Nanofibers: Technologies and Developing Markets

Nanofibers are traditionally defined as cylindrical structures having an outer diameter below 1000 nm and an aspect ratio (the ratio between length and width) greater than 50. Over the years, several types of nanofibers have been developed: polymeric, carbon, ceramic, glass, metallic, and composite. Nanofibers have current and potential use in a large variety of applications, i.e., electronics, mechanical, chemical, sensors and instrumentation, energy, medical, bioengineering, automotive, aerospace, thermal and acoustic insulation, consumer, and defense and security. This study supplies a description of the different types of nanofibers and details their production methods, properties, and current and potential applications, including an array of fabrication process variants, upgrades, and new features. As shown in the Summary Table, the global market for nanofibers increased from $40.2 million in 2005 to $43.2 million in 2006 with sales reaching an estimated $48.0 million by the end of 2007. Nanofiber revenue growth is being driven primarily by the utilization of these materials in the mechanical/chemical sector, in particular for manufacturing filtration media.