#5 Deeptech in Perspective - The Future of Advanced Materials: Top 9 Deeptech Trends to Watch in the Next 5 Years
The best of Deeptech that will reshape the future ! (February 2023)
The Future of Materials: Top 9 Deeptech Trends in Advanced Materials for the Next 5 Years
By Eden Djanashvili, Deeptech Expert
Advanced materials is an area of research and development that involves the design, synthesis and characterisation of materials with unique properties and applications. The field is constantly evolving with new materials and technologies being developed all the time. Advances in materials are not only about creating new materials, but also about making existing ones smaller, putting them together in new ways, making them less expensive and changing their form factors.
There are several trends that are expected to shape the future of advanced materials in the next five years. Below you can find some of them.
🔋#1 NEW MATERIALS FOR ENERGY STORAGE
Researchers are working on developing new materials for energy storage applications that have higher energy density, faster charging times and longer lifetimes than current materials. There have been many new materials developed for energy storage, particularly in the fields of battery and supercapacitors:
Lithium-sulfur batteries: these batteries have the potential to store much more energy than traditional lithium-ion batteries making them a promising option for electric vehicles and grid storage.
Solid-state batteries: instead of using liquid electrolytes these batteries use solid electrolytes which can improve safety and energy density.
Sodium-ion batteries: similar to lithium-ion batteries but with sodium instead of lithium. These batteries are cheaper and more abundant.
Metal-air batteries: these batteries use a metal anode and oxygen from the air making them lightweight and potentially high-capacity.
Flow batteries: use a liquid electrolyte stored in external tanks that can store large-scale energy.
Graphene supercapacitors: graphene is a material that has high surface area and conductivity. These devices can charge and discharge quickly and have a long cycle life.
Vanadium redox flow batteries: these are a type of flow battery that use vanadium ions in the electrolyte. They are known for their long-term cycle life and ability to discharge completely without damage.
🕸️#2 ADVANCED MATERIALS FOR 5G AND BEYOND
As the telecommunications industry moves towards 5G and beyond, there is a need for new materials that can iimprove performance, reduce costs and increase efficiency. Materials such as:
Gallium nitride (GaN) is a semiconductor material used in high-power amplifiers for 5G base stations. They are more efficient and can handle higher frequencies than traditional amplifiers.
Graphene has excellent electrical conductivity and is being explored for use in flexible antennas and other components for 5G devices.
Carbon nanotubes: are tiny tubes made of carbon atoms that are being developed for use in high-speed transistors, interconnects and other components for 5G devices.
Metamaterials: are artificial materials that can manipulate electromagnetic waves in unique ways and are being developed for use in advanced antennas and other components for 5G.
Quantum dots: are tiny particles that are being developed for use in high-resolution displays for 5G devices.
Lithium Niobate: is a material that has excellent elctro-optic properties making it useful in the development of optical modulators and other 5G networls components.
Indium Phospide: is being developed for solar cells and other photovoltaic devices. It is useful for high-frequency applications such as wireless communication and radar systems.
🫠#3 SMART MATERIALS WITH ADVANCED SENSING AND ACTUATION CAPABILITIES
The development of smart materials that can sense, respond to and adapt to their environment is an active area of research. These materials have applications in a wide range of industries including aerospace, energy, robotics, automation and healthcare. Some technologies being developped include:
Shape-memory alloys: which are metals that can remember their original shape and return to it when heated or exposed to a specific stimulus.
Electroactive polymers: that can change shape or size in response to an electric field.
Smart hydrogels: which are hydrophilic polymer networks that can swell or shrink in response to change sin pH, temperature or other environmental factors.
Piezoelectric materials: are materials that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa.
Nanocomposites: are materials that combine two or more different materials at the nanoscale level to create new properties and capabilities such as enhanced strength, conductivity or responsiveness.
🚀#4 ADVANCED MATERIALS FOR SPACE EXPLORATION
As space exploration continues to grow in importance, the development of advanced materials for use in space is becoming more critical. Materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, radiation and other harsh conditions are being developed for use in space habitats, vehicles and infrastructure.
Carbon fiber composites: materials that are lightweight, strong and can withstand extreme temperatures. They are used in the construction of rockets, staellites and other spacecraft.
Ceramic composites: these are materials withstanding high temperatures and used in the construction of heat shields for spacecraft reentry.
Shape-memory alloyws: these alloys can change shape in response to temperature changes and are used in the construction of deployable structures such as antennas and solar arrays.
Aerogels: are highly porous materials with low density and excellent thermal insulation properties used in the construction of insulating blankets for spacecraft.
Radiation - resistant materials: are materials that can withstand high levels of radiation present in space and used in the construction of spacecraft components such as electronic devices and sensors.
Smart materials: can sense changes in their environment and respond accordingly. They are used in the construction of autonomous systems for space exploration such as self-healing materials and shape-changing structures.
🌿#5 SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
The trend towards sustainability is driving the development of new materials made from renewable resources as well as materials that can be recycled or reused. These materials are being developed for use in a wide range of industries from consumer products to construction. Few examples include:
Bioplastics: are plastics made from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch and pea starch making them a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics.
Bamboo: is a fast-growing and renewable resource used to make a wide range of products from flooring and furniture to clothing and packaging. It is strong, durable and lightweight making it an attractive alternative to wood.
Recycled materials: such as recycled plastic bottles are being turned into clothing, furniture and other household items.
Hemp: a fast growing plant used to make a variety of products including clothing, paper and building materials. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional materials like cotton and wood.
Mycellium: is the root structure of mushrooms and can be used to create a variety of sustainable materials such as packaging and insulation. It can be grown in a mattery of days.
Alginate: is a natural polymer derived from seaweed that can be used to create sustainable packaging, biodegradable straws and other products. A biodegradable alternative to plastic.
Aerogels: are being developed as insulation materials for building and as a substitute for plastic foam in packaging.
🖥️#6 QUANTUM MATERIALS
Materials that exhibit quantum mechanical properties such as superconductivity and quantum entanglement are being developed for use in quantum computing, sensing and communication. Some of the materials developped are:
Superconducting materials: which are used to create superconducting qubits which allow them to maintain the fragile quantum state of the qubit for long periods of time as it exhibit zero resistance to electrical current when cooled to very low temperatures.
Semiconductor materials: are being used to create semiconductor qubits too but these qubits rely on the spin of electrons or atomic nuclei to store and process information.
Topological materials: are being explored for use in quantum computing because they exhibit unique electronic properties that make them resistant to noise and other forms of interference that can disrupt quantum states.
Diamond: is being studied for use in quantum punting because it contains defects in its crystal structure that can be used to create qubits and store and manipulate quantum information.
Iion traps: are used to create qubits by trapping ions in a magnetic field and manipulating their quantum states using laser beams.
Quantum dots: are being studied for use in quantum computing as they can be manipulated using electrical and magnetic fields.
🧑⚕️#7 SOFT MATERIALS FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
Materials with properties similar to those found in biological tissues such as flexibility, self-healing and biocompatibility are being developed for use in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery.
Hydrogels: are soft and flexible, and can mimic the properties of natural tissues such as cartilage, skin, and brain tissue. Hydrogels have a wide range of biomedical applications, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, and biosensors.
Elastomers: are rubber-like materials that can stretch and return to their original shape. They are used in biomedical applications such as artificial muscles, prosthetics, and cardiovascular devices.
Shape memory polymers: are materials that can be programmed to change their shape in response to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, or light. They have potential applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and minimally invasive surgery.
Self-healing polymers: have the ability to repair themselves after being damaged. They are being investigated for use in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and implantable devices.
Conductive polymers: are materials that can conduct electricity. They are being investigated for use in biomedical applications such as neural implants, biosensors, and drug delivery.
Biodegradable polymers: are materials that can be broken down by the body into harmless substances. They are being investigated for use in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing.
🔌#8 2D MATERIALS
One of the most exciting areas in advanced materials is the development of 2D materials such as graphene and other single-layer materials. These materials have unique properties such as high strength, flexibility and electrical conductivity. They are being developed for use in electronics, energy storage and biomedical applications.
Graphene: a promising candidate for applications in electronics, energy storage, and composite materials.
Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs): have tunable electronic properties and are being studied for applications in electronics, photonics, and catalysis.
Boron nitride: is being studied for applications in electronics, photonics, and nanocomposites.
Black phosphorus: has promising properties for use in electronics, including high electron mobility and a tunable bandgap.
Silicene: has potential applications in electronics and photonics, but its synthesis and stability are still being studied.
MXenes: have a range of potential applications, including energy storage, catalysis, and electromagnetic interference shielding.
🔬#9 NANOMATERIALS
Materials with unique properties at the nanoscale are being developed with a wide range of applications such as in electronics, sensors and energy storage.
Nanoparticles: are particles with a size range of 1-100 nanometers and can be made from a range of materials, including metals, metal oxides, and polymers. They have a range of potential applications, including drug delivery, sensing, and catalysis.
Nanowires: are thin wires with a diameter on the order of nanometers. They can be made from a range of materials, including semiconductors and metals. They have potential applications in electronics, photonics, and sensing.
Carbon nanotubes: have exceptional mechanical and electronic properties and have potential applications in electronics, energy storage, and composites.
Quantum dots: have unique optical and electronic properties and have potential applications in sensing, imaging, and solar cells.
Nanocellulose: a renewable nanomaterial made from plant matter. It has excellent mechanical properties and has potential applications in composites, packaging, and biomedical applications.
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs): are porous materials made up of metal ions and organic ligands. They have a range of potential applications, including gas storage, separation, and catalysis.
Nanofibers: are fibers with a diameter on the order of nanometers. They can be made from a range of materials, including polymers and ceramics. Nanofibers have potential applications in tissue engineering, filtration, and energy storage.
As the global economy and population continue to grow, the industry is expected to continue to increase significantly and evolve in the coming years driven by new technologies, increasing demand and the need for sustainability. As we expect to see continued innovation in this field, advanced materials are leading the way to the development of new products and technologies that can improve our lives as well as enhance the sustainability of industries and, minimise their environmental impact.
Advanced materials are likely to continute to play a key role in shaping our world in the next five years and beyond. The amount of investment being deployed for advanced materials research varies depending on the specific industry, company, and research focus. However, advanced materials research is generally considered a high-priority area for investment due to its potential impact on various fields, including energy, electronics, healthcare, and transportation.
In recent years, governments, corporations, and research institutions have allocated significant funding. For example, in the United States, the National Science Foundation (NSF) invested approximately $377 million in materials research and education in 2021. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invested $250 million in advanced materials research in 2021.
In the private sector, companies such as Apple, Samsung, and Tesla have invested heavily in advanced materials research for their products. For example, Apple announced in 2021 that it would invest $430 billion in research and development over the next five years, with a focus on advanced materials and technologies.
Overall, the amount of investment being deployed for advanced materials research is significant and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.