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.