Global Nanotechnology Market for Energy Storage

"Global Nanotechnology Markets for Energy Storage – Analysis and Forecasts to 2015", provides key data, information and analysis on the market opportunities in the nanotechnology enabled energy storage market. The report provides key market trends and competitive landscape analysis for the market. The research discusses market dynamics in detail by providing analytical content on the key challenges for the commercialization of nanotechnology. The report’s coverage of the nanotechnology enabled energy storage market is comprehensive with dedicated sections on the state of research, patent analysis, and key supplier profiles.

Scope

* Qualitative analysis of market drivers, restraints, future outlook, and challenges for the global nano-based energy storage market.
* Comprehensive coverage of R&D initiatives in nanotechnology for energy storage products.
* Competitive landscape section that provides company share information for 2008. Key players covered include Altair Nanotechnologies Inc, Valence Technology Inc., mPhase Technologies Inc., Nanoexa, Inc., and Maxwell Technologies Inc.
* Market sizing (revenue) forecasts for the lithium ion and ultracapacitors market from 2009 to 2015
* Key topics covered include nanotechnology enabled batteries, the ultracapacitor market potential, the state of research, and patent activities analysis.

Executive Summary:

"Global Nanotechnology Markets for Energy Storage – Analysis and Forecasts to 2015" that provide key data, information and analysis on the market opportunities in the nanotechnology enabled energy storage market. The report provides a detailed assessment of the global R&D investment scenario in key countries. At the outset, the report analyses patent activities in various sectors including energy. The report’s coverage of the nanotechnology enabled energy storage market is comprehensive with dedicated sections on technology analysis, patent analysis, and key supplier profiles.

The report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in house analysis by a team of industry experts.

Markets for Nano-Based Energy Storage Products are Expected to Take Off from 2012

Markets for nano-based energy storage products are expected to take off from 2012. Robust sales growth opportunities are expected for nanotechnology based rechargeable batteries (Lithium-ion) and ultracapacitors as these energy storage products are expected to be the early adopters of nanomaterials in their production.

The global nanotechnology enhanced energy storage products market is in the pre-market stage and will gain critical mass when the usage of nano-based materials in the production of energy storage products is expected to become mainstream post-2012. The R&D pipeline for nano storage products is replete with promising nano-prototypes and mockups, some of which are tested in pilot markets. Commercialized nano storage products are expected to be launched in large numbers post-2012.

Venture Capital Funds are Shying Away from Nanotechnology Companies Analysis of historical investment data for nanotechnology initiatives points to the increasing reluctance of Venture Capitalists (VCs) towards investing in nanotechnology companies. A sizeable population of VCs thinks that there are chokepoints in the deployment path of technology from research labs to market places. VCs hesitate to invest in nanotechnology companies as they find that there are limited options for exit markets.

The most common exit market is floating Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and the VC funds are often skeptical about the nanotechnology company’s ability to achieve sufficient size to justify an IPO. Another common mode for exiting investment is the acquisition of the nanotechnology company by a large firm. Both of these exit options are hard to achieve for nanotechnology companies which acts as a dampener for VC fund flows into nanotechnology start-ups. This tightening of exit markets, whether IPO or acquisition has been exacerbated by the gloomy economic scenario and has adversely affected fund raising through venture capital firms.

Rise in Government Spending Continues to Drive R&D and Innovations in Nanotechnology

The rise in governmental earmarks and investments has been driving the innovations in nanotechnology globally. Governments are acting as central elements bridging the gap between science and industry, providing support to innovative small and medium-sized enterprises.

Other elements of the strategy are special financial support initiatives to set up the infrastructure, equipment and top level technological tools in order to develop the research and innovation at cutting-edge level. Increase in global public funding for R&D initiatives across the globe augurs well for quicker commercialization of nano-based energy storage products.

The overall US nanotechnology budget proposed for 2010 under the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is $1.6 billion. The cumulative NNI investment between 2001 and 2010 is estimated at almost $11.7 billion. In Europe, government funding for R&D is injected through two mechanisms, namely:

* The EU centralized funding for the framework programs, and
* National funding bodies.

Under the current framework programs, FP7, overall funding for nanotechnology related projects is expected to reach $5.2 billion, during 2007 to 2013. Southeast Asia and Russia are the key growth regions in terms of R&D investments for nanotechnology. For instance, Russia alone will be investing substantial amount of funds over the period 2010-2012.

Constant Evolution of Nanotechnologies Make Patents Regulation and Streamlining the Commercialization Process Tougher

Nanotechnology is a highly evolving, multidisciplinary technology spanning different industries and therefore regulating nanotechnology is becoming increasingly difficult. Nanotechnology companies are endeavoring to offer multiple applications for several industries all at once. The acquisition and protection of intellectual property is a huge challenge in the nanotechnology field as the patent offices are yet to fully understand the technology. There are difficulties in assessing whether it is worthwhile to patent the result of research work.

Muted Fund Flows from Venture Capitalists and Low Patent Productivity Stand in the Way of Commercialization of Nanotechnology in Energy Storage Products

The authors have identified two major challenges to the commercialization of nanotechnology ‘ the low level of venture capital and low patent productivity. Sizeable investments are needed for the development of nanotechnology based products and processes and the creation of new markets. The VC funding only accounted for 7% of the total global investment into nanotechnology in 2008.

The low level of VC funding is primarily due to longer payback periods on investments, the relatively longer time to market of nanotechnology based products, and a shortage of suitable investment targets. While other funding sources such as public funding can provide a financial cushion to the start-ups, nothing can be compared to VC investments for new ventures. The low level of patent activities in nanotechnology is largely because the focus of academic research is not aligned to meet the industry needs.

Governments and Corporations are Expected to Join Forces to Expedite the Commercialization of Nanotechnology

The long gestation period of nanotechnology from research lab prototypes to commercialized products can be reduced through government efforts to bring together academia and industry. Successful commercialization of nanotechnology requires the leveraging of public funds with private funding. Close collaboration between the funding bodies and nanotechnology companies is required to address these barriers. It is extremely difficult to raise funds from private investors for the early stages of academic research of products or technology. Hence, federal or state funding should be optimally channeled to plug the gaps between research and the early stages of commercialization.

Aligning Academic Research to Suit Commercial and Industrial Energy Storage Needs is Paramount

Low patent productivity can be dealt with by aligning research focus to meet industrial needs. Identifying the commercial potential of research will help address questions such as how patent-worthy a research work is. Governments should bring together academia and industry to reduce the time it takes to bring a product from the research lab to the market. Investors should bring with them industry knowledge and their network, along with financial investments, to help companies develop and market products in an efficient fashion.

Inventing Nanomaterials for Energy Storage Products is the Primary Focus of R&D

Companies are developing new high energy electrode materials and more stable electrolytes to enhance the functionalities of batteries. The main R&D focus is on integrating nanoparticles in the materials for storage devices and ensuring tight packing of nanoparticles in electrodes, in order to maximize energy density, power output, charge/discharge time, and number of charge/discharge cycles.

The performance improvements in energy storage devices due to nanotechnologies are likely to upstage the higher costs associated with the nano-enabled energy storage products. Hence, companies are less focused on decreasing the manufacturing costs associated with nano-based storage products.

US and Japan Lead the Way in Nanotechnology Research

The US, Japan, Germany and Russia are the leading countries in nanotechnology research and development activities. The US stands out with its integrated research system that fosters close collaboration between universities, research institutes, and companies. Japan has launched several nanotechnology initiatives pooling both government and corporate funding.

With its robust R&D infrastructure and funding Germany is strong in nanotechnology R&D. In addition to its research universities, Germany has four state-of-the-art science and research organizations. Other emerging countries in nanotechnology research include South Korea and China, both of which are developing centers of competence to achieve breakthroughs in nanotechnology.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction
* Global Markets Direct Report Guidance
Nanotechnology Primer
* Nanotechnology Based Storage Products, Overview
Nanotechnology Based Storage Products, Market Potential
* Nanotechnology Enabled Batteries Market Potential
* Nanotechnology Enabled Ultracapacitors Market Potential
Key Challenges for Commercialization of Nanotechnology
* Venture Capital and Industrial Funds Lagging Behind Public Funding
* Intellectual Property Challenges
Global Nanotechnology Market for Energy Storage – the State of Research and Development
* Research Scenario in Universities
* Global Nanotechnology Market Energy Storage, R&D Investments Scenario
* Corporate Funding of Nanotechnology
* Venture Capital Funding of Nanotechnology
Global Nanotechnology Market, Regulatory Framework
* Nanotechnology Regulation
* Patent Analysis
* Nanotechnology Standards
Global Nanotechnology Market for Energy Storage, Key Players
* Global Nanotechnology Market Key Players: Altair Nanotechnologies Inc
* Global Nanotechnology Market Key Players: Valence Technology, Inc
* Global Nanotechnology Market Key Players: mPhase Technologies Inc
* Global Nanotechnology Market Key Players: Nanoexa, Inc
* Global Nanotechnology Market Key Players: Maxwell Technologies Inc
Appendix
* Market Definitions
* Abbreviations
* Methodology
* Related Reports
* Contact Us
* About Global Markets Direct
* Disclaimer
Companies Mentioned:
* Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.
* Valence Technology, Inc.
* mPhase Technologies Inc.
* Nanoexa, Inc.
* Maxwell Technologies Inc.

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a010f2/global_nanotechnol