Nanotechnology News – Latest Headlines

A 'forest' of molecules holds the promise of turning waste heat into electricity

Physicists have discovered a new way of harvesting waste heat and turning it into electrical power. Taking advantage of quantum effects, the technology holds great promise for making cars, power plants, factories and solar panels more efficient.

September 24, 2010 Read more

Mimicking nature, water-based artificial leaf produces electricity

A team led by a North Carolina State University researcher has shown that water-gel-based solar devices can act like solar cells to produce electricity. The findings prove the concept for making solar cells that more closely mimic nature. They also have the potential to be less expensive and more environmentally friendly than the current standard-bearer: silicon-based solar cells.

September 24, 2010 Read more

New kind of fuel cell delivers energy and fine chemicals with no waste from renewable raw materials

Researchers have introduced a new kind of fuel cell: an organometallic fuel cell that efficiently converts alcohols and sugars into carboxylic acids.

September 24, 2010 Read more

Das NanoCare-Programm des BMBF wurde um drei Projekte erweitert - CarboTox, NanoGem und NanoMed

Ziel der Projekte ist es, die humantoxikologischen Aus- und Wechselwirkungen bei der Herstellung, Verarbeitung und Anwendung von synthetischen Nanomaterialien systematisch zu erforschen.

September 24, 2010 Read more

UK Nanotechnology Directory from nanoKTN now available for free

The NanoKTN has announced the publication of its UK Nanotechnology Directory, a guidebook to the UK's world-class micro and nanotechnology (MNT) sector, featuring over 400 organisations active in nanotechnology in the UK.

September 24, 2010 Read more

PULLNANO 32nm CMOS project demonstration at ICT 2010

STMicroelectronics, the leader of the EU Sixth Framework Program PULLNANO Advanced Technology Research and development project, today announced that PULLNANO has been selected and invited to be demonstrated at ICT 2010, an event organized by the European Commission and hosted by the Belgian Presidency of the European Union, to be held on September 27-29, 2010 in Brussels.

September 24, 2010 Read more

Affordable mass screening to curb pandemics now possible with MicroKit

A portable MicroKit system developed by the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), the world's first bioengineering and nanotechnology research institute, enables mass health screenings to be conducted at strategic locations such as airports, immigration checkpoints and train stations.

September 24, 2010 Read more

Insurability of nanotechnologies - regulatory gaps identified, risk monitoring requested

Government officials from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein met at the invitation of Liechtenstein for the 4th International Nano Authorities Dialogue. The participants discussed current developments in nanotechnologies, while the focus was on legal and technical issues about the insurability and regulation of nanotechnologies.

September 24, 2010 Read more

Recombinant spider silk proteins for applications in biomaterials

In materials science, spider silk is considered one of the most fascinating products of nature. The protein molecules, from which spider silk is made up of, can nowadays be biotechnologically produced with the help of genetically altered organisms. Possible applications of these biotechnologically produced proteins are the research focus of Prof. Dr. Thomas Scheibel, chairholder for biomaterials at the University of Bayreuth.

September 24, 2010 Read more

Robotic arm's big flaw: Patients say it's 'too easy'

One touch directs a robotic arm to grab objects in a new computer program designed to give people in wheelchairs more independence. University of Central Florida researchers thought the ease of the using the program's automatic mode would be a huge hit. But they were wrong - many participants in a pilot study didn't like it because it was 'too easy'.

September 24, 2010 Read more

The brain lights up

The dynamic activity of electrical signals in neuronal populations can now be visualized with a powerful tool.

September 24, 2010 Read more

Heads up, tails down

Advanced laser spectroscopy exposes the unique organization of water molecules under model membrane surfaces.

September 24, 2010 Read more

Researchers discover less-expensive low-temperature catalyst for hydrogen purification

Engineering researchers from Tufts University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Harvard University have demonstrated the low-temperature efficacy of an atomically dispersed platinum catalyst, which could be suitable for on-board hydrogen production in fuel-cell-powered vehicles of the future.

September 23, 2010 Read more

Newly designed nanomesh material may lead to efficient thermoelectric devices

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have developed a new type of material - made out of silicon - that could lead to more efficient thermoelectric devices. The material - a type of nanomesh - is composed of a thin film with a grid-like arrangement of tiny holes.

September 23, 2010 Read more

New OECD report sums up current developments on nanomaterial safety

A new document from the OECD provides information on current/planned activities related to the safety of manufactured nanomaterials in OECD member and non-member countries that attended at the 7th meeting of OECD's Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials in Paris France, on July 7-9, 2010.

September 23, 2010 Read more

nanoLAMPS created for use as molecular probes

Rohit Bhargava of the University of Illinois has come up with an intriguing new class of molecular probes for biomedical research called nanoLAMPs. Unlike most probes used in biomedicine or other types of research they don't require dyes or fluorescence but, like an ordinary house lamp, they do need a light switch in order to illuminate the molecular world.

September 23, 2010 Read more