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The nature of nanotechnology

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The word ‘nanotechnology’ evokes visions of the cutting-edge, tiny robots put to work to aid everything from health care to communications. Nanotechnologies can be found in areas as diverse as biotechnology and health, agriculture, electronics and computer technology, environment and energy, optics, and materials and manufacturing.

Nanotechnology involves a suite of technologies enabling direct manipulation, study or exploitation of systems or structures that have at least one dimension on the nanometre (nm) length scale, typically less than 100 nm. The nanometre is equal to one-billionth of a metre.

In 2005, 88 Canadian firms reported involvement in nanotechnology. Of these, 91% were active in R&D, but 27% did report being in the production or market stage. Together nanomaterials, at 43%, and nanobiotechnology, at 42%, accounted for the vast majority of firm activity. Other areas of activity were nanomedicine, nanophotonics and nanoelectronics.

Canadian nanotechnology revenues amounted to $28.2 million in 2005, up 19% from the previous year. Revenues for 2007 were forecast to nearly double, to $55.9 million.

In 2005, Quebec firms accounted for 52% of revenues, with Ontario firms accounting for 22%, British Columbia firms for just under 14% and Alberta firms for 12%.

While the sector is still small, 34 Canadian nanotechnology firms racked up a total of 559 intellectual property instruments in 2005, including patents, patents pending, technology transfer agreements and licensing agreements. More than 70% of the nanotechnology firms reported that they had collaborative arrangements with universities, other companies or government.