Foresight review of nanotechnology

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This page was published on 01/04/2014

The review was commissioned to look at the worldwide developments being made in nanotechnology and what the impact of its applications might be in the engineering-related sectors of relevance to the Lloyd’s Register Foundation.

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Executive summary

The Foresight Review of Nanotechnology: The Next Industrial Revolution by Lloyd's Register Foundation provides a detailed exploration of the potential impacts of nanotechnology on engineering and safety-related sectors. The report highlights nanotechnology’s transformative power in industries such as energy, transportation, manufacturing, and healthcare. Key areas of focus include pervasive sensing, smart materials, energy storage, and risk management.

The review emphasises both the vast opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology, such as quality assurance and safety concerns, while outlining a roadmap for future applications. Recommendations include focusing on horizon scanning, research, regulation, and safety standards to guide future nanotechnology developments.

Key findings

Pervasive Sensing: Nanotechnology will enable the integration of sensors into materials, allowing real-time monitoring of structures and systems, improving asset performance and maintenance in high-risk industries.
Smart Materials: Nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and self-healing coatings, offer new possibilities for creating lighter, stronger, and adaptive materials, revolutionizing sectors like transportation and energy.
Energy Storage and Generation: Nanotechnology is driving advancements in energy storage (e.g., batteries and capacitors) and generation (e.g., fuel cells and solar cells), significantly improving efficiency and reducing fossil fuel dependence.
Big Data: The growth of nanotechnology contributes to the rise of big data, necessitating improved data storage, analysis, and transmission methods, especially in sectors like transportation and manufacturing.
Nanotechnology and Risk: The potential risks associated with nanoparticles, such as their effects on human health and the environment, require careful regulation and quality assurance, with a focus on standardization and safe practices.

Citation

If you wish to use and reference the Foresight review of nanotechnology, please include the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.60743/eh4a-hr66.

Example Citation in Harvard Style:

Lloyd's Register Foundation (2014) Foresight review of nanotechnology. Lloyd's Register Foundation. doi: 10.60743/EH4A-HR66.

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