'NanoManipulator' allows nanoscale touch & feel

from the physical-chemistry-like-tinker-toys dept.
Bryan Hall writes "According to an article on MSNBC.com physicists in North Carolina have a system that can be used rapidly create nano-level experiments. The equipment uses virtual reality technology and a microscopic probe that allow scientists to touch and feel tiny particles. The nanoManipulator team has learned many of the physical rules that govern the movement of nano-sized objects. For example, with small particles, gravity doesnít matter, but physics rules for full-sized objects about friction and stickiness make a great deal of difference. The physicists have also been studying nanotubes in detail. Sometimes they lay out the nanotubes like a game of pick up sticks and push them around with a probe to see how well they roll and bend. The group has learned that rows of atoms in the nanotubes can be made to work like gear teeth. Scientist Sean Washburn says, "The nanoManipulator reduces physical chemistry into a game of tinker toys.""

Hawking predicts design of improved human race

from the lack-of-advanced-aliens dept.
PatrickUnderwood writes "Stephen Hawking speaks out on genetic engineering, space colonization, and overpopulation: "Hawking said a more advanced race on other planets was unlikely. 'If that's so, then why hasn't it spread through the galaxies and visited us. Or could it be they are watching us and letting us stew in our own primitive juices?' he joked, adding, 'I doubt they would be so considerate to a lower life form.' " http://www.cnn.com/2001/ASIANOW/south/01/14/india.stephenhawking.ap/index.html"

Arthur C. Clarke on nanotech and AI

from the megabrains-via-nanotech dept.
Scientific American reports Arthur C. Clarke's views on machine intelligence via nanotechnology: "Quoting himself (Clarke's third law), Clarke remarks that 'any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic; as technology advances it creates magic, and [AI is] going to be one of them.' Areas of research that target the ultimate in miniaturization, he adds, may be the key to making good minds. 'When nanotechnology is fully developed, they're going to churn [artificial brains] out as fast as they like.' "

CIA's "Global Trends 2015" on nanotechnology

from the spooks-are-watching dept.
Included in the CIA report Global Trends 2015: A Dialogue About the Future With Nongovernment Experts: "Discoveries in nanotechnology will lead to unprecedented understanding and control over the fundamental building blocks of all physical things. Developments in this emerging field are likely to change the way almost everythingófrom vaccines to computers to automobile tires to objects not yet imaginedóis designed and made. Self-assembled nanomaterials, such as semiconductor 'quantum dots,' could by 2015 revolutionize chemical labeling and enable rapid processing for drug discovery, blood content analysis, genetic analysis, and other biological applications." The International Herald Tribune comments: "The CIA's analytical work is sometimes breathtakingly mediocre, but this survey actually is worth reading. Compiled with help from prominent experts outside government, the study is blunt, provocative and full of surprising observations."

Exponential assembly at Zyvex

from the manufacturing-architectures dept.
Some Fat Guy writes "There is an interesting paper and Real Video animations on Exponential Assembly here: http://www.zyvex.com/Research/exponential.html The devices described are MEMS devices, but the concept scales down." CP: A more formal journal article from the Foresight Conference is linked to at the end.

Nanotech coating for fabric – new "Nano-Tex" pants

from the nanofashion dept.
Senior Associate Patrick Salsbury writes "Just spotted this one over on Slashdot. An interesting early application of nanotech(ish) stuff. The article is a bit cutesy, but there is still some interesting info in it. I like the idea of self-drying pants, especially in weather like we're having today in the Bay Area! :-)"
http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/cc.htm

Nano class with Ralph Merkle

from the prepare-for-nanoquiz dept.
Senior Associate GinaMiller brings to our attention a Yahoo press release on UC Berkeley courses open to the public, including "May 5: Nanotechnology: Basic Concepts and Potential Applications — Saturday, May 5, 1-5 pm, 155 Dwinelle Hall, UC campus, Berkeley. Fee: $20. Nanotechnology expert Dr. Ralph Merkle leads a stimulating discussion — in terms the lay public can understand — of this burgeoning field. Starting with fundamental principles, he moves on to potential applications of this technology in medical, aerospace, computer science, and military arenas." For enrollment information, see http://www.unex.berkeley.edu. Let's hope it's taped for the web.

Asian industries serious about nanotech

from the atoms-are-everywhere dept.
The latest Far Eastern Economic Review (January 18 cover date) has a well done article Designer Molecules: It's Time to Think Small by Charles Bickers on Asian companies seriously developing applications of nanotextured materials, nanotubes and other nano-scale technology. The article is also a good reality check for anyone inclined to think that the US (or any other nation) will be able to monopolize the technology.

Rotary self-assembly as performed in nature

from the let's-copy-what-works dept.
Japan's Protonic NanoMachine Project has three groups: NanoAssembly, NanoSwitching, and NanoMechanics. A recent publication (in cooperation with other labs) is "The Bacterial Flagellar Cap as the Rotary Promoter of Flagellin Self-Assembly" in the 15 Dec 2000 Science. "Five leg-like anchor domains of the pentameric cap flexibly adjusted their conformation to keep just one flagellin binding site open, indicating a cap rotation mechanism to promote the flagellin self-assembly. This represents one of the most dynamic movements in protein structures."

The Economist vs. life extension

from the non-visionary dept.
A normally-sensible publication, The Economist has come out against life extension in an article titled "Who wants to live for ever?" Excerpts: "Average life expectancy has risen greatly. The span of individual life has not. Would it be a good thing if it did? No…If people were to live a lot longer, and everything else stayed the same, old people would soon end up a huge majority. Ugh…Who wants it anyway? A world of seen-it-all-before, weary crumblies would be a depressing place to live in."

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