Bob Schreib Jr. writes "Dear Sirs, This is a recap of an idea that I have already submitted to pretty much all of the forensic science sites on the web. The idea is UPC-Bullet-Tagging. That is, let's use Nanotechnology techniques from the microchip industry to etch microscopic UPC (Universal Product Codes)onto tiny sections or micro-rods of ceramic or stainless steel, and install them inside of ALL newly-manufactured bullets."
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Science Daily is documenting that Zhiyu Hu and associates, researchers at ORNL has developed a method for binding platinum nanoparticles to glass wool fibers that will enable a nano-catalytic reaction (aren't *all* catalytic reactions "nano-" by definition?) to allow self-combustion of methanol at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 600 deg. C.
A number of sources are reporting (here, here & here) that a group lead by Prof. Massood Tahib-Azar at Case Western Reserve University has developed faster and cheaper methods for growing (and welding?) carbon nanotubes potentially for the purpose of wiring shrinking Microelectronic circuits.
The only problem I see is that although it is widely reported, there appear to be few details on the method(s) other than the fact that they are "growing" the nanotubes from "seeds". In that respect it sounds similar to the methods used to grow silicon nanobridges which were previously discussed on Nanodot.
Nanobreakthrough or nanohype?
Azonano is pointing out here the award of a series of the 2005 NanoVic prizes for innovative nanoscale research in a variety of areas in Australia. These include such areas as surface treatments for wood products, textile applications and solar cell engineering.
They also discuss the NanoSolveTM additive developed by Zyvex that uses carbon nanotubes for the engineering of stronger epoxy composites as well as a number of other developments in various aspects of nanotechnology R&D.
Betterhmans is reporting on progress of scientists at USC in combining several nanoscale technologies (transferrin based transport vehicles with small interfering RNA segments (siRNAs)) to effectively combat cancer, in this case Ewing's sarcoma, a type of cancer which impacts children. Interfering RNAs are small RNA strands which preferentially bind to complementary messenger RNA (mRNA). This activates cellular processes, presumably evolved to defend against double stranded RNA viruses, that destroy the double stranded RNA effectively reducing or eliminating the activity of the protein normally produced by the specific mRNA targeted by the siRNA.
The article with links to background information is here. There is significant potential for using this type of therapy to combat other types of cancer where the overexpression of a specific gene or protein is the primary cause of the disease.
While this is not diamondoid molecular nanotechnology it it can legitimately be considered molecular nanotechnology because it is nanoscale, it is based on precision activity at the nanoscale level and takes advantage of molecular processes and machinery normally found in cells.
Julie Hillan writes "Visit frontiernumber4.com and register (its free, no spam) to meet others interested in AI, ECA, SIA, and robot topics. Brand new forums have been created, and we are also seeking content contributors (white papers, fiction, conference and event info and reporting)."
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M. Roessger writes "Schaffhausen/Switzerland, April 15th, 2005
NanoWorld Holding AG announced that it has acquired 100% of Bulgarian based Innovative Solutions Bulgaria Ltd. (ISB) with its AFM Probes division BudgetSensorsô on April 1, 2005.
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In some rather stunning work, Joseph AuBuchon, a graduate student in Sungho Jin's group at UCSD, has demonstrated how to make *bent* nanotubes. PhysOrg has a report here. (Check out the pictures!) They also claim to be able to make T and Y shapes out of nanotubes.
This could be a potential start towards methods that might be used to construct subcomponents for a real molecular assembler. That would allow one to bypass the chicken and egg problem we now face.
Roland Piquepaille writes "Researchers at the University of Toronto (U of T) have designed an infrared-sensitive material made of nanocrystals so small they were able to tune them to catch the Sun's invisible rays. In "Nanotechnologists' new plastic can see in the dark," you'll discover that it's the first time that a light-sensitive material works in the invisible light spectrum. This opens the way to a broad range of applications, from clothing to digital cameras that work in the dark. But the real breakthrough is that it will permit to catch five more times energy from the Sun, up to 30 percent from the 6 percent achieved today by the best plastic solar cells. Hats off to these researchers… This overview contains more details, comments and references."
euspen vision online writes " Vision on-line ñ Wish List
A Virtual Institute Supporting Industry On-line in precision engineering, micro engineering, microsystems and Nanotechnology
Coordinated by euspen.
VisionOnline is providing a free web-based partnering service enabling companies and research organisations/universities worldwide to share their knowledge in the fields of precision engineering, microsystems and nanotechnology.
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