmap for DOD applications.

Conclusions:

In order for nanotechnology to evolve and become commercialized, more attention must be given to applications. Successful applications need to be established that allow industry engineers and designers to gain insight into ways this technology can be used today. As the techniques evolve for effective and efficient production of nano materials and devices, the industry will begin to integrate this technology into their products and services. In terms of the goal of this survey, the following additional conclusions were reached:

Industry Maturity:

• The largest market segment of opportunity is in the area of nanopowders, with nanocoatings having near term applications.
• The accepted maturity in nanoelectronics is ten to twenty years out.
• The number of nanotechnology companies targeting Department of Defense (DOD) applications are few. Two nanopowders manufacturers surveyed stated that they have no interest in government activity and were only seeking commercial applications, therefore, DOD requirements are already being ignored.
• The majority of companies surveyed were focused on basic research without manufacturing infrastructure—in general, there is very limited manufacturing capability.
• There are a few, large vertically integrated companies, such as GE, that are developing products that they intend to market through their Specialty Products Division. Other companies, such as Honeywell, have indicated that they are monitoring development that may fit into their future plans. Rockwell Collins is including nanotechnology in their 10 year technology roadmap that ACI has contributed to.
• Continued monitoring of companies that have manufacturing/production plans and capabilities is needed.

DOD Requirements:

• Navy mission requirements are evolving – such as the need for lighter weight structural materials, armor, wear and corrosion resistant coatings, EMI/RFI coatings, and thermal management materials for electronic assemblies
• There is a need to keep the Navy acquisition community apprised of developments that could meet their requirements. The converse is also true that organizations such as the centers need to be aware of the requirements.Other government entities such as the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), the Department Of Energy (DOE), and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have programs that have applicability to Navy systems.
• Links are needed between DOD program acquisition community, system development community, and nanotechnology industry. The Navy Center may be a perfect conduit for this activities.

In addition to the survey ACI presented the plan and preliminary findings for the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel (JDMTP) electronics sub-panel, contributed materials to the 2003 Interagency Program Review of the Government Agencies Technology Exchange in Manufacturing (GATE-M), and have been invited to the Lehigh Nano Forum 2003.

Nanotechnology Roadmap:

The Nanotechnology roadmap is an extended look at the maturity of nanotechnology against Navy and DOD technology requirements. The document is intended for a Defense audience and illustrates developments that intersect insertion opportunities. The roadmap should be considered a helpful guide that identifies attention areas where technologies is leading or lagging the application. The diagram below highlights some of the topics in the following sections.

ACI is continuing to follow trends in nanotechnology and its maturity.  With increasing maturity and commercialization, the identified Navy needs may one day included advanced technology and yield the benefits of it.  To learn more about the Nanotechnology Manufacturing Improvement Survey or the Nanotechnology Roadmap, please contact info@aciusa.org.