There is an informative article in Technology Review on the topic of advance materials. To many, the subject undoubtedly sounds boring but I’d like to suggest otherwise and express the opionion that unless you keep with advances in the field you could soon find yourself out of business.
Without going into great detail, the gist of the article is that due to near exponential advances in scientists’ ability to program the self-assembly of nanoparticles, researchers are now poised to assemble new materials with novel optical, electronic and magnetic properties. More importantly, as savvy businesspeople begin to figure out how to exploit these properties they could soon be developing some very cool—as well as very efficient and effective—new products.
For example, I have written before about solar power’s potential. Due to advances in self-assembly, however, it is quite possible that photovoltaics could soon capture a broader range of the solar spectrum. And this, in turn, could mean that new solar cells will be efficient enough to work even in cloudy environments.
Another example is occurring in the field of fuel cell technology. This recent article discussing the possibility of cheap hydrogen is a perfect case-in-point. Researchers have now shown that by tweaking the atomic structure of titania they can more efficiently produce hydrogen. If hydrogen becomes easier and cheaper to produce this means that not only might fuel cell vehicles arrive sooner than expected, it is also possible that hydrogen can be used as a means to store solar energy (which would be generated during the day) and then used (in the form of hydrogen) in the evening.
Scores of other opportunities also await. I have written before about how new materials are already effecting both the semiconductor industry and the oil and gas industry; and new materials will also transform the building and manufacturing industries.
The bottom-line is this: If your business has anything to do with materials—and this is most businesses—it would behoove you to begin paying attention to the advances in the world of material science and nanotechnology.
Jack Uldrich is a writer, futurist, public speaker and host of jumpthecurve.net. He is the author of seven books, including Jump the Curve and The Next Big Thing is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business. He is also a frequent speaker on future technology and future trends, nanotechnology, innovation, change management and executive leadership to a variety of businesses, industries and non-profit organizations and trade associations.
