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It is rare for a single technology to have the power to dramatically influence almost every major industry in the world. Nanotechnology falls into this category and offers fundamentally new capabilities to architect a broad array of novel materials, composites and structures on a molecular scale. This technology has the potential to drastically re-define the methods used for developing lighter, stronger, and high-performance structures and processes with unique and non-traditional properties. This paper focuses on some of the automotive applications for nanotechnology and showcases a few of them that are believed to have the highest probability of success in this highly competitive industry. No discussion of nanotechnology is complete without touching upon its health and environmental implications.

The extensive use of electronics has revolutionized the implementation and scope of many of the features and functions in a modern automobile. This automotive electronic revolution has significantly improved the performance, reliability and comfort of the automobile. In some cases, electronics have also simplified component fabrication and automotive assembly. However, the full potential that electronics have for reducing the assembly complexity of the automobile has yet to be realized. More extensive use of electronics embedded into mechanical components and mechatronic systems will significantly simplify automotive assembly in the future. This paper examines three current and future applications of embedded electronics in automotive applications. These examples illustrate the advantages and challenges associated with embedded electronic concepts. Future applications, new technology development needs, and changes in automotive component sourcing, are discussed.