Report cites “broad but shallow” nanotechnology impact

A report available from Lux Research describes the potential impact of nanotechnology on the automotive industry as “broad but shallow,” citing the hypothetical example of a Ford F-series truck enhanced with six emerging nanotech innovations within a single model year.

Tier one suppliers would gain $493 million in incremental revenue for that model year, according to the report. Consumers would realize $327 million in cost savings over five years of use, mostly from better fuel economy, and would also see soft benefits in performance and safety. Ford would net $248 million in cost savings and increased resale value, and would gain differentiation against its competitors (presuming they did nothing). At the same time, incumbent suppliers of materials such as talc-filled composites and microparticulate platinum group catalysts would lose $297 in combined sales when displaced by nanoscale alternatives.

The report, "How Nanotechnology Adds Value to Products," also examines the impact of nanotechnology on breast cancer treatment and cellular telephones. It contends that nanotechnology could reduce the cost of breast cancer treatment by 39% and add an average of seven years to patients’ lives.