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Nanotechnology through the eyes of Lockheed Martin

Morphing planes that steer by bending and lightweight air taxis were just a couple of the concepts grabbing people’s attention this afternoon. These ideas may be a few years away, but as Sharon Smith, Lockheed Martin’s director of advanced technology, highlighted - aerospace products represent a huge market for nanotechnology.

In the shorter term, it’s likely that the automotive sector will be the first to benefit from advances in the field. “With new car models being launched annually, there are more insertion points for nanotechnology,” Smith told the audience.

Scratch resistance coatings and self-cleaning windows are available now, with shock absorbers based magnetic nanoparticles following close behind. Smith added that the high number of vehicles produced each year is likely to reduce the cost of nanotechnology - in the same way that car air bags have driven down the price of MEMS.

Posted by James Tyrrell on May 22, 2007 11:43 PM | Permalink