Nanotechnology continues to be a somewhat vague term, but Lux Research Tuesday released a new
report that seeks to quantify some of the recent investment and product development in the area, concluding that nanotech companies have shifted from discovery to commercialization.
The proof of that conclusion lies in this statistic: Sales from the sector, which hit $50 billion last year, easily oustripped the $11.8 billion invested in this area, the study says. Venture capital investors put $699 million into nanotechnology companies in 2006, up 10% from 2005, the report continues.
Lux notes the maturity of the sector, pointing out that industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to power tools now incorporate nanotechnology, and there are established markets for components such as carbon nanotubes. That particular market grew 87% last year to $49 million.
The field also got a boost from the recent surge in solar and other energy and environmental markets that have put a premium on the development of new materials.
And while it seems that the fad of a few years ago to jump on the nanotech bandwagon by renaming existing companies has subsided, the report notes that more new companies with the term "nano" in their names received funding in 2006 than in any prior year. - Clifford Carlsen
See Nov. 20 press release from Lux Research
See October 2006 story from The Deal newsweekly
See September 2006 story from TheDeal.com
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