The need for hyper-performing materials in high-tech manufacturing industries such as computing and communications, as well as key “mainstream” industries (e.g., automotive, aircraft), has driven producers to search for new materials to achieve their objectives as the law of diminishing returns makes it harder to succeed with the “conventional” materials of today. Manufacturers increasingly are seeking materials that have several important characteristics, including:
• Light-weighting
• Strength density
• Insulation and conductivity density
• Durability and reliability
A major focus in the transportation and aerospace industries, for example, is to reduce carbon footprint and increase range. In the transportation business – be it road, rail, air, or even space – every ounce saved in the “vehicle” allows a payload increase. Payload increase means cost savings on a per-unit-shipped basis, always a strong business motivator.
The need for materials with higher strength density is associated with the trend toward making things smaller for the same function. Along the same lines, insulation and conductivity density are sought in electric and electronic products, where there is a continuing trend toward miniaturization. New advanced materials are going to be required if the trend line is to be extended. Last, there is increasing demand for more durable, more reliable products and materials that can help achieve these objectives.
