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Gaming the Future: The Book!

Category: news

Lessons from Japan's Atom Technology Project

Christine Peterson writes to point to an interview of Kazunobu Tanaka, Board trustee, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), with suggestions for developing nanotechnology as a key industry in Japan: "'Dr. Tanaka says nanotechnology in Japan will not make any progress unless project leaders and researchers with a wide outlook are brought up. He adds that the master plan for developing nanotechnology in Japan should be discussed from the mid- and long-term viewpoint by young researchers with strong physical and intellectual ability.' Sounds right to us, for other countries too."

DNA nanocomputer, possible cancer treatment

With the latest in DNA nanotechnology, WillWare writes "Several news sources recently described work by Ehud Shapiro at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. He and his team "have built a tiny biological computer that might be able to diagnose and treat certain types of cancer. The device, which only works in a test-tube, is years from clinical application… it can detect the abnormal messenger RNAs produced by genes involved in certain types of lung and prostate cancer… When the computer senses one of these RNAs it releases an anticancer drug, also made of DNA, which damps expression of the tumour-related gene." Shapiro has posted the PDF of his article in Nature which illustrates that detection of the abnormal RNA is a multi-step process, and that there is some real computation involved. It makes very interesting reading."

Nanomedicine, Vol. IIA: Biocompatibility available online

The second volume in the Nanomedicine book series by Robert A. Freitas Jr., Nanomedicine, Vol. IIA: Biocompatibility, is now freely available online in its entirety at http://www.nanomedicine.com/NMIIA.htm First published in hardcover by Landes Bioscience in 2003, this comprehensive technical book describes the many possible mechanical, physiological, immunological, cytological, and biochemical responses of the human body to the in vivo introduction of medical nanodevices, especially medical nanorobots.

Call For Abstracts — Due May 1

1st Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology: Research, Applications, and Policy, October 21-24, 2004, Crystal City Marriott Hotel, Washington, DC area. Includes, as Day One: 1st Symposium on Molecular Machine Systems

Recent Advances in the Nanotechnology World

Roland Piquepaille writes "What a flurry of activity in the nanotechnology world these days. Sandia researchers have unveiled a self-assembly process forming durable nanocrystal arrays, paving the way for laser light, catalysts and new memory storage. The American Chemical Society says that scientists have developed nanotube transistors operating at extremely fast microwave frequencies (2.6 GHz) that could lead to better cell phones and faster computers. At Lehigh University, researchers have found that 'nanogold' does not glitter, but its future looks bright as it turns into a semiconductor. Meanwhile, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a nanobiosensor technology that gives new access to living cell's molecular processes. You'll find short excerpts of these stories in this news roundup, which also includes images of the nanoprobe from ORNL and of the self-assembled, well-shaped gold nanocrystal arrays from SNL."

Nanoparticles used to destroy tumors (in mice)

Triton's nanotechnology designed to take on tumors; Last month the Boston Business Journal reported that Triton BioSystems Inc. was attempting to raise additional financing to adapt to cancer treatment its military welding technology, in which a magnetic device is used to heat nanoparticles, thus welding together polymers to effect battlefield repairs. In the cancer treatment system, so far only tested in mice, the metallic nanoparticles would be coated with a monoclonal antibody so that they localize in a tumor, and then the magnetic device would be used to heat the nanoparticles, thus destroying the tumor without using radiation or harsh chemicals.

Creating nanoscale conveyor belts

More on the previous topic. Kevin D. Keck writes "LBNL Material Sciences researchers today announced 'the achievement of controllable, reversible atomic scale mass transport along carbon nanotubes' in the April 29 issue of Nature [HTML] [PDF] and in a press release. 'Weíre not transporting atoms one at a time anymore ó itís more like a hose,' says Chris Regan (coauthor). 'In order to build a structure we have to be able transport material to the construction site, and weíre developing a better way to do that. Our nanoscale mass delivery system is simple and reversible. It requires only a nanotube, a voltage source, and something to transport."

Nanotubes melt and guide metals

Vik writes "This story in New Scientist describes how electrically-heated nanotubes have been made to accurately ferry molten metal around, in theory allowing the soldering of nanoscale metal parts. A variety of metals have been used, and there is an interesting possibility that this technique could be used to make crude nanotube structures that can weld themselves together."

Defining nanotechnology now a legal issue

Nanotechnology: What's in a Name? reports "The Foresight Institute's Eric Drexler, who coined the word 'nanotechnology' in the 1980s and is one of the field's leading evangelists, has complained for years that the term has been watered down to the point of uselessness by researchers and companies who apply it to almost anything small. Now a legal complaint against Merrill Lynch, of all companies, may help to restore the definition to its original meaning — technologies that work on the scale of a nanometer, or a billionth of a meter, or less."

New Nanotechnology Research Institute in Ulster

David Young writes "The University of Ulster … opened a new Nanotechnology Research Institute at its Jordanstown campus in Northern Ireland: University Opens £8m Nanotechnology Research Institute

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