MOSCOW & NEW YORK–Nanotechnology breakthroughs will be essential in developing
game-changing solutions to address world issues, such as energy
shortages, environmental concerns and greater connectivity, said Alcoa
(NYSE:AA) Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Mohammad
A. Zaidi at Rusnanotech ’09, the second international nanotechnology
forum held in Moscow Oct. 6-8.
“I believe that future growth drivers in business will focus on energy,
environment, connectivity and the biomedical field,” Dr. Zaidi said. “In
all of these fields, we know that nanotechnology could enable huge
opportunities for advancements. 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.
“At Alcoa, we are a world leader in light metals technology. We invented
the commercial aluminum smelting process in 1888 and haven’t stopped
innovating since,” he said. “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.”
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, and nano-coatings for the oil & gas
market that provide more durable oil risers and drill pipes enabling
deeper off-shore exploration at lower cost.
“As a global, Fortune 100 corporation with operations in 31 countries
around the world serving such a wide range of markets, nanotechnology
offers Alcoa tremendous opportunities,” Dr. Zaidi said. “In the same
light, we believe that we offer the field of nanotechnology tremendous
opportunities as well. Our breadth of market intelligence, combined with
our expertise in material and design integration and our presence in
both the U.S. and Russia, enables us to be in a unique position to be an
industrial test bed for the most promising developments in this exciting
field of technology.”
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary
aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active
and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa
serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction,
commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design,
engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa’s businesses to
customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including
flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also
markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment
castings, and building systems. The Company has been named one of the
top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic
Forum in Davos, Switzerland and has been a member of the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index for eight consecutive years. Alcoa employs
approximately 63,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More
information can be found at www.alcoa.com