Boron nitride nanotubes are one of the strongest light-weight materials. Their ability to carry an order of magnitude more current than silicon makes them attractive for heat sinks in electronic devices, and they can withstand high temperatures. In addition, they are transparent and can be used for optical applications. They are also very flexible and can be formed into complex shapes. Engineers at Purdue University have developed a way to shrink field-effect transistors (the kind found in most electronic devices) using boron nitride nanotubes. They encapsulated thinner tellurium nanowires inside the tubes, which effectively insulates the wires from each other. The result is a smaller transistor that can conduct more current than previous versions, making it much more energy efficient.

We have been using additives to make things stronger for centuries. The ancient Egyptians added straw to clay to create bricks that were more durable and stronger than those made with pure clay. PPK Group is developing a new material that will do the same thing—only on a much bigger scale. It’s called boron nitride nanotubes, or BNNTs, and when added to polymers and composites they can make them more durable and stronger than the polymer itself.

The global boron nitride nanotubes market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24% over the forecast period. Rising demand for advanced aerospace materials, synthetic and biomedical, piezoelectric materials, and other applications is driving the growth of this market. However, stringent government regulations and volatility in the price of raw materials are projected to hamper the growth of this market in the near future.