Center for Nanotechnology in Society
University of California, Santa Barbara
WEEKLY CLIPS
March 19 – March 26, 2007
March 25, 2007
Nanotechnology risks: not all materials are created
equal
The size, type, and dispersion of nanomaterials could all play a role in how these
materials impact human health and the environment, according to two groups of
researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In new studies, the teams found that
while carbon nanotubes inhibited growth in mammalian cells, they sustained the
growth of commonly occurring bacteria.
The seemingly contradictory findings highlight the need for society to better grasp the
impacts these infinitesimally small particles could have when released into the
environment or the human body, the researchers said. Both results were presented
at the 233rd American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting in Chicago, March
25-29, 2007.
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1667.php
March 26, 2007
Welcome to the world of nanotechnology
Scientists now able to touch, see and manipulate some of nature's
tiniest particles
EDMONTON -- A shiny new building rises from the snowy campus of the University of
Alberta, a brash, imposing upstart amid the older faculties of physics, chemistry and
engineering.
…But nanoscience isn't magic. And scientists caution we can't conjure up anything
our hearts desire, because even at the nano scale we remain bound by nature's
rules.
"People have been misled into thinking that anything will be possible, and that's just
not true," says Wolkow.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=bb93698a-373d-4669b82f-bd4c6dd45a45
March 26, 2007
Study: Nanoparticles don't harm soil
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., March 26 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have determined
manufactured nanoparticles do not inflict a negative impact on ordinary soil.
The first published study concerning the environmental impact of manufactured
nanoparticles addressed concerns the microscopic particles might be harmful to
organisms.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-120070326-11574100-bc-us-nanosoil.xml
March 22, 2007
Slivers of silver for what ails you?
WASHINGTON -- Want to get rid of germs? Mold and grime? Smelly feet?
A growing number of scientists and businessmen say such a miracle substance
exists, and in fact has for millions of years: Silver.
… "There isn't a huge amount that is unknown [about silver]," says Maynard. "Is there
any risk to the environment? That's a little bit fuzzier. There are issues out there [for
which] there aren't easy answers."
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/19/silver/index.html
March 20, 2007
Study: Nanotechnology Toxicity Data Needed
A team of U.S. and European experts say a life cycle assessment is needed for the
safe use and sustainable commercialization of nanotechnology.
With the number of nanotechnology-enabled products entering the market expected
to grow from $30 billion reported in 2005 to $2.6 trillion in 2014, the researchers
said numerous uncertainties exist regarding possible impacts on the environment
and human health.
The report was simultaneously released Tuesday by the European Commission, the
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and The Pew Charitable Trusts.
http://www.playfuls.com/news_005664_Study_Nanotechnology_Toxicity_Data_Nee
ded.html
Will Nanotechnology Produce a SciTech
Revolution?
March 20, 2007
What will it really be like when exponential general-purpose molecular manufacturing
is achieved?
Will it result in an “explosion” of powerful new products? Will it bring a new Industrial
Revolution “overnight” to previously undeveloped areas? Will it “change everything”?
Or might it perhaps be a more “ho-hum” evolutionary development, significant but
not especially transformative?
http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/treder200703/
March 22, 2007
Nano coalition launches virtual journal on risk
research
ICON's online journal will improve access to information in peer-reviewed
articles
The nanotechnology coalition that launched the first online database of scientific
findings related to the benefits and risks of nanomaterials has taken the concept one
step further with the launch today of The Virtual Journal of Nanotechnology
Environment, Health & Safety (VJ-Nano EHS). The journal may be accessed at
http://icon.rice.edu/virtualjournal.cfm.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-03/ru-ncl032207.php
March 22, 2007
Energy Generation Systems Of the Future To Be
Backed By Nanotechnology
Concerns with climate change have lead many to look to nanotechnology as a
science with the potential to deliver new, sustainable and environmentally friendly
methods of providing energy solutions.
http://www.azonano.com/Details.asp?ArticleID=1882
March 19, 2007
Demand for nanotech-based medicine grows
U.S. demand for nanotechnology medical products will increase over 17 percent per
year to $53 billion in 2011, says The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based
industry research firm. Afterwards, the increasing flow of new nanomedicines,
nanodiagnostics, and nanotech-based medical supplies and devices into the US
market will boost demand to more than $110 billion in 2016.
http://www.smalltimes.com/articles/article_display.cfm?Section=ONART&C=Bio&AR
TICLE_ID=287462&p=109
March 22, 2007
An issues landscape for nanotechnology standards
The Institute for Food and Agricultural Standards has released a report titled An
Issues Landscape for Nanotechnology Standards.
Over the last several years a wide range of new nanotechnologies has been
developed with many more under development around the world. These new
technologies pose a wide range of challenges for standards, from developing proper
nomenclature to issues of interchangeability, risk, privacy, worker and consumer
health and safety, and environmental protection.
…These proceedings reflect a synthesis of ideas and are intended to serve as a
roadmap to help inform the standards deliberations of agencies and organizations
confronting emerging nanotechnologies and their potential applications.
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1658.php
March 21, 2007
Europe about to triple nanotechnology funding
The EU's largest ever funding programme for research and technological
development, the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), was launched on January 1,
2007. Under the old Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), between 2002 to 2006
more than €1.3 billion (approx $1.7 billion) was spent on more than 550 projects
related to nanotechnology R&D.
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1651.php
March 22, 2007
Vertical integration in the nanotechnology industry
The Houston Chronicle reports today that carbon nanotubes (CNT) producer Carbon
Nanotechnologies Incorporated (CNI) and Unidym, which is developing carbon-based
materials, processes, and devices for the electronics industry, will merge.
…In theory, this kind of vertical integration could bring a much needed boost for the
commercialization of nanotechnology applications. It gives technology start-ups like
CNI the opportunity to bring their vision to market faster. It allows manufacturers to a
large degree to avoid the patent and royalty problem and develop a smoother
product development and production process. CNTs are not a simple raw material
like steel or silicon. They are a highly complex material which needs to be synthesized
and optimized for certain desired properties, depending on the intended use, and the
requirements for post-synthesis processing could be substantial.
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1653.php
March 24, 2007
Nanotechnology education can make you laugh
Still going strong almost one and a half years after its premiere, UC San Diego TV's
30 minute program "When things get small" continues to collect awards and
nominations. The show was nominated as one of the finalists (but didn't win) at the
TECHFILM International Festival in Prague two weeks ago.
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1662.php
March 25, 2007
Nanotechnology teacher education program bears
fruit
Fuel-cell-powered balsa-wood cars are propelling Heritage High School students in
Broadland, Illinois into the age of nanotechnology. An article in today's The NewsGazette.com "Students' cars to illustrate power of nanotechnology" describes the
results of what teachers learned at a Nanotechnology Teacher Enhancement
Program at the University of Illinois last summer and brought back to their
classrooms.
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1663.php
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