Nanotechnology News – Latest Headlines

Sticky surfaces turn slippery with the flip of a molecular light switch

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created an optically switchable material that alters its surface characteristics when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.

June 19, 2006 Read more

Nanospheres could revolutionize how biodiesel is produced

The researchers are after a new, high-tech catalyst that takes some of the energy, labor and toxic chemicals out of biodiesel production.

June 19, 2006 Read more

Spinning of high strength fiber using single-walled carbon nanotubes

A research team from the Research Center for Advanced Carbon Materials of the National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan has developed a novel synthesis method for SWNTs (single-walled carbon nanotubes) to be the core material for nanotechnologies.

June 15, 2006 Read more

Toughening implants with zirconia

In the BIOKER project, funded under the European Commission GROWTH programme, methods and materials were investigated with the aim to increase the life span of ceramic-ceramic knee and hip orthopaedic implants.

June 14, 2006 Read more

Chemists direct silicon oxide into a selected hierarchical structure

Chemists direct silicon oxide into a selected hierarchical structure - a mechanism that until now had only been found in nature

June 14, 2006 Read more

Snapshots shake up views about proteins

Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which allowed detection of protein folding events at the level of single atoms, researchers produced the equivalent of a sequence of snapshots of the protein folding process.

June 14, 2006 Read more

Researchers decorate virus particles, showing potential to enhance MRI capabilities

Researchers at New York University have made chemical modifications to nanometer sized virus particles-a process that has the potential to improve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.

June 14, 2006 Read more

Researchers develop smart petri dish

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have developed what they call a Smart Petri Dish that could be used to rapidly screen new drugs for toxic interactions or identify cells in the early stages of cancer circulating through blood.

June 13, 2006 Read more

Researcher discovers how to control nanowires

A researcher at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, has succeeded in largely controlling the transportation of electrons in semiconductor nanowires.

June 13, 2006 Read more

Nanotechnology to help extract more petrol from oil fields

Known as Pepfactants, new peptide technology can control the emulsions and foams used in a wide range of industry processes and could impact a range of products from petroleum to specialty chemicals and therapeutic drugs.

June 13, 2006 Read more

Acoustic nanoparticles deliver drug without damaging cells

A new report presents data showing that acoustic activation of these nanoparticles does not damage cells, unlike acoustically generated microbubbles.

June 12, 2006 Read more

Targeted nanoparticle enhances MRI detection of cancer cells

Using a novel polymer to coat paramagnetic iron oxide particles, a research team at the University of Washington in Seattle has created a nanoparticulate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging agent that targets certain tumor cells.

June 12, 2006 Read more

Nanoparticles overcome anticancer drug resistance

New research from the University of Kentucky shows that nanoparticles may be able to get anticancer drugs into cells without triggering the p-glycoprotein pump.

June 12, 2006 Read more

Scientists take snapshots of enzyme action

Scientists have determined the atomic crystal structure and functional mechanism of an enzyme essential for eliminating unwanted, non-nutritional compounds such as drugs, industrial chemicals, and toxic compounds from the body.

June 12, 2006 Read more

New contrast agents may be on horizon for better medical imaging

New research may lead to the development of a new breed of multimodal contrast agents that could work within a host of medical imaging platforms ? from ultrasound and computed tomography to magnetic resonance imaging and molecular imaging.

June 10, 2006 Read more

High-resolution touch sensor could be boon to cancer surgeons, others

Researchers have developed a self-assembling nanoparticle device that has touch sensitivity comparable to that of the human finger, a capability far beyond any mechanical devices now available.

June 10, 2006 Read more