Month: October 2004

Brian Wang writes "University researchers are using self-assembly techniques and chip-related chemistry to develop a process for mass producing tiny crystals called quantum dots. Semiconductor nanocrystals promise a quantum leap over traditional optoelectronics due to their unique and size-tunable properties. Quantum dots measure a few nanometers in size and are already revolutionizing biological and environmental sensing due to their size-dependent luminescence. Other applications include telecommunications, photovoltaics, lasers and quantum computing. A research team at the University at Buffalo claims to have discovered a simple way to mass-produce quantum dots with extreme precision, in nearly any desirable size, using a technique based on self assembly and room-temperature chemistry. Researchers simplify quantum-dot manufacture"

Michael E. Thomas writes "The small size of ferroelectric transparent structures makes it possible to fabricate nano-optical devices like volume holographic storage. Both positive and negative index of refraction that will allow molecular particles of an atomic size to be modified, controlled, and changed to perform a specific function, desired task, used for low cost accurate chemical / biological matter detection, and reprogrammed to accept new non-volatile data and molecular functions. My invention and U.S. Patents, exclusively licensed to Colossal Storage Corporation on a technique for changing matter at the molecular level is one of the World's only new enabling technologies, having many hundreds of electro-optic applications, a few of which are discussed in this article: http://www.nanonewsnet.com/index.php?module=pagese tter&func=viewpub&tid=4&pid=6."

Wendy Emanuel writes "Nanosphere, a nanotechnology-based life sciences company, announced today it has expanded its multi-million dollar development contract with the U.S. Government Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). The company also announced the receipt of a $750,000 Phase II grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

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molecool writes "PhysOrg writes that researchers at The University of Manchester and Chernogolovka, Russia have discovered the world's first single-atom-thick fabric, which reveals the existence of a new class of materials and may lead to computers made from a single molecule. The research is to be published in Science on 22 October."

Ed. Note. The molecular fabric is single layer graphite (graphene) and which is hardly a "discovery". It is of course useful that it can be manipulated in the laboratory and possibly at an industrial level. For those with access to Science, the URL for the publication is here

The 2004 Feynman Prize winners have been announced. They include Dr. David Baker and Dr. Brian Kuhlman for Theoretical Work, Dr. Homme Hellinga for Experimental Work, Howard Lovy for Communication and Damian Allis as a Distinguished Student.

Details follow…

Ed. Note. Howard's blog has his comments on the award and Damian's site is a trip.

This submission is of interest given previous comments by Eric Drexler on the politics of nanotech research discussed in July.

MartinBaldan writes "Hi, I'm afraid it's a bit late for this, but I've found a piece of Smalley's previous position on MNT and it was rather opposed to the one he holds now: [1]

Ed. Note. The format of the Smalley web site has changed and so links to older URLs on it appear to be invalid at this time. The reference has been pulled out of the Internet Archive (without figures) and is now located here:

1. http://www.aeiveos.com/~bradbury/Authors/Engineering/Smalley-RE/dallas12-96.html

Gina Miller writes "Story Quote: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced today at a media briefing a new $144.3 million, five-year initiative to develop and apply nanotechnology to cancer. Nanotechnology, the development and engineering of devices so small that they are measured on a molecular scale, has already demonstrated promising results in cancer research and treatment. "Nanotechnology has the potential to radically increase our options for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer," said Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., director of the National Cancer Institute. "NCI's commitment to this cancer initiative comes at a critical time. Nanotechnology supports and expands the scientific advances in genomics and proteomics and builds on our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of cancer. These are the pillars which will support progress in cancer." End Quote. Story found at Medical News Today."

Several people, including Roland and Patrick, have pointed out that physicists from Boston University have fabricated nanomechanical switches which promise significant advances in data storage densities (to much greater than 100GB/in²).