According to a new report by Research and Markets, Dublin, Ireland, many industries including electronics, automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, and healthcare are exploring the use of high impact nanomaterials such as nanocellulose. Other 2-D nanomaterials such as carbon nanoubes, silicene, graphyne, graphdiyne, grapahane, and molybdenum disulfide are also under intense study. Carbon nanotubes and graphene are the strongest, lightest and most conductive fibers known to man, with a performance-per-weight greater than any other material. Nanocellulose is nearly as strong, and while not naturally conductive is more versatile. Commercial production capability is also closer to becoming a reality than with other nanomaterials because of being an additional product formulated by the already established pulp and paper industry which is actively seeking profits for materials beyond newsprint and P&W paper, products that have experienced a steep decline in sales in the past decade.

All of these materials possess outstanding properties and represent potentially the most economically viable and lucrative nanomaterials through to the middle of the next decade and beyond. Most are relatively new nanomaterials but, as with nanocellulose, are coming onto the market fast and will find widespread applications over the next decade in sectors such as composites, electronics, filtration, medical and life sciences, oil and energy, automotive, aerospace, coatings, military, consumer goods, and sensors.