Category: Nanotechnology

Posted by Robert Bradbury: For many years we have had “rational design” of drugs (see drug design) and other small molecules. Unfortunately these developments have been generally limited, particularly with respect to proteins, because we have not really solved the protein folding problem. We have had several companies, particularly Maxygen and Genencor which have worked… Continue reading Molecular evolution by design

Greenpeace UK and Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration (IRC) in Nanotechnology at Cambridge University have set up a “Citizen’s Jury” to review risks and opportunities and give a “verdict” on nanotechnology by mid-September. Doug Parr, of Greenpeace, said: “We want to provide an opportunity for people to give their perspectives…at a time when we hope they can… Continue reading NanoJury UK to give verdict on nanotech

Posted by Robert Bradbury: Mike Treder writes “Nanotechnology’s long-expected transformation of manufacturing has just moved closer to reality. A new analysis of existing technological capabilities, including proposed steps from today’s nanotech to advanced molecular machine systems, was released today by the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology“. The study, “Molecular Manufacturing: What, Why and How,” performed by… Continue reading Moving closer to "real" molecular manufacturing

Scientists Brew Tree-Shaped DNA: "Researchers from Cornell University have synthesized a new type of DNA that can be used as a nanotechnology building block. … The Cornell researchers have found a way to make branched, or Y-shaped DNA, and have constructed dendrimer, or tree-shaped, DNA by connecting branched DNA." Alternate URL

from the more-than-one-way-to-small-electronics dept.
Gina Miller writes "A Chemical & Engineering News cover story from Sept. 30 available online — Nanoscale Electronics — provides a readable and well-illustrated overview of current progress in molecular electronics, carbon nanotube electronics, and semiconducting nanowire research."

from the very-small-but-very-slow dept.
Gina Miller writes "A Sept. 3 press release from the University of Wisconsin at Madison Scientists develop atomic-scale memory reports that scientists have been able to read and write at room temperature to a memory that uses a single atom to store a bit. Silicon atoms are dispersed on a self-assembled surface of gold atoms so that each silicon atom fits into a pocket formed by 20 surrounding gold atoms. An STM tip is used to remove specific silicon atoms to write to the memory. Although the storage density is very high, writing with an STM tip is very slow."

Steve Lenhert writes "Encyclopedia Nanotech is an online dictionary/encyclopedia for nanotech-related terminology. The goal of this 'nanoword network' is to provide a transdisciplinary reference point for the various words we use in nanotechnology. I am posting here in order to solicit constructive criticism and stimulate semantic discussions about these terms.

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