identifying science and business issues: the case of nanotechnology

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


Nanoresearch vs Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology• useful applications of nanoscience/engineering

knowledge and discoveries– integration into existing technologies– new applications based on transformational or

revolutionary discoveries


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



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

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



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


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)


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


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



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

identifying science and business issues: the case of nanotechnology

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