A lot of people find it interesting as a research tool, but in many cases they would much rather have a kit to modify an atomic force microscope they already own rather than purchasing a whole new instrument just to do dip-pen. |
At least one major materials and manufacturing company in the United States we spoke to has already begun outsourcing analytical services to a research center in India. When we spoke to users about the expense of owning and maintaining inspection tools, the biggest expense is the fact you need to hire and pay a highly trained scientist to successfully operate it, and there's big opportunity there for outsourcing. |
There's an expectation that nanotech inspection tools will see a big boost from being adopted by nanomaterials manufacturers for quality control in the factory, |
When these companies begin shipping products, they don't see the need to buy new tools beyond what they already have for R&D. |