Apr. 6, 2007 — Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, says its latest research shows impressive growth for the Finnish nanotechnology sector. The number of Finnish companies active in nanotechnology has more than doubled from 61 to 134 in just two years. More than 40 of these companies already have commercial products based on nanotechnology. Development has been seen in all of the key sectors of the Finnish economy, from electronics to forest products. The main factor behind the increase in activity is Finland’s National Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Programme, FinNano.
These results were uncovered by the “Nanotechnology in Finnish Industry” survey, published at the second FinNano Annual Seminar, which precedes Nanotech Northern Europe 2007, March 27 – 29. The biannual survey studies the evolution of the Finnish Nanotechnology scene from 2004 to 2006. Spinverse Consulting conducted the survey with more than 200 firms.
The commercial products on the market cover a full range of applications, from industrial equipment to consumer products. The latter include suits from Turo Tailor, which are made using a nanocoated textile that repels water, and ski wax developed by Startex. Sporting equipment has also been impacted by nanotechnology, with an example being high-performance skis by Atomic.
Industrial applications include Finland’s prominent atomic layer deposition (ALD) cluster. ALD technology enables coatings the thickness of a few atoms to be applied to materials to alter or improve their performance. The technology, originally developed in Finland almost 30 years ago, is now generating multi-million dollar markets worldwide with applications ranging from electronics components to flat panel displays.
The companies surveyed reported a comprehensive pipeline of research activities, the results of which are expected to come to market in one to three years. Until now, the impact of nanotechnology has been greatest in the materials sector, but it is expected next in electronics and life sciences. Examples of future applications being researched include functional paints and coatings, building materials, active packaging, sensors and quantum-mechanical lasers.
Many challenges also lie ahead. Making the transition from small-scale prototypes to volume production is far from straightforward; finding commercially viable applications for advanced technology can be difficult; and problems can arise from funding shortages at key stages of development. In the fast pace of development, it is also very important to take into account issues of environment, health, safety and corporate responsibility.