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Gaming the Future: The Book!

Author: Foresight Editor

Unlocking the Secrets of Nanoparticles

Roland Piquepaille writes "In "Keen Eye for the Nano Guys," Wired News writes that one of the top three world's most powerful microscopes is used today in England "to unlock the secrets of nanoparticles and their impact on human health." "The SuperSTEM microscope at Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire, England, is so sensitive that it requires a special building capable of protecting it from the vibrations caused by raindrops. Its resolution is so sharp that researchers can count atoms on its images." This overview contains more details about the potential dangers created by nanoparticles and how this microscope can help. It also includes photographs of — and obtained by — the SuperSTEM microscope."

Omission in the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Deveopment Act

2012Rocky writes "Among a rapidly growing group of nano-commentators, Nanotechnology Now is concerned that the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act calls for a one-time study of the feasibility of "molecular self-assembly," and omits any possibility of studying the feasibility of molecular manufacturing. Failure to investigate both the promise and the peril of molecular manufacturing may well lead to a future where we find ourselves taken by surprise, to our collective detriment. Read the other comments here: http://nanotech-now.com/MNT-12092003.htm"

A list of 35 publicly traded nanotechnology companies

Benjamin Melki writes "With an interest increase in nanotechnology companies among the investors community, Nanovip.com has compiled a list of public companies directly involved in nanotechnology research or products. Concerned markets are the Nasdaq, the Nyse, the OTC BB, pink sheet… and we have also listed companies trading on the Hong Kong board, on the UKís lse and on the Toronto stock exchange. We are open to new suggestions."

The Top Ten Real Nanotech Products Of 2003

Roland Piquepaille writes "Despite all the hype surrounding nanotechnology, there are actually hundreds of real products available today. Forbes.com had the good idea to select ten nanotech products that you can purchase right now. It goes from high-performance ski wax to a breathable waterproof ski jacket, or from an OLED digital camera to performance sunglasses coated with nanofilm layers 150 nanometers thick. My two preferred products are a $250 tennis racket, with a 3-ball pack of nanotech tennis balls to go with it, at a cost of $4.49. And guess what, these tennis balls have already been approved by such organizations as the Davis Cup. As you can see, nanotechnology is becoming mainstream. Let's see what 2004 will bring us. This summary gives you more details about these two tennis products."

Mussel protein crosslinking agent

Senior Associate RobertBradbury writes "Eurekalert has a story about scientists at Purdue who are starting to unravel how mussels can stick to almost anything. It appears that iron is used as an essential crosslinking agent between the protein(s) in the adhesive. The common crosslinking agent in proteins is sulfur but the bonds may be weaker than those that iron provides. This may give nanotechnology oriented chemists an additional strategy for producing cross-linked polymers to develop Stages 2 & 3 of one nanotechnology development path as discussed by Drexler in Table 16.1 of Nanosystems."

Caltech lecture by Crichton on "consensus science"

Those objecting to MNT often cite a "consensus" against it. Despite authoring scary sf stories such as Prey, a nanotech/AI horror tale, Michael Crichton understands the core values of science better than some prominent scientists, as he showed in this lecture at Caltech about the dangers of "consensus science":"I regard consensus science as an extremely pernicious development that ought to be stopped cold in its tracks. Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something or other, reach for your wallet, because you're being had. Let's be clear: the work of science has nothing whatever to do with consensus. Consensus is the business of politics…In addition, let me remind you that the track record of the consensus is nothing to be proud of." Also worth reading is his essay on molecular nanotechnology.

Researcher Focus: Deepak Srivastava, NASA Ames

First in a series of stories highlighting specific MNT researchers: see the work of Deepak Srivastava, a past chair of the Foresight Conference on Molecular Nanotechnology, and now the point of contact for the NASA Ames Nanotechnology Team. His research interests include molecular machines and mechanosynthesis, and he was a co-recipient of the 1997 Foresight Institute Feynman Prize (Theory). See the videos produced by his group. (From his time as conference chair, I can testify that he is a delight to work with. Pronounce his name 'dee pahk sree VAHS tah vah'. –CP)

Organic chemist fears being "invented out of a job" by MNT

Organic chemist Derek Lowe, PhD, gives a chemist's view of molecular nanotechnology: "As a chemist, I've more than a passing interest in this field. Nanotechnology is chemistry, through and through. It's done (going to be done, I should say, if Drexler's right) by other means than the ones I'm used to, but it's atoms and bonds all the way. As a solution-phase classical organic chemist, I look on the advent of what Drexler calls "machine-phase" synthesis with equal parts anticipation and dread. The dread isn't because of some looming catastrophe, just the fear that I'll eventually be invented out of a job."
So that's why they object so much…–CP

Tracking nanotech in Japan

Those attempting to track nanotech in Japan may want to check out NanoNet, the website of the Nanotechnology Researchers Network Center of Japan. To get their every-other-weekly e-newsletter, subscribe here. Also very useful is the Asian Technology Information Program — which appears not to be loading at the moment — but most of their information is not free. Both cover more nanoscale than MNT.

2003: The Year of the Straw NanoMan

HLovy writes "Since everybody is doing a "year in review" piece, here's mine in a "nanosecond." Nanotech purists cannot see how nanotechnology could be treated as merely a business proposition, while businesspeople cannot see how it could be treated as anything else. And that brings us to 2004." The complete commentary can be found on Howard Lovy's NanoBot.

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