Working
together on small matter has the potential for huge
returns in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic Region. In fact,
early findings rank the Mid-Atlantic Region as a
national leader in nanotechnology research, innovation
and commercial strength.
According to early results of an asset study commissioned
by the Mid-Atlantic Nanotechnology Alliance (MANA),
the Mid-Atlantic Region is very active in nanotechnology
innovation, ranking 2 nd among all states in nano-related
patents, as well as in research, standing 3 rd in
National Science Foundation (NSF) nano-related grants,
and 4 th in National Institute of Health (NIH) nano-related
grants.
With nanotechnology poised to change the world,
recent studies indicate that the combined alliance
between New Jersey , Pennsylvania and Delaware positions
the tri-state coalition for large advances in a technology
that deals with materials at their smallest level.
For example, the Mid-Atlantic Region is home to:
• DuPont,
a giant in nanotech development advancing nano-related
applications for use in flat panel displays, medical
diagnostics and high performance materials;
• Nanonex,
a spin-off of Princeton University and a leader
in advancing semi-conductor developments through
nano-technology; and
• Elan
Corporation, a leader in applying nanoparticles
to advance the effectiveness of drugs.
Nanotechnology
is relatively new but some manufacturers are already
using it to block stains in clothing, resist scratches
and wear in paints, and make windows self-cleaning.
Some researchers are working on even more futuristic
applications like tiny robots – nanobots,
which can travel through your body combating disease
and other aliments.
As a collaborative effort between The New Jersey
Commission on Science and Technology, Ben Franklin
Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania,
and the Delaware Technology Park , MANA commissioned
the study to further position the region as a global
hub for expanded research, development, application,
and accelerated commercialization of nanotechnology.
Formed in 2004 with support from the U.S. Department
of Commerce Economic Development Administration,
MANA represents the nation's first multi-state initiative.
The asset study directed by MANA is part of a three-phase
approach to define a strategic roadmap that will
ultimately leverage the region's assets, strengths
and capabilities.
“From these early indications, MANA is demonstrating
there are definite advantages in collaborating and
sharing resources,” explained Bob Gittler, MANA coordinator
and manager of Economic Research with Ben Franklin
Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
“When you combine all of the NSF and NIH nano-related
grants awarded to universities in the MANA tri-state
area, the Mid-Atlantic Region ranks 3 rd and 4 th
respectively,” said Mitch Horowitz, of Battelle,
a leading technology-based economic development,
consulting firm conducting the MANA study.
“Comparing the Mid-Atlantic Region to other states
makes sense since the region already functions as
a major economic area combining research, finance
and business across state boundaries.” Horowitz added.
Horowitz explained that the inventory and assessment
portion of the study included a review of funding
for research. It also included appropriations granted
for interdisciplinary, exploratory and industry-specific
research.
“Universities in the Mid-Atlantic Region garner
significant support for nano research,” Horowitz
reported, “with 421 nano-related NSF grants and 83
nano-related NIH grants coming to the MANA tri-state
area.
The study also points out some additional unique
strengths within the MANA territory, including:
• The region has two out of 24 highly competitive
National Nanotechnology Institute (NNI) federally
funded centers – the Molecular Function at NanoBio
Interface, at the University of Pennsylvania ; and
the Bio-Inspection, Design & Processing of Multifunctional
Nanocomposites, at Princeton University .
• Pennsylvania
State University 's Center for Nanotechnology Education
and Utilization is a key element of the NSF national
nanofabrication infrastructure network.
• There are three significant NSF Materials Research
Science & Engineering Centers in the region:
Princeton Center for Complex Materials, at Princeton
University ; the Laboratory for Research on the Structure
of Matter, at the University of Pennsylvania ; and
the Center for Nano Science, at Pennsylvania State
University .
Additional findings of the MANA strategic roadmap
study will be discussed at upcoming regional events,
including a joint MANA and New Castle County Economic
Development Council sponsored program scheduled for
November 30 in Wilmington , Delaware .
Hosted by Wilmington-based pharmaceutical giant,
AstraZeneca, and moderated by Delaware Technology
Park Director Mike Bowman, the program will include
discussions by a panel of experts and an overview
of nano-related strengths and opportunities in Delaware
and the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Similar programs are planned for the beginning of
2006 and will be sponsored by MANA partners The New
Jersey Commission on Science and Technology and Ben
Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
The Mid-Atlantic Nanotechnology Alliance (MANA)
is a collaborative effort between The New Jersey
Commission on Science and Technology, Ben Franklin
Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania,
and the Delaware Technology Park. Launched in 2004
with support from the U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration, MANA's mission
is to position the tri-state area as a global hub
for expanded research, development, application,
and commercialization of nanotechnology.
Additional information about MANA is available
at www.midatlanticnano.org
Nano is no small matter
Nanotechnology, the science of small things, is
transforming our world, as we know it. Nanotechnology
is already revolutionizing basic products and materials
like golf balls, fabrics and paints and, overtime,
will impact virtually every industry by creating
renewed products made from nanomaterials.
Nano – from the Greek word for dwarf – is not
a single industry but an enabling technology involving
matter between 1 and 100 nanometers. A nanometer
is a billionth of a meter – barely the size of 10
hydrogen atoms in a row. To more fully understand
the scale of how small nano is, a human hair typically
measures 80,000 nanometers across.
In this tiny world, researchers have
discovered that matter at the molecular size behaves
quite differently. For instance, breaking down a
chunk of material into nanoparticles vastly increases
its surface areas, often by a factor of millions.
This makes the material dramatically more reactive,
quicker to ignite or melt, and able to absorb faster.
In the nano world, familiar materials such as gold
and carbon soot are displaying new and useful properties.
Some of these include transmitting light or electricity,
becoming harder than diamonds, and transforming chemistry
and the nature of things into potent catalyst for
the development of super efficient, fortified and
hypersensitive materials.
Following are some examples of nanotechnology discoveries
that are changing the way we live:
• Wrinkle-free,
stain resistant clothing and fabrics
• Tennis
balls, and eventually tires, that retains bounce
longer
• Golf
balls that drive with precision
• Anti-bacterial
and self-healing bandages
• Scratch-
and wear-resistant paints and coatings
• Film
coatings to make eyeglasses scratch resistant
• Solar
cells as an affordable alternative energy source
• Bulletproof
armor that can stiffen to provide splints for broken
bones
• Portable labs to provide instant analysis – from
diabetes to HIV
• Implantable
health monitors and ultra precise nano drug agents
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