Nanoparticles are agglomerates of particles that consist of a few to several hundred atoms or molecules. So they are in size somewhere between atoms / molecules and solids. Their physical and chemical properties are intermediate between those of these two extremes and are in wide ranges designable as a function of the number of particles of the nanoparticle-forming unit. Compacted into larger units, or even embedded in a product-specific environment, such new components have clearly changed from nanoparticles to macroscopic properties compared to conventional products.
In Germany this exist favorable conditions: both are in materials research as well as the physical and chemical technologies operated for decades excellence, both economic and scientific side, work is of suitable material characterization process is ongoing and many CIS and SMEs as potential product manufacturers users in Germany are active in this area.
The main question of their research focus, is currently still in the fundamental understanding of the structure and effects of atomic and molecular components of structured materials. Upcoming R & D work, however, already include elements of the theoretical molecular design, equipment manufacturing and characterization methods and methods for further processing into macroscopic products. The evolution of surface and particle analysis must occur simultaneously with the material and molding, in order to examine generated structures for their properties and reproducibility. The potential market for high turnover and thus available for new jobs, although the impact on the labor market today are not yet quantifiable.
A competent research and user network can help business and science alike. Even today, with selected materials to achieve high conversions (eg pigments from BASF and Merck in the above-described principle of the nanoparticles). Of foreseeable users (electronics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, optics or fertilizer industry) other materials are desired. Many materials research institutes, are the properties of nano-structured materials, and especially SME companies as potential suppliers when it comes to analysis and characterization of such new materials and their application.
