For Immediate Release
Contact:
Marlene Bourne, President & Principal Analyst
Phone: 480-695-0521
Newly Published Book Identifies
Nanotechnology as the
Secret to Many “Must-Have” Consumer Products
A Consumer's Guide to
MEMS and Nanotechnology explains how two of the hottest
emerging technologies are being put to use in many of
today's coolest consumer products.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., August 14, 2007 – Bourne
Research LLC today announced publication of the book titled,
A Consumer’s Guide to MEMS and Nanotechnology. Written
by Marlene Bourne, an industry analyst with more than a
decade of expertise covering emerging technologies, the
book examines how MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems)
and nanotechnology are playing an integral role in many
of today’s must-have products.
“As a topic, nanotechnology is complex, controversial
and cool all at the same time,” says Marlene Bourne,
President & Principal Analyst of Bourne Research and
the book’s author. “A
Consumer’s Guide
to MEMS and Nanotechnology puts it all into perspective—not
by looking at future ‘imagine this’ or ‘what
if’ scenarios—but at how and why emerging technologies
are being put to use in all kinds of really cool products
today.”
Divided into two parts, the first half of the book examines
the commercial history of MEMS and nanotechnology, their
evolution into the marketplace, and how material science
(nanotech) and engineering (MEMS) have become intertwined.
Dozens of MEMS devices and nanomaterials are discussed
in detail—including how they work, what makes them
unique and why they’re useful.
The second half of the book provides countless examples
of real-life applications of MEMS and nanotechnology in
cars, homes, consumer electronics, cosmetics/personal care,
apparel/textiles, sporting goods, healthcare/medicine,
food production, oil exploration and more.
A Consumer’s Guide to MEMS and
Nanotechnology also
yields some surprising findings.
“Much of what is being touted as nanotechnology
technically isn’t,” says Marlene Bourne. “The
particle size of many materials currently labeled ‘nanotech’ doesn’t
fit within the specified threshold of 1-100 nanometers.
This mislabeling is most prevalent with cosmetics and silver
nanoparticles.”
The book also reveals that current applications of MEMS
and nanotechnology are far more innovative, and diverse,
than many might think. Examples include:
• |
Self-cleaning windows—some
of which also lower energy costs |
• |
Interactive sensing for gaming systems
and movie production |
• |
Flat-irons with nanocoatings to reduce
hair damage |
• |
Permanent (yet removable) tattoo ink |
• |
Swimwear with special fibers that prevent
sand from sticking |
• |
Protective gear for football, hockey,
snowboarding, motocross and more |
• |
Lab-on-a-chip devices that can detect a heart attack
in just minutes |
• |
Sensors implanted into the body to wirelessly monitor
pressure |
• |
Plastic bottles that prevent beer from going flat |
A Consumer’s Guide to MEMS and
Nanotechnology is
a must-read for anyone interested in emerging technologies—from
curious technophiles and university students, to scientists,
engineers, executives, the media and more. The 287-page
book includes more than 60 black & white and color
illustrations.
For more details about A
Consumer’s Guide to MEMS
and Nanotechnology, or to learn how to purchase the book,
please visit: www.bourneresearch.com/book.htm.
About Bourne Research
Bourne Research is a trusted source of market intelligence,
with a specialized focus on MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical
Systems), nanotechnology, and the convergence of both.
Its founder, Marlene Bourne, is a highly respected industry
analyst with more than a decade of experience following
the development of emerging technologies, and is internationally
recognized as one of the leading experts on MEMS.
