Application of nanotechnology in environmental technology - innovation potentials for companies?

The Fraunhofer IAO (Institute for Industrial Engineering) conducted in behalf of the German states Baden-Württemberg and Hessen two surveys on the potentials of nanotechnology application in environmental technology. Focuses of the two surveys are: - The general state of nanotechnology in Europe and Germany with fields of application, funding and potential chances and risks of the technology; - Specific fields of application of nanotechnology in environmental technology and industry such as remediation of pollutants by filtration, catalysis and coatings as well as the improvement of resource efficiency by power generation and energy storage; - The specific consequences of the findings for the two German states Baden-Württemberg and Hessen; - Possible strategies for further research and funding on regional and national level. Although the two surveys primarily focus on the German market and industry they draw comparisons with the international situation of nanotechnology and environmental technology in research, application, markets and funding. The two surveys use methods from innovation management and technology management for the analysis and allow conclusions for the assessment and the application of nanotechnology in traditional industry. The approach can therefore be generalized and adapted to other countries and industrial branches. The surveys are also part of a strategic orientation process of Fraunhofer IAO towards new manufacturing frameworks for emerging technologies that will results in a research agenda on the connections between emerging technologies and industrial engineering.