From New Scientist, news of an achievement at University of Tokyo: “the first combination of two molecular machines is an important step on the long path to nanodevices sophisticated enough to, for example, perform repair functions within our cells. ” ‘The next step is to integrate multiple molecular machines’ into much bigger devices, says Kazushi… Continue reading First molecular machine combination made in Japan
From Alan Boyle, science editor at MSNBC, news of DNA self-assembly work at the lab of Eric Winfree of Caltech: “A computer scientist has developed a method to weave stringy DNA molecules into nanometer-scale, two-dimensional patterns ranging from smiley faces to a map of the Americas. “Experts say the ‘DNA origami’ procedure laid out by… Continue reading DNA origami from Caltech may be useful for nanoscale factory
From Live Science, a summary of a recent paper in PNAS: “Scientists partially restored the vision in blinded hamsters by plugging gaps in their injured brains with a synthetic substance that allowed brain cells to reconnect with one another, a new study reports. “If it can be applied to humans, the microscopic material could one… Continue reading MIT: Nanotech repairs brain damage in hamsters
Closing out our week here at Nanodot on a cheery note, some good news about carbon nanotubes, brought to us by Michael Freemantle of C&E News, regarding research done by a UK/France/Italy team: “Carbon Nanotubes Pass Safety Test Functionalized carbon nanotubes are rapidly cleared from blood, excreted in urine “A new study could allay some… Continue reading Carbon nanotubes pass a key safety test
From Roland Piquepaille, a useful summary, with pictures, of exciting new results at Georgia Tech. Even if you’re not very technical, this one is worth knowing about. Read Roland’s full story, but here’s an excerpt: “Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have built a new device which is 100 times faster than current nano… Continue reading AFM gets 100 times faster, takes movies at Georgia Tech
From EurekAlert: “Looking through his handmade microscope in 1702, it was Anton van Leeuwenhoek who first described the workings of a nano machine. He observed the rapid contraction of a stalk tethering the cell body of a tiny protozoan, Vorticella convallaria, to the surface of a leaf. Little did van Leeuwenhoek imagine that more than… Continue reading Fast, powerful protozoan "engine" runs on calcium
Belle Dume writes at PhysicsWeb: “A simple method to create robust DNA “pyramids” that self-assemble in seconds has been invented by physicists in the UK. Each side of the tetrahedral pyramid is made up of a double helix of DNA…t creates nanoscale tetrahedra of DNA that self-assemble in a single step in just seconds with… Continue reading Strong, stable DNA tetrahedra made quickly with high yield
Check out CNSI’s 2005 Annual Research Report (PDF format) for summaries of the latest nanotech work out of this cutting-edge effort funded by the state of California. Projects that caught my eye: Powered Artificial Nano-Machines: Molecular Valves and Impellers Synthesis, Control, and Assembly of Molecular Machines Linear Artificial Muscles for Mechanical Nanoactuation Operational Nanovalves Powering… Continue reading Calif NanoSystems Institute annual research report now out
From EurekAlert, news from Prof. Pulickel Ajayan of RPI: ” ‘These nanotubes can be squeezed to less than 15 percent of their normal lengths by buckling and folding themselves like springs,’ says lead author Anyuan Cao, who did much of the work as a postdoctoral researcher in Ajayan’s lab and is now assistant professor of… Continue reading Nanotube foams make super-compressible springs
For a layperson’s explanation of 2005 Feynman Prize winner Christian Schafmeister’s work, see this piece in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Taking this cue from nature, Dr. Schafmeister and his students have spent the last five years concocting their own set of 14 building blocks — the molecular equivalent of Lego pieces. “By his estimation, that’s enough… Continue reading Feynman Prizewinning work explained
