Bioinspired and Nanoengineered Surfaces: Technologies, Applications and Global Markets

Report Scope

The scope of this report is the global market for all products based on bioinspired and nanoengineered surfaces.

An overview of current technology explores pioneering R&D including unique capillary and optical interaction properties, various fabrication methods as well as first-generation commercial application five-year revenue projections for biomimetically inspired NES. In addition, an analysis of superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic patents identifies the most active global players.

Chapter 4—Market applications for the biological/biomedical, automotive, aerospace/marine/military sectors. In particular, it identifies five-year commercial revenue projections and potential market developments in these segments. The biological/biomedical market includes oil/water repellency, antibacterial surface treatments, antibiofouling, dry adhesion and synthetic gradient refractive index optics. The automotive market includes glass, exterior paint and plastics with an emphasis on water/dirt/insect repellency, and antifrost, antifog and antireflective surface treatments. The aerospace market focuses on protection coatings; water, ice, dirt and corrosion repellency and optical pilot laser protection. The marine and military markets focus on antibiofouling and drag reduction, and anti-fog windshields and anti-ice visors, respectively.

Chapter 5—Market applications for the electronics, energy/environmental and materials sectors. In particular, it identifies five-year commercial revenue projections and potential market developments in these segments. The focus of the electronics market is superhydrophobic waterproofing and oleophobicity for mobile communication devices such as cell phones and tablets as well as hearing aids. The energy/environmental market includes long shelf life batteries, fuel cell components, HVAC heat exchanger coils, oil and gas flow equipment lubricants, oil/water separation and remediation, rigid and flexible solar panels, water harvesting, and wind and steam turbines. The materials market segment includes self-cleaning aluminum and cement/concrete, as well as glass, plastic architectural building materials and sanitary ceramics/tileware.

Chapter 6—Market applications for the optics, textiles and other segments. In particular, it identifies five-year commercial revenue projections and potential market developments in these segments. The optics segment includes antireflective and 3D mobile device displays while textiles includes indoor and outdoor waterproofing such as high-performance sports apparel, consumer packaging, sensors, and liquid processing/manufacturing.

Chapter 7—Geographic segmentation of market applications. This chapter focuses on the geographic segmentation of companies involved in the nine segments detailed in chapters 4, 6 and 6. Although U.S. companies predominate in NES developments in all commercial market sectors, there is wide global interest.

Chapter 8—Industry structure. More than 60 companies have been identified as having significant development operations involving the commercial exploitation of nanoengineered surfaces. These companies are targeting a variety of market sectors and a broad range of applications. Detailed profiles of their specific market interests and current status are outlined.

Analyst Credentials

John Oliver is the founder of Innov8 Solutions, which provides advanced materials consultation services to various clients. He has more than 30 years of industrial research and development experience in surface and colloid science, spanning a wide range of materials technology. Working as a senior scientist at Xerox Research Centre of Canada he developed an invaluable understanding in advanced materials used in digital printing technologies such as xerography and ink-jet printing. Following his involvements with the Alberta Research Council and several local universities, his interests have evolved into the realm of nanomaterials used in microsystems device integration.

He has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from McGill University, and a BSc degree in Chemistry from the University of Surrey. His publications include more than 40 peer-reviewed technical articles, 20 patents and one book on Adhesion in Cellulosic and Wood-Based Composites. Between 2005 and 2009, he was the editor of BCC Research's bimonthly Nanoparticle News and has authored ten BCC Research technical reports.