UMass Lowell is doing all the right things to support the next great industrial expansion—based on nanotechnology.
A benchmark survey of more than 400 senior executives of nanotechnology companies in the United States was conducted by UML’s Center for Economic and Civic Opinion, in collaboration with Small Times Magazine. Small Times published the analysis on Jan. 12.
Nearly all the executives said nanotechnology is very important to the nation’s economy and to their companies. The U.S. leads other nations, but needs to strengthen high volume manufacturing of nano materials and products. In fact, nanomanufacturing was rated the most important activity to develop—more than two to one ahead of basic research.
“UMass Lowell, with its early leadership in nanomanufacturing, is well positioned to work with industry to meet this need,” says Barry Hock, associate director of the Center.
The survey also showed that nanotech industry executives think that government has an important role in addressing potential health effects and environmental risks of the new technology—an area in which UML research is particularly strong. And, most executives said their firms will depend on shared-use facilities at universities to advance their projects towards commercialization.
Executive in Residence Edward March “buried” himself in the survey data for several days.
“After I poked my head out, I was gratified to see that the survey validates the approach we’re using here at the University. In my view, it’s a tremendous endorsement.”
Significantly, company leaders were polled, rather than technical managers, so the analysis reflects the business opportunities of nanotechnology more than its technology development.
“Since nanotechnology isn’t an industry to itself—it’s a technical enabler and cuts across many industries and applications,” says March, “it’s difficult to pin down the most promising opportunities by analyzing only one industrial sector. Instead, the survey reflects the opinions of executives from a large cross section of industries when asked, ‘What are your business and technology goals? What are the market opportunities and barriers? And, what strengths are needed to bring you benefit most rapidly?’ ”
In studying the survey data, March found two populations in the nano business community.
“More than half indicate they already offer nanotech-based products. I would say they are making incremental improvements to existing product lines and this allows them to get to market faster with the emerging technology.
"Another 10 to 15 percent of the respondents don’t anticipate having a product for the next seven to eight years. These are the companies working on breakthrough applications of nanotechnology, developing brand new materials or products in the ‘gee-whiz’ category. Those companies still require significant amounts of research and development before commercial success.
“We’re positioned to work with all of the above.”
On the executives’ interest in shared prototyping facilities, March notes that nanotech is capital intensive, requiring sophisticated instrumentation and precision equipment. As the University develops its common-use facility of expensive, specialized equipment, sale of services can offset costs and provide real-world experiences for students.
Curiously, the executives expressed little concern about workforce development, while education and outreach are important components of UMass Lowell’s program. March explains, “Most nanotech companies are small and medium in size; they tend to be formed by entrepreneurial experts—they have all expertise they need right now and the development priority they identified is volume manufacturing capability. As the nanomanufacturing capacity grows, the priority will shift towards workforce education, advanced process controls and precision production equipment.
“We’re ahead of the curve.”
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