Nanotechnology

FDA Forms Internal Nanotechnology Task Force

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the formation of an internal FDA Nanotechnology Task Force, charged with determining regulatory approaches that encourage the continued development of innovative, safe and effective FDA-regulated products that use nanotechnology materials. More.

July 4th NANO FLAG

The image of the flag -- complete with all 50 stars and 13 stripes -- is 7 microns tall, compared to the 100-micron width of a human hair. It was transferred onto a silicon wafer using a machine that follows the shape of any bitmap image file. The flag and its pole were cut using an ion beam -- a microscopic version of a laser -- and lifted to a standing position by a nano manipulator. More. 

Enhanced Antisense Drug Delivery and Expression

Antisense refers to therapies that block cancer genes from producing proteins that promote cancer. But development of these drugs is difficult since the nanoscale pieces of DNA or RNA that comprise these drugs have some difficulty penetrating cancer cells. Gold nanoparticles seem to aid in delivery of DNA molecules safely into cancer cells. Read the news here.

NANO Blog & Podcast

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NanoJury Preliminary Verdict: Who Should Obey Or Enforce It?

We previously mentioned the formation of the Nano Jury (May podcast), where twenty randomly- chosen people from different backgrounds heard evidence about the role that nanotechnology might play in various future scenarios. Summer 2005 the jurors heard from a variety of witnesses with widely varying perspectives, which they drew on in formulating a final set of recommendations. The recommendations  include greater public involvement and increased clarity in communication, as well as more emphasis on health, equity and environmental protection. In all, the jury cited 20 some recommendations for nanotechnology development, including use of juries composed of members from various aspects of life to critique publicly funded research and the use of "plain English" to discuss nanotechnology. Although these goals are interesting, it is not clear how they should be implemented or if the government should develop or appoint an agency to oversee administration. For a report on the verdict click here (German), or here for a discussion by David Berube or here for sponsor information.

Patent Reform Act to Stifle Smaller Entity Inventors?

See a report by Greg Mayer at Small Times about the impact of H.R. 2795 (the Patent Reform Act) on nanotech independent inventors and small businesses. Greg suggests that three specific revisions (implementing the first-to-file system, limits on patent holders seeking an injunction against infringers and the new post-grant opposition proceedings) unnecessarily favor large corporate interests. He cites opposition by The Professional Inventors Alliance and concludes that it is unlikely that H.R. 2795 will become law in its present form. This legislation is sponsored by Rep Lamar Smith (pictured) and introduced on June 8th 2005. Click here for Act, and here for Mayer's piece.

Hey Mom, Why is Nanotechnology Better than Photolithography to Make Semiconductors?

And you thought explaining sexual reproduction was difficult. Well, explaining nanotechnology to your children and younger students has become a little easier, thanks to the folks at Nanooze. Nanooze is a web space where youngsters can learn about the latest “exciting stuff” in science and technology. I think they put it best: “What kind of stuff? Mostly discoveries about the world that is too small to see and making tiny things. Making things using something called nanotechnology. But nanooze is also about other things in all sorts of different areas of science.” While this might be more of a nansnooze for the experienced, it provides a great way to incorporate nanotechnology into a course. Unfortunately, the most controversial issues surrounding the use of nanotechnology are not raised (on any level) but educators can use this site as a platform to engage students in such discussions.

Prof. Endo: Nanotech is a ‘matter of life and death’ for developing nations

Prof. Endo, of Shinshu University in Japan, recently said “nanotechnology is certain to play a crucial role in creating technological innovations in the 21st century.” Ho goes on to say that success in nanotechnology is a ‘matter of life and death’ for developing nations, because developing nations are rapidly catching up in the mature technologies that led the 20th century, such as antibiotics and semiconductors. According to him, nanotech is now developing into a huge multidisciplinary field that covers a wide academic spectrum, from chemistry, physics and biology to economics, sociology and religious studies. "People with all sorts of scholarly backgrounds are joining the world of nanotechnology to explore various possibilities for a better future," Endo says. "It is becoming the area where academic disciplines are being fused--an extremely exciting place to be." See the full report here, or click here for an interview with Dr. Endo by MIT.

Superlens Created

Light microscopy, but not electron microscopy, can be used to image living tissues. But  400 nanometers is the shortest wavelength that allows imaging without damage to the tissue itself. Evanescent waves allow researchers to get around this limitation. Researchers have made a lens out of a 35-nanometer-thick film of silver, which they used with a light source of identical frequency (the same resonant frequency of the lens's electrons). The light shone through the word "NANO," inscribed in letters with a 40-nanometer line width on a piece of chromium through ion beam lithography. Upon exposure to the light, the silver electrons resonated with the evanescent waves, providing enhanced excitement. A light-sensitive material was also used to capture the lens directed waves. This work could allows researchers to view biological processes in real time as they naturally occur, something not possible using present technologies. To learn more read here or see Science, Vol 308, Issue 5721, 534-537 , 22 April 2005.

Nano Valve - A Switchable Molecular Trap

UCLA chemists have created a nano valve that can be opened and closed at will to trap and release molecules. The discovery was federally funded by the National Science Foundation. "This paper demonstrates unequivocally that the machine works," said Jeffrey I. Zink, a UCLA professor of chemistry and biochemistry, a member of the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA, and a member of the research team. "With the nano valve, we can trap and release molecules on demand. We are able to control molecules at the nano scale. "A nano valve potentially could be used as a drug delivery system," Zink said. "The valve is like a mechanical system that we can control like a water faucet," said UCLA graduate student Thoi Nguyen, lead author on the paper. "Trapping the molecule inside and shutting the valve tightly was a challenge." See more here or read the manuscript at PNAS.