Author: Allison

Foresight Senior Associate Ramez Naam informs us that his book More Than Human has been released.

Here's a description of the book:
"More Than Human is about our growing power to alter our minds, bodies, and lifespans through technology. Over the last 5-10 years scientists and doctors have learned an incredible amount about how to enhance memory, improve physical performance, rewrite our genes, alter the rate of aging, and even how to connect our brains directly with computers and robots. This is not science fiction – this is the research happening in labs around the world right now, research that's restored sight to blind men and women, created mice that live to the age of 200 in "human years", and given the paralyzed the ability to control computers just by thinking about it."

More…

For those who didn't notice it in several sources (here, here or here), IBM has announced external access to its Blue Gene supercomputer. It provides 5.7 Teraflops in a single rack. Obviously IBM has the ability to hook a large number of these together should they choose to do so. 175 racks gives you a petaflop.

Physorg.com is reporting that HP Labs in conjuction with Applied Physics A will be having an "invitation-only international nanotechnology symposium" on March 25. They intend to outline the HP combined strategy (fundamental scientific research into nanometer scale quantum effects; defect tolerant architectures for molecular components; and cost-effective fabrication methods) for implementing robust molecular electronics.

My only question is "When will we see the results?"

It would appear that scientists at UIUC have invented a process that allows the use of high-intensity ultrasound to generate both hollow nanospheres and hollow nanocrystals of molybdenum disulfide and molybdenum oxide. These have interesting applications in catalysis. As other work on nanocatalysts from scientists at CBEN at Rice shows using palladium on gold nanoparticles to break down TCE — its the surface area that counts. If you can get to the inside of a sphere (or crystal) and the walls aren't too thick, don't you have twice as much surface area?

UVa MRSEC Center for Nanoscopic Materials Design writes "Press Release from UVa?s Center for Nanoscopic Materials Design; For Immediate Release:

UVa MRSEC & Paladin Pictures Recognized for Nanotechnology Education Video.

Charlottesville, Virginia – March 1, 2005 – The University of Virginia's Center for Nanoscopic Materials Design and Paladin Pictures, Inc. have received The Communicator Awards' Award of Distinction for their creation of a video program entitled The NANO Revolution. UVa's Center for Nanscopic Materials Design is a National Science Foundation (NSF)-sponsored Materials Research Science & Engineering Center (MRSEC). The NANO Revolution is a seven-minute educational video, filmed primarily in the research labs of the UVa MRSEC and designed to introduce the concept of nanotechnology and its applications to a target audience of middle- and high-school students and the general public. The Communicator Awards is an annual, international competition honoring excellence in visual communications. The Award of Distinction formally recognizes the UVa MRSEC/Paladin Pictures production for exceeding industry standards.

More… �

Arya writes "Grey Goos' Nanotech Comic Strip Looks at the Light Side of the Human/Technology Relationship

The First Comic for Nanoheads Now on NanoApex

March 10, 2005 – As our story begins, a group of highly advanced nanobots, built for hazardous duty and dubbed "Grey Goos," have escaped from the National Transistor Assembly Labs. These little critters, each with a different technical specialty and a distinct personality, look rather like drops of soft ice cream in hiking boots. They end up in New York City, living in a loft with Dorothea (Dot) Kalm and Globo Bill, a couple of "constructs" who also have escaped from the same lab. Meanwhile, scientists at the lab have created a nanocop they've named Blue Goo, whose job is to round up the wayward Grey Goos and return them to the lab.

Read entire release here
Read comic strip here"

Ed. note in extended copy.

I would note of interest an article (just look at the pictures) from the recent Intel Developers Forum (IDF) to see where Intel intends to go. They are planning for chips based on a 22nm process by 2011. On a more subtle note they appear to be seriously considering 'die-stacking' to allow the 'chips' to grow in 3D. This has the potential of significantly reducing interconnect delays between processors and memory and/or stacked multi-processors [see Note 1]. That would imply significant performance improvements without having to figure out the messy process of trying to wire chips with buckytubes or DNA.

The only thing one can say is that the next decade is definitely going to be the "nanodecade" [see Note 2].

Roland Piquepaille writes "Today, we'll look at nanotechnology under an unusual angle: the impact on the jewelry industry. In this long article, "The Weird World of Precious Metal Nanotechnology," published by AJM Magazine (The Authority on Jewelry Manufacturing), Michael Cortie, professor at the University of Sydney, Australia, explains why gold is often used by nanotechnologists. Not only gold exhibits very interesting properties at the nanoscale level, but it's also a bargain when compared to current prices of carbon nanotubes. And gold — and silver — nanoparticles can offer a range of unusual colors, suitable for fine jewelry or luxurious coatings. Finally, Cortie envisions smart jewelry made possible through the use of nanotechnology, such as a pendant that could include cell phone capabilities. Read this overview if you don't have enough time to read the original story."

Rick writes "The European Commission has recognised the European Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Master of Science course as an Erasmus Mundus Master. Participating in this course are Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands), Leiden University (The Netherlands), Leuven University (Belgium), Dresden University of Technology (Germany) and Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden). In the near future, France will also join the consortium. Background information follows…

Nanopolis writes "Would you like to have your company presentation included in the first and only multimedia encyclopedia on nanotech? (see an example: http://www.nanopolis.net/article.php?cid=510 ) with your technology explained in a few seconds? (see an example: http://www.nantero.com/nram.html )

Then, you shouldnít miss the ìExploring Nanotechnologyî Encyclopedia & Virtual Show Case expected for world-wide release in May.

For more details about our initiative and your benefits, please refer to http://www.nanopolis.net/ind_index.php.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Christian Norman
Chief Editor
Nanopolis encyclopedia series"