ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the process of articulating sustainability in the field of nanocoatings— one of the more developed nanotechnologies. It analyses how and where articulation has advanced, and where it is less developed. The chapter argues that , in the products and markets, sustainability tends to be articulated as a 'hybrid'. The hybrid features serve as a 'vehicle' for sustainability meaning that 'sustainability' can be delivered by several vehicles, such as cheaper products, less material use, new market potential and less energy costs. The chapter focuses on two coating technologies—the sol-gel method, a chemical technique to deposit coatings on a substrate; and Chemical Vapour Deposition or Physical Vapour Deposition coatings which make use of a physical and a chemical process. It discusses some of the specifics of these methods, summarises the claims made about their benefits and then focuses on articulations of sustainability. The chapter also argues that how sustainability gets articulated in different directions is an empirical question.
