identifying science and business issues: the case of nanotechnology
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Identifying Science and Business Issues: The Case of Nanotechnology. Dr. Danial Wayner, Director General National Institute for Nanotechnology, Edmonton Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences, Ottawa. The Case of Nanotechnology. Contents. Catching the nanotechnology wave - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Identifying Science and Business Issues: The Case of NanotechnologyDr. Danial Wayner, Director GeneralNational Institute for Nanotechnology, EdmontonSteacie Institute for Molecular Sciences, Ottawa
The Case of Nanotechnology
Contents
• Catching the nanotechnology wave• Managing emerging technologies• Business opportunities in nanotechnology• What government can do
Nanoresearch vs Nanotechnology
Nanoresearch• research at the atomic, molecular or
macromolecular levels to:– create and use structures, devices and systems that
have novel properties and functions with critical length scales typically under 100 nm
– provide fundamental understanding of phenomena and materials at the nanoscale in 1, 2 or 3 dimensions
The Case of Nanotechnology
Nanoresearch vs Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology• useful applications of nanoscience/engineering
knowledge and discoveries– integration into existing technologies– new applications based on transformational or
revolutionary discoveries
The Case of Nanotechnology
Com
plex
ity (#
of n
anoc
ompo
nent
s)
Length Scale (nm)0.1 1 10 100 >108106 107103
BiologicalComplexity
Non-BioComplexity
atoms
molecules
macro/supramolecules
self-organizingAssemblies
systems networks
organelle
DNA
protein
nucleic/aminoacid
tissue
organorganism
electronics/photonicsnano
materials
www
Integrated Nanosystems•Artificial organs/tissue•Chemical information systems integrated with electronics•Adaptive materials
bulk materials
cell
The Case of Nanotechnology
The Case of Nanotechnology
Catching the nanotechnology wave• What is the wave?
– most of what we hear and see is nanoresearch– there are increasing incremental improvements to
traditional technologies (e.g. nanocomposites) – some discoveries suggest discontinuities in product
development, manufacturing paradigms– there is a feeling that we are on the verge of something
revolutionary but it is still not well defined
• Hype versus Reality– the research and investment communities are fueling
unreasonable expectations
The Case of Nanotechnology
Catching the nanotechnology wave
• How do we know it is coming?– It is underpinned by many years of research– It builds on a succession of high profile reports– It requires significant capital investment in infrastructure
and capacity building– it promises economic impact on optimistic timescales
The Case of Nanotechnology
The Case of Nanotechnology
Catching the nanotechnology wave• Nanotechnology fits this description well:
– It is based on many years of basic research in physics, chemistry and biology. And several major areas of nanotechnology still require substantial scientific research before commercial ‘technologies’ will emerge.
– there are many parallels with the biotech revolution– Future nanotech research and production facilities will
require massive investments– There are an increasing number of startups even though
markets are not yet clearly defined
The Case of Nanotechnology
Catching the nanotechnology wave• Trying to catch the wave is risky! • Anxiety over IP, wealth generation leads to:
– Taking a new ‘technology’ out of a university or government lab and into a ‘start-up’ company before major research problems are resolved
– products without markets, markets without products– unanticipated problems in scale up, moving from
prototypes to production– incomplete understanding of the value chain – low ROI– if not managed well, disillusionment/backlash (dot coms,
photonics)
The Case of Nanotechnology
Managing Technology Risk – Some Science Policy Issues
• National S&T priorities– defines strengths, weaknesses, opportunties, threats at a
national level– provides a framework within which funding decisions
may be taken (critical mass)– creates opportunity for organizational synergies
• Technology Clusters– regional clusters of competing and collaborating firms,
associated with university and government research facilities to share the risk and the rewards
– well developed receptor capacity– spin-offs when necessary but not necessarily spin-offs
The Case of Nanotechnology
Managing Technology Risk – Some Science Policy Issues
• Funding– Provide long term funding of research into nanoscience in both
the universities and government labs, e.g., NINT– Provide other incentives to SME’s (contracts vs grants)
• Outreach/education– closing the gap between science and business/investors
• Nano Environmental, Ethical, Economic, Legal, Social Implications (NE3LS)– public rejection can derail technologies (e.g. GM foods)– developing a NE3LS capacity at this early stage is an
opportunity for Canada to establish a competitive edge in a global economy
NINT: Collaborative Model
NINT: Building
NRC/UofASharedNanotechFacility
NRC• ResearchPrograms
• Industry Partnership Facility
Cross-Appointments
UniversityAlignedNanotechResearchPrograms
Cross-Appointments
$40M
$40M
$20M
$20M
NRC
Province+UofA
$12M
/a
The Case of Nanotechnology
The Case of Nanotechnology
Business opportunities in nanotechnology• Short Term (less disruptive)
– Nanomaterials– Nanotools– Nano-electromechanical systems
• Long Term (more disruptive)– Nanoelectronics/quantum computing– Bionanotechnology/personalized health care– Integrated Nanosystems/Convergent Technologies