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4 Nanotech. L. & Bus. 361 (2007)
Nanotechnology: The Passive, Active and Hybrid Sides - Gauging the Investment Landscape from the Technology Perspective

handle is hein.journals/nantechlb4 and id is 369 raw text is: Nanotechnology: The Passive, Active and Hybrid Sides-Gauging the Investment Landscape from the Technology Perspective JAMES M. TOUR* ABSTRACT While investors are often proficient in assessing the business aspects of their technology investments, the technology horizon assessment is illusive. In this article, Professor James Tour describes a methodology to categorize different nanotechnologies into one of three types: passive, active, or hybrid nanotechnologies. The three technology types each have a characteristic timeline for expected product delivery and, in this manner, the science or engineering layperson can make the technology horizon evaluation. Examples of each of the three technology types are provided from our own laboratory using carbon nanotube rubber composites, nanocars, and silicon-molecule devices, respectively. I. INTRODUCTION escribed here is a tool to pigeonhole a specific nanotechnology in order to gauge its commercialization horizon (0-5 years vs. 15-50 years vs. 7-12 years) based on the nanotechnology type: a passive, active or hybrid nanotechnology, respectively. In my seminars to the technology lay (in my view) public including lawyers and entrepreneurs, they have found this topic helpful as they navigate the investment landscape. The truly exciting developments in nanotechnology, the ones that are science fiction-like in vision, are often 30-50 years away, or even 100 years out, so my suggestion is to invest elsewhere unless you have a dynasty-like horizon and the capital to sustain the vision at each round throughout the century. The passive nanotechnologies sound more mundane, but they can be the capital-generating apparatus for diversified portfolios. This is naturally only one method of several that is needed in seeking the one in ten high-risk investments that will bring substantial return. There are many factors that I will not consider * James M. Tour is the Chao Professor of Chemistry, Professor of Computer Science, and Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Rice University. He is also Director of Rice University's Carbon Nanotechnology Laboratory in the Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology. Tour is the founder of four companies including NanoJtech Consultants, LLC, which performs technology assessments for the prospective investor (www.nanojtech.com). He can be reached at tour@rice.edu. More information is available at www.jmtour.com. NANOTECHNOLOGY LAW & BUSINESS • FALL 2007

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