NEW BRUNSWICK/PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Materials scientists at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, have devised a novel and easy technique to make thin, crystal-like materials for electronic devices. The technique could supplement today's tedious and exacting method of growing crystals with an additional benefit of producing materials in sizes and shapes not now possible.

In a recent issue of the American Chemical Society journal Langmuir, Rutgers scientists and collaborators from Ceramare Corporation and the University of California, Berkeley, report on a method where they coax thousands of microscopic grains of individual crystals to assemble into tightly packed layers. The resulting orderly array of particles mimics the performance of traditionally fabricated crystalline wafers, without the time and expense of growing crystals in a molten mixture or solution, then slicing them into thin layers.

"The materials we've created in our lab bridge the gap between single-crystal materials, with their precisely ordered atomic structures, and ceramics, which have randomly oriented structures," said Richard Riman, professor of ceramic and materials engineering...read the wave

The words "intestinal bug" could gain a whole new meaning if a Carnegie Mellon University engineer is successful in his efforts to develop a medical robot for examining the intestinal tract.

Metin Sitti, director of the NanoRobotics Lab, is developing a set of legs that could be incorporated into the swallowable camera-in-a-pill that has become available in the past four years for diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders in the small intestine.

The capsule camera snaps thousands of pictures as it makes its way slowly through the narrow tract, carried by the wave-like peristaltic motion that moves all contents through the intestines.

But Sitti is hoping that adding legs to the capsule will give physicians a measure of control. The work is supported by the Intelligent Microsystems Center in Seoul, Korea, and sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy...read the wave

Researchers from the United Kingdom, France and the DUBBLE beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) have made a step forward in research on glass. They have monitored the change in the structure of zeolites, crystalline solids, into an almost perfect glass when heated. They have done this by recording vibrations involving groups of atoms in zeolites that subsequently characterise the glass. Their results are published in the last issue of Science.

Zeolites are porous crystalline aluminosilicates, presenting a regular arrangement of cages. In their natural state, they are components of soils and can be barriers against the migration of radioactive elements. In their synthetic form, zeolites are industrially applied as components of washing powders and in the cracking of petroleum to make gasoline. Due to their cage structure, zeolites have a low-density structure. They melt at around...read the wave

Specialists of the Central Administrative Board of Research Institute of Experimental Medicine (Russian Academy of Medical Sciences) are developing express method for early detection of diabetic nephropathy. Their effort has been funded through the grant of the President of the Russian Federation.

Specialists of the Central Administrative Board of Research Institute of Experimental Medicine (Russian Academy of Medical Sciences) are developing biological microchip that will allow to detect a very early stage of diabetic nephropathy - one of heavy complications of insular diabetes. They have created a preliminary version of biochip, which possesses high sensitivity and allows to analyze simultaneously at least 30 to 50 tests.

At present, more than one hundred million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, including more than 2 million people in Russia...read the wave

ATHENS, Ohio – Today's computers and other technological gizmos operate on electronic charges, but researchers predict that a new generation of smaller, faster, more efficient devices could be developed based on another scientific concept – electronic "spin." The problem, however, is that researchers have found it challenging to control or predict spin – which keeps practical applications out of reach.

But physicists in Europe, California and at Ohio University now have found a way to manipulate the spin of an electron with a jolt of voltage from a battery, according to research findings published in the recent issue of the journal Physical Review Letters.

In the new study, scientists applied voltage to the electron in a quantum dot, which is a tiny, nanometer-sized semiconductor. The burst of power changed the direction of the electron's spin -- which can move either up or down. This also caused it to emit a small particle of light called a photon, explained Richard Warburton, a physicist with Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and lead author on the new paper...read the wave

A unique material based on cobweb proteins is being created by Russian researchers of the State Research Center of Russian Federation GosNIIgentics, Scientific Research Center “Coal-Chemical Fiber”, State Research Center of Applied Microbiology in cooperation with their colleagues from Michigan University with support form the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) (project 1033.2).

The spider's hunting net is built from several different proteins. Researchers are mostly interested in the proteins of cobweb framework filaments, which make them extremely strong (the rupture strength of these filaments is several times higher than that of steel) and elastic at the same time. Cobweb framework filaments consist of two proteins: spidroin-1 and spidroin-2. They differ slightly in their properties: spidroin-1 is considered to be stronger, and spidroin-2 – more elastic. Together they account for unique properties of spider's web. Such material would prove useful for multiple purposes, but fist of all – for medicine: as suture material, artificial ligaments and tendons, films for healing wounds and burns, etc...read the wave

In order to promote increased collaboration between nanoscience researchers in Europe, the EU is to part-finance the creation of a European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility (ETSF) along the lines of existing European synchrotron laboratories.

The ETSF is an initiative put forward by the Nanoquanta Network of Excellence, funded under the nanotechnologies strand of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), with additional resources provided by national research funding organisations. The countries represented in the network are: the UK, Germany, Belgium, Italy, France and Spain.

The project builds on fifteen years of successful collaboration between leading condensed matter theory groups in Europe, whose work focuses on the properties of electronic excited states in matter, particularly nanostructures...read the wave

SHARON, Pa.,PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NanoLogix, Inc., (Pink Sheets: NNLX), a Nano-biotechnology company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of technologies for the production of bacteria and disease testing kits, alternative sources of fuel, and remediation of toxic materials, have announced that its DNA extraction system and protocol is both easier -- due to less steps, and quicker -- taking significantly less time than standard spin column extraction methods according to Paul Hyman, Ph.D. at Ohio State University.

According to Jain PharmaBiotech, in the year 2005, the global market for molecular diagnostics will be worth $6.5 billion, representing approximately 3.3% of the total diagnostics market and approximately 14% of the in vitro diagnostic market. The molecular diagnostics market will expand to $12 billion by 2010 and $35 billion by 2015. A major portion of it can be attributed to advances in genomics and proteomics. Biochip and nanobiotechnology...read the wave

The number of infections linked to medical devices has fueled an explosion of research in surface science. The goal is to find a way to prevent the conditions that trigger life-threatening bloodstream infections.

Nosocomial, or hospital-related bacterial infections, are estimated to be the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, after heart disease, cancer, stroke, and pneumonia or flu. 1 The Centers for Disease Control estimate that nosocomial infections cost hospitals more than $2300 per patient for diagnosis and treatment. Many instances, such as vascular catheter infection, can cost $25,000 per episode. Overall, the infections cost hospitals $4.8 billion annually in extended care and treatment.

Pathogens mutate quickly and render antibiotics useless in fighting them. A great majority of healthcare-acquired infections involve many of the pathogens displaying antimicrobial resistance. 2 Therefore, silver's medicinal importance in combating these infections cannot be underestimated...read the wave

HOUSTON, Chemical engineers from Rice University have developed a fundamentally new approach the most environmentally sensitive yet devised for making tiny hollow spheres called microcapsules.

Microcapsule research is one of the most active fields in applied nanotechnology, with dozens of companies either developing or using the tiny containers ­ usually smaller than living cells ­ to deliver everything from drugs and imaging agents to perfumes and flavor enhancers.

In research appearing on the cover of this month¹s issue (Vol. 17, Issue. 9) of the journal Advanced Materials, Michael Wong and his research group describe an approach for making microcapsules that involves mixing a solution of polymer and salt with tiny particles of silica that contain just a few hundred atoms apiece.

Microcapsules are typically made by depositing layers of a coating onto a template or core, which has to be removed to form the hollow center of the structure. The core is usually burned out with high heat processes or dissolved with harsh chemicals. Both processes can damage both the microcapsules and their cargo...read the wave

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Some century-old chemistry could have a strong impact on important issues in biosensors and other nanotech devices, according to a Purdue University research group.

A team led by Alexander Wei has shown that amines, a large and important class of organic molecules, when mixed with carbon disulfide, can bond to gold more robustly than thiols, which are commonly used materials for giving new functions to metal surfaces. Gold surfaces are often used as baseplates of sensors and in nanomaterials, and scientists have been searching for stable organic coatings they can attach to gold to form an interface between the organic and inorganic worlds. The group's findings suggest that amines may be the best candidate group of such materials.

"Amines could allow us to expand the range of molecules which can be incorporated into sensors for the biotech field," said Wei, who is an associate professor of chemistry in Purdue's College of Science. "Amines react with carbon disulfide to form dithiocarbamates (DTCs) and appear to be better suited for coating surfaces than thiols, which have been the standard thus far. The DTC chemistry itself has been around for over 100 years, but we think it can offer many opportunities for current applications in biosensors and nanotechnology."...read the wave

Upton, NY -- A collaboration led by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory has revealed a new mechanism that explains why adding calcium to a high-temperature superconductor increases its current-carrying capacity. The findings refute the current explanation and open the door for similar additives with potentially better current-boosting abilities. The study is published in the May 26, 2005, edition of Nature.

In theory, high-temperature superconductors conduct electricity with no resistance. But the most practical, inexpensive high-temperature superconducting materials -- those suitable for applications such as electronic devices and power lines -- are made of many tiny crystalline grains. The boundaries between grains act like barriers to electric charge carriers, impeding the flow of current.

This is the case for the superconducting material studied here, known as YBCO for its constituent elements: yttrium, barium, copper, and oxygen. Scientists had previously discovered that adding calcium to the boundary between two grains in YBCO improves the current flow, seemingly because the calcium changed the electric-charge structure at the boundaries. Surprisingly, this latest study shows that...read the wave

| Returning to physical instrumentation | Kuniaki NAGAYAMA |

ARGONNE, Ill (May 26, 2005) — Argonne National Laboratory will receive $3 million over three years for basic science studies that may lead to improved catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells.

The funding, from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences , will be used to study the molecular basis of catalysis, with a particular interest in the oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells.

“We are looking to understand the behavior of oxygen in the low-temperature fuel cell cathodes,” said Hoydoo You, leader of the group project. “The project builds on Argonne's scientific strengths, bringing collaboration between physicists and chemists, between theorists and experimentalists.” ...read the wave

An exciting innovation to promote collaboration between Nanoscience researchers in Europe is being developed by the Nanoquanta Network of Excellence, in which the University of York is a partner.

Nanoquanta, an international collaboration part-funded by the European Union's Framework Programme Six, will create a permanent European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility (ETSF) on the lines of the synchrotron facilities successfully shared by researchers across Europe.

Dr Lucia Reining, CNRS Research Director of the École Polytechnique in Paris, says that "over the last two decades, European research and training networks have increasingly contributed to the development of scientific communities. In order to share this benefit more widely between scientists and with society, we have to find new forms of working together. The ETSF will be a major help for us to answer this challenge."

The project builds on a 15-year collaboration between a number of prominent Condensed Matter Theory groups in Europe...read the wave

Los Gatos, CA., and Grenoble, France -, SoftMEMS is pleased to announce the release of a new version of its flagship product MEMS Pro. This is a very special event for SoftMEMS, as it is the first new release since the company acquired a worldwide and exclusive license to develop and market MEMS Pro.

“Since micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) based products usually include a combination of MEMS and interface circuits, we have from the very beginning created tools enabling MEMS, packaging and electronics co-design. The industry is saying we were right,” said Dr. Mary Ann Maher, SoftMEMS CEO. “Our early positioning of combining MEMS and IC design tools allowed us to benefit from the work invested into an efficient design for manufacturing approach by the IC industry and to concentrate on adding MEMS-design specific features. Our tools have always been about improving MEMS designer's productivity in creating manufacturable MEMS products.”

As a result, MEMS Pro is a flexible, powerful, easy-to-use CAD tool suite for the design and analysis of MEMS including their associated electronics and packaging. It offers an integrated solution for the...read the wave

CLEVELAND, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Demand for nanotechnology health care products in the US is projected to increase nearly 50 percent per year to $6.5 billion in 2009. Gains will be led by the introduction of new, improved cancer and central nervous system therapies based on solubilization technologies. Diagnostic tests based on nanoarrays and quantum dots, and imaging agents based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles will also see strong growth. In spite of progress in ntroducing new products, the vast potential of nanotechnology in the health care field will not be fully realized for at least a decade as stringent regulatory barriers and technical complexities delay the commercialization of targeted drug delivery systems, tissue regenerators and other breakthrough products. However, by 2020, demand for nanotechnology health care products is projected to exceed $100 billion. These and other trends are presented in Nanotechnology in Health Care, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based market research firm

The need for new or improved medicines in several therapeutic areas will lead to the increasing use of nanotechnology in...read the wave

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The world of nano-machines has moved a step closer to reality, thanks to researchers who have found a way to sculpt material at the nanoscale in a predictable, controllable and inexpensive manner by using a conducting liquid medium.

This technique has potential applications in single DNA detection devices such as nanopores, nanoscale interconnects in biological and semiconducting devices, molecular sieves for protein sorting and nanojets for fuel or drug delivery.

Ajay Malshe, associate professor in mechanical engineering at the University of Arkansas; K. Virwani and Devesh Deshpaned, student researchers; and K.P. Rajurkar of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, are presenting their results at the meeting of the International Institution for Production Engineering Research. They also will publish their manuscript in the institution's journal.

"With this technique, you can remove on demand precisely what you want to, where you want to remove it," Malshe said. "It's very simple but very powerful."...read the wave

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)---SPACEHAB, Incorporated (NASDAQ/NMS:SPAB), a leading provider of commercial space services, have announced that it has entered into a non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement with NASA to facilitate the commercial development and testing of a micro-miniature mass spectrometer for potential use on low earth orbit missions and in NASA's emerging Exploration Program.

"For human space flight missions, NASA must continually monitor air quality and toxicity levels to ensure the health and safety of the crew," said Michael E. Bain, SPACEHAB Chief Operating Officer. "NASA desires improved capabilities in this area, but developing, transporting, and installing large, complex detection and classification equipment on-orbit is extremely problematic. We are excited about this opportunity to provide a solution that is small, light-weight, and portable enough to be easily delivered to, and operated on, the space station and anywhere else humans live and work in space." ...read the wave

ALPINE, UT, /CNW/ - Clifton Mining Company (Clifton) (OTC:CFTN) announces that American Biotech Labs (ABL), a private company in which Clifton holds a 25% interest, has recently signed an MOU with General Resonance(TM), LLC, to form a Joint Venture.

General Resonance, a cutting-edge science and technology company located in Maryland, scrutinized the science and technologies of ABL, along with Professor Rustum Roy, who concurrently holds appointments with The Pennsylvania State University, Arizona State University and The University of Arizona. Professor Roy helped found the number one ranked materials science laboratory in the world, the Materials Research Institute at The Pennsylvania State University. Professor Roy is regarded as one of the top material scientists in the world and sits on several countries' national academies of science.

In discussions regarding ABL products, General Resonance (GR) was impressed with...read the wave

SHARON, Pa., /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NanoLogix, Inc., (Pink Sheets: NNLX - News ), a Nano-biotechnology company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of technologies for the production of bacteria and disease testing kits, alternative sources of fuel, and remediation of toxic materials, have announced that its DNA extraction system and protocol is both easier -- due to less steps, and quicker -- taking significantly less time than standard spin column extraction methods according to Paul Hyman, Ph.D. at Ohio State University.

According to Jain PharmaBiotech, in the year 2005, the global market for molecular diagnostics will be worth $6.5 billion, representing approximately 3.3% of the total diagnostics market and approximately 14% of the in vitro diagnostic market. The molecular diagnostics market will expand to $12 billion by 2010 and $35 billion by 2015. A major portion of it can be attributed to advances in genomics and proteomics. Biochip and nanobiotechnology are expected to make a significant contribution to the growth of molecular diagnostics...read the wave

NAPLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Industrial Nanotech Inc., (OTC: INTK - News ), an emerging nanotechnology-based solutions provider, have announced that the Company is submitting its Nansulate(TM) product line for assignment of a Military Specification number at the request of a military contractor. Earlier this year, a Navy submarine base ordered a small quantity of Nansulate(TM) corrosion resistant insulation coating from the Company.

Recently, the US Navy has expressed interest in the Company's industrial coatings due to their high performance characteristics and, through a military contractor, has requested that Industrial Nanotech design a special "gray" version of its coating that can perform with the same characteristics of the Nansulate(TM) Translucent product line for use on specific Navy assets.

According to Laurie Scherock, President of Industrial Nanotech, "We feel strongly that our coatings can meet the extreme performance requirements demanded by the challenging environments that the Navy and other US military units operate in...read the wave

MONTREAL, QUEBEC-- Raymor Industries Inc. (TSX VENTURE:RAR) is proud to announce that its wholly-owned industrial subsidiary, AP&C Advanced Powders & Coatings Inc. (AP&C) has concluded a contract for Titanium powder production with THE BOEING COMPANY (NYSE:BA).

BOEING will use this unique powder, given its sphericity and its purity, for aerospace applications. Thanks to AP&C's patented plasma atomization process, these powders are of a high purity, with an exceptional sphericity, ideal for aerospace applications. The plasma atomization process was developed at the beginning of the 90's at Hydro-Quebec's Shawinigan laboratory, in collaboration with Noranda. "This contract represents an important breakthrough in the aerospace sector for our metallic powders," said Mr. Stephane Robert, President of Raymor Industries and AP&C...read the wave

Tokyo (JCNN) - Mitsubishi Materials (TSE: 5711) announced on May 25 that its Electronic Materials & Components Company has begun shipping S-2000, a conductive nanosize powder of antimony-free tin oxide developed and manufactured by JEMCO, one of Mitsubishi Materials' subsidiaries.

When applied to plastic film, S-2000 forms transparent conductive film on the plastic film, giving properties to remove electricity and prevent electrification and dust absorption.

The new product will be used in various applications including display peripherals, semiconductors and food packages.

In addition to powder, Mitsubishi Materials plans to market S-2000 as an exclusive dispersion solution and coating material. The company expects to achieve 50 million yen ($470,000) in sales in the first year.

Copyright © 2005 JCN Network .

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. A device that could create custom-tailored medical compounds faster than ever before is one of the first projects launched under the new Center for Nanophase Materials Science at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Project director Joseph Matteo, founder and CEO of the local research firm NanoTek, is building a small, microfluidic machine to quickly and reliably synthesize drugs, medicines, diagnostic imaging agents and other compounds.

His work is part of the CNMS Jump Start Program, which gives selected nanoscience projects access to ORNL research facilities and staff before the center begins full operation in October.

The program includes more than 75 research proposals, all of which are evaluated by an external scientific review committee, selected for scientific merit and quality, and will be published in the scientific press.

"Being local and one of the first commercial clients of the CNMS, I feel added responsibility to make this a success," Matteo said. "There is a huge amount of support from the community. The road is by no means easy, but this region has a unique opportunity in having the first of five of these centers in the country, and we are trying to take advantage of it." ...read the wave

MILWAUKEE — Before nanotechnology can deliver on its promise of molecular-sized machinery and super-charged computer chips, scientists must still produce the most basic of components: nano-sized wire.

But if chemistry professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) are successful, they could help turn the concept of nanotechnology into reality. Chemistry professors Dennis Bennett and Wilfred Tysoe have been working on building insulating, highly conductive "nanowires," the necessary first step in developing circuitry at the atomic scale.

Bennett and Tysoe are collaborating with researchers at Northwestern and Iowa State universities in a project submitted to the National Science Foundation to understand the forces that govern the atomic universe, including the nature of conductivity at nanoscale....read the wave

COSTA MESA, CA, U.S.A.- QuantumSphere, Inc. have announced Dermacia, Inc., a pioneering California maker of advanced therapeutic cosmetics and skincare products, has selected QuantumSphere to supply nanosilver for Dermacia's advanced line of therapeutic cosmetics and skin care products designed for acne sufferers. As manufacturer of the world’s highest quality nanosilver, QuantumSphere will provide Dermacia with its nanopowders of unequalled purity and particle uniformity, enabling Dermacia and its medical advisory team of dermatologists and plastic surgeons to further validate the performance and value of nanosilver and other nanometals for their antibacterial, sun protectant and other key properties.

Following extensive testing, Dermacia has chosen QuantumSphere nanosilver and other QuantumSphere products as key ingredients in Dermacia's latest line of exclusive makeup and skin care products. Dermacia is currently using the nano-ingredients in select makeup and skin care products and other applications. Additional products incorporating QuantumSphere nanotechnology are in development. Using QuantumSphere technology, Dermacia has conducted extensive research to develop ingredients and processes employing QuantumSphere's uniquely pure ingredients as a part of its Nano2infusionTM technology...read the wave

Although mechanical engineering Assistant Professor Kyeongjae Cho works with theory and software simulations, it is in his Multiscale Simulation Laboratory where nanoscience and nanotechnology get real. That's because Cho's emphasis is not on speculation about fanciful applications in the distant future but on building a framework for productive research today. This summer he plans to make nanotechnology simulation software developed in his lab freely available for academic use through www.nanohub.org, a site funded by the National Science Foundation.

"There's so much hype about nanotechnology, but certainly we don't have enough control yet to make many practical applications," Cho says. Nanoscience and nanotechnology refer to manipulating matter on the nanometer, or billionth of a meter, scale of atoms and molecules. At that size, materials have different properties that researchers and entrepreneurs are still only beginning to understand, much less exploit.

Before nanotechnology can become truly practical, scientists must close a big gap between what they have accomplished—mostly demonstrations of moving around atoms or making proof-of-concept carbon nanotubes, silicon nanowires and nanoparticles—and what they want to do...read the wave

Researchers at North Carolina State University are using emerging breakthroughs in nanotechnology to develop layers of “smart textiles” that will not only keep first responders and the military safe without sacrificing comfort or ease of use, but also may have numerous other widespread uses.

Dr. Juan Hinestroza, an assistant professor in the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science at NC State, and researchers at the University of Puerto Rico have pioneered a method to develop chemical-resistant textiles by attaching nanolayers to natural fibers.

These layers are only 20 nanometers – or 20 billionths of a meter – thick and made of different polymers that can control what passes through the layer. The process is called selective transport.

“These layers are customized for different chemicals,” Hinestroza said. “We can specifically block warfare agents like mustard or nerve gas, or industrial chemicals, while still allowing air and moisture to pass through to make the fabric breathable.” ...read the wave