January 20, 2005, Mountain View, CA--Companies developing nanophotonic products are aiming collectively at opportunities worth over $30 billion in large displays and over $3 billion in other photonic applications, according to a new report from Strategies Unlimited. As is typical of emerging technologies, these applications must be gained one at a time, as the competing technologies are also improving in performance and manufacturing cost.
There are already over 100 companies offering or developing specific nanophotonic products in a range of applications, from the highly speculative (such as displays), to existing products (such as laboratory tools).
Successful companies will require partnerships between large and small companies. Large companies have the resources and patience for these emerging technologies. These include horizontally integrated materials companies (such as ChevronTexaco and DuPont), and vertically integrated systems companies (such as Agilent Technologies, Becton Dickinson, and Boeing). Small companies have the independence and attract many of the new ideas. These include so-called platform companies (such as Arrowhead Research or Nanosys), and niche suppliers (such as Immunicon, Ionic Optics, or Nomadics).
Most people are still just finding out what nanotechnology is, and it seems very broad and ambiguous today. But in 10 years, nanotechnology will be much more narrowly defined. Its applications are already converging to four major subjects, and each involves nanophotonics: materials, biomedicine, molecular electronics (including displays), and energy (such as solar cells and fuel cells). "The applications in the first two are certain, but the next few years will determine which of the other two will also define the future of nanotechnology," said Tom Hausken, author of the report and director of optical component research at Strategies Unlimited.
The report reviews the nanophotonics applications, markets, and technologies, presents forecasts, and profiles key companies and institutions working in this area.