What are the Primary Cost Drivers in Nanotechnology?
The cost of nanotechnology applications is influenced by several factors:
1. Research and Development (R&D): The initial stages of developing nanotechnology involve significant investment in R&D. This includes the cost of specialized equipment, labor, and materials. 2. Materials: The raw materials required for nanotechnology can be expensive. For instance, high-purity chemicals, substrates, and nanoparticles often come at a premium price. 3. Fabrication: The processes involved in fabricating nanoscale structures, such as lithography, self-assembly, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), are complex and costly. 4. Quality Control: Ensuring the precision and quality of nanomaterials and nanoscale devices necessitates advanced techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), which add to the overall cost. 5. Scaling Up: Transitioning from laboratory-scale production to industrial-scale manufacturing requires substantial financial investment to ensure consistency and reliability.
