According to research carried out by Bourne Research, silver nanoparticles are emerging as one of the fastest growing product categories in the nanotechnology industry. The market research firm has reported that the ability to produce particles of silver at the nanoscale is allowing companies to leverage its known antimicrobial properties as an effective means of infection control.

"Silver nanoparticles may very well become the next 'it' product, much like antibacterial soaps took the consumer sector by storm a decade ago," said Marlene Bourne, principal analyst with Bourne Research. "Of course, some are concerned that being too clean is perpetuating the rise of allergies and autoimmune diseases, but there are many applications where its use makes perfect sense."