Category: Nanodot

from the nanoparticles-for-protecting-from-invisible-threat–s dept.
Wendy Emanuel writes "Northbrook, IL– October 3, 2002 — Nanosphere Inc., a privately held nanotechnology-based life sciences company, announced today it has entered into a development contract with the U.S. Government Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). This contract will apply Nanosphere's proprietary biomolecular detection system to the future detection of biological warfare agents in various mediums." See also Nanodot September 24, 2002 and July 11, 2002 for earlier announcements of Nanosphere Inc.'s nanoparticle detection technology and its biological applications.

from the What-can't-you-do-with-them? dept.
Gina Miller writes "The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced (on Sept. 20, 2002) a theoretical study suggesting that 'Superconducting nanotubes may lie on the technology horizon': Can Nanotubes Be Engineered to Superconduct? The calculations suggest that strategically placed hydrogen atoms on the exteriors of carbon nanotubes could dramatically affect the electronic properties of the resulting materials. More information and downloadable papers"

from the square-one-for-nanotube-chips? dept.
IBM grows nanotube patterns on silicon wafers, a September 30 EETimes article reported that IBM has grown catalyst-free nanotube networks on silicon carbide substrates, producing "grids of nanotubes (in rows and columns), bringing the promise of nanotube transistors arrayed across silicon chips one step closer to reality".

from the Potential-applications-of-MEMS-and-NEMS dept.
Antonio Correia writes "Since July 2002, NEXUS and PHANTOMS have jointly started a concerted action aimed at bridging micro and nanotechnologies. …. The intention is to enable a better understanding of the future potential of nanotechnology in the context of microsystems-driven applications." For more information

from the more-than-one-way-to-molecular-chips dept.
Despite Fraud at Bell Labs, Chip Research Barrels Ahead, an Oct. 1 New York Times article, gives a snapshot of the state of atomic and molecular-scale electronic circuit research in the wake of revelations that a few breakthroughs were falsified by one nanoelectronics researcher.

from the Getting-it-right? dept.
UPI published an interview with Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a few days after his 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act passed Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approval and headed for the Senate floor (see Nanodot post Sept. 25, 2002). The interview is noteworthy for the perspective it gives on the major ideas motivating one major sponsor of government funding of nanotechnology development.

from the Uncle-Sam-wants-Nano dept.
The October 2002 issue of Technology Review features relatively near-term applications of nanoscale science and technology to protecting and arming future soldiers. Part of the material on super soldiers and building tomorrow's body armor is available on the web: "Nano materials could provide future soldiers with super strength, protection against bioweapons and even a way to communicate covertly." The rapidly escalating interest in and support for applying nanotechnology for defensive military purposes (see Nanodot post of April 8, 2002) complicates the task of those proposing to limit or eliminate military uses of nanotechnology (see, for example, Nanodot post of July 15, 2002).

from the Serious-errors dept.
A prominent nanoelectronics researcher whose work has been under a cloud of suspicion for several months has been fired after investigators concluded that he falsified published experimental data. The committee formed by the researcher's employer, Bell Labs, "…concluded that Jan Hendrik Schon, 32, made up or altered data at least 16 times between 1998 and 2001…" The research involved superconductivity, molecular electronics and molecular crystals. Speaking of the tainted results that had received much attention, the committee concluded that Schon "did this intentionally or recklessly and without the knowledge of any of his co-authors." See Famed Nanotech Researcher Axed. Before the results were suspected, they were considered substantial advances in the field. See, for example, a Nanodot post of November 8, 2001.