Month: October 2002

from the make-them-your-way dept.
Mr_Farlops writes "Purdue chemists have learned to create nanotubes with compete control over how the tubes form. This allows the chemist to customize and build tubes to order and will greatly expand the materials available for use on the nanoscale. 'We have found that the nanotubes promote their own formation,' said Hicham Fenniri, head chemist of the Purdue team. 'Such behavior is very reminiscent of living systems, in that they replicate and adapt to their environment.'" This work extends the initial report on self-assembling rosette nanotubes (see Nanodot March 19, 2002).

from the public-debate-is-healthy dept.
Following up the August 19, 2002 Nanodot post Opposition to Nanotechnology, waynerad writes to point out a more recent (September 6, 2002) Associated Press article Environmentalists wary of nanotechnology that quotes both environmentalists' fears about nanoparticle pollution and the replies of scientists that such fears are unreasonable and speculative. waynerad continues "Here is a contrary, optimistic point of view, similar to the view expressed in Drexler/Peterson/Pergamit's 1991 book Unbounding the Future. AP ran this story on how Nanotechnology May Aid Environment. To me, what is interesting isn't so much the specifics raised in either article, but the fact that people 'out there' (besides us) are obviously starting to think about this issue. Also, see Nanotech moratorium called bad idea, where Kevin Ausman, executive director for Rice University's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology says, 'Nanomaterials are a prime opportunity for (science) to take a proactive approach (to public concerns).'"

from the tools-for-nanoscale-quality-control dept.
Gina Miller writes "Imago Scientific Instruments has secured $7 million in financing for development of its innovative LEAP microscope, which provides information about the atomic-scale features of materials that was previously very difficult or impossible to obtain. The LEAP microscope achieves 0.5 nm resolution in three dimensions and 'can collect data 1,000 times faster than previous atom probe designs, enabling use of the instrument for process monitoring.'"

from the what-the-well-dressed-will-wear dept.
Gina Miller writes "In Review: 'Tuxedo' a nano showcase, UPI Science News's Scott R. Burnell describes the hype and the fact in a movie whose 'premise revolves around a set of jacket and pants whose fabric is computerized and packed with nanotech, capable of turning the most unassuming man-on-the-street into a super spy.'"

from the sniffing-around-with-nanodevices dept.
Gina Miller writes "Accoring to the Detroit News (Sept. 27, 2002), 9-11 drives advances in nanotechnology: 'The events of Sept. 11 have focused awareness, increased funding and accelerated the commercialization of micro- and nanotechnology devices that can sense minute traces of chemical, biological and nuclear agents in the air or water …' The focus of the article is MEMS and microsystems companies that currently produce handheld devices for monitoring air and water quality, and are working on smaller devices. Will homeland security also push development of molecular manufacturing and medical and other nanobots?"

from the Learning-to-make-nanodevices dept.
Barbra Rodriguez writes "The University of Texas at Austin just announced a new nanomanufacturing program. In addition, a nanoscience education agreement will be signed by the university's president tomorrow with the rear admiral leading the Naval Undersea Warfare Center" Barbra Rodriguez further states that a press release on the nanoscience education agreement is available, but has not yet been placed on the web.

from the nanoparticles-for-protecting-from-invisible-threat–s dept.
Wendy Emanuel writes "Northbrook, IL– October 3, 2002 — Nanosphere Inc., a privately held nanotechnology-based life sciences company, announced today it has entered into a development contract with the U.S. Government Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). This contract will apply Nanosphere's proprietary biomolecular detection system to the future detection of biological warfare agents in various mediums." See also Nanodot September 24, 2002 and July 11, 2002 for earlier announcements of Nanosphere Inc.'s nanoparticle detection technology and its biological applications.

from the What-can't-you-do-with-them? dept.
Gina Miller writes "The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced (on Sept. 20, 2002) a theoretical study suggesting that 'Superconducting nanotubes may lie on the technology horizon': Can Nanotubes Be Engineered to Superconduct? The calculations suggest that strategically placed hydrogen atoms on the exteriors of carbon nanotubes could dramatically affect the electronic properties of the resulting materials. More information and downloadable papers"

from the square-one-for-nanotube-chips? dept.
IBM grows nanotube patterns on silicon wafers, a September 30 EETimes article reported that IBM has grown catalyst-free nanotube networks on silicon carbide substrates, producing "grids of nanotubes (in rows and columns), bringing the promise of nanotube transistors arrayed across silicon chips one step closer to reality".