Abstract
Nanocrystalline silicon materials have long been seen as having significant
advantages in both the electronics and solar industry because of their
relatively high electron mobility, absorption qualities and stability as well
as the ease with which they can be deposited. These materials seem to be well
positioned to provide some short-term performance improvements that could
easily translate into new business revenues. For example, they may enable the
currently low-efficiency thin-film silicon technology to strike back with
higher performance. Nanocrystalline silicon also offers an easily implemented
way to improve performance and scalability of computer memories without
derailing the silicon-based status quo.
Beyond that lies a promise of other opportunities, not just for
nanocrystalline silicon but also for silicon nanomaterials and nanostructures,
especially quantum dots. In addition to solar and memory applications, other
areas in which these advanced materials have potential include thin-film
transistors, lighting, and computing.
NanoMarkets was one of the first firms to recognize and analyze the potential
for nanoscale/nanoengineered silicon and we published a report on this topic
in 2007. As result we have considerable understanding of what makes this
business tick. This new report will analyze and quantify the "nanosilicon"
market in 2009 and beyond, showing how it is doing in the current difficult
economic situation and pointing to where the use of silicon nanomaterials and
structures can still produce profits. This report covers the whole range of
nanosilicon applications that are likely to yield significant market
opportunities in the next eight years. As with all NanoMarkets reports it
includes an eight-year forecast of revenues from silicon nanomaterials and
nanostructures and a discussion of the product/market strategies of the
leading firms active in this space.
Methodology of this Report
The information for this report is derived from a variety of sources, but
principally comes from primary sources, including NanoMarkets' ongoing
interview program of technologists, business development managers, and
academics involved with emerging electronics of all kinds, including thin-film
and printable electronics. We also drew on an extensive search of the
technical literature, relevant company Web sites, trade journals, government
resources, and various collateral items from trade shows and conferences. Some
of the data for this report comes from other NanoMarkets reports, most notably
“Materials for Thin-Film Silicon Photovoltaics,” and the 2007
version of this report, “Opportunities for Nanocrystalline Silicon and
Silicon Inks in Electronics.” Where information comes from an earlier
report, it has been reinvestigated, reanalyzed, and reconsidered in light of
current developments, and updated accordingly.
The forecast approach taken in this report is explained in more detail in
Chapter Four, but the basic approach taken here is to look at the underlying
needs and markets, as well as the technologies and types of products available
or under development, to assess suitability and likely volume over the next
eight years. The stated plans of the key firms are of course of special
interest, although NanoMarkets critically considers these claims in light of
all available data.
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