Author: Foresight Editor

Keep an eye on BIOMACH, a multi-year project funded by the EU: "The primary scientific objective is to achieve scientific prominence in the field of design and handling of nano-scaled molecular machines." They exploit both natural molecular machines and artificial ones: "The synthetic-artificial approach relies on a bottom-up approach to build-up nano-scaled machines by the assembly of simple synthetic bricks. Cutting-edge expertise in supramolecular self-assembly and self-organisation techniques is mandatory to steer the construction process and to control functionality of such de novo designed nanometer scale molecule engines." The long-term goal? Nanorobots, of course.

In his talk at the recent Nanoethics conference, Michael Bennett of RPI brought our attention to a 1929 essay by J.D. Bernal which predicts a technology where physics, chemistry, and mechanics fuse and result in an ability to build to molecular specifications. Read More for excerpts.

Mihail Roco, Senior NSF Advisor on nanotech, gave a plenary talk at the Nanoethics conference recently. One of his slides was on synthesis and control of nanomachines, and noted that about 300 projects had been funded in 2004. Later he referred me to two websites: the NSE site where he said were listed 50-60 NNI-funded centers focused on 3rd-4th generation nanomachines/nanosystems, and the NNI site where a search on awards would show 300-400 grants with nanomachine or nanosystem in the title or abstract. Read More for the results and request for help.

In a talk at the recent Nanoethics conference, NNI's Mihail Roco described plans for third and fourth generation nanotechnology, and very briefly sketched a fifth generation — robotics and guided assembly. This was supplemented by paper copies of an article he wrote for AIChE Journal. Long-time readers of Nanodot will find the terminology new but the concepts familiar. Read More for a summary.

Emeka Okafor writes "Liquid Computing, The New scientist writes about the developments in the field of liquid computing. Andrew Adamatzky of the Intelligent Autonomous Systems Laboratory,Bristol "…has worked out how to make liquid logic gates,building arrays that he believes could lead to powerful processors that are infinitely reconfigurable and self healing…he wants to use his 'gooware' to create a hugely powerful parallel processor: a liquid robot in which metal and wire are replaced by a blob of jelly…"it will be completely flexible," says Adamatzky- an intelligent, shape changing-changing,crawling blob…" via Smartmobs"

The following press release points out the development of the European Nanotechnology Trade Association for purpose of "representing the industry's interests in Europe".

Now of course one might ask at this point in time "What industry?". But one must understand ramp-up strategies. And there must be organizations that support that process. So support for the groups that support the development of the companies that will work in the "industry" is justified.

Roland Piquepaille writes "NASA is testing a shape-shifting robot called "TETwalker" for tetrahedral walker, because it looks like a flexible pyramid. It has been tested in the lab and at the McMurdo station in Antarctica to test it under conditions more like those on Mars. Now, it is on the way to be — really — miniaturized by using micro- and nano-electro-mechanical systems. These robots will eventually join together to form "autonomous nanotechnology swarms" (ANTS). When it's done, in about thirty years, these nanotech swarms will "alter their shape to flow over rocky terrain or to create useful structures like communications antennae and solar sails." So in 2034, nanotechnology will land on Mars. Read more for other details and references about the TETwalker and the ANTS project."

Mike Treder writes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Center for Responsible Nanotechnology
Chris Phoenix, Director of Research 1-305-387-5583)[email protected]
Mike Treder, Executive Director (1-718-398-7272) [email protected]

March 31, 2005

Molecular Manufacturing: Step by Step

Advanced nanotechnology — molecular manufacturing — will bring benefits and risks, both on an unprecedented scale. A new paper published by the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology suggests that development of molecular manufacturing can be an incremental process from today's capabilities, and may not be as distant as many believe.

"Molecular manufacturing has always had great promise, but as a single challenge, it has seemed intimidating. Breaking the problem down into stages shows that it can be achieved step by step," says Chris Phoenix, CRN?s Director of Research and author of the paper, "Developing Molecular Manufacturing."

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Roland Piquepaille writes "Researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) have developed fluorescent and stable nano-probes which can stay inside a cell's nucleus for hours or even days. According to this LBL news release, this will help biologists to better understand nuclear processes that evolve slowly, such as DNA replication, genomic alterations, and cell cycle control. This research was partially based on previous investigations about quantum dots. Now, the researchers want to tailor their quantum dots, which emit different colors depending on their sizes, to check specific chemical reactions inside nuclei, such as how proteins help repair DNA after irradiation. Read more for other details and references and to see how a nano-sized probe is entering a cell's nucleus."

The Prime Minister's council working party predicts (registration required) that in 10 years, nanotechnology could have as much impact as the discovery of electricity or the development of the computer microchip.