MOSCOW and NEW YORK—Nanotechnology breakthroughs will be essential to the development of strategies for addressing major world issues, such as energy shortages and environmental concerns, and for aiding efforts to establish greater connectivity, according to Alcoa Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Mohammad A. Zaidi. Speaking at Rusnanotech ’09, the second international nanotechnology forum held in Moscow last fall, Dr. Zaidi said that he sees future growth drivers in business focusing on energy, environment, connectivity, and the biomedical field.
“In all of these fields, we know that nanotechnology could enable huge opportunities for advancements,” said Dr. Zaidi. “Based on what I’ve seen in the field of nanotechnology in the last five years, it’s obvious that the future rate of change will far surpass anything we’ve ever experienced to date.”
Dr. Zaidi’s presentation kicked off the panel discussion, “Nanotechnology in Machinery,” on the first day of the international forum, which was attended by more than 6,550 representatives of industry, government, and science from 36 countries. The speech also highlighted a number of initiatives that Alcoa scientists, researchers, and engineers are working on for the major markets that Alcoa services. Examples include nanotechnologies that enable stronger electrical transmission cables at higher temperatures, with greater electrical conductivity and reduced transmission losses to fulfill growing urban load demands.
“At Alcoa, we are a world leader in light metals technology,” said Dr. Zaidi. “We invented the commercial aluminum smelting process in 1888 and haven’t stopped innovating since. Nanotechnology enables us to explore new game-changing solutions for our customers, offering products that are more durable, scratch-resistant, abrasion-resistant, heat-resistant, and blast-resistant. For our market segments, we see nanotechnology as a huge enabler of new functionalities and an enabler of energy and environmental efficiencies.”
Alcoa (www.alcoa.com) produces fabricated aluminum components for a number of markets, including aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, and industrial. The company’s products include flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as precision and investment castings.
back to Advanced Materials
back to homepage