report
3.4.3 Drivers and Barriers to Innovation

A key driver to innovation in transport (e.g. aerospace) is weight. The usage of polymeric composites is one possibility to solve weight issues. Despite the significant weight-saving and performance-optimising qualities the advantages are limited, because of the poor resin characteristics. Improvements in minimised crack propagation, reduced micro cracking and enhanced interlaminar shear strength are being achieved by latest developments in the field of nano enriched composites.

Research goes towards the reinforcement of composites with carbon nanofibres, functionalisation of carbon nanofibres and the enrichment of polymer composites with nanoclays. Certain types of high temperature polyimide resins are set to be the centre of research^[23].

Water purification has taken precedence, because the world-wide demand for clean water is pressing, especially due to the close connection between poverty and the access to drinking water, which has been put on a level with the satisfaction of human needs. Although filtering devices that eliminate nanoscale materials are already in the market, ways to make them more efficient and affordable expedite research^[24].

It is expected that nanotechnology will contribute to improvements in membrane technology that will drive down the costs of desalination, which is currently a significant impediment to wider adoption of desalination technology.

According to the assessment of Frost and Sullivan lengthy and expensive technological validation requirements mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are a key challenge facing the U.S. membrane elements market. Although large-scale municipal water treatment projects present a highly profitable opportunity, membrane technologies are required to be piloted and validated before companies are allowed to bid for a project. This process may take anywhere between six months and a year. In addition, the validation requirements differ from state to state and entail significant up-front investments, causing a further slowdown in launching water treatment products. Contractual terms have also become more stringent and membrane suppliers need to be prepared to take on more risks in terms of guaranteeing long-term performance of their products. Well-established and larger manufacturers that can leverage on their existing competitive advantage are better positioned to profit from opportunities in the membrane elements market.

Several new and existing government regulations to ensure the safety and quality of public water supply are driving growth in the membrane element market. The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, in particular, restricts the usage of conventional filtration technologies that fail to control pathogen outbreaks efficiently. "Compared to conventional water treatment, where quality of treated water varies with feed water quality, membrane filtration is capable of yielding water of consistent quality regardless of the source," explains the analyst. The ultrafiltration technology is capable of removing 99.99 percent of pathogens present in water.

Membrane suppliers are also investing heavily in research and development to improve product quality and increase versatility in design and capabilities. This has played a vital role in bringing the prices of membrane elements in line with those of conventional water treatment options. In addition, membrane elements are more energy efficient, less labour intensive, and also available in smaller footprints.

Findings released by the American Society of Civil Engineers indicate that most of the drinking and wastewater treatment systems in the United States are approaching the end of their life expectancy. "At the same time, constant expansion of population and industrial activities are increasing demand for clean water," observes the analyst. "Water infrastructure upgrades and wastewater reuse through membrane water treatment technology are likely to be adopted in order to resolve the demand-supply gap."

An important driver of growth to the membrane element industry is the increasing rate of product refining. Accurate and dependable separation processes are critical to the pharmaceuticals and microelectronics market making advanced filtration processes, e.g. membrane processes, essential to meet the product requirements^[25].

Potential health risks appear to be a substantial barrier to carbon nanotubes (CNT) and nanofibres (CNF). CNTs and CNFs had started to be processed and synthesised in massive amounts, but being long, thin and bio-persistent, they are now believed to be carcinogens, which could be the commercial end of nanofibres and CNTs^[26].