FEATURE: Interview with Frank Yang, ISTN Inc.
1. What is the benefit of using nanomaterials?
Nanomaterials allow for unique control of material composition and morphology at the nanoscale level, which often allows scientists to develop materials with unique properties that have economic value for commercial applications. The extensive investigation of nanomaterials is due to a combination of commercial interest and scientific curiosity.
2. Which areas show the greatest promise?
I have worked on commercialization projects involving nanomaterials in several areas. I think in the near term consumer applications have a great deal of promise because the technical requirements are not as strict, and those companies marketing the product may be able to get customers interested in a product by attaching the "nano" designation to it. Longer term, I think there is a great deal of promise in both electronics (displays, semiconductors, etc.) and medicine (drug delivery, medical devices, etc.)
3. What factors do you envisage that will allow for the transition from concept to product ?
Continual technical advances by leading researchers, as well as a dedicated investment by someone with substantial resources, whether it be the government or larger corporations, to bringing projects across the "valley of death" that usually stalls many promising technologies before they reach a significant commercial scale.
Some products may be less technically demanding as far as requirements, and may be able to offer a unique marketing angle over competitors due to the use of nanotechnology.
Frank Yang, Director of Business Development, ISTN, Inc
