NEWSWORTHY
Evidence from siRNA clinical trials
Researchers from the California Institute of Technology demonstrated that when injected into a patient’ s bloodstream, nanoparticles can deliver double stranded small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and switch off a cancer gene. They also showed that nanoparticle absorption into the cancer cells is high i.e., as the number of nanoparticles injected increased, the level of absorption into the cancer cell increased as well. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nature Nano.
Nanofluidic device for DNA analysis
Researchers from Cornell University have pioneered a method to analyze the binding of DNAs and histones (DNA-binding proteins) at specific locations. The individual DNAs are made to pass through nanofluidic channels to reach detectors that evaluate the fluorescence of DNA and its associated proteins. They also found they could take a DNA separated from its protein and attach a fluorescent molecule to it; enabling them to locate the exact locations of DNA methylation. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Analytical Chemistry.
RFID tags and nanotubes
Rice University researchers developed RFID tags (radio frequency identification) that could replace bar codes, making it possible to scan a cart full of groceries in one pass. The ink to make these thin film transistors used in tags consists of carbon nanotubes. The tags can be printed on paper or plastic. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and the IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices.
Nano-cooperation for cancer destruction
Researchers from Burnham Institute for Medical Research at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute have created a method to destroy cancer cells through a procedure involving two nanoparticles. One of them, a polymer-coated gold nanorod, was used to heat up the tumor cell it entered when exposed to the near infrared radiation. When the temperature in the cell reached 45°C, the other nanoparticle made of a thermally responsive lipid mixture, would release the drug load. The nanoparticles were found to work better together than individually. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Advanced Materials.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Atomic layer deposition for nanomaterials
Researchers from the North Carolina State University used a method called atomic layer deposition to coat nanomaterials to make them biologically functionable. The coated nanoporous membranes could be used as antibacterial/antimicrobial materials and could be used in water purification devices to eliminate harmful pathogens. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and the Philosophical transactions of the royal society.
Levitation for 3D cells
Scientists from Houston's Texas Medical Center developed a method to build three dimensional cell cultures. They found a way to levitate cells allowing them to divide and grow using a “phage” combination of gold nanoparticles and viral particles. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire and Nanowerk.
Nanodiamonds and neurons
Researchers from the London Centre for Nanotechnology and UCL’s Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology found that neurons could be developed through nanodiamonds in the absence of proteins. They placed mouse hippocampel neurons in a cell culture solution containing nanodiamonds for 12 days and observed the formation of a fully built neural network with “synaptic connectivity.” This research could aid in designing bioelectric devices. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Biomaterials.
Nanotube map for neurons
Researchers from the Tel Aviv University developed a possible method to connect retinal nerves and electrodes that resulted in cell growth. They used carbon nanotubes and through electric current made neurons from the (rat’s) brain grow on them. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Monday, March 8, 2010
NEWSWORTHY
Graphene nanomesh
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles developed graphene nanostructures with band gaps (graphene, otherwise, has zero band gap). They injected nanoscale holes into layers of graphene to create a band gap using a self-assembled block co-polymer thin film. Adjustments can be made to the neck width (distance between nanohole edges and cannot go below 5nm) and perodicites (the distance between the centers of two neighboring nanoholes) to vary electrical properties. The on-off ratio (the ratio between the currents when a device is switched on or switched off) can be adjusted through the neck width as well. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nature Nanotechnology.
Nanocavities for non-stick
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory displayed first pictures of tiny air bubbles capable of keeping water from wetting a non-stick surface. They created trillions of nanocavities in an otherwise smooth surface and coated it with a wax-like material. When tested with water, they found this surface to be more hydrophobic than the uncoated version. The applications of this research could lead to improvements in non-stick materials used in power plants, speed boats, and surfaces resistant to germs. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.
Carbon nanotube thermocells for conversion
Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology in collaboration with researchers from the U.S., Australia, China, India and the Philippines devised a method to convert heat waste discarded by chemical plants, automobiles, and solar cell farms in to electricity using carbon nanotube thermocells. The thermocells and electrolyte-filled, textile-separated nanotube sheets are placed around pipes carrying hot waste in chemical plants. This creates a temperature difference between the pipes and carbon nanotube sheets, which produces an electrochemical potential that could be used to generate electricity. See Nanowerk and Nano Letters.
Nanocomposite-polymer deposition
Researchers from the Naval Research Laboratory and the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign developed a method to deposit mixtures of nanocomposites and polymers onto a surface. The probe of an atomic force microscope is first coated with this mixture and then heated to produce flow onto the surface below. The forces in the polymer could be adjusted to ensure alignment of deposition on surfaces. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Nanoscale tip
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and IBM Research-Zürich developed a nanoscale tip that is 3,000 times more wear-resistant at the nanoscale than silicon. This carbon, hydrogen, silicon and oxygen molded nano-sized tip was seen to perform well when in sliding contact with a hard substrate (silicon dioxide). This discovery could lead to advancements in atomic imaging, probe-based data storage, nanolithography, nanometrology and nanomanufacturing. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nature Nanotechnology.
Nanomaterials to fight drug resistance in cancer
Researchers from Rutgers University developed nanomaterials that fight the side-effects and drug resistance problem resulting from regular chemotherapy. They designed nanomaterials capable of simultaneously targeting and destroying cancer cells and a genetic drug that would prevent drug resistance by loading the anticancer drug doxorubicin onto silver nanomaterials. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Small.
“Green nanomagents”
Researchers from the University of Manchester found a method to devise nanosized magnets without the use of chemicals that could be used in electronic applications. They used the natural iron-reducing bacteria and added cobalt, manganese or nickel to it. This resulted in tiny magnets containing these elements. These nanomagnets can be used in mobile phones and recording devices. See Nanowerk and Nano Letters.
“Take a Nanooze break”
The National Science Foundation (NSF) in collaboration with the Cornell University researchers has a new exhibition at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This exhibit is based on the NSF-supported children's magazine and Web site Nanooze. The display allows visitors to manipulate models of molecules, view everyday objects at the nanoscale, and interact with scientists and engineers who conduct the latest nano research. The exhibition opened on Feb. 22, 2010. See Nanowerk.
Graphene nanomesh
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles developed graphene nanostructures with band gaps (graphene, otherwise, has zero band gap). They injected nanoscale holes into layers of graphene to create a band gap using a self-assembled block co-polymer thin film. Adjustments can be made to the neck width (distance between nanohole edges and cannot go below 5nm) and perodicites (the distance between the centers of two neighboring nanoholes) to vary electrical properties. The on-off ratio (the ratio between the currents when a device is switched on or switched off) can be adjusted through the neck width as well. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nature Nanotechnology.
Nanocavities for non-stick
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory displayed first pictures of tiny air bubbles capable of keeping water from wetting a non-stick surface. They created trillions of nanocavities in an otherwise smooth surface and coated it with a wax-like material. When tested with water, they found this surface to be more hydrophobic than the uncoated version. The applications of this research could lead to improvements in non-stick materials used in power plants, speed boats, and surfaces resistant to germs. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.
Carbon nanotube thermocells for conversion
Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology in collaboration with researchers from the U.S., Australia, China, India and the Philippines devised a method to convert heat waste discarded by chemical plants, automobiles, and solar cell farms in to electricity using carbon nanotube thermocells. The thermocells and electrolyte-filled, textile-separated nanotube sheets are placed around pipes carrying hot waste in chemical plants. This creates a temperature difference between the pipes and carbon nanotube sheets, which produces an electrochemical potential that could be used to generate electricity. See Nanowerk and Nano Letters.
Nanocomposite-polymer deposition
Researchers from the Naval Research Laboratory and the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign developed a method to deposit mixtures of nanocomposites and polymers onto a surface. The probe of an atomic force microscope is first coated with this mixture and then heated to produce flow onto the surface below. The forces in the polymer could be adjusted to ensure alignment of deposition on surfaces. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Nanoscale tip
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and IBM Research-Zürich developed a nanoscale tip that is 3,000 times more wear-resistant at the nanoscale than silicon. This carbon, hydrogen, silicon and oxygen molded nano-sized tip was seen to perform well when in sliding contact with a hard substrate (silicon dioxide). This discovery could lead to advancements in atomic imaging, probe-based data storage, nanolithography, nanometrology and nanomanufacturing. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nature Nanotechnology.
Nanomaterials to fight drug resistance in cancer
Researchers from Rutgers University developed nanomaterials that fight the side-effects and drug resistance problem resulting from regular chemotherapy. They designed nanomaterials capable of simultaneously targeting and destroying cancer cells and a genetic drug that would prevent drug resistance by loading the anticancer drug doxorubicin onto silver nanomaterials. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Small.
“Green nanomagents”
Researchers from the University of Manchester found a method to devise nanosized magnets without the use of chemicals that could be used in electronic applications. They used the natural iron-reducing bacteria and added cobalt, manganese or nickel to it. This resulted in tiny magnets containing these elements. These nanomagnets can be used in mobile phones and recording devices. See Nanowerk and Nano Letters.
“Take a Nanooze break”
The National Science Foundation (NSF) in collaboration with the Cornell University researchers has a new exhibition at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This exhibit is based on the NSF-supported children's magazine and Web site Nanooze. The display allows visitors to manipulate models of molecules, view everyday objects at the nanoscale, and interact with scientists and engineers who conduct the latest nano research. The exhibition opened on Feb. 22, 2010. See Nanowerk.
Monday, March 1, 2010
SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Monday, March 1, 2010
NEWSWORTHY
Tumor targeting nanoparticles
Researchers of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University have designed nanoparticles that discharge through kidneys when they do not find a target tumor cell. Unbound nanoparticles, comprised of a zinc-cadmium sulfide core surrounded by a cadmium selenide shell and a cysteine coating, pass through kidneys within four hours. So, patients could be given a dose of these nanoparticles four hours prior to their scheduled tumor removal time in order to improve tumor imaging. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nature Nano.
Nanonets
Chemists from Boston College developed long lasting lithium ion batteries through a small scaffold-like titanium structure of Nanonets, coated with silver nanoparticles. These Nanonets have greater surface area, conductivity, structural strength, and produce 5 to 10 times more charge/recharge rates than typical lithium ion batteries. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.
Diamond-based nanowire devices
A research team at Harvard University has developed diamond-based nanowire devices that overcome disadvantages of devices based on fluorescent dye molecules, quantum dots, and carbon nanotubes. The diamond-based nanowire provides a connection between deeply embedded color centers in diamonds (capable of carrying information through control, capture, and storage of photons) and optical fibers and lenses. This system improves photon collection by a factor of ten to natural diamond devices that could lead to advancements in quantum sensing, and imaging fields. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, and Nature Nano.
World’s first junction-less transistor
Scientists at the Tyndall National Institute in Cork, Ireland have created the world’s first junction-less transistor. The function of a junction in a transistor is to control current flow which in this junction-free transistor, is performed by a silicon wire and a ring structure. Current flows through the silicon wire and is controlled by a ring structure that electrically squeezes it as required. See Nanowerk and Nature Nanotechnology.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
2% efficiency of organic solar cells
German scientists at the University of Freiburg developed a technique to enhance organic solar cell efficiency (from 1% and 1.8%) to 2%. They used quantum dots of cadmium selenide and proposed possibilities of using similar techniques with different nanoparticles for other types of solar cells as well. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.
Smallest solar powered sensor
Researchers at the University of Michigan created a 9 cubic millimeter solar powered sensor system that is 1000 times smaller than its commercial equivalents. The processor, battery, and solar cells fit in a 2.5 by 3.5 by 1 millimeters frame. The system’s average power consumption is less than 1 nanowatt. The system could be used in biomedical implants, monitoring devices, and environmental networks to test air or water quality. See AtoZ Nano.
New recipe for carbon nanotubes
Researchers at NASA discovered a new recipe that space has to offer in making carbon nanotubes without any use of metals. They found that graphite dust particles when exposed to a combination of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases form carbon nanotubes. They observed these particles transform from smooth particles to unstructured formations to “cup-stacked carbon nanotubes.” See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, the Astrophysical Journal Letter, and NASA.
Nanotechnology for body prostheses
Research in the Basque city, Spain applied ceramic material called zirconia (Zr02), carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles of zirconia to prolong lifetime of body prostheses. A process involving carbon nanotubes and zirconia nanoparticle-coating on a zirconia matrix lead to improving the age of prostheses to almost 15o years. See Nanowerk.
Nanoparticles for bone implants
A team of researchers from the North Carolina State University developed a “smart coating” capable of enhancing bonds between implants and bones. The silver nanoparticle coating provides a crystalline surface towards the implant and an amorphous layer next to the bone. Slowly the amorphous layer begins to dissolve, releasing calcium and phosphate. This enhances bone growth. See Nanowerk and Acta Biomaterialia.
Tumor targeting nanoparticles
Researchers of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University have designed nanoparticles that discharge through kidneys when they do not find a target tumor cell. Unbound nanoparticles, comprised of a zinc-cadmium sulfide core surrounded by a cadmium selenide shell and a cysteine coating, pass through kidneys within four hours. So, patients could be given a dose of these nanoparticles four hours prior to their scheduled tumor removal time in order to improve tumor imaging. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nature Nano.
Nanonets
Chemists from Boston College developed long lasting lithium ion batteries through a small scaffold-like titanium structure of Nanonets, coated with silver nanoparticles. These Nanonets have greater surface area, conductivity, structural strength, and produce 5 to 10 times more charge/recharge rates than typical lithium ion batteries. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.
Diamond-based nanowire devices
A research team at Harvard University has developed diamond-based nanowire devices that overcome disadvantages of devices based on fluorescent dye molecules, quantum dots, and carbon nanotubes. The diamond-based nanowire provides a connection between deeply embedded color centers in diamonds (capable of carrying information through control, capture, and storage of photons) and optical fibers and lenses. This system improves photon collection by a factor of ten to natural diamond devices that could lead to advancements in quantum sensing, and imaging fields. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, and Nature Nano.
World’s first junction-less transistor
Scientists at the Tyndall National Institute in Cork, Ireland have created the world’s first junction-less transistor. The function of a junction in a transistor is to control current flow which in this junction-free transistor, is performed by a silicon wire and a ring structure. Current flows through the silicon wire and is controlled by a ring structure that electrically squeezes it as required. See Nanowerk and Nature Nanotechnology.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
2% efficiency of organic solar cells
German scientists at the University of Freiburg developed a technique to enhance organic solar cell efficiency (from 1% and 1.8%) to 2%. They used quantum dots of cadmium selenide and proposed possibilities of using similar techniques with different nanoparticles for other types of solar cells as well. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.
Smallest solar powered sensor
Researchers at the University of Michigan created a 9 cubic millimeter solar powered sensor system that is 1000 times smaller than its commercial equivalents. The processor, battery, and solar cells fit in a 2.5 by 3.5 by 1 millimeters frame. The system’s average power consumption is less than 1 nanowatt. The system could be used in biomedical implants, monitoring devices, and environmental networks to test air or water quality. See AtoZ Nano.
New recipe for carbon nanotubes
Researchers at NASA discovered a new recipe that space has to offer in making carbon nanotubes without any use of metals. They found that graphite dust particles when exposed to a combination of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases form carbon nanotubes. They observed these particles transform from smooth particles to unstructured formations to “cup-stacked carbon nanotubes.” See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, the Astrophysical Journal Letter, and NASA.
Nanotechnology for body prostheses
Research in the Basque city, Spain applied ceramic material called zirconia (Zr02), carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles of zirconia to prolong lifetime of body prostheses. A process involving carbon nanotubes and zirconia nanoparticle-coating on a zirconia matrix lead to improving the age of prostheses to almost 15o years. See Nanowerk.
Nanoparticles for bone implants
A team of researchers from the North Carolina State University developed a “smart coating” capable of enhancing bonds between implants and bones. The silver nanoparticle coating provides a crystalline surface towards the implant and an amorphous layer next to the bone. Slowly the amorphous layer begins to dissolve, releasing calcium and phosphate. This enhances bone growth. See Nanowerk and Acta Biomaterialia.
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