Small but mighty

For those of you unfamiliar with nanotechnology, ‘NanoMaterials2011’ hosted by NanoCentral, is the fifth business to business conference in the series and we remain constant to our USP that this is the only conference in Europe focusing on how nanomaterials are being used to create new products, refresh existing products and deliver value. It continues to be the “must attend” event in Europe for organisations commercialising nanomaterials.

For those not actively following nanotechnology, the most significant news in the last year would be the development of graphene, a new class of two-dimensional material with unique properties. Graphene can turn materials into conductors of electricity, make them more heat resistant and more mechanically robust. Within electronics, graphene transistors are predicted to be substantially faster than silicon transistors, ultimately enabling more efficient computers.

As the volume of nanomaterials traded increases, impetus for the development of trading specifications is also increasing, not least with the advent of the Integrated Nano-Science & Commodity Exchange (INSCX). This trading platform became live in November 2010 and has already achieved a multi million monthly turnover. Significantly, INSCX is seeing substantial demand for nanomaterials from the low carbon sector, particularly for minerals and oxides associated with battery manufacture. Of equal interest is the number of companies from the far-east and Russia seeking to sell nanomaterials. 

Of course significant interest in the trade in of nanomaterials for batteries and, in particular rare earth minerals, is not without issues. China is the origin of a large percentage of such materials and has been widely reported to be taking a “strategic” view to their exports.
Other major events impacting the world of nano include Rusnano’s major investment in Plastic Logic to create the latter’s second volume production facility for its next-generation nano-enabled plastic electronic displays and establish a plastic electronics industry in Russia.

As might be expected, the increased demand for primary nanomaterials is mirrored by the enhanced prominence of nano-enabled products. Products such as “Tablets” are largely enabled by nanomaterials and the long awaited “Dreamliner” from Boeing, finally due to go into service this year, is reported to contain substantial quantities of nano composites. 

It is within this context of an exciting and rapidly developing market opportunity that I wish to introduce you to NanoMaterials2011, which represents a tremendous opportunity for businesses to make connections within the supply chain, investigate new materials and, most importantly, deliver new products to market. As always, it presents a great opportunity to meet other industrial players who are already making commercial gains through the use of nanomaterials and to network with other nanomaterial and nanotechnology companies.

For those of you who are time limited, or who have heard of nanotechnology but are unsure what it can do to promote growth in your business, we will be holding a pre-Conference seminar on the afternoon of June 7, 2011.  This event, “An Introduction to Nanotechnology”, is specifically designed for senior business decision-makers and will address an assortment of questions such as: Why should I be interested in nanotechnology?  How do I become involved in nanotechnology? And how do I become successful in nanotechnology? We will also discuss market and finance opportunities, SHE considerations and the certainty of supply and demand via the INSCX.

If you are interested in the seminar and/or the conference, please register online at www.nanomaterials-conference.com. Whatever your degree of interest, or involvement, in nanotechnology we very much look forward to seeing you at one or both events.

About the author
Stephen Cash is CEO at NanoCentral