SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Monday, February 15, 2010

NEWSWORTHY

Nano materials to cause cancer “cell suicide”
Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago Medical Center have created microdiscs of nanomagnetic materials to destroy cancer cells. These gold plated iron-nickel microdiscs place themselves on cancer cells and begin to oscillate when an alternating magnetic field is applied to them. The energy developed from these oscillations creates apoptosis or “cell suicide.” See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nature Materials.

Nano boost for hydrogen production
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz used nanotechnology to improve hydrogen production in water-splitting solar cells (cells that use sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen and use hydrogen for fuel-cell vehicles). They tested the performance of nanostructured composite materials for photoanodes in photoelectrochemical cells. They found improvements in hydrogen production in comparison to the conventional methods of hydrogen produced through solar energy. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.

Nanophotocathode
Researchers at the University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK) developed a nanophotocathode capable of producing hydrogen with an efficiency of 60 percent. The system consists of a gold electrode covered in layers of Indium phosphide (InP) nanoparticles. Iron–sulfur complex, [Fe2S2(CO)6] is then introduced to this combination and is submerged in water followed by light radiation. A small current is generated and hydrogen with 60 percent efficiency is produced. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Angewandte Chemie.

“e-Textile” storage
Researchers from the Stanford University have devised a conductive textile called e-Textile that is capable of energy storage. By dipping the textile in nanoparticle ink different energy storage devises could be developed. Batteries can be developed using lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) ink and supercapacitors can be created through dipping the textile in ink containing conductive carbon molecules (single walled carbon nanotubes). See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.


HONORABLE MENTIONS

Cement component simulations
Atomic simulations of cement components were performed at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). They found that colloidal nanoparticle arrangement in C-S-H gel (calcium silicate hydrate – a major component in cement) was a factor responsible for mechanical properties of cement. They concluded that close arrangement of these particles makes the gel denser which improves mechanical properties of cement. See AtoZNano and Nanowerk.

Silver nanoparticles for ICDs
Research is being conducted at the University at Buffalo to develop batteries used in implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) with longer lifetimes. Current lifespan of these batteries runs from 5 to 7 years, but they are working on improving their material through making it 15000 times more conductive upon initial battery use through insitu generation of silver nanoparticles. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

Tracking nanoparticles in the “wild”
Research at Rice University has lead to new developments in tracking methods of nanoparticles. Researchers found photothermal techniques useful in tracking nanoparticles not only isolated on a surface, but also in the wild, amongst other particles under the microscope. They developed a method to use gold nanorods to sense nanoparticle orientation using plasmonic properties with polarization imaging techniques. See Nanowerk and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Microscope with nano precision
A research group at the University of Tübingen developed a near-field microscope with a nanometer precision that can be used to study microscopic structures in organic semiconductors. The microscope consists of a gold tip illuminated by a high-focus laser which when placed one-three nanometers above a semiconductor surface generates an optical field. Measurements of a semiconductor made of diindenoperylene (DIP) molecules indicated that edges of these molecules were one-three molecular layers high with17nm bright stripes. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Tuesday, February 02, 2010

NEWSWORTHY

NOMFETs
Researchers from CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and CEA (Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique) have devised an organic transistor called the Nanoparticle Organic Memory Field Effect Transistor (NOMFET). In this device gold nanoparticles are placed in the channel of the transistor and then coated with pentacene. This gives the system a memory element similar to the one that exists between two neurons while transmitting information. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire,Nanotechweb, Nanovip, Nanowerk,and Advanced Functional Materials.

Nano pattern transfer
Researcher at Rice University developed a method to transfer pattern of single walled carbon nanotube (SWNTs) from a substrate to any surface within minutes. The nanotubes are grown and then etched with hydrogen gas and water vapor to weaken the bonds between catalyst and metal. When “stamped” the nanotubes are attached to the surface through van der waals force with no trace of catalyst. If the substrate and catalyst remain intact, then they can be used to grow more nanotubes. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and ACS Nano.

Magnetic nanoparticles for cancer
Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology in collaboration with the Ovarian Cancer Institute developed and tested magnetic nanoparticles on samples of human cancer cells. Images of brown nanoparticles being attached to violet cancer cells in the human abdominal cavity were disclosed. They claim the next step in their research will be to test the magnetic nanoparticles on live animals followed by human beings. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nanomedicine.

Nanocorals to report status
Scientists from the University of California, Berkley developed nanoprobes called “nanocorals” capable of attaching themselves to cancer cells, delivering drugs, and reporting status of the local molecular environment. One side is designed to detect cancer cells whereas the other side is intended to access the surrounding chemical particles in the environment and report status back to researchers. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.


HONORABLE MENTION

Nanorods for faulty valves
Scientists from University of Southern California in collaboration with other researchers are developing a method to use gold nanorods to treat faulty cardiac valves that otherwise would need surgical treatment. Researchers plan on learning the positive effects these nanorods have on the affected valves by measuring the mechanical properties of the collagen-fibroblast-nanoparticle. See Nanotech Wire.

Solder magnetic nanocomposites
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University in collaboration with Intel Corporation developed new material called solder magnetic nanocomposites. The magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) composites heat solders and causes reflow; this in a regular oven is performed by a computer chip. The time taken to heat the solder can be controlled through manipulating the concentration and composition of the composites. See Nanotech Wire and Nanowerk.

Early detection of cancer
Biofunctionalized nanoparticles, developed by the researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg, can detect cancer using a single molecule of tumor maker (substance found in blood, urine, or in body tissues that can be increased in cancer) in blood. They placed antibody-occupied nanoparticles on the sensor electrode and allowed blood to flow across it. An electrical distribution shift was picked up by the electrode every time there was a tumor maker or a relevant protein passing through it. The researchers called it the “nanoparticle fishing rod” for cancer. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

Power generating rubber films
Researchers from the Princeton University developed power-generating rubber films consisting of nanoribbons capable of converting mechanical power to electrical power. They combined nanoribbons with silicone and placed them in a piezoelectric (generates electric voltage when pressure is applied on it) ceramic material. These nanoribbons generated electricity when a mechanical action such as flexing the film was performed. See Nanowerk and ACS Nano.

SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Wednesday, January 20, 2010

NEWSWORTHY

Nanolens for better imaging
Researchers from the Northeastern University developed a nanolens that could improve imaging technologies. The nanolens is made up of nanowires or metamaterials (materials that are manufactured and not found naturally). The nanowires are 20nm in diameter and can be aligned suitably to guide the path of light in a desired manner. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Applied Physics Letters.

MRI+Nanodiamond=Improved signal intensity
At Northwestern University researchers found that combining nanodiamonds with an MRI’s (magnetic resonance imaging) contrast agent improves the signal intensity and that in turn improves the image contrast. They used gadolinium(III)-nanodiamond complex that enhanced the relaxivity (a contrast efficacy indicator) by a factor of ten. This resulted in improvement in contrast and image resolution. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.

Nanoburrs
Scientists from Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed nanoburrs that are particles coated with tiny proteins so that they stick onto target proteins for drug delivery. The nanoburrs act on basement membranes (lining of the arterial walls, exposed only if any injury were to occur) and could be used to treat atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, and Nanowerk.

Nanotechnology to sense cancer biomarkers
Researchers from Yale University have developed a nanosensor that can identify biomarkers for prostate and breast cancer in whole blood. The silicon nanoribbon sensor filters out the antigens specific to prostate and breast cancer from whole blood. The test takes less than 20 minutes and the readings are precise. See Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nature Nano.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Superlattices
Researchers from Missouri University of Science and Technology developed superlattices (nanoscale-structures) capable of manipulating their resistances. Defect chemistry and compositional superlattices were developed from magnetite and zinc ferrite, grown on a single gold crystal, and were placed in a beaker filled with a solution. Superlattices built through the defect-chemistry method displaced efficiency in altering their resistances through variations in applied voltage. Building such superlattices could lead to improvements in computing devices. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Artificial DNA
German researchers developed artificial DNA while preserving its original structure. The artificial DNA has a thin nanowire inside and its nucleobases are replaced by artificial components which bind tightly to silver ions. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nature Chemistry.

Nano contact lens
Researchers from the University of Western Ontario created contact lens that could be used to measure glucose levels in diabetic patients. Nanoparticles used in these lenses react with the glucose molecules found in tears and change color when there is a change in the glucose content. The study is still in its developing stages. See Nanotech Wire and Nanowerk.

Nanocoating to stop light from reflecting
Physicists from the University of Stuttgart developed a nanocoating that prevents light from reflecting when applied to surfaces. The metallic nanoparticles act as an “anti-reflex coating” and eliminate light reflection almost entirely. This coating can be used in integrated optics or in solar cells. See Nanowerk and Physical Review B.

Nanotechnology Risk Symposium

Professor Berube will be speaking tonight at a Nanotechnology Risk Symposium hosted by the Research Triangle Chapter of the Society for Risk Analysis. The event will be streamed live at this address. Use the following login information:

Username: sra
Password: sra011910

Speakers will start at 6:30pm est. Additional information can be found at www.rtc-sra.org.

SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Wednesday, January 13, 2010

NEWSWORTHY

Magnetic Ferropaper
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a magnetic “ferropaper” that can be used to make micromotors, tweezers to study cells, and miniature speakers. The process involves impregnating paper with a fluid containing mineral oil and magnetic nanoparticles of iron oxide. The paper is then coated with a biocompatible plastic film. This prevents the fluid from evaporating, improves its mechanical properties, and makes it water resistant. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.

Paper and Carbon nanotubes to detect toxins
Engineers at the University of Michigan developed a strip of paper containing carbon nanotubes to detect toxins in drinking water. This sensor works by measuring the electrical conductivity of these nanotubes which are coated with antibodies of microcystin-LR (MC-LR). When the paper is introduced into water contaminated with MC-LR, the antibodies squeeze in between the nanotubes, altering the overall electrical conductivity of the sensor. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.

Nano “cocktail”
A group of researchers from UC San Diego, MIT and UC Santa Barbara have developed a “cocktail” of nanomaterials that can locate, adhere, and kill tumors. Gold nanorod would track and adhere to tumor cells and iron oxide nanoworms or doxorubicin-loaded liposomes would kill those tumors. See AtoZ Nano and First Science.

Biodegradable nanoparticles
Researchers from the John Hopkins University developed biodegradable nanoparticles that can easily penetrate through body’s mucus/sticky fluids or secretions. The biodegradable nanoparticles travelled through the mucus of cystic fibers faster than usual. This research could lead to improvements in drug delivery and could aid in treating eye, lung, gut, or female reproductive tract diseases. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

“DNA Origami”
Scientists from UC San Diego have found the solution to engineer the orientation and placement of nanomaterials. By using “rationally designed synthetic DNA nanostructures” they were able to achieve control of nanomaterials at a level of 5 and 100 nanometers, which was unattainable through self-assembled structures or lithographic patterns. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, and Nature Nanotechnology.

Nanoscale Golden ratio
Researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB), Oxford University, Bristol University, and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK, found the famous golden ratio to be true even at the nano-level. Cobalt niobate was the material used and magnetic field was applied perpendicularly to the aligned spin to transform the magnetic chain to the quantum critical state. Tension was built due to interactions among the spins resulting in magnetic resonance. The frequencies of the first two resonant notes were in ratio of 1.618, which is the golden ratio. See First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Science.

Molecular machines
University of Glasgow researchers have images of nanoparticle self-assembly that could aid in building molecular machines. Researchers at Glasgow, along with colleagues at the University of Bielefeld, Germany conducted an experiment with a flow reactor system for assembly of nanoparticles in dynamic conditions which allowed them to witness molecular self-assembly. See Nanowerk and Science.

“Nanodragster”
Scientists at Texas reported the development of a “nanodragster,” an improvement in molecular machines. This vehicle has a small front end axle, wheels made from special materials for easy roll, and a longer rear axle made from buckyballs for strong surface grip. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Web, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Organic letters.

SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Thursday, December 10, 2009

NEWSWORHTY

Macroscopic yarns from boron-nitride nanotubes
Researchers at the NASA’s Langley Research Center, the Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and the National Institute of Aerospace used the pressurized vapor/condenser method with a welding laser to develop boron-nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) that can be spun into macroscopic yarn. BNNTs could be applied in energy, medical, and aerospace applications. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.

Antibodies with Nanotubes to eliminate breast cancer
Scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology along with five other partners devised a new method to search and destroy breast cancer cells using carbon nanotubes and antibodies. Antibodies are attached to nanotubes, which then seek and destroy the HER2 protein associated with tumor cells. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and BMC Cancer.

NanoCMOS
Scientists at the University of Glasgow in collaboration with Edinburgh, Manchester, Southampton and York universities developed a project called NanoCMOS for integrated circuits. They developed simulation tools that overcome the major obstacle of statistical variability and predict the performance of nano-transistors within a circuit. The study provides benefits in semiconductor manufacturing and chip designing. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

Semiconducting nanowires
Researchers from Purdue University, University of California at Los Angeles, and IBM have created semiconducting nanowires with sharply defined atomic-level layers of silicon and germanium. In order to create these layers, gold-aluminum alloy was heated and cooled in a vacuum chamber and later silicon, followed by germanium, was introduced onto it. This method provides an opportunity to create nanowire transistors. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanowerk, and Science.

Hydrophobicity of nanoscale interfaces
Researchers at the Rensselaer University developed a method to measure the hydrophocity of nanoscale interfaces by performing molecular simulations of self assembled monolayers. They simulated hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers and observed their interaction with water molecules. They found a relation between hydrophobicity and fluctuations in density of adjoining water. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, Langmuir, Physical Review Letters, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Nano diet
Researchers at Finnish Universities created a drug delivery system using nanoporous silicon that could assist dieting processes. They created nanopores in silicon through electrochemical etching and dipped it in a drug solution, where peptides that control appetite were easily loaded into the silicon wafers. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.

Nanoparticles for arsenic removal
Researchers at Jackson State University developed an arsenic test with an ability to detect arsenic in drinking water down to 3 parts per trillion. Specific organic molecules were attached to gold nanoparticles that formed a complex with arsenic. As more and more arsenic got attached, the gold nanoparticles began to form a clump that changed color from red to blue, which was discernible to the naked eye. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Angewandte Chemie.

Nanoparticle removal from wastewater
Scientists using the ISIS Neutron Source from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s ISIS Neutron Source, along with colleagues from King’s College London and Oxford University found a method to remove nanoparticles from waste water during primary sewage treatment. The nanoparticles when coated with surfactant (a detergent-like material) formed sludge in sewage which could be removed and disposed. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Environmental Science & Technology.

Nano “peptide forests” for self-cleaning
Researchers from Tel Aviv University created a technology where self-assembled nanotubules grown in a vacuum under high temperature can tolerate heat and resist water. These nano “peptide forests” can be used to create self-cleaning windows or solar panels and help make batteries more efficient. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nature Nano.

Single-atom working transistor
Researchers from Helsinki University of Technology (Finland), University of New South Wales (Australia), and University of Melbourne (Australia) developed a transistor with a working region of a single phosphorous atom. The mechanism involved is the sequential tunneling of electrons, which is controlled by voltage on a nearby metal electrode that is a few tens of nanometers wide. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.

SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Monday, November 30, 2009

NEWSWORTHY

Medical Imaging
Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have developed a procedure to illuminate the interior of cells by using nanoparticles. The study revealed information about the clustering mechanism in proteins inside a type of human red blood cells that allows them to be mechanically flexible. Their findings show that quantum dots can be used in investigating dynamic cellular processes. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology.

Beneficial defects in carbon nanotubes
Researchers from the University of California, San Diego discovered that defective carbon nanotubes can be used to store energy. They developed methods to control this capacity of storing charge by bombarding carbon nanotubes with Argon or Hydrogen. They also noted that defects created in a controlled manner could ultimately avoid deterioration of electrical conductivity. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, Nanovip, and Applied Physics Letters.

“Fly paper” to capture cancer cells
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles have created a three-dimensional nanostructed “fly paper” that can capture cancer tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood stream. It is estimated that the 1-by-2 centimeter nanopillar silicon chip coated with an antibody protein could detect 45 to 65 percent of cancerous cells in a medium of breast cancer cells. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Angewandte Chemie.

Waste heat to electricity
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to convert waste heat to useful electricity with both high efficiency and high throughput (electrical power). The existing systems of conversion demonstrate a 40 percent efficiency of the Carnot limit (energy conversion can never exceed the Carnot limit), while the new device (starting with a single quantum dot) can make this conversion with a possible efficiency of 90 percent of the limit. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Applied Physics Letters.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Synthesizing Graphene
Extensive research is being conducted to develop two-dimensional graphene-like polymers. Their desirable electrical properties could ultimately lead to graphene replacing silicon in many semiconductors. Physicists at Empa, Switzerland along with chemists from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany have synthesized a graphene-like porous polymer through a new method- “bottom-up” synthesis on metal surfaces. They allowed functionalized phenyl rings to grow into a two-dimensional structure on a silver substrate that created pores of a single-atom diameter with pore spacing of less than a nanometer. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Chemical Communications.

Nanostructure Vibrations
Scientists from the University of Melbourne and the University of Chicago have overcome the limitation many researchers have been facing to approach single-atom sensing through nano-scale vibrations. Vibrations at nanoscale can provide applications in ultrasensitive mass detection, molecular scale biological sensing, and an understanding of nanoscale mechanical losses. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nature Nanotechnology.

Current through C60s
European scientists created minute electrical circuit between two molecules. In a controlled atmosphere two C60 molecules of 1nm in diameter were brought together and the current that passed through them was recorded. However, the conductance is a 100 times lesser than that of a single molecule. This new circuit can be used in devices to control leakage current between neighboring circuits. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Physical Review Letters.

Nanophotonic forces
Researchers from the University of Ghent and the IMEC demonstrated repulsive and attractive forces in photons with spatial distribution of light. The study used advanced fabrication techniques to create to parallel nanoscale waveguides separated by a distance of 220nm on a silicon-on-insulator chip. When a laser passed through these waveguides optical forces were generated; the spatial distribution indicated the type of force-attraction or repulsion. This study provides applications in areas of telecommunication and signal processing. See Nanowerk and Nature Nanotechnology.