International Assessment of Research and Development in Catalysis by Nanostructured Materials

Book excerpt: Catalyst technologies account for over $1 trillion of revenue in the U.S. economy alone. The applications range from medicines and alternative energy fuel cell technologies to the development of new and innovative clothing fibers. In this book, a World Technology Evaluation Center (WTEC) panel of eight experts in the field assesses the current state of research and development in catalysis by nanostructured materials, its sources of funding, and discusses the state of the field with respect to productivity and leadership in various nations around the world. In addition to showing the numerous and highly advantageous practical applications of the field, the panel concludes that Western Europe is currently the most productive region, followed closely by the United States. Still, the research and development output of the People's Republic of China has recently surpassed that of Japan and is now poised to surpass that of the U.S. as well. As such, this assessment is a timely review of the field's progress, taking into account the increasing contributions from Asia, and will be essential reading for professionals, whether they are seeking an in-depth summary of the state of the art or a broad view of trends affecting the discipline.