The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies launches a series of NanoFrontiers podcasts and newsletters to discuss promising nanotechnology applications. First episodes focus on tissue engineering and biomedicine advancements. Future discussions will cover energy, clean water, and developing nations' challenges.
Researchers have pushed the efficiency of plastic solar cells to over 6%, a significant milestone in developing sustainable energy solutions. The new record is attributed to creating nano-filaments within light-absorbing plastic, allowing for thicker absorbing layers and increased sunlight capture.
The need for accurate measurement of airborne nanomaterials exposure is critical for protecting workers' health in nanotechnology-related jobs. Current approaches are insufficient, and further research is required to identify effective monitoring methods.
The project highlights the lack of adequate funding and research strategies for addressing environmental, health, and safety risks of nanomaterials. The proposal suggests investing a minimum of $100 million in targeted risk research to establish a science-based foundation for safe nanotechnology.
The Virtual Journal of Nanotechnology Environment, Health & Safety (VJ-Nano EHS) offers the most comprehensive knowledge base on peer-reviewed information focusing on nanomaterial impacts available to-date. ICON's online journal improves access to scientific findings on the benefits and risks of nanomaterials.
The report emphasizes the need for life cycle assessments to ensure sustainable nanotechnology commercialization, citing limited data on nanomaterial toxicity and environmental impacts. LCA can still be useful, but uncertainties must be clearly stated to address critical unknowns.
The Wilson Center and Pew Charitable Trusts are expanding their efforts to examine the risks and benefits of nanotechnology. The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies will provide objective, in-depth analysis and policy recommendations to manage environmental, health, and social impacts.
A former EPA official urges policymakers to address oversight system gaps, emphasizing risk criteria, information reporting requirements, and risk management tools. The report highlights the need for 'novel solutions' and openness in decision-making processes.
George M. Whitesides, a renowned Harvard chemist, has been awarded the Priestley Medal for his distinguished service to chemistry over 40 years. His groundbreaking research in diverse areas such as NMR, materials science, and nanotechnology has laid the groundwork for advances in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical diagnostics.
A new survey found that people's emotional reactions to nanotechnology play a major role in their perception of its risks and benefits, with individuals' values determining their reaction to information about the technology. The study suggests that government, business, and educators must take a proactive approach to public engagement ...
A novel detection procedure using nanotechnology and high-temperature superconductors enables surgeons to accurately locate the sentinel lymph node for breast cancer. The ultrasensitive magnetic probe detects minuscule magnetic fields, allowing for more effective staging and treatment of breast cancer.
Scientists have developed a method for delivering thermal ablation directly to tumor cells using nanotechnology and molecular imaging. By attaching magnetic iron-containing bioprobes to cancer cells and heating them with an alternating magnetic field, researchers were able to weaken and destroy malignant cells without damaging nearby h...
The podcast series explores the impact of nanotechnology on human health, safety, and the environment. Key stakeholders share their perspectives on the benefits and challenges associated with this emerging technology. The discussion aims to raise awareness and promote informed decision-making about the future of nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology has the potential to provide less-industrialized countries with powerful new tools for diagnosing and treating disease. The technology could revolutionize health care in developing countries by making treatments more readily available for diseases that claim millions of lives annually.
A leading U.S. innovator in nanofabrication and assembly processes, James E. Hutchison, emphasizes the need for designing materials and processes that minimize hazard and waste in the production phase of nanotechnology. Green chemistry can sharply reduce toxic solvents and produce safer products with reduced unintended consequences.
Nanotechnology is revolutionizing agriculture by controlling unique properties of matter, affecting everything from food-processing equipment to packaging. The technology has various applications in the supply chain, including detecting ripeness and freshness in produce, improving safety, and enhancing environmental monitoring.
Scientists have created a quick, inexpensive, and efficient method to extract single DNA molecules and position them in nanoscale troughs or 'slits' for easy analysis and sequencing. This technology promises faster and more efficient genome analysis, potentially leading to customized DNA profiles for patients.
China's growing investment in nanoscience aims to capture a significant share of the $3 trillion global nanotech market. The country plans to increase its research and development capabilities over the next 15 years, with a focus on emerging technologies like nanotechnology.
Scientists at Georgia Tech have found that the electrical conductance of metal nanowires varies due to a pair of atoms, known as a dimer, shuttling back and forth between the bulk electrical leads. This discovery has significant implications for the development of nanotechnology and nanodevices.
Scientists at Arizona State University are working on a new DNA sequencing project that combines physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology to dramatically lower the cost of genome sequencing. The goal is to make genome sequencing a routine diagnostic tool in medical care for diagnosing and treating common diseases.
Scientists probe the effects of nanotechnology on living cells, organisms, and the environment. Researchers like Maria Palazuelos test aluminum nanoparticles' absorption by cells, while others investigate copper nanoparticles' toxicity in fish. The goal is to understand nanoparticle-cell interactions to inform regulatory decisions.
Researchers have developed a new nanotechnology that can examine single molecules to determine gene expression, enabling more accurate analysis of individual cancer cells. This technology uses a GRIN approach combining genomics, robotics, informatics, and nanotechnology.
Despite significant research and development, nanotechnology remains largely unknown to the general public due to a lack of critical analysis and debate in popular media. Social scientists are underrepresented in nanotechnology studies, while some activists fear its potential risks without acknowledging its benefits.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a powerful computer model to explain the mechanism of an intein, a type of protein that cuts itself out of host proteins. The study uses quantum mechanics to reveal new insights into the reaction's behavior and potential applications in nanotechnology.
Researchers have made progress in nanotech workplace safety, including new instrumentation and innovative exposure control methods. However, critical questions about worker safety remain unanswered, highlighting the need for further study to ensure safe nano-workplaces today and in the future.
Researchers sponsored by ONR have made groundbreaking discoveries in graphene and carbon nanotubes, leading to novel electronic devices and sensors. Their work has the potential to revolutionize industries such as electronics and materials science.
The federal government needs a master plan for identifying and reducing potential risks in nanotechnology. The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies chief scientist recommends investing $100 million over two years in targeted risk research to lay a strong, science-based foundation for safe nanotechnology.
The nanotechnology sector is expected to employ over 2 million workers by 2015, but risk research funding is limited, leading to a need for targeted studies on worker exposures. A 'control banding' approach could provide a middle ground between inaction and banning all nanomaterials as hazardous.
Rensselaer will receive a $2.23 million IBM Blue Gene supercomputer to support new nanotechnology and biotechnology research, helping develop simulation technologies for understanding biological systems and advancing computational science.
A study by Rice University and UCL found that US consumers are willing to use specific nano-containing products when the potential benefits are high. The public perceives nanotechnology as less risky than everyday technologies.
A large-scale study found that greater popular awareness and understanding of nanotechnology increases support for research and reduces concerns. The study compared the experience of emerging nanotechnology to other new technologies, highlighting the importance of citizen-scientist dialogue in shaping public perceptions.
Dr. Neal Lane, former U.S. President Bill Clinton's science advisor, expresses concerns about the impact of limited public knowledge on nanotechnology's future success. He emphasizes the need for a coordinated effort to educate the public and provide balanced information about nanotechnology's benefits and risks.
Purdue University has been awarded $7 million to study the use of a nanomotor, a microscopic biological machine, for diagnosing and treating diseases like cancer and AIDS. The team will adapt a viral motor to package therapeutic DNA or RNA for disease-causing cells.
Nanotechnology has become a significant part of consumer goods, with products like Nano-Tex treated fleece jackets and carbon nanotube-infused tennis rackets. The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies has identified over 350 manufacturer-identified nanotechnology consumer products currently being sold.
Rice University chemists have successfully created and grown carbon nanotube seeds, which can be used to produce large quantities of pure nanotubes. The breakthrough offers significant potential for various materials applications, including energy storage and electronics.
A recent paper identifies Five Grand Challenges for research on nanotechnology risk to meet the full potential of the technology. The challenges include developing a universal aerosol sampler, assessing fiber-shaped nanoparticles' health hazards, and engineering safe-by-design nanomaterials.
Fourteen top scientists propose five critical challenges for nanotechnology risk research, including identifying potential health and environmental hazards. They will discuss their recommendations at a live webcast on November 16th, 2006.
Researchers have created a diagnostic test that can detect viruses like influenza, HIV, and RSV in under 60 seconds using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The technique works by measuring the change in frequency of a near-infrared laser as it scatters off viral DNA or RNA.
The House Science Committee's Chairman Sherwood Boehlert and Ranking Democrat Bart Gordon call for the implementation of a new research agenda on the environmental, health, and safety implications of nanotechnology. The paper recommends prioritized priorities for examining potential consequences over the next decade and a half, which c...
A comprehensive survey of nanotechnology workplace safety practices found that many companies and laboratories are using conventional EHS practices despite the potential for nanoparticles to pose specific environmental and health risks. The survey, conducted by Rice University's International Council on Nanotechnology, collected data f...
Researchers at Rice University's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology have developed a revolutionary, low-cost technology to clean arsenic from drinking water. The nanorust technique reduces arsenic levels in contaminated water to below EPA thresholds, offering a sustainable solution for millions of people worldwide.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed two new techniques to attach carbon nanotubes to metal surfaces, overcoming key hurdles to using them in computer chips, displays, and sensors. The techniques use either high-temperature chemical vapor deposition or a low-temperature contact printing method, allowing for st...
Researchers used atomic force microscopy to study DNA's flexibility, finding it can bend into tight structures without large forces. The findings shed light on molecular properties viewed at different magnifications and have implications for cell biology and gene regulation.
The US Department of Defense has funded the Texas Nanotechnology Consortium to develop and commercialize revolutionary nanomaterials for defense aerospace applications. The consortium will partner with the Air Force Research Laboratory to create next-generation composites and smart materials, ensuring US air superiority.
Researchers have used cicada wings as stamps to create negative imprints of nano-scale patterns on polymer films. The wings' waxy coating imparts a low surface tension, allowing for the creation of 'nano-wells' with promising anti-reflective properties.
The International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) has reviewed existing efforts to develop best practices for handling nanomaterials in the workplace. The Phase 1 report highlights the need for better information on industry practices, with some documents not publicly available.
Arizona State University has received a $1.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop innovative nanotechnology solutions for solar energy. The team aims to create tiny devices that can harness light energy more efficiently and convert it into electricity.
University of Michigan researchers successfully assembled nanoparticles into free-floating sheets using cadmium telluride crystals, a material used in solar cells. The discovery establishes a key connection between proteins and nanoparticles, enabling the development of novel materials for drug delivery, energy, and more.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered a way to control the assembly of gold nanoparticles using rigid, double-stranded DNA, which can lead to more efficient energy generation and data storage. The technique takes advantage of DNA's natural tendency to pair up components, allowing for more efficient assembly.
Researchers at Clemson University have created a nanotechnology-based countermeasure to render anthrax spores harmless. The method uses sugar-coated carbon nanotubes to bind with the spores, preventing their inhalation and destruction.
The University of Pittsburgh is developing a multidisciplinary nanotechnology undergraduate course with a $200,000 NSF grant. The hands-on research-oriented course will introduce students to nanoscale devices and their applications, with a focus on publishing research in refereed journals.
The National Science Foundation has extended funding for Rice University's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology through 2011. The center, founded in 2001, is dedicated to studying the interaction between nanomaterials and living organisms and ecosystems.
Researchers develop nanotubes to enhance adult stem cells' ability to differentiate into neurons in stroke-damaged rat brains. Additionally, nanoparticles promote formation of blood vessels and boost cardiovascular function after heart attacks.
George M. Whitesides receives the 2007 Priestley Medal for his groundbreaking research in NMR, materials science, and nanotechnology, with potential applications in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical diagnostics.
The LifeChips program aims to develop broad-based skills in students combining engineering, physical sciences, biological sciences, and medicine for life science research. Graduates will be prepared to lead the next generation of LifeChips research, making scientific discoveries and transforming them into technologies.
Scientists at the University of Alberta developed a unique coating process to make the sharpest tip known, opening doors to new possibilities in electron microscopy and nanotechnology. The sharp tips can withstand extreme temperatures and enable finer resolution in electron microscopes.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a new biodiesel technology that uses nanotechnology to create a more efficient and economical process. The technology, led by Victor Lin, accurately controls the production of tiny silica particles to convert raw materials into biodiesel.
Rutgers University researcher John Sinko has received a $1.7 million NIH MERIT award to continue his research on nanotechnology-based, targeted drug delivery systems for treating HIV-infected cells. The funding will support the design, development, and testing of novel anti-HIV drug delivery systems.
Researchers will develop structural materials with chemical resistance, thermal stability, and fracture resistance, as well as transparent materials that are self-healing and anti-abrasive. The goal is to create lightweight, high-performance materials for ballistic resistant armor and vehicles.
A recent study calculates the risks of nanotechnology, emphasizing the need for rational work to understand and minimize adverse effects. The research highlights the importance of managing exposure to manufactured nano-sized particles, particularly through respiratory or skin routes.