A Fundamental Review of the Relationships between Nanotechnology and Lignocellulosic Biomass - The Nanoscience and Technology of Renewable Biomaterials - page 12

Value Chain for Nanotechnology-based Materials

Nanomaterial(s) Intermediate(s) Nano-enabled Product(s)

Increasing Value

Figure1.4 Valuechainfornanotechnology-basedmaterials.

important. Therefore, nanotechnology must be viewed as an enabling technology versus
an end in itself (Sixth Framework Programme 2005). To most expeditiously make
scientific and technology advancements, the focus for nanotechnology research must
always have an end use product application in mind. Examples of nanotechnology
enabled end use products include dimensional lumber with built in nanosensors to record
and react to static and dynamic loading; multifunctional siding materials that generate
electricity, are self-cleaning and self-sterilizing, and never need painting; and smart paper
that functions as a digital processor and accepts downloaded information. In the short
term, nanotechnologies for lignocellulosic products will likely be in the areas of barrier
coatings; architectural coatings; and preservative treatments.
As nanotechnology science and technology develops during the 21st century, the first
applications will be use of passive nanostructures where the nanomaterial itself remains
static once it is encapsulated into the product. The second generation nanotechnology
enabled products will be in the area of active nanostructures where nanostructures change
their state during use by responding in predicable ways to the environment around them.
Third generation products are expected to be systems of nanosystems where assemblies
of nanotools self-assemble and work together to achieve a final goal. Lastly, molecular
nanosystems will be developed where through the intelligent design of molecular and
atomic devices there will be unprecedented understanding and control over the basic
building blocks of all natural and manmade things.
Much of the current research focus in nanotechnology has been on measuring the prop-
erties of materials at the nanoscale with much focus on semiconductor materials, carbon
nanotubes, and medical applications - especially for diagnostics, cancer treatment, and
delivery of pharmaceuticals to targeted locations within the human body. Much less
emphasis has been placed upon other materials. Biological materials (e.g. wood and
plant materials) have received much less attention despite their many advantages such
as being able to self-assemble, being sustainable, and being ecologically preferable.
The area of nanomanufacturing science and technology has also not received sufficient
attention despite its being one of the most critical pathways to applying the benefits of
nanotechnology. It is absolutely critical to build the nanomanufacturing science and
technology base to the point where nanomaterial(s) exhibiting unique nanoscale prop-
erties can: (1) routinely be placed into components or systems, (2) retain and combine
their unique nanoscale properties in a matrix of other materials and (3) result in superior
and controllable composites performance (NSET 2007, Department of Energy 2007).