It's been well-established that nanotechnology research projects are in progress at dozens of companies and universities around the world. But details on when products will be released into the market have been sketchy.

A new report finds that 93 percent of the commercial research projects underway expect to produce at least one nanotechnology-related product or service over the next year. Academically oriented projects will also begin to release products at a lower though still healthy rate; 58 percent of academic labs are expected to produce at least one product or service over the same period.

The report was based on a survey of nanotechnology business managers and researchers conducted earlier this year. The results are contained in the report Nanotech Investment Opportunities: Current Trends Emerging from Academic and Commercial Research which was published by INT Media Research (a division of INT Media Group, publisher of Nanotech Planet).

The report used current funding trends to identify the market segments where investments are most likely to lead to returns. While most experts have estimated nanotech will need five to 10 years before reaching its full potential, the report suggests that investors may not have to wait that long to see a return on investments.

The survey's respondents also indicated that product development is only one of their concerns. Nearly 80 percent of the R&D projects are actively engaged in raising funds.