April 21, 2004 – A new study calls the nanoelectronics market embryonic today, but predicts massive growth during the next decade.

“Nanotechnology: Impact of Nanotechnology on the U.S. Electronics Industry” predicts the market will grow more than 45 percent during the next 10 years to more than $75 billion. The study by FTM Consulting Inc. shows the hard-disk drive segment growing to $36.3 billion during the same period, and the market for nanotubes used in integrated circuits growing to $11.3 billion.

The study divides the market into two major areas: first-generation products, which include nanotubes and nanowires; and second-generation, which includes molecular electronics, quantum computing and self-assembled electronic devices. The first-generation devices are expected to emerge within the decade, while the second-generation will not emerge from basic laboratory and theoretical work for at least 10 years.