http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News.aspxNanotechnology and Development Newsen{46E6D007-8647-4739-8BB0-FA6C0D3B6FAC}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Feb/03/MIT_work.aspxAccording to Andreas Mershin, a research scientist in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Bits and Atoms, United States, people living in remote villages in the developing world may soon be able to make their own solar panels, inexpensively, using worthless agricultural waste as their raw material. Mershin has extended upon a project begun by Shuguang Zhang, a principal research scientist at MIT, who was able to enlist a complex of molecules known as photosystem-1 (PS-1) – the tiny structures within plant cells that carry out photosynthesis – to produce an electric current when exposed to light. The initial system had some drawbacks and very low efficiency, but Mershin says the process has now been simplified to the point that virtually any lab could replicate it, and the new efficiency is 10,000 times greater than in previous versions. Still, it only converts 0.1 percent of sunlight’s energy into electricity, so an improvement of another tenfold is needed in order for the system to become useful. The huge improvement in efficiency resulted from Mershin’s creation of an “electric nanoforest” comprised of zinc oxide nanowires and titanium dioxide nanostructure coated with a light-collecting material derived from bacteria. The new device exposes much more of the PS-1 complex per surface area of the device to the sun. Mershin says that for the raw material, “You can use anything green, even grass clippings,” and no special laboratory conditions would be needed. “It can be very dirty and it still works, because of the way nature has designed it. Nature works in dirty environments — it’s the result of billions of experiments over billions of years,” he said. Eventually, Mershin said, within a few years a villager in a remote, off-grid location could “take that bag, mix it with anything green and paint it on the roof” and begin producing power adequate to charge cell phones or lanterns. It will be, he hopes, a “way of getting low-tech electricity to people who have never been thought of as consumers or producers of solar-power technology.” Mershin’s work appears in the journal Scientific Reports.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:54:00 -0500{3F2FB4BB-AD39-479B-9CCC-29DA2EEC8057}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Feb/03/network.aspxThe African Network for Solar Energy (ANSOLE), launched officially a year ago, has an ambitious dream of harnessing the abundant sunshine in an energy-deprived continent. But solar energy researchers in Africa face many challenges: loss of talent due to brain drain; lack of funding; little connection between like-minded scientists; and, few opportunities to entice scientists into the solar energy field. ANSOLE’s mission is to strengthen the links between solar researchers not just within Africa but also between African countries and the rest of the world. Getachew Adam, a PhD student at the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and ANSOLE member, said, "We want the coming generation not to worry about where to study, who to work with. We want to make African scientists come together [to solve the] African energy problem." Daniel Egbe, a Cameroonian scientist who serves as the coordinator of ANSOLE, says, "Our approach is to build capacity, especially when it comes to research. Through our network many African researchers, especially physicists and chemists, are now directing their research in solar and renewable energy." Connecting researchers is critical, and ANSOLE provides a mix of online and real-world networking. ANSOLE will hold a meeting this February in Cameroon that will bring African researchers and international collaborators face to face. "To expect Africans to compete internationally in the already very advanced area of silicon-based photovoltaics is not realistic," says Egbe. "But members of ANSOLE are saying that we can do internationally competitive research in organic and hybrid organic–silicon photovoltaics…With a little bit of money you can build your research labs and carry out your research. On this level we can compete with Europeans and Americans. When it comes to silicon-based research, you need a lot of money and a clean room, which costs a lot." Another field, says Egbe, where African researchers can push science forward is solar thermal energy. ANSOLE also organized a webinar through nanotechnology project ICPC Nanonet as part of its online networking efforts. The long-term vision for the network is to create an African research center for renewable energy. A lack of funding is the limiting factor to the network’s ambition. "Our plans need funding," says Egbe. "I hope that the UN can support such endeavours, since the UN has declared 2012 the year of renewable energies, and renewable energies are important for the protection of our environment."Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:51:00 -0500{E6C9F71A-19C2-44B1-AFC4-5C69B98C1E9D}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Feb/03/safety_conference.aspxThe International Congress on Safety of Engineered Nanoparticles and Nanotechnologies (SENN2012) will be held from October 28 to 31, 2012, in Helsinki, Finland. The goal of the Congress is to summarize and share the latest knowledge on the safety of engineered nanomaterials and nano-related technologies, with an emphasis on producing solutions to safety challenges. It will provide a forum for reporting and demonstrating findings, methods, tools, and approaches to safety and health at workplaces that use nanoparticles and nanotechnologies. The full program and registration information can be viewed on the conference website.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500{70A9D33C-ECD8-4912-AACF-1DD2074DE2F7}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Feb/02/zeolite.aspxA team of researchers from Stockholm University, Sweden, and Polytechnic University, Spain, has presented a new porous material that could be used to convert gasoline directly into diesel. The new material is an aluminosilicate that belongs to the zeolite class. Zeolites are natural and synthetic minerals with an open crystal structure that contain masses of nanometer-sized pores and channels. Due to the immense number of pores and intersecting channels, they have a huge internal surface area, and can be used as catalytic converters, ion-exchangers and adsorbents. The team’s material, ITQ-39, is the most complex zeolite ever discovered, and has a chaotic order. It has proven to be an excellent catalytic converter for turning gasoline into diesel. This process is an ever more important one as world fuel consumption is shifting more and more to diesel at the expense of gasoline. The team’s material was presented in the journal Nature Chemistry.Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:00:00 -0500{7AF665DA-87F3-46B0-BA01-A7EBF215B537}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Feb/02/food_2.aspxThe United States-based organization Food & Water Watch, in this opinion piece, notes that the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) last week released a report identifying major gaps in environmental, health and safety research of nanomaterials. The report underlines the need for more and better science on how to monitor and test the safety of these materials. What is also needed, according to Food & Water Watch, are rules and regulations to protect consumers from these risks. The regulations, they say, that do exist for chemicals are not being rigorously applied to nanomaterials, and, moreover, they are largely ill equipped to do so. New rules are needed to address these new risks, they say. The organization focuses on one gap in particular – that of missing research on the effects of ingested nanomaterials on human health. The scope, they say, of nanomaterials in our food system is unknown. Food processors are using nanomaterials to tinker with color and nutritional content of food, as well as preserving and packaging it. They write, “Corporations have blithely embraced nanomaterials as the next big thing, embedding them in everything from cutting boards to cosmetics to food itself. Unregulated, unmonitored and unlabeled, these nanomaterials may be lurking in your own home.” In the absence of information about the risks these particles pose to human health and the environment, the government cannot give industry a free pass to do as it pleases, the organization argues.Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:07:00 -0500{A0AFFAFE-B723-4948-87AA-DFADE27243F1}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Feb/02/food.aspxThis article gives an overview of what nanotechnology applications are currently being researched, tested, and, in some cases, already applied, in food technology. The article notes that while food nanotechnology seemed to be a hot topic in the early 2000s, with large industrial food companies eager to explore the emerging technology, critical voices from nongovernmental organizations and regulators caused industry to go into a silent mode. It didn’t mean, however, that food nanotechnologies weren’t being researched and developed around the world. The article details some of the latest nanotechnology-related developments in agriculture, food processing, food packaging and supplements, as well as a summary of the kind of applications industry and universities are working on. Overall, the article states that we are still a ways away from seeing “Frankenfoods” on supermarket shelves. A recent commentary by Timothy Duncan of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in Nature Nanotechnology, said the introduction of nanofoods is being held back by the hesitation of the food industry, as they fear a public backlash. Duncan wrote, “Mishandling of previous food technology debates has put nanofoods at a disadvantage by conditioning the public to distrust the food industry and the oversight system responsible for regulating it. On the other hand, the history of agricultural biotechnology has taught some lessons about the value of clear communication and respecting public opinion, which many organizations are heeding." Duncan notes that it is an open question how media coverage will influence the debate. The food industry also has a major role to play when it comes to interacting with the public regarding nanofoods and, it has, so far, remained relatively uninvolved. He recommends the food industry act in order to prevent the public’s concerns over nanofoods from becoming a source of dread, distrust, and, ultimately, rejection. "That said,” Duncan wrote, “it is important for all stakeholders to take a long-term view of their public outreach activities, and to not abandon trust-building or engagement efforts if they do not yield immediate public support for marketable nanotechnologies. Rather, public engagement should be treated as an investment in the future; building dividends takes time, patience and persistence."Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:04:00 -0500{8ECCA818-AB02-4712-9CE0-5E00D72B330E}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Feb/01/developing_countries.aspxResearchers at Cornell University, United States, have combined their inventions to develop a handheld pathogen detector that would give health care workers in the developing world quick diagnoses of tuberculosis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV. The device would be usable under harsh conditions, giving results in about 30 minutes, as opposed to current protocol, which involves transporting samples to a laboratory and waiting days for the results. The device combines the work of Dan Luo, a professor of biological and environmental engineering, and his work using synthetic DNA to “amplify” very small samples of pathogen DNA, RNA, or proteins, and the work of Edwin Kan, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, who has designed a computer chip that quickly responds to the amplified samples targeted by Luo’s method. According to the researchers, all this can be combined with nanofluidics to make a robust battery-operated testing kit. The team plans to further develop the device and conduct tests simulating field conditions in the developing world. The device, said Luo, has to survive hot or cold weather, and "It has to work in dirty water." Their work is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of its Grand Challenge program to develop “point-of-care diagnostics” for developing countries.Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:33:00 -0500{FFCDFC09-FD38-42AE-A5C0-6EAF0701B2C8}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Feb/01/Malaysia.aspxThe world’s largest refinery for rare earth metals, located in Malaysia, could meet a fifth of the world’s demand. It is expected to receive permission to operate from the Malaysian government in the near future. The refinery is being built by Lynas, an Australian company, and its opening could help break China’s near monopoly on rare earths, but could also contribute to the emerging glut of some of these strategic metals. The plant’s potential opening has been met with street demonstrations and protests over radiation worries, regulatory challenges, and a permanent disposal site for the low-level radioactive waste that will be produced. Raja Dato Abdul Aziz bin Raja Adnan, the director general of the Malaysian Atomic Energy Licensing Board, said the board had discussed granting an initial operating license to the refinery, and said an announcement would be made “sooner rather than later,” adding “We still have the right to stop them and suspend and terminate,” if the refinery is not running safely. Fuziah Salleh, an opposition-party lawmaker from Kuantan, said opponents of the project plan to file a lawsuit in the coming weeks in an effort to stop the plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna recommended last June that a long-term waste disposal plan be approved prior to opening the plant, as well as recommending greater public disclosure and communication. Raja Adnan said the board would require Lynas to meet all the Agency’s recommendations, but declined to say if the company’s waste disposal plan complied.Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:28:00 -0500{E2017FE9-F2D8-4C98-8480-E1EE6D772DAA}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Feb/01/Tehran_confernece.aspxThe College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Tehran, Iran, will hold the First National Conference on Application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Natural Resources, in association with the Nanotechnology Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, on May 15-16, 2012. The intent of the conference is to create an appropriate environment to exchange ideas and persuade researchers to carry out applicable projects in the field of the application of nanotechnology to agriculture. The latest scientific achievements in this sector will be presented. The following topics will be discussed: nanotechnology and herbal products; nanotechnology and animal products; nanotechnology application in agriculture and food industry machinery; nanotechnology in water and soil; nanotechnology in natural resources and environment; nanobiotechnology; and, ethics, risk taking and standardization. More information is available on the conference website.Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:01:00 -0500{09220F9C-0A8A-4AD1-8563-5FC197044D3D}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/31/awesome_paint.aspxResearchers at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, are developing a low-cost smart paint that can detect microscopic faults in wind turbines, mines and bridges before structural damage occurs. The paint uses nanotechnology to detect movement in large structures, and can be sprayed onto any surface. Dr. Mohamed Saafi, in the Department of Civil Engineering, said, “The development of this smart paint technology could have far-reaching implications for the way we monitor the safety of large structures all over the world. There are no limitations as to where it could be used and the low-cost nature gives it a significant advantage over the current options available in the industry. The process of producing and applying the paint also gives it an advantage as no expertise is required and monitoring itself is straightforward.” Traditional methods of monitoring and assessing large structures are complex, time consuming and expensive. The paint is comprised of a recycled waste product known as fly ash and highly aligned carbon nanotubes. “The process of monitoring involves in effect a wireless sensor network. The paint is interfaced with wireless communication nodes with power harvesting and warning capability to remotely detect any unseen damage such as micro-cracks in a wind turbine concrete foundation,” Dr. Saafi explained. “Current technology is restricted to looking at specific areas of a structure at any given time, however, smart paint covers the whole structure which is particularly useful to maximise the opportunity of preventing significant damage.”Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:50:00 -0500{067FBCAA-C6B6-435F-A426-E805DAD59EA6}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/31/EPA.aspxThe United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the comment period for a proposed rule addressing nanoengineered chemicals following concerns voiced by unions. The proposed rule is the first that would require worker protection for a variety of carbon nanotubes. Jaydee Hanson, the policy director for the International Center for Technology Assessment, said, “If it's going to be the first, it's got to be right.” The comment period was supposed to end January 27, 2012, but is likely to be extended to mid-March. Groups that include the AFL-CIO, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), International Center for Technology Assessment, and Food & Water Watch, all wrote EPA and requested an extension to the comment period. According to the AFL-CIO, the proposed significant new use rule (SNUR), “selected personal protective equipment as the first and only means of protecting workers against exposure to carbon nanotubes…EPA has selected the least effective and last line of defense for worker protection.” Instead, the union argued, personal protective equipment should be the last line of defense, and used only when more effective exposure control methods are being used but have not sufficiently reduced exposures.Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:47:00 -0500{41767DD9-F631-45D8-BE38-999105B5FBEA}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/31/membranes.aspxTwo new carbon-based ultrathin membranes could give a boost to water purification, seawater desalination, gas separations and chemical filtrations. The first, developed at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, stops everything from passing through except water. The researchers, Rahul R. Nair and Andre K. Geim, stacked graphene oxide, making membranes so thin the water passes through as if they aren’t there. The researchers believe increasing humidity causes hydrophilic channels to expand, allowing water molecules to make their way through empty spaces where the graphene is not oxidized. The channels close when the humidity decreases. The second membrane selectively filters organic solvents, and was created by researchers at the National Institute for Materials Science, Japan. The amorphous carbon nanosheets created by the team allow organic solvents to penetrate the membrane, at rates of up to hundreds of liters per square meter per hour, while rejecting organic dyes and gold nanoparticles. Potential applications include environmental remediation, food oil extraction, and chemical and biofuel production. According to Donald R. Paul, of the University of Texas, Austin, United States, who wrote a commentary in the journal Science that accompanied the papers describing the membranes, these membrane materials “are clearly early-stage research and should stimulate further work. It will be some time before we see actual applications. The real trick will be to make them on a large enough scale, and cheap enough, to be useful in packaged modules.”Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:43:00 -0500{F36E04FF-85F4-4A6F-A934-B27D30756643}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/30/put_in_beverages.aspxResearchers from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel, have developed an innovation based on nanotechnology that helps to protect beverage nutrients. Healthy drinks tend to lose their nutritional content due to marketing conditions by the time they reach the consumer. The research team developed nanocapsules based on natural food ingredients and “imprisoned” the capsules in vitamins and other ingredients that improve health but are not water-soluble. For example, they captured vitamin D within the capsules and found the vitamin did not break down inside the drink, despite the acidic environment, thus improving shelf life. Additionally, the capsule did not fall apart when exposed to stomach enzymes, allowing it to be absorbed in the small intestine. These nanocapsules can be added to clear beverages, and enrich their health value, without losing the beverage’s transparency. According to the researchers, the innovation could also be used in the pharmaceutical industry to protect drugs as they move from the stomach to absorption in the intestines, or to help fight intestinal cancers.Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:13:00 -0500{50C37386-AA4E-4094-821E-6F663DF99498}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/30/nanocellulose.aspxA joint investment by the Governments of Canada and Quebec has led to the opening of the world’s first commercial-scale production facility for nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) in Windsor, Quebec. The official opening of the new CelluForce facility was held last week. Speaking at the event, Joe Oliver, the Canadian Minister of Natural Resources, said, “The Government of Canada is investing $23.2 million in the transformation of Canada’s forest sector by encouraging the development and commercialization of state-of-the-art Canadian technology. Supporting innovative projects such as this one is essential to expanding and diversifying markets both at home and abroad and to creating new economic opportunities for forest-dependent communities.” The new facility, which was developed by FPInnovations and Domtar Inc., is expected to produce one ton of nanocrystalline cellulose per day. NCC could be used in the development of such products as paints, coatings, cosmetics, films, barriers, textiles, and advanced materials.Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:06:00 -0500{F2363161-3AB4-452B-AA1A-007B97AB9FDE}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/30/symposium.aspxThe American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is hosting a symposium, the “International Symposium on Assessing the Economic Impact of Nanotechnology,” in conjunction with the following sponsors: the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and, the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). The event will be held on March 27 to 28, 2012, in Washington, D.C. The symposium’s objective is to explore the need for and development of a methodology to assess the economic impact of nanotechnology across whole economies, including new and replacement products and materials, markets for raw materials, intermediate and final goods, and employment and other economic impacts. Attendees from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and expertise are being invited, and include technology leaders, key decision makers, economists, investors, policy analysts, and scientists and engineers from industry, business, government, academia and the general public. Registration opens on February 10, 2012, and is on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is met. The full agenda is available on the symposium website.Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:55:00 -0500{ED255C31-FCB0-4E76-9BE1-E231329DF7FC}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/27/lawsuit.aspxThe United States-based Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) this week filed a lawsuit seeking to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from allowing nanoscale silver to be used in consumer products because the health risks of the substance are unknown. NRDC, in the first ever court challenge of an EPA approval of a nanoscale chemical, is aiming to overturn EPA’s decision to conditionally approve nanosilver under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). EPA had last year conditionally approved a request from HeiQ Materials to sell nanosilver in fabrics. According to Mae Wu of NRDC, "EPA gave this company a four-year free pass to sell an inadequately tested product. EPA's approval of nanosilver is just the most recent example in a long line of decisions that treats humans and our environment as guinea pigs for these untested pesticides."Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:44:00 -0500{212852A5-4FA5-4A2B-AC83-CAD8C631D3C9}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/27/Norway.aspxResearchers in Norway are developing plastics that are based upon nanofibers from trees. The project, NanoBarrier, is a collaboration of Norway and colleagues from 14 other countries. The goal is to develop biodegradable plastic packaging. According to Bjørn Steinar Tanem, a section manager at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), “We plan to use nanofibres from trees to develop new and better packaging solutions.” The project is to begin in March 2012 and run for four years. Åge Larsen, a senior researcher at the SINTEF Group and the project manager, said, “The use of bioplastics may help to promote sustainable development. The overall objective is to create materials and packaging that are climate neutral.” One aspect of the project is to develop packaging that extends the freshness of food, potentially helping people to choose healthier alternatives while reducing the amount of food waste. Sensors integrated into the packaging will provide information about the condition of the food. “We can use sensors to measure the temperatures that food is exposed to or find out whether food is about to spoil,” explained Larsen.Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:33:00 -0500{0EB6CDC8-8CB8-46B6-A862-42A969BF3D4E}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/27/Thailand.aspxThailand’s state-run National Nanotechnology Center has used the recent flooding in the country as an opportunity to show how nanotechnology-based products could help mitigate the impact of future natural disasters. One product is the nano-sack, or N-sack, which is similar to a giant, superabsorbent diaper, and could be used as replacements for the sandbags traditionally used for flood control. Sirirurg Songsivilai, the executive director of the center, said, "It is our hope that the nano-sack development will be refined and can be used before the next rainy season...The 2011 flood in Thailand was an eye opener for both the public and the government sector. It provided our research institution with an opportunity to participate in relief efforts." The center also distributed bednets and mosquito-repellant gel and powder, all of which make use of nanotechnology. The nets contain a nanoscale formulation of a chemical that kills mosquitoes within minutes. Nanotechnology-based cleaning solutions, which are locally sourced and consist of biodegradable materials, were distributed to flood victims. In addition, the center showcased a test kit for leptospirosis, a disease spread via contaminated water. Since the flooding, the nanotechnology center has designated disaster prevention and management as one of its priorities.Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500{17DC7E9F-6C93-4048-955E-DFCA9CD87780}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/26/Web_event.aspxThe United Kingdom-based Guardian newspaper, in association with NanoChannels, is hosting a live-streamed debate on January 31, 2012 at 15:00 GMT. The question to be debated is: “What are the challenges and wider implications of using nanotechnology to prolong life and support a healthier, more independent aging population?” Currently, there are about 10 million people in the United Kingdom over the age of 65, and, by 2050 that number is expected to double to about 19 million. While that changing demographic will place an unprecedented strain on health and social services, more and more people are taking steps to ensure their old age is spent in good health. New medical advances that rely on nanotechnology are increasing, which could allow for better treatments, diagnosis and prevention of diseases associated with old age. Participants can discuss issues with a panel of experts by posting questions in advance, or during the event using Twitter. The science correspondent for the Guardian, Alok Jha, will chair the debate. More information can be found on the Guardian website.Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:51:00 -0500{E7B08CD4-D44F-4AC4-9092-4C41701D4E79}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/26/journal_article.aspxThis article, “Paradigms to Assess the Environmental Impact of Manufactured Nanomaterials,” in the journal Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, seeks to answer several questions: “Where does the science need to provide reliable data that will assist policymakers and regulators develop strategies to manage nanomaterials and instill public confidence regarding the safety of these materials? What are the critical needs that will move us forward safely and intelligently in this promising field? Are the paradigms generally developed to assess the fate and effects of solute contaminants applicable to nanomaterials?” The authors propose a way to answer the posed questions, thus moving nanotechnology environmental, health and safety forward.Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:48:00 -0500{5377541A-886D-4599-BC3A-315EB7EBC0F5}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/26/India.aspxA new report in Economic & Political Weekly analyzes the potential consequences of the application of nanotechnology in India, while specifically looking at the risk-related aspects of this emerging technology. The authors address the following questions: “What are the risks that nanotechnology may pose? What does the Indian situation look like? How can the risks of nanotechnology be adequately dealt with? And, equally important, how can we avoid the, at times, unproductive controversies that have surrounded some of the mega-technologies in the past in order to cast a more fruitful and productive path for nanotechnology’s future?” The article explores the institutional arrangements for “risk governance” of nanotechnology in other countries, in an effort to illustrate possible ways for risk governance to be made operational. The authors note that while more technologically advanced countries tend to accompany technology developments with governance arrangements that ensure the responsible development of such technologies, in India attention to risks is minimal. They write: “Rather than explicitly taking broader societal concerns into consideration when promoting the development of a technology, it seems that any kind of measure to deal with potential adverse effects of new technologies is considered as inimical to market investment in technology sectors. By and large, the Indian state has shown a lack of anticipatory governance during the course of technology development.” The report concludes that the regulatory framework in India at present is not able to deal with the multifaceted dimensions and implications of nanotechnology. An effective risk governance system is urgently required, they say, arguing that a separate agency, similar to the one established for biotechnology, be implemented in order to develop human resources and infrastructure, as well as research and monitor issues and concerns in the field. “Only by creating such a well-functioning governance structure,” they conclude, “can India make nanotechnology into a success."Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500{DC78AAA0-10C3-4A04-B81E-1F7397E968E8}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/25/EPA.aspxA new report from the United States National Research Council (NRC), and sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, says that despite extensive investment in nanotechnology and increasing commercialization over the last decade, there remains insufficient understanding about the environmental, health and safety aspects of nanomaterials. A coordinated research plan, to help guide efforts to manage, and avoid, potential risks is warranted, according to the NRC, or the future of safe and sustainable nanotechnology is uncertain. The report presents a strategic approach for developing the research and scientific infrastructure necessary to address potential health and environmental risks of nanomaterials. And, while the committee that wrote the report noted there has been considerable effort to identify research needs for the development and safe use of this emerging technology, there has not been sufficient linkage between research and the creation of strategies to prevent and manage any risks. The committee identified four research categories, which they said should be addressed within five years: “identify and quantify the nanomaterials being released and the populations and environments being exposed; understand processes that affect both potential hazards and exposure; examine nanomaterial interactions in complex systems ranging from subcellular to ecosystems; and support an adaptive research and knowledge infrastructure for accelerating progress and providing rapid feedback to advance research.” The committee noted that there is a gap between funding and the level of activity required to implement their strategy. Any reduction in the current funding level, they warned, would be a setback to nanomaterials risk research. The committee also stated that there should be a clear separation of management and budgetary authority and accountability between promoting nanotechnology and assessing potential environmental and safety risks.Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:40:00 -0500{D97EBCF0-BA3D-47AA-B69A-B3D00EB61CA9}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/25/marine_organisms.aspxA new study has shown that the nanoparticulate form of titanium dioxide, when exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), can be toxic to marine organisms. The researchers, from the University of California, Santa Barbara Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (UC CEIN), said that until now, no research has demonstrated that photoactivity causes environmental toxicity of titanium dioxide under natural levels of ultraviolet radiation. Robert Miller, the lead author and assistant research biologist, said, "Application of nanomaterials in consumer products and manufacturing is quickly increasing, but there is concern that these materials, including nanoparticles, may harm the environment. The oceans could be most at risk, since wastewater and factory discharges ultimately end up there." Miller added, "Previous experiments have suggested that TiO2 does not affect aquatic organisms, but these experiments used artificial lighting that generated much lower levels of UVR than sunlight. In these new experiments, we used lights simulating natural sunlight." The concern, said the authors, is that rising concentrations of nanoscale titanium dioxide "may lead to increased overall oxidative stress in seawater contaminated by TiO2, and cause decreased resiliency of marine ecosystems." The authors suggested that ultraviolet radiation exposure should be considered when conducting experiments to determine the ecotoxicity of nanomaterials having photoactive potential. The team’s study was published in the journal PLoS ONE.Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500{C389F94D-B9B8-4F10-BD9E-E697E984FDBD}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/25/Toyota.aspxThe Japan-based Toyota Motor Corporation has announced the development of a way to make hybrid and electric vehicles without the use of expensive rare earth minerals. The company said they could bring the technology to market within two years if the price of rare earths does not come down. China has a near-monopoly on these minerals, producing more than 95 percent of the world’s supply. The Chinese government’s efforts to limit exports have alarmed customers and trading partners, and caused prices for such materials to soar. The rare earth metals neodymium and dysprosium are used in the powerful magnets in the motors of hybrid and electric cars. Demand is expected to surge as more and more such cars hit the market. Japan is aiming to cut its consumption – currently at a third of global rare earth demand – by recycling and investing in new technology to limit their use.Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500{881B48EE-E3EA-46D5-B203-9EEFB2B9EE85}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/24/iron_soap.aspxA new soap, which contains iron atoms, is able to respond to magnets, and, with further development, could find applications in cleaning up oil spills and wastewater. An international team of scientists showed that the soap, and the materials it dissolves, could be easily removed by applying a magnetic field. The new soap is similar to ordinary soap, but the iron atoms help form tiny particles that are easily removed magnetically. The research is still in its laboratory stage, but according to Julian Eastoe of the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, "The research at the University of Bristol in this field is about how we can take the ordinary and give it extraordinary properties by chemical design. We have uncovered the principle by which you can generate this kind of material and now it's back to the drawing board to make it better." The details of the new soap were published in the journal Angewandte Chemie.Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:58:00 -0500{14543F11-E83A-4114-B652-6E184A92D4AF}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/24/nanosensor_for_melamine.aspxA new nanosensor is able to measure the melamine in powdered milk for infants in a simple and cost effective manner. The sensor, developed by Iranian chemists at the University of Tabriz, Iran, uses a gold and silver nanotechnology alloy to give precise measurements of melamine at low concentrations. According to Dr. Manzouri Lashkar, “Protein measurement method in nutritious materials is done according to their nitrogen percentage. Since melamine has high percentage of nitrogen in its structure, some producers add illegally melamine to the food of pets and to powder milk for infants so protein percentage increases in those materials. In this research, we tried to present a simple and sensitive method for the measurement of melamine in those materials. We achieved our goal by using melamine accumulation with the synthesized nanoparticles.”Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:56:00 -0500{B1BC8B64-DC78-4BD2-AD71-0B1BCBE95D38}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/24/multiwalled_cns.aspxA coalition comprised of government officials, chemical manufacturers and representatives of labor and consumer advocacy groups are working together to come up with an agreement on ways to measure whether multiwalled carbon nanotubes are released from products, potentially exposing workers, consumers or the environment. The NanoRelease project is managed by the ILSI Research Foundation Center for Risk Science Innovation and Application (RSIA) and receives funding and technical support from U.S. and Canadian agencies, as well as industry associations. The answer to the group’s charge could affect regulatory oversight, risk estimates, worker protections, and the design of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, as well as the materials that contain them. Some research has suggested that multiwalled carbon nanotubes may behave like asbestos fibers if inhaled, yet the promising new material has many potential applications. Cathy Fehrenbacher, chief of the exposure assessment branch within the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, said, “we are very interested in the development of methods to assist us in understanding the potential for release and exposure.” Darrell Boverhof, a toxicologist with the Dow Chemical Co., and a co-chair of the group’s steering committee, said chemical manufacturers are responsible for the safety of their products, and that manufacturers hope this process will help confer confidence in the safety tests they conduct. Laboratory tests of different materials are expected to begin in 2013.Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500{CEB80AC8-9E4C-42EF-9AC1-1FD461C6011D}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/23/a_new_kind_of_shot.aspxResearchers at Duke University Medical Center, United States, have created synthetic nanoparticles that target lymph nodes and can greatly boost vaccine responses. Other adjuvants – substances that are added to vaccines to help boost the immune response – enhance immunity at the skin site where injection occurred. The Duke team created nanoparticles that can travel from the point of injection to the lymph nodes where they then act on the immune system to spur the right reaction for a greatly increased immune response. The strategy is based upon the team’s observation that mast cells – cells that are found in the skin that fight infections – will communicate directly with the lymph nodes by releasing nanoparticles called granules. According to Ashley St. John, a researcher, “Our strategy is unique because we have based our bioengineered particles on those naturally produced by mast cells, which effectively solve the same problem we are trying to solve of combating infection.” St. John said the flexibility of the synthetic nanoparticles and their ability to target certain lymph nodes represents a new avenue of personalized medical treatment. Soman Abraham, a professor of pathology, immunology and molecular genetics and microbiology, said these nanoparticles could soon be used in humans. “It should not be long because all the individual cytokines (immune system factors) and additional materials loaded into these particles are already FDA approved for use in humans. There is a lot of interest in nanoparticle-based therapy, but we are basing our materials on our observation of mast cells in nature. This is an informed application to deliver the right material to the right place in the body to get the most effective immune reaction.”Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:24:00 -0500{017446D4-C95A-4C31-8611-23E40B8112FB}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/23/diabetes.aspxA new device developed by engineers at Brown University, United States, can measure glucose concentrations in human saliva, potentially eliminating the need for diabetics to draw blood to check their glucose levels. Most people that have diabetes – an estimated 26 million Americans – have to draw blood to check their glucose levels. The new sensor uses plasmonic interferometers and nanotechnology to measure the concentration of glucose molecules in water. Glucose in human saliva is about 100 times less concentrated than in blood. According to Domenico Pacifici, an assistant professor of engineering, “This is proof of concept that plasmonic interferometers can be used to detect molecules in low concentrations, using a footprint that is ten times smaller than a human hair.” The device could also be used to detect other chemicals or substances, such as anthrax and biological compounds. Moreover, the device could detect them in parallel, using the same chip. The next step for the engineers is to build sensors tailored for glucose and other substances in an effort to further test the product. “The proposed approach will enable very high throughput detection of environmentally and biologically relevant analytes in an extremely compact design. We can do it with a sensitivity that rivals modern technologies,” Pacifici said. The team’s results were published in the journal Nano Letters.Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:21:00 -0500{6AEFEF83-92CD-4528-BC13-DFF625C9F606}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/23/Santa_Clara_conference.aspxThe Nanotech Conference and Expo 2012, in its 15th year, will be held in Santa Clara, California, in the United States, from June 18 to 21, 2012. Hailed as the world’s largest nanotechnology event, the conference delivers application-focused research from top international academic, government and private industry laboratories. Thousands of leading researchers, scientists, engineers and technology developers are expected to participate, along with investors, venture capitalists and business executives. The full program and registration information can be viewed on the conference website.Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:19:00 -0500{7DE46E10-DD32-4B45-BFFF-B54BB8DB1079}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/20/cancer.aspxA University of California Davis, United States, research team has synthesized a new class of nanoparticles that hold promise for delivering cancer drugs to tumors more accurately and effectively. The new nanoparticles are called dual-responsive boronate cross-linked micelles (BCMs). The micelles produce physiochemical changes in response to certain triggers and can function as nanocarriers for drug delivery. The BCMs release their payload quickly when triggered by the acidic micro-environment of a tumor, or on demand through the intravenous administration of the drug mannitol. According to Yunapei Li, a postdoctoral fellow and first author of the paper, "This use of reversibly cross-linked targeting micellar nanocarriers to deliver anti-cancer drugs helps prevent premature drug release during circulation and ensures delivery of high concentrations of drugs to the tumor site. It holds great promise for a significant improvement in cancer therapy." The team’s work is published in the current issue of the journal Angewandte Chemie.Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:20:00 -0500{44B1BEDC-AC6D-455D-AA87-7A06130A74AC}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/20/dots.aspxA collaborative effort between researchers at Stanford University, United States, and Xiamen University, China, has resulted in a stable biocompatible quantum dot that could be used for biomedical imaging. Quantum dots – small, semiconductor nanoparticles that fluoresce brightly – hold promise as biomedical imaging agents, but most are made from potentially hazardous materials such as cadmium and selenium. The U.S. and Chinese team, to address this issue, searched for semiconducting materials that had the desired optical properties while also being non-toxic. They found that a nanoparticle comprised of indium phosphide and zinc sulfide had the desired properties needed for biomedical imaging. They then coated the quantum dots with a biocompatible polymer known as a dendrimer, in order to improve the ability of the dot to travel unimpeded through the bloodstream and reach biological targets, such as tumors. Animals dosed with this type of nanoparticle experienced no apparent ill effects.Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:17:00 -0500{319EC7E8-BC64-450C-B453-823C0DFE8A54}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/20/NanoIsrael.aspxThe third annual NanoIsrael 2012 will be held in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 26 to 27, 2012. The conference and exhibition will present cutting-edge technologies, leading scientific achievements and unique business opportunities in the areas of nanomaterials; energy, water and the environment; nanoelectronics; nanophotonics; nanobiotechnology; and, nanomedicine. Previous conferences have drawn up to 1,000 delegates from more than 35 countries. This conference is held in cooperation with the Israel National Nanotechnology Initiative and the nanotechnology centers at Israeli universities. The full program and registration information can be viewed on the conference website.Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:13:00 -0500{E6BB49E8-5CB3-49FB-AD17-1DAB91650AB9}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/19/arsenic.aspxA new nanomaterial has been developed that enables the simple detection and removal of arsenic from drinking water. It is estimated that as many as 60 million people in Southeast Asia live in areas where drinking water is contaminated by arsenic. Long-term exposure can lead to serious disorders of the skin, nervous system, and cardiovascular system, as well as lead to the development of cancer. The new nanomaterial, which was developed by Dr. Sherif A. El-Safty, a principal researcher at the Materials Recycling Design Group, Research Center for Strategic Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, has high-order mesoporous structures that are densely packed with a functional group that is sensitive and selective for capturing arsenic. The nanomaterial also changes color when arsenic is adsorbed and removed, so the user can see that removal has occurred. The technology could be used by both large-volume water treatment plants as well as by individual persons, reducing the threat of arsenic in developing countries and elsewhere. According to the article, efforts will be made to popularize the new device in many urgent regions.Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:55:00 -0500{3D7F48A8-011A-40A5-B3CA-FA81B951FE57}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/19/breast_cancer.aspxScientists at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, United States, have successfully targeted and burned breast cancer cells. The team found that by shining an infrared light on gold-filled silicon nanoparticle wafers, the particles heated up, burning the cancerous cells. If the treatment is shown to work in human clinical trials, it could provide a non-invasive alternative to surgery, and could be used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments to make them more effective. Silicon and gold both have low toxicity profiles in the human body, as silicon is steadily broken down and removed by the kidneys, and gold is chemically inert. According to Haifa Shen, a Research Institute Member, and the report’s lead author, "The hollow gold particles we load into the porous silicon must be the right size and have the correct-sized space inside them to interact with the infrared light we are using. But the wavelength of infrared we use will have to change depending on where the tumor is. If it's close to the skin, we can use shorter wavelengths. Deeper inside the body, we have to use longer wavelengths of infrared to penetrate the tissue. The hollow space of the gold particles must be modified in response to that." The team is also studying whether the silicon-gold nanoparticles can be used to wipe out whole tumors, rather than just cancerous cells. "We are planning pre-clinical studies to study the technology's impact on whole tissues, breast cancer cells and possibly pancreatic cancer cells," Shen said. "We would also like to see whether this approach makes chemotherapy more effective, meaning you could use less drugs to achieve the same degree of success in treating tumors. These investigations are next." The team’s work is presented in the new journal Advanced Healthcare Materials.Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:51:00 -0500{0DDF9C8C-B3E0-4EA5-AD58-14499EE357A1}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/19/Vietnam.aspxScientists in Vietnam have introduced a generator that is powered by water and the application of nanotechnology. Dr. Nguyen Chanh Khe, deputy director of the Research and Development Center, at the Saigon Hi-tech Park, and his group, said the generator relies on a nano-catalyst with high electrochemical stability. The generator releases only water or vapors, he said, and does not pollute the environment or cause noise. Various kinds of water can be used to power it, including seawater and rainwater. The generator has a life expectancy of five to six years, and can be recycled by having its components replaced. The new generator should be introduced to the market in June.Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500{BA366D6A-4279-47A9-B477-57E67845B9CB}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/18/diabetes.aspxResearchers from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and Children’s Hospital Boston, United States, have developed “smart” injectable nanotherapeutics that can be programmed to deliver drugs directly to the pancreas. This discovery could potentially lead to improved treatment for Type 1 diabetes with improved efficacy and reduced side effects. Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the body’s immune system progressively destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Three million Americans have the disease, which often strikes children and young adults, and more than 30,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. According to Donald Ingber, the Wyss Institute founding director, "The consequences of Type I diabetes are felt in both the people who live with the disease and in the terrible strain that treatment costs put on the economy. In keeping with our vision at the Wyss Institute, we hope that the programmable nanotherapy we have developed here will have a major positive impact on people's lives in the future." In vitro studies found that the new approach increased drug efficacy by 200-fold, meaning that smaller amounts of drugs would be needed for treatment, reducing toxic side effects, and lowering treatment costs. The findings have been published in the journal Nano Letters.Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:05:00 -0500{E6E5CD82-A3AB-4698-A706-FFD1735A35AE}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/18/Z_conference.aspxThe Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) will hold its NanoManufacturing Conference and Exhibits from March 27 to 28, 2012, in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. Discussions will focus on mid- to long-term applications of nanotechnologies, but information on how this emerging science is already impacting the industry will round out the agenda. According to the conference website, “More than 1,300 products have made it to market using nanotechnology, with many more in the pipeline. The NanoManufacturing conference provides an opportunity for manufacturers from almost any industry [sic] discover the latest advances in the technology.” SME notes five applications in which nanotechnology is already improving manufacturing: materials; coatings; energy collection and storage; lighting; and, manufacturing processes. The full program and registration information is available at the conference website.Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:02:00 -0500{5A793B61-FC1E-4F4C-BC2A-CE6B046EEE74}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/18/water.aspxResearchers at Wright State University, United States, have developed molecular-sized “nano-brushes” that could be used to purify water. The brushes are made up of bristles that have thousands of tiny, jellyfish-like strands. Along with the proper coatings, the increased surface area of the bristles allows them to behave like powerful cleaners that kill bacteria and destroy contaminants that pollute water. According to Sharmila Mukhopadhyay, the director of the University’s Center for Nano-Scale Multifunctional Materials, “It absolutely should work. I’m pretty excited about this because the potential, I know, is huge.” The need to efficiently purify water is expected to increase as the human and industrial consumption of water grows. Already, 1.1 billion people lack access to safe water, according to estimates by the United Nations. Moreover, aging water treatment infrastructures are struggling to keep up with growing threats to the clean water supply. Mukhopadhyay has teamed up with several companies to expand the University’s involvement in the area of clean water technologies. The nano-brushes could have different materials attached to them, such as silver particles to kill bacteria, or palladium to break up water pollutants. Titanium oxide can zap pollutants when activated by sunlight. Mukhopadhyay plans to attach three to four different kinds of particles to the nano-brushes. “So simultaneously you can combine multiple environmental cleanup applications into one single component,” she said. Eventually the devices could be used in freshwater pollution control, in water treatment plants or even in small home filters. The brushes are currently being tested in the laboratory for near-future deployment in the field.Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500{37B12E65-988E-4D4D-8BDF-DE8119E47AA1}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/17/iran.aspxIn this interview, Dr. Abdolreza Simchi, a nanotechnology researcher who heads the Research Center for Nanostructured and Advanced Materials (RCNAM) at the Department of Material Science and Engineering of Sharif University, Iran, speaks about his research, the state of nanotechnology in Iran, and how the field has the potential to better people’s lives. In Iran, he says, nanotechnologists are limited in terms of access to advanced analytical techniques and research budgets. To overcome these obstacles, the Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC) has established a network, between different institutions and labs, to give scientists and researchers access to analytical equipment. The INIC also supports scientists with various grants. As for how increased sanctions, currently being called for by the United States, could affect his country, Simchi says, “I believe sanction has two faces. On one hand, it restricts the accessibility to facilities, equipment, and materials. This part is certainly disturbing the progress. However, I see another side that somehow is good! The sanction has limited the mobility of our students and experts. I believe the strength of the country is its talented and brilliant students and well-established academic media. This is the most important difference between Iran and other neighboring countries. “ Asked about what nanotechnology’s greatest benefit could be to the Iranian people, he says, “I believe we can enjoy nanotechnology’s benefits both from improved life standard through medical cares and enhanced national gross income via advanced technologies to produce high quality products at competitive cost. The former includes any activities that advance healthcare, diagnoses, monitoring, and therapy. The latter is closely linked to industry. Various industrial sectors of Iran can benefit from nanotechnology; perhaps the most important ones include extraction of oil and gas, petrochemical industry, automotive industry, water treatment and environmental remediation, and energy sector.”Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:24:00 -0500{2481559C-1C19-4407-95BB-33BE09B13796}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/17/nano-axis.aspxIn this Nanoclast blog, Dexter Johnson asks: “Are we witnessing a nano-axis of evil?” Johnson notes that unless you missed the last decade, you should be aware of the bellicose rhetoric that goes between the United States and both Venezuela and Iran. Last week’s announcement that Venezuela and Iran would expand their cooperation in nanotechnology, may have added a new wrinkle to that rhetoric, says Johnson, but as it turns out, Iran is just as capable as many Western countries in over-hyping its capabilities. Iran’s nanotechnology capabilities are perhaps impressive, but only when you add the strong qualifier: “considering.” He writes: “Yes, considering the years of sanctions and the isolation of Iranian scientists from the rest of the world, it is indeed impressive that they have managed much of a nanotechnology initiative at all.” As for Venezuela, its nanotechnology capabilities are preliminary at best. A nano-axis of evil seems to be a bit of stretch. As Johnson concludes, “You have to feel a bit of sympathy for Venezuela in that they are newbies to the field and they are relying on a country whose developments in nanotechnology are only impressive when one adds the qualifier: considering. It would seem for both countries, it's not a relationship that is going to do much to further either one in their nanotechnology research.”Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:21:00 -0500{4F4E20DC-AC7E-47B0-A641-7198FA8304DB}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/17/research_in_africa.aspxThis article explores the latest developments in materials research and applications in Africa, as viewed by the United Kingdom-based Institute of Nanotechnology (IoN), during a 10-day visit to gather data for the forthcoming region report on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Africa. At the 6th African Materials Research Society (ARMS) Conference in Zimbabwe, which attracted over 300 participants, talks and seminars focused on current and emerging trends in materials research. Arthur Mutambara, the Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, speaking at the opening ceremony, said science and technology are fundamental to economic growth, and stated that loss of revenue from exportation of unprocessed ore must be prevented. Professor Christopher Chetsanga, chairman of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, agreed, and urged local scientists to seek ways of adding value to the country’s minerals. The president of ARMS, Josephat Zimba, noted that funding for science and research could lead to enormous benefits for the continent. Other speakers highlighted the region’s potential as a top exporter of energy through harvesting, storing and selling solar power abroad. The article also details a visit to the iThemba LABS in South Africa, which provided insight into cutting edge research and development taking place in that country. The next such conference will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in late 2013 or early 2014. The full program from the 6th conference is available from the IoN website.Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:18:00 -0500{DF16AC45-1245-4124-9B44-3619B3D7FC27}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/13/chips.aspxResearchers at the United States-based corporation IBM have pushed the boundaries of magnetic storage of information to the edge of what is possible, demonstrating the ability to store and retrieve 1s and 0s from an array of just 12 atoms. The findings could lead to a new class of nanomaterials used in memory chips and disk drives that have greater capabilities than silicon-based computers, while also using significantly less power. According to Shan X. Wang, director of the Center for Magnetic Nanotechnology at Stanford University, also in the U.S., “Magnetic materials are extremely useful and strategically important to many major economies, but there aren’t that many of them. To make a brand new material is very intriguing and scientifically very important.” The most advanced magnetic storage systems prior to this discovery needed about one million atoms to store a digital 1 or 0. Computer industry analysts said IBM’s work could lead to a new direction for nanotechnology, as well as offer a route to new kinds of nanomaterials. Richard Doherty of Envisioneering, an industry consulting firm, said, “Nanotechnology labs are going to begin asking, ‘What else is going on down there?’ The information storage side of this is fantastic, but this truly changes our ideas of the behavior of materials at molecular levels.” Industry analysts also note that as the semiconductor industry gets close to exhausting the ability to make today’s circuits smaller, there is an intense international hunt for a way to manufacture technology beyond microelectronics. Ian Steff, vice president for global policy and technology partnerships for the Semiconductor Industry Association, said, “The nation that discovers the next logic switch will lead the nanoelectronics era and reap the economic rewards associated with it.”Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:32:00 -0500{DD09B14D-5611-4320-808E-E910A8E995C6}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/13/mosquitos.aspxScientists at the Amity Institute of Nanotechnology, India, have developed a microencapsulation strategy for enhanced protection from mosquito bites. The team notes that DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is the most common active ingredient in insect repellents, as well as the most effective currently on the market, but the unavailability of m-toluic acid in India has led to the need for an effective alternate and safe repellant. N, N-Diethylphenylacetamide (DEPA) is another long-acting, inexpensive multi-insect repellant, which was found to exhibit promising repellency of six to eight hours in the laboratory. DEPA, however, needs to be encapsulated or entrapped in microcapsules to be most effective. The Amity team encapsulated DEPA with biodegradable polysaccharides, which was found to slow the release of DEPA, prolonging the length of effective repellency. The encapsulation increased the efficiency of mosquito repellency from six hours to 12 hours. No other DEPA-based formulation has been reported, to date, with up to 12 hours of protection time.Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:29:00 -0500{044F63FF-9E51-4FFE-A273-94DDDA857807}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/13/nano_conference.aspxThe fourth annual Nanotechnology Commercialization Conference will be held from April 4-5, 2012 in Durham, North Carolina, United States. The event is co-hosted by the NanoBusiness Commercialization Association, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, and the Center of Innovation for Nanobiotechnology (COIN). Hundreds of global innovators are expected to attend the conference, which the organizers are calling a groundbreaking event for international nanotechnology stakeholders. The event will feature: national-level keynote speakers; sessions, workshops and exhibits on the latest advances in the field, products and technologies; discussions on financing, licensing and business development geared toward the nanotechnology entrepreneur; and, networking opportunities with connected professionals. The full program and registration information can be viewed on the conference website.Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:26:00 -0500{ABF9EE21-31B9-4C86-8638-E98A2B6CCE21}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/12/mice.aspxNew research is showing that changing the coating on silver nanoparticles can alter their toxicity to mouse cells. Most research to date has focused on the metal core of the silver nanoparticles, but in 2010, researchers at the United States Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory reported that silver nanoparticles coated with fatty oleate coatings were not toxic to bacteria. The Oak Ridge team, led by Mitchel Doktycz, decided to investigate further. They wondered if chemical coatings could make particular nanoparticles more toxic to bacteria but less toxic to eukaryotic – bound by a membrane - cells. The team synthesized and purified silver nanoparticles with four different chemical surfaces, then tested their toxicity toward mouse cell lines from the lung and immune system. They found that nanoparticles coated with ammonium-containing polymer were the most toxic, followed by those coated with proteins and oleates. Uncoated silver nanoparticles were the least toxic. Anil Suresh, the first author of the study, said the results offer insights that could help materials scientists match nanoparticles and their coatings with applications.Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:12:00 -0500{E067FA2D-9F18-44FB-812F-CACEF7196575}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/12/plastic.aspxScientists at the Institute of Wood Science & Technology (IWST) Bangalore, India, are working to create a material that mimics all the qualities of plastic, but is biodegradable in nature. According to Dr. Ajay G. Karmarkar, “It is a composite of polylactic acid and nanocellulose. Polylactic acid is compatible with man-made polymers, hence can be used instead of plastic. The composite will not only reduce the burden on the environment, but will help in eliminating plastic.” The team said they are still working out some of the logistics of the product, noting that while they are able to make nanocellulose in the laboratory, they are unable to get polylactic acid from India, so have had to import it from the United States. The plastic developed by the organization will also take awhile to reach industry, said Karmarkar. “We have just started working on the project; it will be commercially available in two years. Companies should utilise IWST’s capabilities,” he said, adding that: “We obviously can’t give away our formulas and products for free; then it loses its value. We offer our services at a nominal price, but companies should utilise us properly.” Karmarker says he hopes the product will be popular. “Nanotechnology is the future of science,” he said. “Right now nanotechnology is being developed for everything, from drug application to material engineering, but we must be wary of the safety issues that it poses.”Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:08:00 -0500{1F18F4FE-556C-4078-9BB7-645A782F0A00}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/12/Venezuela_and_iran.aspxThe countries of Iran and Venezuela this week signed an agreement to boost cooperation in nanotechnology. The Venezuelan Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, Jesse Chacon, and the Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade, Mehdi Ghazanfari, signed the agreement. The Presidents of both countries attended the signing. The countries agreed to expand cooperation on training and empowering each other in nano-sciences and nanotechnology.Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:06:00 -0500{C8086CCE-EBBD-47E3-9B9E-E585AC192874}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/11/Egypt.aspxThis article details an interview with Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb, a leading nanotechnology consultant in Egypt, and Director of the Nano Materials Masters Program and founding director for the Center of Nanotechnology at Nile University. The purpose of the interview was to discuss the importance of nanotechnology in Egypt, the state of technological progress and public nanotechnology education post-revolution, and the future role for the country in the global nanotechnology landscape. Abdel-Mottaleb says, overall, that research in Egypt right now is badly suffering. Initiatives that had been in place prior to the revolution are facing difficulties of funding, as well as being associated with the previous government. Additionally, he says, people are afraid to commit to anything new in the current environment. “Despite this situation,” he says, “we are working as hard as possible to ensure that our work continues. We’re applying for funding at different places but that takes time and money we don’t have. It’s a change phase and we have to go through it. We need the support of the international community to be able to go through something like this.” Research has slowed down, he adds, and students are frustrated, but committed to finishing their work, to contribute to society and Egypt. Abdel-Mottaleb says what Egypt really needs to move forward in nanotechnology is a national nanotechnology initiative: “It needs specific and measurable targets that all the resources that are going to be allocated for nanotechnology are going to be put into that area, and achieving targets. We need a significant collaboration with the international community. We need to find a way to establish such bi-lateral collaboration schemes, and in the end, we need the facilities. We have a huge untapped human resource power here…” Healthcare and water quality are two nanotechnology applications that Abdel-Mottaleb identifies as having the potential to improve the lives of Egyptian people the most. He notes that worldwide there is a big deficiency in manpower qualified to do advanced research in nanotechnology; Egypt, he says, is full of human resources. His country has, he believes, a significant role to play in this emerging technology “It might not be very clear at the moment, but I believe that we can significantly contribute to the global nanotechnology market, and additionally that we are a very important market for the technology scene,” he said.Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:59:00 -0500{E208518C-222D-48E4-AEFD-799F0492B634}http://www.merid.org/Content/News_Services/Nanotechnology_and_Development_News/Articles/2012/Jan/11/repair_2.aspxEngineers at the University of Illinois have developed a self-healing system for electronic devices and batteries that restores electrical conductivity to a cracked circuit almost instantaneously. Electronic devices are evolving to perform sophisticated tasks, with manufacturers packing as much density onto a chip as possible. But if even one tiny circuit in an integrated chip fails, the whole chip – and possibly the whole device – is a loss. Nancy Sottos, one of the researchers, said, “In general there’s not much avenue for manual repair. Sometimes you just can’t get to the inside. In a multilayer integrated circuit, there’s no opening it up. Normally you just replace the whole chip. It’s true for a battery too. You can’t pull a battery apart and try to find the source of the failure.” The method uses tiny microcapsules on top of a gold line functioning as a circuit. When a crack appears, the microcapsules break open and release the liquid metal inside, filling the gap, and restoring electrical flow. Repair only takes place at the point of damage, and requires no human intervention or diagnostics. According to Sottos, “In an aircraft, especially a defense-based aircraft, there are miles and miles of conductive wire. You don’t often know where the break occurs. The autonomous part is nice – it knows where it broke, even if we don’t.” The team’s work was published in the journal Advanced Materials.Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:55:00 -0500