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Monday, September 17, 2007

Spotlight: Nanotechnology

A new frontier

THE 1970s gave us micro-electronics and information technology. The 1980s witnessed the emergence of biotechnology and genomics. During the 1990s, the internet solidified its status as a communications tool across Canada.

These advances in technology and science are familiar to us now. But there is a new technology that is gaining importance: nanotechnology.

Technology that works on a scale this small (a nanometre equals one millionth of a millimetre) may have huge impacts on our society. For this reason, the potential industrial benefits of nanotechnology and nanoscience have been of interest to governments, industry, academia and the public.

A world first

In answer to that interest, Statistics Canada has conducted its initial national nanotechnology survey, believed to be the first of its kind.

The "Overview and Discussion of the Results of the Pilot Survey on Nanotechnology in Canada" looks to provide a basis for measurement of nanotechnology research and development, and eventual entry into the market.

This study is part of the ongoing Business Special Surveys and Technology Statistics Division Working Papers series that examines the technologies, innovation practices, human resources and interrelations among the science and technology industries in Canada.

Defining nanotechnology

One of the first challenges for Statistics Canada was to define nanotechnology, at least for statistical purposes.

In attempting to establish its own definition, the agency researched those used by other bodies in the United States and Canada.

Definitions and their uses varied, but the agency found that most definitions contained two essential elements: the length scale of 1 to 100 nanometres, and the use of technologies (for example, science, engineering, or biology) at that scale.

Thus, Statistics Canada developed the following definition in its initial steps towards collecting information on nanotechnology:

Nanotechnology is a suite of technologies which enable the direct manipulation, study or exploitation of systems or structures where at least one dimension is on the nanometre length scale (typically less than 100nm).

The ability to control matter within this regime allows us to exploit phenomena which predominate at these length scales, leading to the production of novel materials and devices which exhibit qualitatively different properties than that of the corresponding bulk material.

Challenges

Measurement of nanotechnology is in its infancy, and much work and many challenges remain.

These technologies are emerging, rapidly evolving and are not well defined. With few examples of commercial applications, there are no statistics on baseline outcomes, such as products, processes and services developed and adopted in the market place. Further, nanotechnologies are not easily classified, given their wide range of potential applications in many sectors.

On the downside, the technologies are potentially disruptive, representing both significant benefits and risks in industry as well as for health and environmental applications.

Lastly, there is more than just the economic impact of nanotechnology to examine, but also related activities such as regulation, education and training, and government expenditures and activities.

This new survey will provide a reliable, validated and comparable information base to help inform strategy and policy decision making on the scientific, economic, health, environment and social impacts of nanotechnology.

For more information, contact Media Relations (613-951-4636), Communications and Library Services Division.

See also
Sector profile THE DAILY -- New products