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Last Updated: June 20, 2008 10:54 AM
Tool helps small companies conduct nanotech safety and risk management
June 20, 2008 -- Companies that produce, use, process or market nanomaterials are confronted with specific unknown risks inherent to these substances. A new tool by the Innovation Society and TUV SUD now also allows smaller companies, research institutions and retailers to gain a well-founded overview of the actual risk situation in their operations. The specific experience of the two partners guarantees that potential hazards for health, safety and the environment will be recognized proactively and acted upon.
Many small and medium sized companies (SME) already make use of the favourable properties of nanomaterials in their production processes. However, the risks associated with these materials are largely being managed using traditional methods and systems. The introduction of nano-specific risk management systems represents a great expense both in terms of costs and time for these companies. Additionally, management often is not aware of considerable liability and product risks.
Through NanoRisk Check, nanotechnology experts from TUV SUD and Innovation Society perform an evaluation of a company's risks in the areas of occupational safety, health and environment, liability and product risks and suitability of the risk management system. A report is compiled for the attention of the management board, highlighting weaknesses, necessary actions and proposing possible risk management solutions.
By making use of the "NanoRisk Check" SMEs will be in the position to overlook their nanotechnology risks with justifiable resource commitment. Especially in the context of the new European chemicals legislation (REACH) that is also applicable for non-European companies and increasing requirements from regulating authorities this will represent an important competitive advantage. Not least, workers, consumers and the environment will also benefit from improved risk management.
Advanced Knowledge Associates joins Small Form Factor special interest group
June 19, 2008 -- Advanced Knowledge Associates (AKA), a manufacturer of miniaturized and reconfigurable system-on-module solutions, has joined the Small Form Factor special interest group (SFF-SIG), a new, non-profit industry group that develops, promotes, and supports small form factor circuit board specifications and related technologies. AKA's PRISMs (Prepackaged Reconfigurable Integrated System-on-Modules) are increasingly being used by developers who want a small, rugged, flexible and high-performance platform for their latest systems designs. PRISMs also simplify the design process and enable designers to make full benefit of high-performance FPGA and processor platforms.
The Small Form Factor special interest group embraces the latest technologies, but also has a philosophy of maintaining legacy compatibility and enabling transition solutions to next-generation interfaces. Additionally, SFF-SIG seeks to enable practical, mainstream, real-world applications. Consolidating suppliers around standards, facilitating cross-platform interoperability, and architecting common expansion schemes are all goals of the SFF-SIG.
"With the emergence of their reconfigurable I/O-rich PRISM solutions, AKA is in a unique position to help define next generation Computer-on-Module (COM) form factors and we look forward to AKA becoming a key contributor to the SFF-SIG," says Colin McCracken, president of SFF-SIG.
The SFF-SIG is an independent worldwide trade group based in Silicon Valley and is run by a president who is not affiliated with any single member company. Working groups are formed to address specific topics and formats in detail, for example low power x86 and RISC Computer-on-Modules (COMs). Incubator Groups are spawned rapidly when new or existing voting members have a draft specification or even a rough idea. Other members apply to join a particular Incubator Group, and broad inputs and reviews are ensured. After approval, specs are published and under strict change control for the long term by the relevant Working Group.
"AKA shares many common philosophies with the SFF-SIG. Like us, the SFF-SIG is concerned about all components of the system-level solution. Also like us, the SFF-SIG is committed to using the latest technology, but also supporting customers throughout the life of their project ? which may be very long indeed," adds Guy Marom, AKA's CEO.
Class completes first year of NanoHigh program in Albany, NY
June 13, 2008 -- Twenty Albany High School (AHS) students have just completed the first year of the "NanoHigh" program, developed jointly by the City School District of Albany, New York (CSDA) and the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE). The NanoHigh program, believed to be the first initiative of its kind at a public school anywhere in the country, was designed by CSDA and CNSE to help students take advantage of new nanotechnology-related careers being created in New York's capital region, across New York State and around the globe.
The NanoHigh program was launched last fall, with introductory nanoscience courses taught at AHS and then brought to life with hands-on, interactive laboratory activities conducted at CNSE that utilized CNSE's world-class Albany NanoTech Complex. (CNSE took top honors in Small Times' 2007 University rankings.) Students tackled a variety of cutting-edge facets of nanotechnology, including nanoscale patterning and fabrication, principles of self-assembly, nanobiomedical applications, fuel cell exploration and nanoeconomics, among others.
Based on the success of the initial classes, CSDA plans to add an advanced nanoscience course next year, as well as a middle school class related to nanotechnology.
"This has been an outstanding experience for our students, both through the dedication and excellence of our district teachers and staff, and through our exceptional partnership with the UAlbany NanoCollege," says CSDA superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D. "The opportunity for our students to access this one-of-a-kind educational facility and receive hands-on exposure to technology that is transforming our world is an experience that will give them a head start toward starring roles in tomorrow's high-tech workforce."
Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, vice president and chief administrative officer of CNSE, adds, "The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the visionary leaders in the City School District of Albany to turn the concept of NanoHigh into a pioneering program that has broken new ground in preparing the scientists of the 21st century. I especially applaud the Albany High School students who have embraced NanoHigh with passion and enthusiasm, and look forward to expanding this pilot program to reflect the rapid growth of the nanotechnology economy in the Capital Region and across New York State."
The success of NanoHigh also led CSDA and CNSE to host the first-ever Capital Region NanoEducation Summit on April 23, at which more than 100 teachers, administrators and school board members from throughout the region discussed preparing K-12 students for science literacy, with a focus on nanotechnology, which has been described by the National Nanotechnology Initiative as "leading to the next Industrial Revolution."
OAI wins order for Nano Imprint Module from Trinity College
June 13, 2008 -- OAI, a manufacturer of UV exposure equipment for semiconductor, microfluidics, and nanotechnology, has won the bid from Trinity College, in Ireland, for its Nano Imprint Module, which will be integrated with OAI's Model 800 optical front and backside mask aligner. Trinity College purchased the Nano Imprint Module for both its R & D and teaching facilities.
OAI's Nano Imprint Module can be added to any mask aligner. The technology was developed at HP Labs, and OAI announced availability of the module in August 2007.
"We are pleased to work with Trinity College to help them include Nanotechnology in its research and teaching programs," says Dr. Charles Turk, president of OAI. "The use of the imprint module with the Model 800 Mask Aligner provides a flexible platform for advanced semiconductor lithography, MEM's, as well as nano imprinting. The changeover from lithography to nano imprinting can be accomplished in less than 15 minutes," he adds.
The system is scheduled for installation this summer.
NanoViricides shows rapid response of animals to nanodrug candidate
June 12, 2008 -- NanoViricides, Inc., a development-stage company creating special purpose nanomaterials for viral therapy, says the results of a recent study demonstrate the rapid response of animals to treatment using the company's nanoviricide drug candidate against Epidemic Kerato-Conjunctivitis (EKC).
Rabbits' eyes treated with the nanoviricide drug candidate showed virtual absence of inflammation and significant decrease in the redness of the area surrounding the cornea (the conjunctiva). The eyes treated with a negative control eye wash solution show the usual redness and inflammation caused by the disease. Substantial improvement occurred within two and a half days after treatment in this preliminary study, the company says. Further biological analyses are in progress.
"This may be the very first demonstration of a rapid and clear clinical response against adenoviral EKC," says Anil R. Diwan, PhD, president of NanoViricides. "The robustness of the nanoviricides technology is also now amply evident. We have demonstrated industry-leading efficacies in our very first experiments against widely varying viral diseases such as common influenza, H5N1 bird flu, rabies, Ebola, and now adenoviral EKC."
"We plan to evaluate this broad-spectrum eye-drop formulation against other viruses causing inflammation of the eye such as herpes simplex virus (HSV)," adds Eugene Seymour, MD, MPH, CEO of the company. While the company currently has no approved product for the treatment of EKC and viral conjunctivitis, the treatment and prophylaxis market for these classes of eye disease is expected to be of the order of several billion dollars annually.
NanoHorizons, Indo Poly partner on nano-antimicrobial yarns
June 10, 2008 -- NanoHorizons Inc., a maker of nanoscale performance additives for the textile and medical industries that just last week announced new leadership appointments and a funding round, has now entered into a partnership with Indo Poly Ltd., which has core interests in polyester manufacturing. The partners plan to produce distinctive polyester yarns with permanent nano-based antimicrobial properties using NanoHorizons' nanoscale silver antimicrobial additives. The yarns will be marketed to the textile industry under Indo Poly's Ambs Pro and Ambs Active brands. Indo Poly is part of multinational corporation Indorama Ventures Ltd.
Indo Poly will incorporate the nanoscale silver antimicrobial additives into textured and fully drawn polyester yarns. Unlike topical antimicrobial fabric treatments, NanoHorizons' advanced antimicrobial additives will be integrated into the Ambs polyester fiber, bonding at the molecular level and resulting in yarns and fabrics that provide permanent antimicrobial protection and anti-odor performance.
Indo Poly's Ambs Pro yarns will be endorsed with SmartSilver, NanoHorizons' brand that is awarded to products that meet specific, stringent antimicrobial performance criteria. The Ambs Pro/SmartSilver yarns will be marketed to premium athletic wear, outdoor apparel, and uniform manufacturers. The yarns will also be sold to manufacturers of textile products for the health care industry. The SmartSilver enhanced yarns are expected to provide superior, permanent antimicrobial and antifungal benefits that do not wash out or degrade in sunlight or perspiration.
"We are excited to have Indo Poly join our growing list of partners certified to use the SmartSilver brand," says Dr. Dan Hayes, president of NanoHorizons. "Indo Poly is a high quality manufacturer whose products provide premium value to the textile market. Its global distribution network ensures that textile manufacturers around the world have full access to these exceptional antimicrobial yarns."
Prabeer Mukherjee, Business Head of Indo Poly, Ltd., says, "NanoHorizons not only provides us with an unmatched performance brand for antimicrobial products, but backs it with a full complement of in-house customer support capabilities for product testing, expert technical assistance, and responsive account management. Our partnership with NanoHorizons will allow us to offer unique, high performance yarns that exceed our customers' performance expectations."
M+W Zander to design Iberian Nanotechnology Lab in Portugal
June 10, 2008 -- M+W Zander, an architecture, engineering and construction-management firm specializing in designs for micro/nano R&D and manufacturing centers , says it will design a new nanotechnology center for international Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) in Braga, Portugal. Located on the campus of the University of Minho in Braga, the 230,000-square-foot project (21,400 square meters) will feature Class 100 and 1000 clean rooms, central characterization, including electron and scanning-probe microscopy and labs suited for a wide range of scientific disciplines.
Besides the main scientific building, which will be the hub of the 12-acre campus, the first phase of the project includes residential accommodations for staff and visiting professors. The second phase will include a business incubator and a nanotechnology interpretive center. When completed in 2009, the INL will employ several hundred people, including 200 scientific researchers.
In addition to its leading-edge science, the INL also will stand out for its striking design, with curving lines that dramatically conform to surrounding topography and offer a compelling contrast to traditional research facilities. "When we were tasked with creating a beautiful place for thinking, we knew we had our inspiration for the project. It was easily the most poetic aspiration for architecture we've ever heard. This evoked images of monastic cloisters, and naturally suggested using the project to shape and protect such a space from its busy, urban setting," said M+W Zander architectural design leader Ken Filar, AIA.
The efficient, aesthetic design of INL, which was chosen in a competitive review process, resulted from the creative collaboration between M+W Zander's U.S. and European offices. The architectural design and construction management are led by M+W Zander US Operations. M+W Zander's European staff, based in Stuttgart, Germany, the corporate home of M+W Zander, will share engineering responsibilities with the North American office.
"M+W Zander's unique strengths really shine in a project like this," said John Busch, the project design manager for M+W Zander US operations. "We not only have unmatched talent in the design of nano facilities, but we can synchronize the assets of multiple offices around the world to offer something no other firm can."
Angstron acquires manufacturing facility for carbon nano-graphene platelets
June 9, 2008 -- Advanced nanomaterials company Angstron Materials LLC has acquired a new 22,000 square foot manufacturing facility where it will provide small to large batch processing and production capacity for its carbon-based nano-graphene platelets (NGPs), and continue its research and development efforts. Angstron's NGPs can be blended with other nanomaterials to achieve higher loadings required for various forms of composite lamina as well as nanocomposites for load-bearing and functional applications.
Based in Dayton, Ohio, the new facility will increase Angstron's ability to offer customers a turnkey solution from application development and pilot quantities for test articles to scale-up for required production volumes. The company claims that NGPs can be used as an alternative to carbon nanotubes and are suited to aerospace, automotive, energy, marine, electronics, construction, medical and telecommunications applications.
Angston announced availability of large quantities of its single atomic layer thick NGPs in April, 2008.
"The new location gives Angstron the capability to produce tons of pristine NGP material annually," said Dr. Bor Z. Jang, CEO of Angstron Materials, LLC. "The larger facility will allow Angstron to more effectively meet customer requirements."
Angstron's engineered NPGs are available in several forms including raw materials and solutions. These solutions can achieve an exceptionally high loading and maintain uniform dispersion without degrading viscosity.
The company promises to reduce production cost barriers with its nano-graphene solutions, and claims that NGPs are similar to nanotubes but offer improved performance properties including very high Young's modulus, strength and surface area, superior thermal and electrical conductivity, lower density and less weight. As a result, Angstron says it is able to work with companies to develop products for batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, light weight structural components as well as electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI), electrostatic discharge (ESD), lightning strike and composite applications.
Digital Surf's 4D module tracks evolution of micro, nano, MEMS surfaces
June 6, 2008—Digital Surf (Besancon, France), developer of topographical analysis tools for micro and nano-surfaces, has released Mountains Technology version 5. The new software enables metrological analysis of the evolution of a 3D surface, for instance nanotechnology or a MEMS device, in a fourth dimension.
The 4D software module is compatible with any 3D instrument, says Digital Surf Changes in height on the z axis are now not only a function of the x, y position but also of a 4th dimension t, which is most often time, but can equally well be temperature, pressure, magnetic field or any other physical constraint applied to an object or surface for the purpose of studying its reaction.
4D analysis can be used to study surface change over time for issues such as corrosion, UV depolymerisation of epoxy in a composite material, or loss of surface protection; it can be used to measure warping in response to an external force; or for the dynamic study of a functioning microsystem or MEMS structure.
Using the software, simulated flights over 3D surfaces changing in time can be output to a video file for animated presentations. Analysis features include tools for manipulating and quantifying 4D series of surfaces z=f(x ,y, t). In particular, it is possible to follow the evolution of a point or a zone over time, to correlate the evolution of a surface texture parameter with the evolution of another physical unit, and to study the statistical dispersion of a roughness parameter. A tool that has been around for a long time, but is new in the analysis of surface topography, is the KLT (Karhunen-Loeve Transform). The KLT makes it possible to automatically identify zones on a surface that behave differently, with a view to locating them and studying them separately.
Last year, Digital Surf announced that surface analysis software, based on a version of Mountains, is now integrated into NanoFocus's micronsurf 3D topometers and micronscan profilometers.
Micro-sensor tape to track exposure to explosive blasts
June 5, 2008—Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated (PARC), a Xerox company that develops MEMS and nano-based technologies, has been selected by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop and prototype, all-printed, disposable, blast dosimeters. This technology is a flexible, wearable, electronic "tape" that contains sensors to record data associated with exposure to explosive blasts in the battlefield. The $2 million, 18-month DARPA program will leverage PARC's jet-printing expertise to develop low-cost technologies and processes for fabricating the tape's sensors, memory, and control electronics.
"The sensor-tape program is an important next step for PARC to take in the direction of printing high-value, low-cost electronics," PARC's President and Center Director Mark Bernstein said. "It builds upon the foundation of our scientific breakthroughs in large-area electronics and extends our core competencies in all-additive deposition of polymer devices and circuits. We believe there are significant future application opportunities for this technology in manufactured packaging, for electro-mechanical sensing, and in a broad range of biomedical scenarios."
The sensor tape is designed to monitor the intensity and frequency of battlefield explosions experienced by soldiers and emergency responders. PARC will develop and implement multiple sensors to collect and record data associated with blasts, including shock waves, acceleration, acoustic levels, and light intensities. Comprising small, lightweight patches, the disposable tape will be attached to a soldier's helmet or uniform for a period of one week, then removed to read the data, and then discarded.
Battelle, Unidym ally on use of carbon nanotubes in composites
June 5, 2008—Unidym, Inc., a manufacturer of carbon nanotubes, and Battelle, a non-profit independent research and development organization, have formed an alliance focused on multi-functional nanocomposites for aerospace and transportation applications. Under the alliance the companies will collaborate with aerospace and automotive companies, and their composite materials suppliers that require carbon nanotube formulated coatings, sealants, adhesives and load-bearing composites.
"Unidym and Battelle have both been approached by customers with strong interests in seeing carbon nanotubes introduced into composite materials," noted Art Swift, Unidym's president and CEO. "For some time now we have supplied sample quantities of nanotubes to a variety of composite materials suppliers and their industrial customers. By aligning with Battelle, we are now able to leverage each other's complementary strengths for the benefit of our customers."
"Battelle and Unidym have capabilities to advance the development and commercialization of high performance composite materials," said Carl Kohrt, Battelle's president and CEO. "We have performed years of research into various applications of carbon nanotubes. Combining our experience with Unidym's materials manufacturing capabilities and foundational patent portfolio provides our clients with an opportunity to accelerate the use of carbon nanotubes in nanocomposite material formulation and fabrication."
The companies have combined resources in this way to jointly approach manufacturers and material suppliers in order to discuss the application of current research, gather specific customer requirements for high performance composite materials and present a licensing program for their intellectual property portfolios. Both companies have seen significant industrial interest in applications such as high performance carbon nanotube enhanced carbon fiber composites, carbon nanotube based thermoplastic nanocomposites that can be injection molded, and thermoset nanocomposites that can be fabricated with various resin transfer molding (RTM) processes and through the compression molding of nanostructured sheet molding compound (SMC) formulations.
Unidym is a leader in the manufacture and application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), a novel material with extraordinary electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Unidym provides bulk materials, CNT-enabled products, and intellectual property to a wide range of customers and business partners. As a result of its recent merger with CNI, Unidym possesses a foundational patent portfolio that covers nearly every aspect of CNT manufacturing and processing as well as multiple product applications.
Unidym is focused on the electronics industry where its initial products include transparent electrodes for touch screens, flat panel displays, solar cells, and solid state lighting; electrodes for fuel cells; and thin film transistors for printable electronics. Unidym is also pursuing an aggressive, cross-industry partnership strategy to capture value from the wide ranging uses of CNTs. Unidym's licensing program, technical expertise and manufacturing facilities can enable partners to rapidly develop CNT solutions for their specific applications.
Earlier this year, Unidym entered into a joint development agreement with Nippon Kayaku, a Japanese chemical company, to integrate Unidym's printable transparent electrodes into Nippon Kayaku's thin film solar cells.
Coradyn Biosystems to develop molecular sensors with UT-Austin technology
June 4, 2008—Start-up smart sensor materials company Coradyn Biosystems LLC has licensed a responsive, conductive polymer technology from the University of Texas at Austin that has applications as a biosensor or chemosensor for RFID, wireless, handheld or laboratory devices. Coradyn Biosystems expects to use the technology in molecular sensor devices in a wide array of industries, including RFID or wireless sensing, medical devices and diagnostics, personal health monitoring, food and beverage testing and industrial processing.
Focused on providing advanced materials as an interface between a biological or chemical environment and electronics, the company's key technology is conductive polymeric materials that can be customized to recognize a broad range of analytes and convert that recognition into a measurable electronic signal.
Coradyn's proprietary platform is a label-free detection chemistry, applicable to a number of formats and industries. For clinical laboratory testing, the technology yields results similar to antibody-based assays, but without the need for expensive, short-lived biological reagents. Other biomedical applications include personal health monitoring through a hand-held or implanted device.
Calando doses first patient with nanoparticle therapeutic
June 3, 2008 -- Calando Pharmaceuticals says it has dosed the first patient with CALAA-01, a targeted nanoparticle therapeutic. This represents the first siRNA therapeutic to enter the clinic in oncology and the first targeted delivery of any RNA interference, or RNAi product.
RNAi is a naturally-occurring mechanism within cells for selectively silencing and regulating specific genes. The ability to silence genes selectively through RNAi could provide a new class of medicines to treat a wide range of human diseases.
Calando, a majority-owned subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corporation, says the patient successfully completed the first dosing cycle, which includes four doses over two weeks, of CALAA-01 in the first clinical trial using systemically-delivered nanoparticle therapeutic siRNA to treat cancer. CALAA-01 is a targeted nanoparticle, comprised of a proprietary, non-chemically-modified siRNA against the M2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase?a clinically-validated cancer target?formulated with Calando's RONDEL (RNAi/Oligonucleotide Nanoparticle Delivery) polymer delivery system. The first patient was enrolled and dosed at South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) in San Antonio, Texas.
This open-label, dose-escalation Phase I study in patients with solid tumors which are refractory to standard-of-care therapies is being conducted at the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center (UCLA) in Los Angeles, California, and at South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) in San Antonio, Texas. It is being led by Drs. Antoni Ribas (UCLA) and Anthony Tolcher (START).
"The initiation of this Phase I clinical trial of CALAA-01 is a hallmark for Calando and for the field of RNAi therapeutics," said Calando CSO for siRNA delivery, Jeremy Heidel, Ph.D. "We look forward to the continued treatment of this patient and subsequent patients and the establishment of safety and efficacy profiles for CALAA-01 in humans."
Applied's SunFab solar module nanomanufacturing headed for Masdar City
June 3, 2008 -- As part of its Masdar Initiative, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. will purchase three SunFab Thin Film Lines for producing solar modules from nanomanufacuturing technology solution provider, Applied Materials. With an optional tandem junction upgrade, these SunFab lines are expected to annually produce modules with a targeted capacity of up to 210 megawatts (MW), or enough energy to power approximately 70,000 homes.
"The Masdar Initiative is focused on ensuring that renewable energies play a key role in the energy portfolio that the world needs now and into the future. We are doing this by applying scale, capital and commitment to the most promising technologies to accelerate the rapid adoption of renewable energy," said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. "We are pleased to be working with Applied Materials."
The Applied SunFab Line is the only integrated production line for manufacturing thin film silicon solar modules using ultra-large 5.7m2 glass panels. Ideally suited for utility-scale applications, these 2.2m x 2.6m panels can reduce installation cost by more than 17 percent, compared to smaller scale thin film panels.
One of the SunFab lines to be supplied by Applied will be located in Erfurt, Germany, and is expected to start up in the second half of 2009. The other two lines will be located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and are expected to start up in early 2010. These lines will help supply solar power to Masdar City, the world's first zero carbon, zero waste city, designed to be fully powered by renewable energy, and also will help support the broader global need for clean sources of energy.
"Abu Dhabi Future Energy is leveraging its substantial resources and expertise in global energy markets to bring the first major photovoltaic manufacturing capability to the Middle East," said Dr. Mark Pinto, senior vice president and general manager of Applied's Energy and Environmental Solutions Group. "We are very excited to be part of Abu Dhabi's vision for the future in accelerating the adoption of solar energy to decrease the cost of electricity."
NanoAndMore to distribute BioForce Nanosciences offerings in America
June 2, 2008 -- BioForce Nanosciences Holdings, Inc., a producer of integrated biological and mechanical systems at the micro and nano scales, has signed a distribution agreement with NanoAndMore USA, Inc., the North and South American distribution arm of NanoWorld Holding AG. NanoAndMore GmbH, is also a distributor of BioForce Nanosciences' products in Europe.
"We are very pleased by all the success NanoAndMore GmbH has had with our product in Europe, and we want to bring that sales craftsmanship to our US sales efforts," says Kerry Frey, president and CEO of BioForce Nanosciences. "This agreement, in addition to that relationship, will allow us to reach the numerous potential customers of NanoAndMore USA."
Earlier this year, BioForce added two new offerings -- one product and one service -- to its lineup: the Cyto eNabler molecular printer, which is specifically configured for the needs of cellular biology researchers; and a service for providing custom patterned surfaces, which are produced, using the company's using the Nano eNabler tool, to the specifications of the customer.
Nano eNabler, by the way, won a Small Times Best of Small Tech 2007 runner-up award in the category Best Micro/Nano Tool of the Year.
"We have heard very encouraging things from our European counterpart about the Nano eNabler and the new Cyto eNabler," adds George McMurtry, founder and CEO of NanoAndMore USA. "The combination of a product line with both instruments and consumables matches our existing business blueprint of selling consumable AFM probes and scientific instruments. The Nano eNabler and Cyto eNabler enhance our capabilities into helping nanotechnologists, a continuing pattern for us."
Northeastern U awards 2008 nanomanufacturing fellowship
June 2, 2008 -- The National Science Foundation (NSF) Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing (CHN) at Northeastern University is pleased to announce that this year's recipient of the Roger H. Grace Fellowship in Nanomanufacturing is Cihan Yilmaz. Yilmaz, a 2006 graduate with BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey with a GPA of 3.99/4.00, was ranked 1st in about 1,600 students in the college of Engineering at Yeditepe.
The award, which is a renewable one-year position with a stipend to work in the area nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing at CHN, will allow Yilmaz to study at Northeastern's CHN, who is currently examining the directed assembly of nanoparticles.
Roger Grace, President of Roger Grace Associates, and Ahmed Busnaina, Ph.D., the director of CHN, will be announcing Yilmaz as the recipient of the award during the Nano Science & Technology Institute's (NSTI) Nanotech 2008 Conference in Boston on Monday, June 2 at the Hynes Convention Center, Room 209, beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
"Being an alumnus of Northeastern University in both their undergraduate and graduate engineering schools, and a consultant in micro and nanotechnology commercialization for over 25 years, I have kept a watchful eye on the progress of the university as a player in the research and development area," said Grace.
"Most recently, the university has captured two major National Science Foundation grants to create Engineering Research Centers, a significant accomplishment. The Center has caught my attention because of its focus on the commercialization of nanotechnology, which is of great importance to me and my firm. I am honored to make a contribution to support research students in this area in such a prestigious and important position and to have my friend and learned colleague, Professor Ahmed Busnaina, as their research advisor," added Grace.
Professor Busnaia stated, "The CHN is well positioned to discover innovative answers to the wide-ranging challenges of nanomanufacturing and train scientists to bring these new techniques to industry. It is one of the very few research centers in the nation to focus solely on developing economically viable fabrication processes to bring inventions into commercial production, and do so more quickly than the usual multi-decade time frame. The future of nanomanufacturing will depend on a workforce well-educated in nanoscience and nanoengineering. Among the greatest challenges in nanotechnology is the ability to commercially produce devices that work at the nanoscale level, which is measured at one-billionth of a meter. If developed, these systems could catapult the field into a $1 trillion industry by 2015".
MINOS-EURONET concludes with road show to showcase EU new member states' micro/nano research
May 27, 2008 -- The MINOS-EURONET (Micro-NanOSystems EUROpean NETwork) project, which concludes this month, says it has combined novel methods with traditional ones to help organizations from European Union new member states gain visibility within European research in micro nano technologies (MNT).
The project started three years ago with the development of knowledge databases, combined with organizing workshops and brokerage events and publicizing through the website, an e-newsletter and the printed MNT Bulletin. To increase the visible outcome of these actions, MINOS-EURONET decided in 2007 to combine different actions into a unified database that now contains profiles of European specialists, research centers, projects and networks related to micro and nanotechnologies, with a special emphasis on profiles from Central and Eastern Europe. The database aims to reveal and promote the research competences from the new member states (NMS) at European scale and to facilitate the participation of these organizations to EC programs and other activities in the field of micro-nanosystems. The unified database is also the backbone for online brokerage activities. For the preparation of proposals in EC FP7 this tool has been extensively used in addition to face-to-face brokerage events.
Going on now, a "road show" aims to forge strong partnerships between East and West in order to utilize the Western expertise and improve the chances of Eastern partners successfully receiving EC funding.
DFI Nanotech signs deal with Aktarus for Italian market
May 21, 2008 -- Diamon-Fusion International Inc. (DFI Nanotechnology), which develops nanotech coatings, has entered into a license agreement and partnership with Italian nanotechnology company Aktarus Group SRL.
The partnership will help DFI operations in Italy within the nanotech sector and solidify its position in the European Union market.
Aktarus Group sells and distributes nanocoatings for the construction, automotive, marine and industrial markets. The company collaborates with Italian architects, engineers and designers in addition to promoting the nanotech industry throughout Europe.
"We've had an immediate interest and great acceptance of the DFI nanotech products within multiple nanotech sectors here in Italy so we are confident our strategic partnership with DFI will bring solid results for both companies, not only short term but many years to come as well," said Paolo Spinelli, managing director of Aktarus Group.
DFI develops nanotech coatings for impact and scratch resistance, protection against graffiti, dirt and stains, UV stability and electrical insulation, among other applications.
Nanotech tool supplier CVD Equipment posts record revenues
May 16, 2008 -- CVD Equipment Corporation -- designer, manufacturer and supplier of equipment for use in manufacturing nanotechnology such as carbon nanotubes and nanowires, as well as semiconductors and solar cells, and for surface mounting of components onto printed circuit boards -- has announced record first quarter revenues and its fourteenth consecutive profitable quarter.
Revenue for the first quarter ending March 31, 2008 was approximately $4,043,000, compared to $3,811,000 for the quarter ending March 31, 2007, an increase of 6.1% "as we continue to experience an increasing demand for our products," the company said.
The overall gross profit percentage decreased to 30.1% for the current quarter compared to 33.0% for the same period one year ago. The firm says the decrease is a result of adding engineering and production personnel necessitated by the increase in orders, the expansion plans with its recently announced First Nano Laboratory, and new product development in the nanomaterials, solar, energy and semiconductor fields.
As of March 31, 2008 the company's backlog was approximately $3,364,000, a decrease of $1,723,000 or 33.9% compared to $5,087,000 at December 31, 2007. Timing for completion of the backlog varies depending on the product mix, however, there is generally a one to six month lag in the completion and shipping of backlogged product. Backlog from quarter to quarter can vary based on the timing of order placements and shipments.
Leonard Rosenbaum, President and CEO stated, "Our record first quarter revenues and quotation activity show a strong acceptance of our equipment platforms. The additional sales, engineering and manufacturing expenditures we are currently incurring will further broaden the First Nano and CVD product lines. The First Nano Laboratory expansion will enable us to further demonstrate our new and existing equipment platforms, processes and IP. In addition, the programs we are developing with universities and industry for next generation products in the Nano Technology, Solar, Energy and Semiconductor fields will provide for our long term continuous growth. These factors will keep us on track with continued revenue growth in 2008 and provide a steady increase in revenue and profitability for future years."
Nanophase recertified to quality and environmental standards; sets safety record
May 16, 2008 -- Nanophase Technologies , developer of nanomaterials and advanced nanoengineered solutions, has been independently recertified to meet the standards of ISO9001, the international Quality Management Standard and ISO14001, the international Environmental Management Standard.
The nanotechnology company also notes that it has surpassed 880,000 hours worked, or over 400 man years, without a lost-time accident. "This is an exemplary record, especially for a company of our size, and demonstrates the company's sound safety practices and employee dedication to safety in the workplace," said Robert Haines, Nanophase's VP of Operations and Engineering.
Just last month, Nanophase announced the achievement of record Q1 financial results.
"Having external verification of Nanophase's quality and environmental management systems and demonstration of the company's compliance with these systems is very important as we continue to accelerate the growth of our business," noted Mr. Haines. "It is important to our larger international customers, as well as for new business customers, to know that they are doing business with a reputable company that has robust environmental, health, and safety practices and who is a good corporate citizen. I would like to especially recognize our quality and environmental management staff for their leadership and hard work in this area. As a company we have institutionalized these systems, along with Lean Six Sigma, in the manner we conduct operations everyday."
The audit of the nanotechnology company's manufacturing and development facilities and associated environmental systems was recently conducted by an ANSI accredited third party auditor, SGS Systems of Rutherford, NJ. Nanophase was originally recognized to meet the international standards of ISO9001 in January 1997 and ISO14001 in April 2005.
Nanophase is a voting member of ASTM E56 and ISO USATG TC229, which are U.S.-based committees developing new international industry standards for the management and characterization of nanomaterials.
NT-MDT, Nano & Giga Solutions develop nanotech-focused educational portal
May 16, 2008 -- NT-MDT, manufacturer of atomic-force and scanning-probe microscopes (AFMs and SPMs) for nanotechnology R&D, has signed an agreement with Nano & Giga Solutions, a networking research and consulting company, for joint development of an informal educational web portal. The Atomic Scale Design Network (ASDN.NET) covers science fundamentals for nanotechnology.
In pursuit of the portal, the partners are defining nanotechnology "a field of applied science and technology whose unifying theme is the control [and fabrication] of matter on the atomic and molecular scale." The field, they say, is quickly gaining attention not just from science-savvy geeks and gurus, but also from the general public. "For future generations of engineers, fundamental knowledge of atomic scale materials structure and design will be critical to be competitive as an engineering professional. Meanwhile high school science curricula in many countries are behind the technology curve and students are missing out due to lack of resources," the partners say.
Anatoli Korkin, President of Nano & Giga Solutions, launched the initiative of developing an informative and entertaining educational web portal dedicated to enhance public knowledge in all aspect of "atomistics" from inorganic materials to bio molecules and demonstrate how new phenomena appear from different combinations of chemically bound atoms as their number and variety increases.
Advance Nanotech appoints Bader as new CEO
May 7, 2008 -- Advance Nanotech, Inc., (BULLETIN BOARD: AVNA), developer of chemical detection systems, has confirmed the appointment of Bret Bader as its incoming Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bader is currently CEO of Owlstone Nanotech, Inc., Advance Nanotech's majority owned subsidiary. Mr. Bader is a recognized authority on the availability and effective deployment of security technology, with emphasis on explosive, chemical, biological, narcotics and weapons detection systems, the company said.
The appointment of Mr. Bader as CEO is in line with the previously announced plan of transitioning Advance Nanotech into an operating company focused on the chemical detection industry. Mr. Bader's appointment to CEO will become effective upon completion of the Exchange Agreement, as previously disclosed. In the interim period, Mr. Bader shall be responsible for all aspects of furthering the Owlstone business along with all necessary steps to complete the Exchange Agreement.
"We are excited to have Mr. Bader taking the senior leadership position in Advance Nanotech at this important transformational point in the company's development. The company has just concluded an extensive realignment of operations, financial metrics and performance targets, which will ensure that Advance Nanotech's growth potential is realized in the near and long term as Advance Nanotech shifts from being a portfolio of technologies into an operating company focused on the Owlstone Nanotech chemical detection system. Mr. Bader has been and will be instrumental in the product development and next-generational mission critical chemical detection solutions for our customers," commented Peter Rugg, acting Chairman of Advance Nanotech.
Mr. Bader was the general manager and vice president of Smith's Detection, Americas from 2004 to 2005. He was responsible for the generation and implementation of business strategy and development plane, and is well versed in the oversight of US accounting and controller operations. His previous experience (1999 to 2004) as general manager of the U.S. Security Inspection Division in the Heimann Systems organization (acquired by Smiths Detection), and with the EG&G Astrophysics Corp. (1989 to 1999) brings invaluable expertise with the creation, management and delivery of detection technology business strategy, to Advance Nanotech. Currently, Mr. Bader has been CEO of Owlstone Nanotech, Inc. since August 2006 and has been responsible for establishing corporate structure and its rapid progress towards commercialization.
As a temporary measure to facilitate the completion of the Exchange Agreement, Mr. Lee Cole has accepted the position of acting Principal Executive Officer and Mr. Peter Rugg has accepted the position of acting Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Nano-enabled chem/bio/nuclear radiation-blocking fabric wins patent
May 7, 2008 -- Radiation Shield Technologies (RST) says it has been granted a new Australian patent for its nanotechnology-enabled Demron fabric, which it calls "the world's first nuclear radiation-blocking, anti-chemical and biological-protection material."
RST describes Demron -- which is covered by other patents in Australia, the United States, Singapore and Russia -- as a radiopaque nano-polymeric compound fused between layers of fabric and manufactured into several lightweight, nuclear-radiation blocking garments. This latest patent secures all its applications, including full-body nuclear, biological, and nuclear-biological chemical (NBC) suits, tactical anti-nuclear vests, high-energy suppression blankets, medical X-ray vests and aprons. Its first Australian patent concerns the Demron compound and its manufacturing processes.
"The global demand and deployment of Demron exceeds our expectations and reaffirms its leadership as the only nuclear radiation-blocking material that also provides anti-chemical and biological protection," said RST's president and CEO Ronald DeMeo, the surgeon who developed Demron. "Demron's patents will help us expand its market potential, and we will continue to secure patents worldwide."
Recent deployments include a NATO-funded purchase of a record number of Demron suits for use by the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus. Demron also is deployed worldwide by NATO, NASA, the National Guard, US Navy, UAE and the governments of South Korea, China, Saudi Arabia and Australia, among others. Scientists have selected it for space suits for future Mars and other space travel.
"Demron is a liquid metal that feels like fabric, and the suits are cool, lightweight and flexible," DeMeo said. "Demron helps individuals more comfortably perform a broader range of duties and with the confidence of knowing they're well-protected."
Demron suits are made from a nanotechnology that surpasses the current NBC suits, which provide limited protection against radioactive sources. It is a lead-free, toxin-free, and PVC-free material that allows heat dissipation and resists chemical penetration and cracks. RST says Demron is proven to block gamma rays and X-rays, as well as other nuclear emissions, by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, part of the National Nuclear Security Administration within the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
MEMS pioneer Petersen joins APM foundry's technical advisory board
May 6, 2008 ? Taiwan-based Asia Pacific Microsystems (APM), which calls itself one of the world's leading independent MEMS foundry service providers, says that MEMS pioneer Dr. Kurt Petersen has joined its technical advisory board. In this role, Petersen will advise APM on its 8-inch transition strategy, advanced technology roadmap, new MEMS applications, and new partnership opportunities.
Petersen is one of the founders of SiTime, and served as the company's CEO until the fall of 2007. Previously, he was co-founder, president, and CTO at Cepheid (NASDAQ:
CPHD), and before that was a cofounder and VP of technology of NovaSensor for 10 years.
APM is currently running 6-inch MEMS wafer processes in its 27,000 square feet facility at Hsinchu Science Park of Taiwan. APM serves many global customers who are designing state-of-art MEMS sensors and actuators, such as pressure sensors, inkjet heads, inertia sensors, microphones, RF relay and optical mirror actuators. APM President, Dr. Ming-Ru Chen, says "APM has been very focused on the foundry business model since UMC and Unimicron made a strategic investment into APM in late 2006. We want to maintain the position of being the top foundry choice for the fab-less MEMS design houses. Dr. Petersen's appointment as a member of TAB will strengthen our ability to focus on developing cutting edge technologies and providing the 8-inch migration path for our customers."
During his 9 years at Cepheid, Petersen was responsible for product development and helped guide the company to a public offering in 2000. General Electric acquired Petersen's first startup, NovaSensor, in 2003. In 2001, Kurt was listed by Red Herring Magazine as a Top 10 Innovators of the Year. Kurt holds a BA degree from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. from MIT. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a recipient of the 2001 IEEE Simon Ramo medal.
MEMS developer Dolomite developing microfluidics to enable nanoparticle synthesis
May 6, 2008 -- Dolomite, a MEMS/microfluidics specialist based in the U.K., says it has been working with Newcastle University to explore using microfluidics to synthesize nanoparticles for biochemistry applications.
For this project Dolomite created a custom glass MEMS microchip with multiple reaction chambers. This was manufactured undertaking processes such as lithographic patterning, isotropic etching of glass substrates and the accurate thermal bonding of glass substrates.
"The manufacture of this type of device is a very complex process," said Dr Gillian Davis, Commercial Director at Dolomite. "However, microfluidics offers high efficiency, versatility, speed, and economy of analysis. This technology also has a very low consumption of reagents and analytes, so it brings both cost and environmental benefits to bioscience and drug discovery projects. Furthermore, its greatest advantage is the ability to perform parallel-array or multidimensional types of analyses in a small localised environment."
The nanoparticle synthesis project at Newcastle University is headed by Mike Loughran, Team Leader Microfluidics & Sensor Technologies, at the School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials. Working with Dolomite and Dr Andrea Beck from HAS Budapest, Loughran has been exploring how, in the future, scientists will be able to control specific chemical reactions in a localized microchip environment, enabling different nanoparticles to be designed for a specific purpose -- e.g the synthesis of silicon based fluorescent nanoparticles (quantum dots) to label biomolecules for diagnostic assays, polymeric nanosensors for intracellular analysis and drug delivery, and catalytic nanoparticles for specific chemistries or for purification by adsorbing pollutants.
"I am very happy with the professionalism and attention to detail that I have received from Dolomite," said Mike. "In particular I am very impressed with the speed of the processing, alignment and bonding of the glass microchips . . . Previously I waited months for clean room glass processing. With Dolomite it was completed within weeks and to a much higher standard."
Established in 2005 as "the world's first microfluidic application centre," (according to the company) Dolomite won funding from the U.K. Department of Trade and Industry's Micro and Nano Technology (MNT) Manufacturing Initiative that same year. The funding has allowed Dolomite to establish microfabrication facilities, with cleanrooms, precision glass processing facilities and applications laboratories. In addition to this, Dolomite has managed to attract top quality engineering and scientific staff with strong backgrounds across the broad range of disciplines required for success in bringing microfluidics applications to market.
Asylum Research AFM nano-research tool on CSI: Miami
May 5, 2008 -- Aside from performing cutting edge research in nanotechnology, the Asylum Research MFP-3D atomic force microscope (AFM) was in the spotlight on the CBS hit television show CSI: Miami. The AFM was featured in the episode 619 "Rock and a Hard Place" on May 5, 2008.
Late last year, Asylum released the Piezo Force Module, an add-on to the star performer MFP-3D, which comes in multiple versions.
"I was really surprised when CSI: Miami producers called me to use our MFP-3D AFM," said Terry Mehr, Director of Marketing. "Only days earlier, I had received an email from our VP of Asia Pacific telling me about a customer that was interested in doing forensics on our AFM and how great it would be to have our AFM on CSI. Then lo and behold, I get a call from the producers asking to use the equipment. It's exciting to have our AFM featured in the episode."
The MFP-3D AFM was used as a forensics instrument to procure information about a sample. Asylum Research manufactures advanced AFMs for nanoscale science and technology. For additional information, please contact Terry Mehr.
MEMS gyro maker InvenSense secures $19 million Series C funding
May 2, 2008 -- InvenSense, Inc., provider of MEMS-based motion sensing systems for mobile consumer applications, says it has secured $19 million dollars in Series C venture capital financing.
Earlier this year, InvenSense announced it had released the "world's smallest" dual-axis gyroscope -- another MEMS/microsystem device.
This latest funding round brings InvenSense's total funding to date to $38 million. It was led by new investor Sierra Ventures, with participation from previous investors Artiman Ventures, Partech International and Qualcomm Ventures. Several strategic investors also participated in the Series C investment round including Foxconn, Inventec Appliances Corp, both from Taiwan; Skylake Ventures from Korea; DoCoMo Capital, a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of NTT DoCoMo Japan, and VentureTech Alliance (whose majority LP is TSMC). Ben Yu, managing director at Sierra Ventures, will join InvenSense's board of directors.
The latest infusion of investment funding will accelerate the next phase of company growth and evolve both the company business and product strategy. InvenSense will expand sales operations to support new customers and bring a new family of the world's first integrated motion sensing solutions based on multi-axis MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers with embedded intelligence. These products address the fast-growing need for motion sensors in portable consumer electronics markets that will fuel a host of innovations in next generation applications such as 3D-games and gesture-enabled mobile phones.
"InvenSense has already demonstrated a clear leadership position in mass production of very advanced MEMS motion sensing solutions with wide acceptance by many major consumer electronics companies," said Ben Yu, managing director, Sierra Ventures. "We are excited about the enormous market potential for InvenSense's upcoming, innovative solutions and are convinced that InvenSense will be the dominant provider of a new generation of motion sensors for the burgeoning consumer handheld market."
"Sierra Ventures was the ideal partner to lead this round for us, and we are pleased with participation by a high quality list of Asian strategic investors. We have now solidified our commitment to Asia and to some of the largest consumer electronic companies in the world," said Steven Nasiri, chief executive officer and founder of InvenSense.
Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) improves nanoporous layers, says NIST
May 2, 2008 -- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) says its work has helped resolve whether nanoimprint lithography (NIL) can accurately stamp delicate insulating structures on silicon wafers without damage -- and in fact makes them better.
One candidate for a semiconductor insulator is spin-on organisilicate glass, a porous glassy material applied as a thin fluid film; when heated it turns into a thin glass film laced with nanopores to enhance electrical insulation. Whereas conventional photoresist etching processes can compromise the delicate material, NIL could pattern SOG layers with wiring trenches, and eliminate litho steps by patterning the film accurately without destroying the lacework, NIST claims.
Last fall NIST published a paper in Advanced Materials addressing the patterning issue, showing that NIL used on functional SOG material could transfer patterns with <100nm detail and minimal distortion due to processing.
Now, in another Advanced Materials paper, NIST scientists claim they extend the effect of the embossing process on the nanopore structure in the glass. Using a combination of techniques to measure nanopore distribution in the insulator, they found that the NIL embossing process actually increases the population of small pores, improving performance, reducing population of larger pores, and creating a thin, dense protective skin across the material's surface.
Together, NIST says, these two papers suggest that NIL "can produce superior nanoporous insulator layers in advanced semiconductor devices with significantly fewer -- and easier -- processing steps than conventional lithography."
National Academies convocation champions nanotech, science education
May 1, 2008 -- The National Academies -- advisers to the nation on science, engineering and medicine -- held a national convocation this week (April 29) in Washington, D.C. that focused in part on nanotechnology. In his speech to the participants, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez emphasized the importance of basic research to nanotechnology innovation and application. "NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology) has created the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology. Nanotechnology is just one area where the basic research funded by ACI [America Competes Initiative] has real world impacts," noted Gutierrez. "Advances in manipulating matter on the tiniest of scales is spurring business creation around the world, showing tremendous potential for new health benefits, economic growth and productivity."
Called "Rising Above the Gathering Storm Two Years Later: Accelerating Progress toward a Brighter Economic Future," the convocation was organized by the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academies with support from the National Math and Science Initiative.
The event aimed to take stock of what has occurred since the fall of 2005, when the National Academies released the report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future.
Major accomplishments since then include the passage of the bipartisan America Competes Act, which was signed by the President last August, as well as initiatives by several states and by the private sector. In addition, the convocation worked to strengthen engagement among the various stakeholders seeking to renew American innovation and explore how progress can be sustained and accelerated.
But work remains to be done -- in terms of intellectual property protection, immigration, free trade, and commitment to science education. "The 'Gathering Storm' report articulated ways in which we must address our nation's shortages of talented educators and scientists," he said -- and then urged Congress to act. "Maintaining America's technology leadership requires a commitment to basic science . . . The Administration has also set a goal to increase the number of scientists and engineers at NIST by 1,500, but this goal will only be met if the President's proposal to double funding for basic research is implemented."
Nano-enabled golf club helps Trevor Immelman win Masters
April 23, 2008 -- PowerMetal Technologies Inc., supplier of nanotechnology enhanced materials to the sporting goods and consumer products industries, announced that PGA Tour professional Trevor Immelman won the 2008 Masters using its EPIC shaft, a golf shaft designed in conjunction with Grafalloy to enable golfers to hit longer and straighter golf shots thanks to its proprietary nanofuse construction.
"Key to Immelman's convincing wire-to-wire victory was his long and straight drives at a golf course known for its stingy scoring conditions," the company says. "Wielding EPIC golf shafts in his driver, fairway wood and hybrid, the South African drove the ball beautifully, he led in driving accuracy with a tournament-best 85% of fairways hit. He also finished fourth in driving distance with a blistering 287 yards off the tee."
"The greatest strength of the week for him was his driving," said CBS commentator Jim Nantz as Immelman was walking up the famed 18th. Fellow CBS commentator and Masters Champion Nick Faldo added, "His cumulative of driving distance and accuracy, he will beat everybody by miles and that has been his absolute number one club this week."
"We are delighted that our technology and product was the key to winning on golf's biggest stage," said Edward Hughes, Founder, President & CEO of PowerMetal Technologies. "PowerMetal's nanotechnology powers not only golfers but also is used by the world's top players in squash and racquetball. It is very exciting to see players win using our nanotechnology at Majors in golf and at World Championships in racquet sports."
The EPIC Shaft was first introduced to the golf world at the beginning of 2007 and Golfweek magazine has called it "the next big thing." According to PowerMetal, what makes the EPIC's performance so powerful is its proprietary and patented nanofuse technology, combining the benefits of steel with the lightweight and feel advantages of graphite. In a case of good timing, PowerMetal's patent on the Epic shaft was approved and issued by the US patent Office two days before the Masters tournament started.
PowerMetal has several key nanotechnology platforms that it is using to create both sporting goods and consumer products. Its nanofusing on composite platforms such as the Epic Shaft and HEAD Metallix racquets has received industry praise, and its nanofusing on aluminum for golf heads and baseball bats will result in several products new products in 2008. In a recently announced strategic alliance with DuPont, its nanofusing on polymers hold promise in the both the sporting goods and consumer products markets. At grain sizes of 20 nanometers (1000 times smaller than the grain size of typical metallic structures), the nano-crystalline metal is much stronger and harder than conventional metals.
See past report on PowerMetal.
neosino nanotechnologies AG's new name: adinotec AG; new focus: beyond nano
April 22, 2008 -- The shareholders of the Griesheim, Germany-based company neosino nanotechnologies (FRA:N1N) have decided to rename the organization adinotec AG. The move follows from a change in focus beyond nanotechnology development.
"The name adinotec stands for 'advanced innovative technologies'. On the one hand, this demonstrates that we still claim to launch new and advanced technologies onto the market, but at the same time makes it clear that in future, we shall no longer be restricting ourselves to nanotechnology," said Executive Board Chairman Edmund Krix.
The new company name will become effective as soon as it is entered in the register of companies, which normally takes 2-4 weeks. Following this, the shares will be immediately listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the new name.
Until now the company specialized in developing and marketing nanotechnology-based products, offering solutions for sectors such as the construction industry, and nanosilicea particle-based products -- including nutrition supplements, supplements for athletes, and cosmetics -- as well as in licensing and patents. The company's products include neosino Nanosiliceo-Kapseln, a supplement taken in capsule form containing minerals, silicon dioxide, magnesium and calcium in the form of nanoparticles; and neosino SPORT Nano-Liquid, a mineral supplement taken in liquid form and aimed at athletes. The company also offers shampoo, body lotion, as well as sun and after sun lotions. It has its subsidiaries in Austria and in Switzerland.
The company is listed in the Entry Standard on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
NanoSight sells 100th nanoparticle tracking analysis system
April 22, 2008 ? The U.K.-based NanoSight Limited, supplier of equipment for nanotechnology R&D, says it has received the 100th purchase order for its nanoparticle tracking analysis system, which counts individual particles in liquid.
The NanoSight system uses an optical microscope combined with a digital camera to record 30 frames per second of individual nanoparticles moving under Brownian motion in liquid as they pass through a laser beam. Each particle will scatter light and it is this light path that is followed. Advanced software enables the path of each particle to be "tracked" to give a very accurate size dispersion calculation which is invaluable when studying systems with different size ranges. According to NanoSight, the system is the only offering of its kind on the market.
Professor Steffen Petersen of the University of Aalborg in Denmark selected the NanoSight LM10 to study the build-up of multi-layered, targeted nanoparticle drug delivery systems. His particular attraction to the LM10 is its ability to not just to size particles but to investigate the potential to provide information about an individual particle's refractive index.
Among the goals of Petersen's group is the construction of drug delivery vehicles around an iron oxide core that will enable the researchers to study how effective different targeting molecules are using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
NanoSight Ltd, provides a range of instruments for the optical detection and real-time analysis of sub-micron particles. The Company claims its instruments offer significant advantages compared to other instruments based on light-scattering techniques. The LM10 is one of several metrology solutions currently under scrutiny with the National Physical Laboratory as a potential next-generation characterization standard.
MEMS accelerometer wave approaching, says ABI
April 15, 2008 -- The Nintendo Wii's motion-sensing remote control and the Apple iPhone's self-orienting display represent the advance wave of what will be a rising tide of new and innovative uses for tiny MEMS accelerometers, according to ABI Research.
"In the very creative consumer electronics market," says ABI analyst Doug McEuen, "the sky's the limit. The growth rate of this market will be determined by the imaginations of designers as they think up innovative and unexpected ways to incorporate accelerometers into new devices. The arrival of another wildly popular consumer product that sells large numbers worldwide could give this market a significant boost."
"Other major game console manufacturers are following Nintendo's lead in seeking accelerometer applications for their next-generation products," he says. "But games are only one use for these specialized devices. They are already widely used in automotive airbag systems (where the high sales volume has helped drive down prices.) They can measure vibration in industrial machinery; they are used in exercise step-counters, and we will see them in growing numbers of other phones and PDAs."
A relative handful of manufacturers share this high-potential market. A "big three" -- Analog Devices, Freescale, and ST Microelectronics -- are joined by just a few others, including OKI Semiconductor and Hitachi Metals America.
ABI's report, MEMS Accelerometers, examines MEMS accelerometer technology and the requirements for competitive solutions, including essential product capabilities. It includes an in-depth market forecast that numerically tracks both positive and negative market forces. The study concludes with profiles of key manufacturers and early-adopting handset/CE vendors.
NanoDynamics targets printed electronics apps with nano-scale metals
April 9, 2008 -- NanoDynamics is targeting the printed electronics industry with a range of metal flakes and powders. "With rapid advancement towards smaller, more complex circuitry, along with a host of innovative printing substrates, the unique properties offered by nano-scale metals including silver, copper and silver-coated copper have become significant to further industry development," said Dr. Alan Rae, V.P. of Innovations at NanoDynamics.
"Factors including low melting and sintering temperatures that address heat-sensitive applications, and more environmentally responsible and flexible circuit printing methods are ideally addressed through the employment of nanometals," Rae added.
Among NanoDynamics' products for this market are ND Silver powders (from 30 nm to 80 nm) and platelets (500 nm), which promise unique stability at elevated temperatures and do not exhibit room temperature sintering and migration.
ND Copper has a crystalline structure that "provides low oxidation and excellent conductivity," according to NanoDynamics. Powders and flakes are available in sizes from 200 nm to 6 microns. And Silver Coated ND Copper, used extensively in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, conductive adhesives, inks and transparent conductive films, promises high corrosion-resistant surface properties and low-temperature processing capabilities Silver Coated ND Copper materials are available as flakes in 4 to 10 microns.
Industrial Nanotech coating gets EU building-code approval
April 9, 2008 --Industrial Nanotech, Inc. (Pink Sheets:INTK) says that its patented Nansulate energy-saving protective coatings are now approved under the stringent EU building codes. Nansulate is the company's patented product line of specialty coatings containing a nanotechnology based material that promises thermal insulation, corrosion prevention, resistance to mold growth, and lead encapsulation in an environmentally safe, water-based, formulation.
"This is a significant milestone for Industrial Nanotech in the European building insulation market," stated Francesca Crolley, V.P. of Operations and Marketing. "Nansulate has proven its effectiveness and gained market share in the EU in the industrial and 'do-it-yourself' homeowner markets for the last four years. This certification will open many doors for its use throughout Europe in the burgeoning market of commercial and residential building insulation. Energy conservation through the efficient use of resources has become a priority for governments across Europe. Energy prices continue to soar and governments are putting in place standards and guidelines to compel limitation of energy consumption. Hence, the government, builders, and consumers are demanding more efficient thermal insulation materials for buildings and our Nansulate products offer them that solution."
Nansulate was tested by Istituto De Ricerche E Collaudi M. Massini, of Milan, Italy, a highly regarded institute which has been operating in the field of quality control and certification of products for over 35 years.
Nansulate was tested according to building insulation specifications and was approved according to results from the UNI EN ISO 8990:1999 test method.
The approval certification for building construction standards in the European Union was obtained by the company's distributor for Italy and Spain, Aktarus Group, based in Milan, Italy.
Lux says "big oil" industry turning to nanotech
April 8, 2008 -- A new report from Lux Research, "Petroleum Players Seek Nanotech Solutions to Oil Supply Woes," says that new collaborations are needed to apply nanotechnology effectively to petroleum discovery.
Oil and gas exploration is increasingly fruitless, says Lux: Since 1999, the world's five largest international oil companies have replaced only 82% of the reserves that they've consumed, and even Royal Dutch Shell CEO Jeroen van der Veer has said that "easily accessible supplies of oil and gas will no longer keep up with demand." Nanotechnology can help the oil and gas industry find new fields and extract more from existing ones -- but only if new collaborations bridge the industry's historical divides.
"Underground oil inhabits nanoscale pores; oil wells' extreme temperatures and pressures benefit from nanostructured materials and coatings; and engineered nanocatalysts can upgrade heavy oils to lighter, more valuable ones," said Mark Bunger, Research Director at Lux Research. "With these benefits in store, it's no surprise that 78 nanotech start-ups focus on oil and gas ? and that associations like the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Advanced Energy Consortium are investigating everything from subsurface nanosensors to autonomous nanobots."
Lux's report includes a global inventory of research initiatives, corporate R&D programs, and start-up companies in the field. It concludes that:
-- Tiny oil and gas R&D budgets constrain large companies' nanotech development. International oil giants are spending just 0.2% to 0.5% of revenue on R&D -- 50 to 100 times less than in other technology-dependent sectors like aerospace, biotech, and information technology.
-- The oil and gas industry's fractured history keeps players from combining their efforts. Increasingly bitter rivalry keeps international oil companies like Shell and ExxonMobil (which have a history of deploying new technology) from collaborating on nanotech with national oil companies like Sinopec and Gazprom (who own the reserves but have not focused on technology in the past).
"Petroleum Players Seek Nanotech Solutions to Oil Supply Woes" is part of the LR Nanomaterials Intelligence service. For further information contact John Schwartz.
FUJIFILM Dimatix materials printer leverages MEMS for research
April 8, 2008 -- FUJIFILM Dimatix, supplier of drop-on-demand inkjet printheads for industrial applications, says researchers have used its cartridge-based Dimatix Materials Printer (DMP) to devise a novel method of rapidly producing, testing, and optimizing new materials that hold promise for efficiently producing hydrogen from water and sunlight.
The new inkjet-based method developed by researchers at the Department of Chemistry at Colorado State University relied on a FUJIFILM Dimatix DMP-2800 Materials Printer to quantify the optimal proportions and deposition conditions of promising new metal oxides by precision-printing controlled arrays of finely-graded compounds onto transparent conductive substrates.
The new method allowed the researchers to readily quantify mixtures of compounds in a printed matrix that were the most promising candidates for further research. Using it, the researchers were able to isolate a particular chemical compound that has potential for water photoelectrolysis. (Water photoelectrolysis ? also known as "solar water splitting" ? involves converting sunlight into an electrical current, and using that current to divide water into hydrogen and oxygen. Photoelectrolysis process efficiency is critical for energy-efficient hydrogen production.)
Precision jetting and other advanced features of the FUJIFILM Dimatix Materials Printer allowed the researchers to accurately determine droplet volumes of the different compound gradients, the number of nozzles firing, the jetting waveform for individual nozzles and the frequency of nozzle firing. "All of these parameters are important for a quantitative determination of the amount of each component printed within the combinatorial template," said Michael Woodhouse, PhD, a Colorado State University researcher who worked with Professor Bruce Parkinson, and who is now on the research staff of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
The Dimatix Materials Printer, which was used with Dimatix Materials Cartridges to jet 10-picoliter-sized droplets, also allowed the researchers to further optimize the performance of the most promising metal oxide compounds by printing different spot densities or multiple layers in order to vary the thickness of the resulting multicomponent metal oxide film; and to test entirely new compounds in a controlled fashion by adding other materials to the optimized composition.
The compound optimized during the research is composed of three common elements ? aluminum, cobalt and iron ? providing hope that the method can be used to find new solar water splitting materials that are not only functional but also inexpensive, said Dr. Woodhouse.
"As oil prices continue to rise and political and environmental problems become more of a concern, the quest to discover such materials for the production of alternative transportation fuels becomes very appealing," he explained.
The research was funded by a U.S. Department of Energy grant and has been published by the American Chemical Society journal, Chemistry of Materials.
The Dimatix Materials Printer is a turnkey, bench-top materials deposition system that leverages FUJIFILM Dimatix' ink jet technology and Shaped Piezo Silicon MEMS fabrication processes in depositing picoliter-sized droplets of functional fluids on all types of surfaces. By employing single-use cartridges that researchers can fill with their own fluid materials, the DMP system minimizes waste of expensive fluid materials, thereby eliminating the cost and complexity associated with traditional product development and prototyping. FUJIFILM says that the DMP is suitable for prototyping and low-volume manufacturing, and the technology is scalable from R&D to production.
UAlbany Nanocollege draws >1000 to inaugural Community Day
April 7, 2008 -- More than 1,000 children, adults and families throughout New York State's "Tech Valley" got an up-close look at the world of nanotechnology when the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) held its inaugural Community Day on Saturday, April 5.
The first-ever event was part of Nanotechnology Explorations for Science, Training and Education Promotion (NEXSTEP) spearheaded by CNSE's NanoEconomics Constellation in partnership with KeyBank. NEXSTEP is a collaborative program that includes educational initiatives designed to promote greater understanding of the region's changing economic and business environment driven by nanotechnology, with a special emphasis on children, citizens and community.
CNSE's Community Day featured presentations, booths and interactive demonstrations highlighting the exciting technological breakthroughs being enabled by nanotechnology, including those in the fields of health care, energy, environment, electronics and economics; tours of the cutting-edge cleanroom facilities at CNSE's $4.2 billion Albany NanoTech, which calls itself "the most advanced research complex in the academic world;" and, a chance for children and adults to participate in hands-on activities that provided greater understanding of the science described by the National Nanotechnology Initiative as "leading to the next Industrial Revolution."
CNSE's Community Day was planned in conjunction with the national celebration of NanoDays, a week of community-based educational outreach events held March 29 - April 6, 2008 to raise public awareness of nanoscale science and engineering.
Materials Research Society meeting features nanoscale structure discussions
During the recent Materials Research Society (MRS) spring meeting, Professor A. Paul Alivisatos of UC-Berkeley described, as part of his Kavli plenary lecture in nanosicence, recent work by his group and others on transformations in nanocrystals. Ed Korczynski, Senior Technical Editor of Solid State Technology reports on this and other happenings at the event, including nanoscale structures that can switch between measurable states to function as memory cells.
Microvision has deal with Tier 1 auto supplier
December 14, 2007 -- Microvision Inc., a U.S. developer of light scanning technologies for display and imaging products, has signed a development agreement with an unnamed European supplier of automotive and industrial technologies.
Microvision will deliver prototype samples for its Tier 1 partner to evaluate Microvision's PicoP technology for a variety of automotive display applications, including heads-up displays.
Microvision has pioneered the development of an ultra-miniature laser projection technology based on the company's proprietary MEMS scanning micromirror technology that offers important mobile application advantages over existing flat panel technologies: exceptional resolution, contrast and color, smaller packaging, and less power consumption. The name of the automotive Tier 1 supplier was withheld at its request.
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