tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69964881246272312982024-02-20T21:49:00.868+01:00Nanowarp NewsNews, talks & quotes about nanoscience & nanotech.Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-51523301172560465942008-07-17T11:31:00.003+02:002008-07-17T11:34:35.312+02:00Nanogap en El País<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHRBLSfFPD_bM02t_F3vfqYqpJiVA6yAK9NHRIpFDEmWJu6MQJ5kbjz07VjJXFUI59yKR50tCEV39N2w-c1g3B50vzEAp2zzhWoHWdXYf9LLd1Fcku_2VipurjI1EI5g_0FHJhNS6ycg/s1600-h/Nanoparticulas_hierro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHRBLSfFPD_bM02t_F3vfqYqpJiVA6yAK9NHRIpFDEmWJu6MQJ5kbjz07VjJXFUI59yKR50tCEV39N2w-c1g3B50vzEAp2zzhWoHWdXYf9LLd1Fcku_2VipurjI1EI5g_0FHJhNS6ycg/s200/Nanoparticulas_hierro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223913818550419682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Nanogap es una empresa gallega peculiar. Con seis investigadores en plantilla, el año pasado su producción no llegó a pesar más que un kilo. Un kilo compuesto por nanopartículas. Por exótico que pueda parecer, se trata de una de las cinco pymes españolas que se dedican en exclusiva a la nanotecnología, un campo que controla y manipula la materia a una escala menor que un micrómetro, es decir, en el ámbito de átomos y moléculas.</span><br /><br /><p style="font-family: arial;">La empresa nace en 2006 del trabajo de dos doctores de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela: Arturo López Quintela, catedrático de Física y Química y José Rivas. Este último, además de catedrático de Física aplicada, es director del futuro Instituto de Nanotecnología Hispano-Luso en Braga. Ambos lograron la patente para producir clusters cuánticos atómicos, que son grupos de dos a 50 átomos.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">"A efectos prácticos, se trata de partículas muy, muy pequeñas, que están por debajo del nanómetro" explica Luis Manuel Alonso, director comercial de Nanogap. Y se esfuerza en aclararlo: "Si la nanotecnología se entiende como todo lo que va de uno a 100 nanómetros, lo que hacemos aquí está a una escala menor". Añade que son los primeros que lo han logrado en el mundo: "El mérito no sólo está en hacer partículas pequeñas, sino que somos capaces de jugar bien con los tamaños". Y, ¿para qué? Las aplicaciones de la nanotecnología suenan muy bien: se espera que en el futuro sirva para crear fármacos que no tengan efectos secundarios o tratamientos contra el cáncer (nanopartículas que, combinadas con calor, quemen tumores). También se habla de catalizadores milagrosos para gasolinas e incluso de hormigones para construcción que se autorreparen cuando se abra una grieta.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">La empresa se dedica a producir nanopartículas metálicas y dentro de ellas, principalmente las de plata, de oro y las magnéticas. Las primeras pueden utilizarse para aumentar la conductividad de los materiales y para dotarlos de propiedades antimicrobianas: por ejemplo, en una pintura que se aplique a un casco de un barco y que impida que se peguen algas. "Si hablamos de desarrollos curiosos pero factibles, podríamos llegar a pensar en imprimir el circuito de un reproductor MP3 en una camisa y escuchar música a través de ella".</p><p style="font-family: arial;">Las nanopartículas de óxidos de hierro que producen en Nanogap también pueden aplicarse para obtener pigmentos de alto poder de cobertura (que permiten utilizar menos pintura para cubrir lo mismo) o lo que llaman <i>absorbedor de radiación ultravioleta visible</i> que, aplicado en forma de barniz, impide que un material se decolore por efecto del sol.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">Sus clientes son empresas químicas enfocadas al sector de la construcción, sobre todo de Inglaterra y Alemania. "En España todavía estamos en la fase de la expectación que levanta la nanotecnología" asegura Luis Manuel. "Buscamos más un cliente de tipo industrial. Tenemos que ir a lugares donde la industria sea consciente de que puede utilizar nanotecnología". Ni la distancia ni su ubicación en Galicia les resultan un problema a la hora de exportar sus nanopartículas.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">Su objetivo a corto plazo es producir muchos más kilos de nanopartículas, porque "la industria de materiales es una industria de miles de toneladas y tenemos que ser capaces de producir para ellos". A medio plazo, participan en un proyecto llamado <i>fluoromag</i> junto con el Instituto de Biofísica de Goettingen (Alemania), la Universidad de Twente (Holanda), la Universidad de Nottingham (Reino Unidos) y la compostelana. Su investigación, en la que se utiliza la nanotecnología, persigue detectar un virus dentro del cuerpo humano en tiempo real inyectado con unas partículas fluorescentes. El proyecto está financiado con 2,5 millones por la Unión Europea y se desarrollará a lo largo de tres años.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">En sus previsiones a más largo plazo, en Nanogap esperan ser parte de la futura red de nanotecnología gallega, formada entre empresas y universidades interesadas en fomentar la colaboración en todos los puntos de la cadena de valor. Las sociedades de capital riesgo Unirisco y Uninvest forman parte del accionariado de esta pyme, que en breve ampliará sus instalaciones trasladándose a nuevas naves situadas en Milladoiro.</p><br /><p style="font-family: arial;">fuente: elPaís</p><p style="font-family: arial;">http://www.elpais.com/articulo/Galicia/Nanoparticulas/ladrillo/elpepiautgal/20080715elpgal_13/Tes<br /></p>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-76661430246082632292008-07-14T12:30:00.002+02:002008-07-14T12:39:30.466+02:00Nanomaterials 08: Industry goes nano<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFNjRnjAjfeAdZ5q1uqEq_d4JP6QJpp3BvcnRw_jdchKOAPxgtqDmBEvEdO9esNkiatR7947OrE07TWqxkx8lpsBu5ZEkDFHnx8iTMIBxhXF_vdzPRtIksvm0nF2iYrgbQ_Cv9qEsRmg/s1600-h/08072008227.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFNjRnjAjfeAdZ5q1uqEq_d4JP6QJpp3BvcnRw_jdchKOAPxgtqDmBEvEdO9esNkiatR7947OrE07TWqxkx8lpsBu5ZEkDFHnx8iTMIBxhXF_vdzPRtIksvm0nF2iYrgbQ_Cv9qEsRmg/s200/08072008227.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222815507843044258" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Nanogap was the only spaniard company that took part in the last Nanomaterials 08 event at Newcastle, UK along with companies like Motorola, CIBA, Unilever, MacDermid Autotype, Kodak, Akzo Nobel, Bayer Materials, Science, BASF,...<br /><br />Nanocentral organized this year the event in the Marriot Gosforth Hotel. This event is improving year after year and it's becoming one of the highlights of the nano-exhibitions in Europe.<br /><br />The main topic of this year was once again the interaction between industry and academia, applying new technologies in the value chain of the final material that will finally reach the consumers.<br /><br />Luis Alonso from Nanogap said that ‘Nanomaterials is the perfect event to know what are the needs of industry and what nanotechnology can do about it. At the NanoMaterials07 event our company found real industry customers looking for real solutions, and the whole event is focused on networking and building bridges between different stakeholders. In fact, our experience at Nanomaterials didn’t finish with the fair.We have kept good relations with different partners that we found there and that’s why we are going this year again’.<br /></span>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-34198783593273912862008-03-06T10:11:00.000+01:002008-03-06T10:12:29.107+01:00Taiwan signs nanotechnology collaboration with Australia<span style="font-family:arial;">Taipei, March 3 (CNA) The Taiwan Nanotechnology Industry development Association (TANIDA) recently established the country's first international collaboration on nanotechnology with Australia's Nano Business Forum (ANBF), as part of a national program to advance the nation's nanotechnology industries.<br />TANIDA Chairman Wu Maw-kuen signed the "Taiwanese and Australian Nanotechnology Collaboration Initiative" with ANBF CEO Tina Rankovic Feb. 26 at the International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICONN) in Melbourne.<br />"Taiwan's world-famous IC industry and its government-level National Science and Technology Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology are the key factors making the cooperation possible, " Song Tsing- Tang, the national program's CEO and secretary-general of TANIDA, who had just returned from Melbourne, said Monday.<br />The two countries will seek economic growth through the commercial application of nanotechnology, while working together on a range of activities, projects and information exchanges that will facilitate the uptake of nanotechnology businesses in both nations, according to the initiative's memorandum of understanding.<br />Song refused to divulge further details of the collaboration, citing commercial confidentiality.<br />Taiwan has amassed an estimated more-than NT$300 billion (US$9.68 billion) in nanotechnology production value since the national program started in 2003.<br />Song also said the collaboration will be mutually beneficial, noting that Australia's strong nanotechnology sector can help compensate Taiwan's weakness in areas such as nanobiotechnology.<br />Such national-level collaboration that boosts technology between neighboring countries is becoming increasingly common, with the ANBF signing a similar initiative with Japan's Nanotechnology Business Creation Initiative in 2007, showing Australia's determination to explore the Asia-Pacific market through nanotechnology alliances.<br />The ANBF was formed in 2006 as a national body representing and promoting Australian industries and companies involved in nanotechnology, with the aim of facilitating links between key stakeholders including government, funding, regulatory and research entities.<br />TANIDA, a brainchild of the national program, was launched in 2004 to coordinate academia-industry collaboration in developing value-added nanotechnology products.<br />The relationship between the two government- sponsored organizations was forged during Taiwan Nano 2007, one of the premier trade exhibitions in nanotechnology in Asia. (By Yeh Fang-hsun)</span>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-55635760691059594882008-01-29T11:18:00.000+01:002008-01-29T11:20:35.773+01:00Una radio más pequeña que un grano de arena<span style="font-family:arial;">Científicos estadounidenses han utilizado nanotubos para fabricar un diminuto receptor que es totalmente funcional, aunque sólo puede sintonizar una emisora<br />Ingenieros estadounidenses han fabricado una radio de transistores que es mucho más pequeña que un grano de arena, utilizando nanotubos. Así consta en el informe que han publicado en la revista Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.<br /><br />Pese a que el aparato solo puede sintonizar una estación, su fabricación constituye un gran paso para la fabricación de otros aparatos minúsculos y mucho más avanzados. Los científicos, de la Universidad de Illinois, han montado su diminuto receptor radiofónico con nanotubos, átomos de carbono dispuestos en una diminuta fila.<br /><br /><br />Una tecnología con decenas de aplicaciones<br /><br />Esas hileras de átomos son centenares de miles de veces más finas que un cabello humano y en conjunto constituyen un material semiconductor que puede aplicarse a aparatos y circuitos electrónicos.<br /><br />Las radios están formadas por dos amplificadores de frecuencia radiofónica y un mezclador de frecuencia, todos ellos fabricados con materiales de nanotubos. Los cascos para escucharla, que son de tamaño normal, se aplican directamente al transistor (hecho también con nanotubos), y que utiliza una antena convencional.<br /><br />En una de las pruebas los ingenieros de la Universidad de Illinois captaron un informe de tráfico de la ciudad de Baltimore (Maryland). Según indicó John Rogers, experto en ciencia de materiales y director del estudio, el objetivo no era en sí fabricar un receptor de radio, sino desarrollar esos nanotubos para que actúen como semiconductores.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Fuente: <a href="http://www.fys.es/">http://www.fys.es</a></span>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-58216312971565520892008-01-28T09:56:00.000+01:002008-01-28T09:57:26.542+01:00High Efficiency Photovoltaic AOS Solar Technology Targets 90 Percent Silicon Reduction and 50 Percent Manufacturing Energy Reduc<span style="font-family:arial;">Mark Rowe of the Telegraph UK, reports on the new technology hoping to improve safety and efficiency at our airports.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Trials are under way of new security screening measures that could dramatically enhance safety and reduce queues at airports.<br />A number of companies are developing "nanotechnology-based" scanners that improve the detection of explosives.<br />One of the new techniques, which is expected to become commercially available later this year, can screen one person per second, according to Erwan Normand, of Stirling-based Cascade Technologies, which has developed the technology.advertisement<br />Mr Normand said the technology works by using an infra-red laser light to seek out the chemical fingerprint of specific molecules of gases that are linked to explosives.<br />The screening equipment is easy to operate and has the support of the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence. It would sit alongside conventional security items, such as X-ray machines or metal detectors.<br />"It could be installed at the end of an X-ray machine, or by a portal that people walk through," said Mr Normand.<br />The use of nanotechnology in the laser makes the system far more selective and sensitive than traditional detection methods.<br />Richard Cooper, operations director of Cascade Technologies, compared its scanning capability to "detecting a drop of contaminated water in an Olympic swimming pool".<br />Traditional screening for explosives lacks the speed or sensitivity to screen all people and bags, and often gives rise to false alarms. After several false alarms, security officials have been known to bypass protocols to ease congestion.<br />A second screening system, being developed in Australia, uses electromagnetic waves to monitor molecules of chemicals, explosives and biological agents in the air.<br />"It will hopefully enable mass routine screening," said Dr Dmitri Gramotnev, of Queensland University of Technology.<br />Both companies are wary of declaring their inventions foolproof. "There are no bullet-proof technologies," said Dr Gramotnev. "It is always possible, in principle, to circumvent them - by developing new substances that may not be detectable by this new technology - but it would be very difficult to achieve in practice."Contact information :<br />Source....</span><a title="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/01/26/et-airport-lasers-126.xml"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/01/26/et-a...</span></a>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-52959009045722881662008-01-24T09:50:00.000+01:002008-01-24T09:51:36.288+01:00Nanotech researchers create darkest man-made material<span style="font-family:arial;">The nanotech-based material, which looks like a thin piece of black paper, could be used for solar energy converters, infrared detection and astronomical observation. The secret to the material's darkness lies in the way the tubes are loosely packed together. Researchers from Rice University noted that light is trapped in the spaces between the tubes.<br />Scientists from the two schools worked together on the project, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences and the Focus Center New York for Interconnects.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />"It is a fascinating technology, and this discovery will allow us to increase the absorption efficiency of light, as well as the overall radiation-to-electricity efficiency of solar energy conservation," said Shawn-Yu Lin, professor of physics at Rensselaer, in a statement. "The key to this discovery was finding how to create a long, extremely porous vertically-aligned carbon nanotube array with certain surface randomness, therefore minimizing reflection and maximizing absorption simultaneously."<br />Every material - water, plastic or even rocks - reflects some a certain amount of light. Basic black paint reflects 5% to 10%, for instance - or 100 times more light than the nanotube carpet. Researchers at Rensselaer noted that scientists have long tried to create a material that would absorb all the colors that make up light, while reflecting none. They have not been able to create a material that didn't reflect any light at all. Before this latest advancement, the darkest manmade material reflected 0.16% to 0.18%.<br /><br />This new nanotech-based material has a total reflective index of 0.045%, which is more than three times darker than the previous record, which used a film deposition of nickel-phosphorous alloy, according to scientists at Rensselaer.<br />"The loosely-packed forest of carbon nanotubes, which is full of nanoscale gaps and holes to collect and trap light, is what gives this material its unique properties," said Lin. "Such a nanotube array not only reflects light weakly, but also absorbs light strongly. These combined features make it an ideal candidate for one day realizing a super black object."<br />The researchers have applied for a Guinness World Record recognition.Contact information :<br /></span><a title="http://www.computerworld.com/" href="http://www.computerworld.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.computerworld.com/</span></a><br /></span>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-51729301671044040932008-01-23T18:15:00.000+01:002008-01-23T18:16:27.260+01:00Advance Nanotech Adds Homeland Security Expert to Its Board of Directors<span style="font-family: arial;">"Joe Peters brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and wisdom to Advance Nanotech, having devoted his thirty-year career to public service from the beginning as a police officer to Executive Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania, Special U.S. Department of Justice Mafia Prosecutor and notably as the Drug Czar's Liaison to Tom Ridge and the White House Office of Homeland Security. Currently, Joe consults to national and international law enforcement organizations on counter-terrorism and related technology issues. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and serves on its Terrorism Committee," commented Magnus Gittins, chairman of Advance Nanotech Inc. "With our principal focus on chemical detection systems for military, law enforcement, industrial process control, environmental and medical applications, Joe's understanding of the competitive landscape will be invaluable. We are honored that he has chosen to join our team."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Advance Nanotech's Owlstone technology is highly impressive. Real-time chemical detection is critical to an effective security program. Using nanotechnology to port these capabilities on to a silicon chip is enabling next generation technology to be available today. Magnus and his team have commercialized ground breaking technology in a few short years, and I am particularly impressed with the potential for this company. It is inexpensive to produce, and efficient to manage on large and small scales. I look forward to contributing my 'in the field' experience to what I believe to be cutting- edge and necessary technology applications."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Concurrent with his White House duties with Office of Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, Mr. Peters served President George W. Bush as the Assistant Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs of the White House's Drug Policy Office - commonly referred to as the Drug Czar's Office. There his duties included supervision of the country's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program. Mr. Peters also served as the Drug Czar's Liaison to the White House Office of Homeland Security and Governor Tom Ridge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Previously, Mr. Peters joined the Clinton White House, to direct the country's 26 HIDTA's, with an annual budget of a quarter billion dollars, focusing technology solutions against the drug and terror threats. Mr. Peters also represented the White House with police, prosecutors, governors, mayors and many non-governmental organizations. Mr. Peters began his career as a State prosecutor when he joined the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office in 1983. He later served as a Chief Deputy Attorney General of the Organized Crime Section, and in 1989 was named the first Executive Deputy Attorney General of the newly created Drug Law Division. In that capacity, Mr. Peters oversaw the activities of 56 operational drug task forces throughout the State, involving approximately 760 local police departments with 4,500 law enforcement officers. Currently Joe Peters serves as president of MSGI Security Solutions, Inc., an international provider of proprietary security solutions to commercial and government organizations, headquartered in New York.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Mr. Peters received his B.A. in Criminal Justice with honors from King's College in 1979, and received his Juris Doctorate in Law from Dickinson School of Law in 1983.</span>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-77452467596808703672008-01-22T08:19:00.000+01:002008-01-22T08:21:02.052+01:00Self-Assembling Bionic Eyes Coming Soon<span style="font-family:arial;">Any self-respecting child of the late 20th century would jump at the chance to overlay an electronic stream of information on their field of vision -- but when the idea's gone from science fiction to science, it's usually been more </span><a href="http://media.commercialappeal.com/mca/content/img/photos/2007/10/13/14digital.jpeg"><span style="font-family:arial;">A/V club</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> than Snow Crash.<br />All that could change: witness a contact lens designed by electrical engineers from the University of Washington and presented yesterday at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' international conference on microelectro mechanical systems.<br />Sporting circuits a few nanometers thick and grain-of-sand-sized light-emitting diodes, the lenses have full Count Zero potential. They're also the product of some ingenious hackery: since contact lenses are delicate and circuit manufacture is hot and toxic, the researchers designed each component to attach itself only to certain other components. Their powder of circuits and diodes literally self-assembled into gadgetry when sprinkled onto the lens plastic. </span><a id="more"></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So how long do geeks have to wait? According to the press release, a stripped-down display with just a few operational pixels could be available "fairly quickly." More complicated lenses will take longer, but for good reason: they'll be wireless-enabled and powered by a combination of radio waves and solar energy.<br />And while I've framed this post in recreational terms, some potential applications are pretty serious: the lenses might </span><a href="http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2006/04/70655"><span style="font-family:arial;">help autistic people</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> enter the world of regular social interaction.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">source: www.wired.com</span>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-16168440501055135582008-01-21T09:48:00.000+01:002008-01-21T09:50:24.749+01:00British Group Bans Nanoparticles From Organic Certification<span style="font-family:arial;">The use of man-made nanoparticles has been banned in British products that want a sometimes-valuable "organic" label from the Soil Association. The group laid out the first organic standard in the world back in 1967 and continues to certify organic products in Great Britain.<br />Cosmetics from Johnson & Johnson and L'Oreal could be impacted, but in our snooping around, we didn't find any companies that currently have an organic label that would be forced to remove it (neither could the Financial Times). One widely used product containing nanoparticles is sunscreen containing titanium dioxide, which normally is white, but at the nanoscale, becomes transparent, allowing for "clear" sunscreen.<br />Gundaleh Azziz, the group's policy manager explained to WiSci why they've added the ban to their organic standards:<br />Viewed in a precautionary framework, the Soil Association's move makes sense. Their fundamental position is that if we don't know the risks, the products shouldn't be available to the public. Or at least consumers should have the option to knowingly choose products that do not contain nanoparticles.<br />And it is true that the science and toxicology of materials at smaller-than-standard scales is still being worked out. As Andrew Maynard, science adviser to the Pew Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies put it, "What you have is a lot of confusion and speculation because the science is not exactly clear about what is safe."<br />There's a lot of nanoparticle risk information out there, but it's all over the map and truly rigorous evaluations of the health and safety impacts of different nanoparticles haven't been conducted.<br />Stephan Sterne of the National Institutes for Health lead authored a paper in the journal Toxicological Sciences that was published earlier this year. In its abstract, he wrote:<br />...any conclusions should clearly be tempered by the fact that nanomaterial safety data are limited. Until such time as the exposures, hazards, and environmental life cycle of nanomaterials have been more clearly defined, cautious development and implementation of nanotechnology is the most prudent course.<br />So I do give the Soil Association credit for drawing attention to the need for studies in nanotoxicity. What I question is whether or not the political moves they are making are actually productive. The Soil Association, and groups associated with it like the ETC Group, are extending out from this specific labeling maneuver to frame the debate around nanotechnology as similar to the genetic modification debate, even though the science, benefits, and risks of these technologies are vastly different.<br />Number one, genetically engineering living organisms, for good or ill, is fundamentally different from the creation of nanoparticles: most obviously, life can reproduce. Second, genetic engineering is a set of techniques for the creation of genetically modified organisms, while nanotechnology is a far broader science.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"Talking about nanotechnology is the same as talking about chemistry," said Maynard. "There are many different nanoparticles out there."<br />It seems that the Soil Association's reasoning would lead one to the unwanted position of banning chemistry itself, not just pesticides, because poisons can be created.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Source: Nanovip</span>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-59035871929546615072007-12-20T09:00:00.000+01:002007-12-20T09:08:13.277+01:00Gold nanoparticles, radiation combo may slow Alzheimer's<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBpjNruCRVnPjTdib2_NY4enERCMo9eaENUyWwPJBNkVOF_g31KxTXgDx0ZlfcsUT0_CxU-HN6LbjPV0eBW6AmF5Xn5Apl2ilx5a9IrY1gbboF2dnxnNNtHDZXFH5_R0fRjLP5F22OBI/s1600-h/esfera.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145962538192832946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBpjNruCRVnPjTdib2_NY4enERCMo9eaENUyWwPJBNkVOF_g31KxTXgDx0ZlfcsUT0_CxU-HN6LbjPV0eBW6AmF5Xn5Apl2ilx5a9IrY1gbboF2dnxnNNtHDZXFH5_R0fRjLP5F22OBI/s200/esfera.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">Chemists in Chile and spain have identified a new approach for the possible treatment of Alzheimer's disease that they say has the potential to destroy beta-amyloid fibrils and plaque -- hypothesized to contribute to the mental decline of Alzheimer's patients. The researchers say the new technique, which they call a type of "molecular surgery," could halt or slow the disease's progress without harming healthy brain cells. The research is scheduled for publication in the Jan. 11 issue of the American Chemical Society's Nano Letters. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br />Using test tube studies, the scientists attached gold nanoparticles to a group of beta amyloid fibrils, incubated the resulting mixture for several days and then exposed it to weak microwave fields for several hours. The energy levels of the fields were six times smaller than that of conventional cell phones and unlikely to harm healthy cells, the researchers say. The fibrils subsequently dissolved and remained dissolved for at least one week after being irradiated, indicating that the treatment was not only effective at breaking up the fibrils but also resulted in a lower tendency of the proteins to re-aggregate, according to the researchers. </div><div><br />The same approach also holds promise for treating other neurodegenerative diseases that involve protein aggregation, including Parkinson's and Huntington's, says study leader Marcelo J. Kogan, of the University of Chile in Santiago. He says that the approach is similar to that of another experimental technique that uses metallic nanoparticles to label and destroy cancer cells. Animal studies are planned, Kogan says. </div><div><br />There's currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease and no one is sure of its exact causes. The disease affects an estimated 4.5 million people in the United States, according to the National Institute on Aging. That figure is expected to rise dramatically as the population ages, experts predict.</span></div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-33243194853478658112007-11-24T19:22:00.000+01:002007-11-24T19:25:33.014+01:00ENTA Chief Executive, Del Stark, has been named as a finalist for the Advocate of the Year award by Small Times.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rPVivaqXDP1MLaPipNz2h9OQUCXf-7P0g-6DVlgfzHqOFPs-BTW0On9MJzHqxFZm0sqV0a2d0qg1XsHkBYQtbQsqMKOjKloukdGbNOzjGBHi1PrBqCu-AsKz3zsobzp4TXBp84K5IcI/s1600-h/DStark%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136474487722170146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rPVivaqXDP1MLaPipNz2h9OQUCXf-7P0g-6DVlgfzHqOFPs-BTW0On9MJzHqxFZm0sqV0a2d0qg1XsHkBYQtbQsqMKOjKloukdGbNOzjGBHi1PrBqCu-AsKz3zsobzp4TXBp84K5IcI/s200/DStark%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The annual ‘Best of Small Tech’ awards, announced last week, recognize the year’s most outstanding leaders and achievements in the area of nanotechnology, MEMS and Microsystems.<br /><br />Stark has led ENTA – the European Nanotechnology Trade Alliance – since its inception in 2005, helping to form bridges between government, science and industry policy makers and businesses to help progress the field of nanotechnology.<br /><br />“This is exciting news for ENTA”, says Stark. “As the independent voice for industry, ENTA continually interfaces with the public, the media, government offices and bodies actively involved in determining regulatory framework. We promote the countless benefits of nanotechnology while supporting all actions that ensure new nanotechnologies are developed in a safe and responsible manner.”<br /><br />Although nanotechnologies have been under development for many years it is only relatively recently that the issues behind the science have risen up the political and news agenda, in differing degrees across member states. <br /><br />“We are entering a vital period in shaping the future development and application of nanotechnologies,” Stark says. “It’s an excellent time to get involved with ENTA.“</span></div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-57358481870931456582007-11-16T08:41:00.000+01:002007-11-16T09:25:44.184+01:00NANOGAP wins ENISA awards<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChusclnhKl80YNIjNtkLs1kdlerK6W6wNR6f84UG91B5BXngpCGqRZm7gydAAN4IMeZNZgeNQEUcuC1YF4pN_RTw9Os5YHDrqwkohGVrnwYKUxqLS9DdU-wDGWoXrYpavB2YdYh7AgMs/s1600-h/enisa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133351397957916434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChusclnhKl80YNIjNtkLs1kdlerK6W6wNR6f84UG91B5BXngpCGqRZm7gydAAN4IMeZNZgeNQEUcuC1YF4pN_RTw9Os5YHDrqwkohGVrnwYKUxqLS9DdU-wDGWoXrYpavB2YdYh7AgMs/s200/enisa.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">Nanogap, spanish nanoparticle producer and nanotech. based solutions provider, has won the ENISA awards along with Neoker Ceramics. ENISA prizes are the most important prizes given in Spain that reward the most innovative companies. Nanogap won the new & innovative materials category receiving 75.000€.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">ENISA is a public capital company of the spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Tatiana López, Luis Manuel Alonso and the rest of Nanogap's team want to thank 'Uniemprende through his program Empresa Concepto, Unirisco and Uninvest. Thank you very much for your unvaluable support, without your help and your guidance this wouldn't be possible'.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Empresa concepto</span></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.empresaconcepto.org/"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.empresaconcepto.org</span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Uniemprende</span></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.uniemprende.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.uniemprende.com</span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Unirisco</span></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.unirisco.org/"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.unirisco.org</span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Uninvest</span></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.uninvest.es/"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.uninvest.es</span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">ENISA</span></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.enisa.es/"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.enisa.es</span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div></div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-55683922774681865532007-10-15T16:10:00.000+02:002007-10-15T16:22:24.738+02:00The science that makes the iPod wins Nobel in Physics<div><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7OyzRGpWGgKmUIPRiViCE38pfbp2dD4Sj_iQ4qrabXbb-CX5r7XPJ2hrBnKEVNNV7EmnzsPKiNKlCKGc9g2eWvb6czzmEMWBKlXMpNpaHgcvGeWe_EPm7uh2iy93rd9yXXHuNwcfFwQ/s1600-h/225px-Peter_Gr%25C3%25BCnberg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121568485523602690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7OyzRGpWGgKmUIPRiViCE38pfbp2dD4Sj_iQ4qrabXbb-CX5r7XPJ2hrBnKEVNNV7EmnzsPKiNKlCKGc9g2eWvb6czzmEMWBKlXMpNpaHgcvGeWe_EPm7uh2iy93rd9yXXHuNwcfFwQ/s200/225px-Peter_Gr%25C3%25BCnberg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Fert and Grünberg, who maintain a cordial relationship and colleagues have together already received top awards working in the eighties in these investigations. They announced the results in 1988, and less than a decade later there was a genuine revolution in the miniaturization of electronics. The readers based on giant magnetoresistance came to the market in 1997 and since then has been manufactured and marketed millions of units.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The physical phenomenon of the giant magnetoresistence essentially means that some changes in the very weak magnetic field applied in certain special materials made of very thin layers can produce enormous changes in electrical resistance. This is the storage of data on a hard disk of an electronic device and sensor 'read heads'.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8N5itqnR-yLs3iqpct-YZgHfqIRqwFkkI9Ex649__cUDd39Yil0BgGlKy1tn5RbeFmvinHFTOuzDdbg2pSKHlKWoV88kIewrcaGgbrlfMMqBnb9HyxIVdHxulEPwTw-gHkIgbTVPrwk/s1600-h/200px-Albert_Fert_at_EP2DS_2007_in_Genua_PICT5745.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121568485523602706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8N5itqnR-yLs3iqpct-YZgHfqIRqwFkkI9Ex649__cUDd39Yil0BgGlKy1tn5RbeFmvinHFTOuzDdbg2pSKHlKWoV88kIewrcaGgbrlfMMqBnb9HyxIVdHxulEPwTw-gHkIgbTVPrwk/s200/200px-Albert_Fert_at_EP2DS_2007_in_Genua_PICT5745.jpg" border="0" /></a>For the committee of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences designating the Nobel Prize in Physics, this combination of basic and applied research has launched a new generation of electronics and is one of the first major applications of nanotechnology. Its use has only just begun, with the hard drives of computers and compact storage devices massive files, such as music. New magnetic memory systems of computers, microcomputers for automobiles or appliances and the whole communications sector, will arrive soon to consumers in the hands of the technologies derived from the work of Fert and Grünberg.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.elpais.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">El País</span></a></div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-68393599675071998872007-10-08T10:13:00.000+02:002007-10-09T11:11:49.233+02:00Penetration of Metallic Nanoparticles in Human Full-Thickness Skin (Part Two)<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>This is the second part as a resume of the whole article, which can be find at<br />Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2007) 127<br /></strong></span><div><br />...<br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">However, would it be realistic to envisage potential<br />applications of nanoparticles in the skin, as this would mean<br />that nanoparticles would penetrate the skin? And more<br />importantly, if they do penetrate, would people exposed to<br />such nanomaterials be accidentally contaminated and thus<br />exposed to a potential local and/or systemic health risk?<br />Indubitably, one of the functions of the skin, and more<br />precisely the stratum corneum (SC), is to protect the body<br />from the external environment (Elias, 2005). Thus, to answer<br />the first question, targeting one of the layers of the skin (i.e.,<br />SC, viable epidermis, dermis) requires first overcoming the<br />natural skin barrier and then retaining the delivered agent<br />(i.e., drug, nanoparticle, drug–nanoparticle complex) in one<br />specific skin layer. It is well known that only small (o600 Da)<br />lipophilic molecules can easily penetrate the skin passively<br />(Barry, 2001). Hence, over the last three decades many<br />strategies have been developed to modify the skin barrier<br />reversibly, thus enlarging the number of possible drug<br />candidates for systemic pathologies. These strategies enumerate<br />the use of chemical enhancers, novel formulations,<br />iontophoresis, sonophoresis, electroporation, and microneedles<br />(Guy, 1996; Barry, 2001; Moranti et al., 2001;<br />Langer, 2004). These solutions greatly improve the transdermal<br />delivery of a particular agent; however, retention in the<br />skin is still difficult to achieve. Consequently, a major part of<br />the literature on percutaneous absorption and delivery<br />suggests that particles might have great difficulty in penetrating<br />the skin, and that in the presence of strategies to enhance<br />the delivery, it would be difficult to maintain nanoparticles<br />on site.<br />Nevertheless, several articles on particle penetration have<br />been recently published (see details in the Discussion<br />session), suggesting that processes governing the penetration<br />of chemicals (Hadgraft, 2001) and particles might not be the<br />same. Although mechanisms have not yet been clarified in<br />the latter case, the results lead to two conclusions: (1) it may<br />be possible to design and produce nanoparticles for skin<br />applications and (2) the possibility that a person could be<br />accidentally contaminated with nanomaterials through the<br />cutaneous route might be higher than expected (Hoet et al.,<br />2004; Holsapple et al., 2005; Oberdo¨ rster et al., 2005)<br />because extensive studies on nanotoxicology and nanomaterial<br />safeness have recently been undertaken (Hoet et al.,<br />2004; Holsapple and Lehman-McKeeman, 2005; Holsapple<br />et al., 2005; Oberdo¨ rster et al., 2005; Thomas and Sayre,<br />2005).<br />This work, therefore, investigated whether superficially<br />modified iron-based nanoparticles, not designed for skin<br />absorption but whose dimensions are compatible with those<br />of skin penetration routes (Johnson et al., 1997; Tang et al.,<br />2001; Bouwstra and Honeywell-Nguyen, 2002; Bouwstra<br />et al., 2002, 2003; Cevc, 2004; Al-Amoudi et al., 2005), are<br />able to penetrate and perhaps permeate the skin.<br />RESULTS<br />Nanoparticle synthesis and characterization<br />Maghemite and iron nanoparticle syntheses were carried out<br />according to previously developed methods based on a<br />microemulsion technique (Lo´pez Quintela and Rivas, 1993).<br />Syntheses included a stabilization step to prevent irreversible<br />particle aggregation on dispersion in an aqueous medium.<br />Stabilization was achieved by coating the nanoparticle core<br />with organic molecules (tetramethylammonium hydroxide<br />(TMAOH), sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT))<br />that were absorbed onto it. As a result, brownish/rust-colored<br />dispersions were obtained in both cases (Figure 1).<br />X-ray electron diffraction measurements revealed that<br />TMAOH-stabilized maghemite nanoparticles (TMAOH-NPs)<br />were uniform in size and as small as 6.970.9 nm. These<br />results were confirmed by transmission electron microscope<br />(TEM) visualizations (5.972.5 nm, n¼29; Figure 2a and<br />Table 1) and magnetic measurements (data not shown).<br />Nonetheless, TEM revealed that TMAOH-NPs could be found<br />as slightly electron-dense individual particles (Figure 2a) and<br />be arranged in clusters (Figure 2a) of variable sizes (up to<br />several hundreds of nanometers; Figure 2a and Table 1),<br />results that were confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS)<br />measurements (Figure 2c and Table 1), which allowed one to<br />(1) exclude artifacts in TEM specimens and (2) determine the<br />reversibility of these clusters. Consequently, the most<br />probable scenario is that particles may arrange in clusters,<br />which show an approximate relaxation time of around 50 ms,<br />as can be deduced from the non-diffusive peaks that appear<br />as ‘‘effective’’ large sizes (larger than 1 mm in Figure 2c) in the<br />transformed relaxation data (Blanco et al., 2000). Also, by<br />decreasing the pH12 of the dispersing medium, particle<br />clusters flocculated (Vidal Vidal J (2004). Bachelor Thesis<br />‘‘Preparacio´n de pinturas para apantallamento electromagne<br />´tico,’’ Faculty of Chemistry, University of Santiago de<br />Compostela), which indirectly confirmed that TMAOH ions<br />interact weakly with maghemite nanoparticle surfaces. Zetapotential<br />studies showed that the isoelectric point of<br />TMAOH-NPs was 6.3. Consequently, particles are respectively<br />negatively or positively charged when they are exposed<br />to a pH that is either greater or less than 6.3.<br />Dimensions of AOT-stabilized iron nanoparticles (AOTNPs)<br />were obtained by TEM and DLS measurements. TEM<br />showed that AOT-NP dispersions were rich in AOT and<br />contained highly electron-dense particles of different sizes<br />(Figure 2b), of which 51.1% of observed nanoparticles<br />(n¼43) had a diameter of 4.971.3nm (Table 1). DLS<br />a b c d<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_KRACwWeplLSmjHlLGTECQnxHVqoWc5aqiGYxnSHWJuVELRyEOuEO76V8XrfaAcwqeGAYwXh8l0gKO_G7z2D0txv2TE3ClgatQN6fBwO3VCDixqZ796ewjQ6p7tV_o61chzkNyjDGWM/s1600-h/bianca2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118877186001485026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_KRACwWeplLSmjHlLGTECQnxHVqoWc5aqiGYxnSHWJuVELRyEOuEO76V8XrfaAcwqeGAYwXh8l0gKO_G7z2D0txv2TE3ClgatQN6fBwO3VCDixqZ796ewjQ6p7tV_o61chzkNyjDGWM/s200/bianca2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Figure 1. Nanoparticle dispersion macroscopic appearance. Two different<br />dilutions of (a, b) AOT-NP and (c, d) TMAOH-NP dispersions were<br />photographed with a commercial digital camera (Sony, DSC-W7) to show that<br />formulations are (a, d) rust-colored transparent liquids that on dilution may<br />modify (b; AOT-NP) or not (c; TMAOH-NP) their color. (a, d) For penetration<br />experiments, formulations were used without dilution.<br /></span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">measurements then revealed that the average size of larger<br />particles, which according to TEM calculation represent<br />4.6%, was 82.6763.9nm (Figure 2d and Table 1). Zetapotential<br />studies on AOT-NPs were not conducted because<br />these particles were an intermediate product. However,<br />considering that AOT is a sulfonate (a sodium salt of a<br />sulfonic acid) and that AOT-NPs were dispersed in water, it<br />can be reasonably deduced that particles might be surrounded<br />by a double shell of AOT molecules and that the<br />outermost layer of AOT provides a negatively charged surface<br />that stabilizes particle aqueous dispersion. In addition, TEM<br />results allow one to assume that AOT-NP dispersion is<br />composed of AOT-NPs and AOT-reversed micelles.<br />Both nanoparticles had superparamagnetic properties at<br />room temperature and could be classified as hydrophilic<br />nanoparticles (Lo´pez Pe´rez et al., 1997; Lo´pez-Quintela<br />et al., 1997). However, nanoparticle superparamagnetic<br />properties were not intentionally exploited to investigate<br />their penetration ability merely as a function of size and<br />superficial properties.<br />Possible routes of skin penetration<br />Nanoparticle dimensions are considered the most important<br />parameters because chemical penetration into the skin can<br />occur through pilosebaceous pores (diameter: 10–70 mm)<br />(Lauer et al., 1996), sweat gland pores (diameter: 60–80 mm)<br />(Roberts MS (2004). Skin structure and function. Proceedings<br />of the preconference course ‘‘Fundamentals of percutaneous<br />penetration’’. Perspective in percutaneous penetration, La<br />Grand Motte, 2004), and most commonly through the lipidic<br />matrix that fills a gap of 75 nm, in air-dried conditions<br />(Johnson et al., 1997), between the SC dead corneocytes,<br />cementing them. This lipidic matrix is composed of a mixture<br />of lipids (Elias, 2005) which arrange in a head–head tail–tail<br />configuration, thus forming a supramolecular structure of<br />parallel and repeating lipidic bilayers (Bouwstra and Honeywell-<br />Nguyen, 2002; Bouwstra et al., 2002, 2003). The<br />presence of (1) aqueous pores of ca. 2.871.3nm (Tang<br />et al., 2001), most likely located in the head–head regions<br />and (2) fluid lipophilic areas (42.37 nm), within the tail–tail<br />region that measures 12.8nm in total (long periodicity phase)<br />and comprises a central fluid area (2.37 nm) and two adjacent<br />areas (4.57nm each) whose fluidity gradually decreases by<br />moving away from both sides of the central area (Bouwstra<br />and Honeywell-Nguyen, 2002; Bouwstra et al., 2002, 2003),<br />has been demonstrated.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL5uBeuW5x_tCl8cOxSimujtOs3LlsCHYLvgTKxNJGTQc97T6zGfRcii4EDA0LdDgN1bxmr1tiayDhKLeQPYKiI17QoyiiF8oMqxC7KRx-TeuQiMr39fDWzYtjFyJDXNrRB6Ngvh8hqs/s1600-h/bianca3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118877465174359282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL5uBeuW5x_tCl8cOxSimujtOs3LlsCHYLvgTKxNJGTQc97T6zGfRcii4EDA0LdDgN1bxmr1tiayDhKLeQPYKiI17QoyiiF8oMqxC7KRx-TeuQiMr39fDWzYtjFyJDXNrRB6Ngvh8hqs/s200/bianca3.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Figure 2. Nanoparticle characterization. Nanoparticle TEM micrographs are<br />shown in (a) and (b). A drop of each nanoparticle dispersion was deposited on<br />formvar-coated grids, air-dried, and observed using a TEM operating at<br />200 kV. (a) TMAOH-NPs and (b) AOT-NPs respectively appeared as<br />individual slightly (a; gray) or highly (b; dark) electron-dense dots depending<br />on particle density. (a) TMAOH-NP formulation did not appear<br />homogeneously dispersed, and particles that were found very close together<br />(cluster of particles) seemed to be larger and more electron dense. (b) Excess<br />of AOT in AOT-NP dispersion determined gray shadows in the micrograph<br />background. Bar¼200 nm. Transformed relaxation data of DLS<br />measurements of (c) TAMOH-NP and (d) AOT-NP aqueous dispersions<br />showed the dominant presence of (c) non-diffusive and (d) diffusive peaks,<br />which are associated with the presence of reversible (c) clusters of particles<br />and (d) individual particles whose hydrodynamic radius (RH) may vary from a<br />few nanometers to several nanometers. Refer to Table 1 for actual dimensions.</span><br /><br /><br />By comparing the dimensions of skin openings and<br />possible routes of entrance with nanoparticle sizes, it was<br />hypothesized that individual nanoparticles might be small<br />enough to potentially penetrate the skin. However, the extent<br />of penetration, as well as the route of entrance, was<br />considered to depend strongly on all the interactions that<br />could occur between nanoparticles and skin components<br />and/or structures.<br />Also, a lipophilic–hydrophilic gradient and a pH gradient<br />(Wagner et al., 2003; Elias, 2005) exist in the skin. Although<br />the lipophilic–hydrophilic gradient is easily identified to be<br />localized between SC (lipophilic) and viable epidermis<br />(hydrophilic), little has been written about the pH gradient<br />of the skin in research articles on skin absorption. However,<br />we would like to emphasize that the isoelectric point of the<br />skin has been known since early in the 20th century. It is now<br />recognized to be between 3.5 and 4.8 (Wilkerson, 1935;<br />Higaki et al., 2003), which means that skin is negatively<br />charged under physiological conditions. In addition, the pH<br />of the skin surface varies with gender, anatomical sites, and<br />experimental setting. Wagner et al. (2003) have found<br />that superficial skin pH ranges between 4.7 and 5.5 in vivo,<br />and between 5.8 and 6.0 in vitro (frozen skin). They have<br />also demonstrated that the pH of the buffer in contact with<br />the dermis (in the receiving chamber) may further influence<br />the pH gradient across SC, viable epidermis, and dermis<br />(Wagner et al., 2003). Using a neutral buffer (pH 7.4) in<br />the receiving chamber and frozen skin, Wagner et al. (2003)<br />found the following values of acidity after 3 hours of<br />buffer incubation: upper SC: pH 6–6.3; deeper SC and<br />outermost viable epidermis: pH 6.5; and deeper viable<br />epidermis: pH 7–7.3.<br />Consequently, this background may lead one to hypothesize<br />that penetration of nanoparticles, whose dimensions<br />are compatible with skin absorption routes, might be further<br />influenced by their superficial charges.<br />To verify our hypothesis, we performed some studies of<br />skin penetration.<br />Penetration experiment set-up<br />To avoid skin variability among species (Bartek et al., 1972;<br />Feldman and Maibach, 1974), penetration experiments were<br />conducted ex vivo using full-thickness skin pieces of healthy<br />human female donors who did not have a dermatological<br />disease history. The age of donors did not appear to influence<br />skin barrier properties, because specific skin electrical<br />resistivities calculated before starting the penetration experiments<br />(see below) were in accordance with normal skin<br />values (12–120 kOcm2, direct current) (Inada et al., 1994)<br />and of the order of 73.72723.67 kOcm2 when values were<br />extrapolated from current measures at 10 Hz (n¼80). This<br />frequency was chosen to minimize inductive and capacitive<br />contributions of viable epidermis on skin resistivity values,<br />whose modifications, if any, could then be considered as the<br />reflection of SC barrier alteration (Burnette and DeNuzzio,<br />1997; Martinsen et al., 1999). In addition, skin electrical<br />resistivity was monitored at 1 kHz because standard deviation<br />decreases at this frequency (Rosell et al., 1988) and<br />differences among groups can be better evaluated. Nevertheless,<br />if a major alteration occurs in the SC barrier, it should<br />normally be visible at both frequencies.<br />As initial resistivity measurements confirmed the presence<br />of an adequate SC barrier, we proceeded with the experiments,<br />which were conducted in static conditions to avoid<br />potential penetration enhancements due to the magnetic field<br />that is generated during electro-magnetic stirring, and which<br />would have activated nanoparticle magnetic properties.<br />Once skin pieces were clamped on vertical cells, they were<br />equilibrated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 1 hour<br />(hydration phase) before exposure to nanoparticle dispersions<br />for 3, 6, 12, or 24 hours.<br />Nanoparticle formulation may alter skin barrier properties<br />As a first result, penetration experiments showed that the<br />dispersing medium of a nanoparticle formulation might be<br />responsible for altering, to different extents, the skin barrier<br />properties. In each experiment, we compared the resistivity of<br />skin pieces exposed to PBS, a particular nanoparticle<br />formulation, and its blank solution (obtained by centrifuging<br />an aliquot of the formulation under examination). Results<br />showed that both nanoparticle dispersions and their blank<br />solutions were able to diminish skin barrier. However, these<br />modifications should be considered minor, because decreases<br />in skin resistivity measurements could be generally<br />noticed only at 1 kHz.<br />In particular, the TMAOH-NP dispersion caused a decrease<br />in skin resistivity of 2 kOcm2 (1 kHz; Po0.05) after 12 hours of<br />skin contact. This barrier perturbation is very mild when<br />compared with the abrupt decrease (ca. 6 kOcm2 at 1 kHz and<br />ca. 44 kOcm2 at 10 Hz; in both cases Po0.05) in skin<br />resistivity caused by a basic TMAOH control solution, which<br />was visible at both frequencies already after 3 hours. This result<br />was not expected because either TMAOH-NP dispersion or<br />TMAOH control solution should have been at pH 12. It was<br />then discovered that the slow adsorption of CO2 decreased the<br />basicity of TMAOH-NP dispersion down to pH 7 without<br />flocculating particle clusters, which in turn explained the<br />observed discrepancy in skin resistivity. It has been hypothesized<br />that CO2 adsorption might have sequestrated hydroxyl<br />ion excess in TMAOH-NP dispersion, limiting its destructive<br />action on epithelia (Sigma-Aldrich website. MSDS data sheet of<br />TMAOH at </span><a href="http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/cgibin/hsrun/Suite7/"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/cgibin/hsrun/Suite7/</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Suite/HAHTpage/Suite.HsSigmaAdvancedSearch.formAction,<br />July 2006). In fact, using another batch of TMAOH-NPs that<br />was instead basic, no differences in skin resistivity were<br />observed in skin specimens exposed to nanoparticle dispersion<br />or its blank solution at both frequencies. Nevertheless, the<br />TMAOH-NP formulation used throughout this study was the<br />neutral one.<br />AOT-NP dispersion and its blank solution produced a<br />significant decrease in skin resistivity (ca. 5 kOcm2 at 1 kHz<br />and ca. 60 kOcm2 at 10 Hz) after 24 hours when compared<br />with PBS. However, during the experiment, the decrease in<br />skin resistivity was only visible at 1 kHz and after 3 hours<br />(4 kOcm2; Po0.05). No differences were observed between<br />AOT-NP dispersions and its blank within 24 hours.</span></div></div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-19262729434309664552007-10-02T09:08:00.000+02:002007-10-02T09:28:44.684+02:00Penetration of Metallic Nanoparticles in Human Full-Thickness Skin (Part One)<div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">Biancamaria Baroli, Maria Grazia Ennas, Felice Loffredo, Michela Isola, Raimondo Pinna and M. Arturo Lo´pez-Quintela</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">The potential and benefits of nanoparticles in nanobiotechnology have been enthusiastically discussed inrecent literature; however, little is known about the potential risks of contamination by accidental contactduring production or use. Although theories of transdermal drug delivery suggest that skin structure andcomposition do not allow the penetration of materials larger than 600 Da, some articles on particle penetrationinto the skin have been recently published. Consequently, we wanted to evaluate whether metallicnanoparticles smaller than 10nm could penetrate and eventually permeate the skin. Two different stabilizednanoparticle dispersions were applied to excised human skin samples using vertical diffusion cells.At established time points, solutions in receiving chambers were quantified for nanoparticle concentration,and skin was processed for light transmission and electron microscope examination. The results of this studyshowed that nanoparticles were able to penetrate the hair follicle and stratum corneum (SC), occasionallyreaching the viable epidermis. Yet, nanoparticles were unable to permeate the skin. These results represent abreakthrough in skin penetration because it is early evidence where rigid nanoparticles have been shown topassively reach the viable epidermis through the SC lipidic matrix.</span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">INTRODUCTION<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2N4InYA-7M3gCtx2e4MJJcb4gWyPbtsCKm6hIe1uufCnZSwVNJj7BRPZZbwQTY1-Prkvploo2FOPghikCx4S8mWzBLf7HJkhWPD4tK129csbSOdzH0HGaVrShAzbUwGuLNFvwyDG9IA/s1600-h/bianca1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116637863067794626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2N4InYA-7M3gCtx2e4MJJcb4gWyPbtsCKm6hIe1uufCnZSwVNJj7BRPZZbwQTY1-Prkvploo2FOPghikCx4S8mWzBLf7HJkhWPD4tK129csbSOdzH0HGaVrShAzbUwGuLNFvwyDG9IA/s200/bianca1.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Nanotechnology involves the design, production, characterization, and applications of materials (molecules or devices) whose dimensions are less than 100 nm. It has been shown that at nanometric scale, materials acquire new properties that can be exploited in numerous fields, including biotechnology, bioengineering, nanotechnology, and nanomedicine (Website of the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering on Nanotechnology and Nanoscience, Final Report at </span><a href="http://www.nanotech.org.uk/index.htm"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.nanotech.org.uk/index.htm</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">, August 2006). Such materials are generally called nanomaterials. They can be categorized as nanotubes, nanowires, nanoshells, nanoparticles,quantum dots, dendrimers, and biopolymers (Website of the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineeringon Nanotechnology and Nanoscience, Final Report at </span><a href="http://www.nanotech.org.uk/index.htm"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.nanotech.org.uk/index.htm</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">, August 2006). Among these, nanoparticles could play an important role in nanomedicine. With regard to nanoparticles, rapid advances in nanotechnology have made it possible to synthesize different types of metallic and/or magnetic particles whose diameter is of the order of a few nanometers and even less. In addition, their surfaces can be modified by bioactive molecules or imaging probes that can be adsorbed, coated, conjugated, or linked to them. Owing to the wide applicability of such modified systems, they have been proposed for (i) cell labeling and targeting, (ii) tissue engineering, (iii) drug delivery, drug targeting, and magnetic drug targeting, (iv) magnetic resonance imaging, (v) hyperthermia, (vi) magnetofection, and (vii) analysis of biomolecules, to cite just a few (Penn et al., 2003; Gupta and Gupta, 2005; Neuberger et al., 2005). Many of these applications can also be tailored to target skin. For instance, cell labeling/targeting may help in the early diagnosis of a skin disease, which could also be treated with the goal of nanocarriers for drug delivery or targeting, hyperthermia, or magnetofection. In addition, a tissue engineering approach could be useful for skin wound healing therapies. Furthermore, the possibility of exploiting the magnetic properties of these particles might help in directing and localizing these agents in a particular layer of the skin where their action is desired.</span></p>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-90508020580158726282007-09-21T11:12:00.000+02:002007-10-09T11:12:10.449+02:00TRANSPARANCY ON NANOCOMPOSITES: AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uDiMoJJz0_J3PvVVGbtBfT_QG9Yqt2dNJbK6x6kI8V3HOIphMb4ThQ8ZYJjEnmCU4WnPwfFHyiWji10znZgSq_6qeIuiOVdWyXs8aNVrQwzuw-Y86Jf3RC7NLEhLDJVZ8S-IolD_uDA/s1600-h/esto.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112583714588081330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uDiMoJJz0_J3PvVVGbtBfT_QG9Yqt2dNJbK6x6kI8V3HOIphMb4ThQ8ZYJjEnmCU4WnPwfFHyiWji10znZgSq_6qeIuiOVdWyXs8aNVrQwzuw-Y86Jf3RC7NLEhLDJVZ8S-IolD_uDA/s200/esto.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Just recently a review on “Functional inorganic nanofillers for transparent polymers” has been published (H. Althues, J. Henle, S. Kaskel, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2007, 36, 1454-1465). This tutorial review is a very interesting summarize of the functions associated with the integration of inorganic nanofillers in polymers with a focus on optical properties, where not only the latest scientific achievements, but also the main key challenges, are explained.<br /><br />S. Kaskel et al explain the three key factors to consider in order to get transparent polymers with nanofillers:<br /><br />· Particle requirements: small size (particle diameter below 40 nm) and/or index-matching between the matrix and the particles.<br /><br />· Surface engineering: in order to minimize interface energies between particles and polymer matrix, several surface functionalization and stabilizing techniques have been developed.<br /><br />· Manufacturing approaches: melt compounding; film casting; in situ polymerization; and in situ particle generation<br /><br />Also the main functions and properties of these polymers are explained in this review: luminescence; UV absorption; conductivity and isolation; IR active fillers; high and low refractive index in polymer nanocomposites; and magnetic properties.<br /><br />It is an interesting review from an industrial point of view which I recommend to all of you involved on the development of new transparency nanocomposite.<br /><br />It is very difficult to go from the science to the industry because of the big gap there is in between. For instance when you study a nanofiller, the material will not change among the project development, so only at the end there is a definition of the possible applications; but in industry you look for a certain property, and the development will go on the opposite direction, until there may be finally a possible nanoparticle that could be useful for that certain property. This is, on my opinion, one of the key reasons for this gap in nanotechnology and nanoscience.<br />In order to take advantage to the scientific “Know How" it is important to understand not only the conclusion but also their approach. This review shows a very broad picture of the state of the art that can help to visualize the important aspects that should be considered in order to successfully convert the know how to an industrial product.</span></div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-69761019002533997262007-09-20T09:21:00.000+02:002007-10-09T11:12:27.251+02:00Commission takes stock of nano progress<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdR_iHhLZzVRGdfm4HnEZnwlBwI8uwS6fMCZhGhjz4JE5Z8cER7EL5zChr4Ag6AyDCkJk4ybJ_j2Rtd3xYxJ9l-uWvy28fWdTyZzVsfv7JT5tL9SvpFsYCuMEekf0o1Mre1nVuSAfGbY/s1600-h/ec.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112183770275297250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdR_iHhLZzVRGdfm4HnEZnwlBwI8uwS6fMCZhGhjz4JE5Z8cER7EL5zChr4Ag6AyDCkJk4ybJ_j2Rtd3xYxJ9l-uWvy28fWdTyZzVsfv7JT5tL9SvpFsYCuMEekf0o1Mre1nVuSAfGbY/s200/ec.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>The European Commission has become the world's largest public investor in nanotechnology, and has improved the standards, metrology and patenting environment for nanotechnology research. However, private investment remains low in comparison with that of Europe's competitors, and duplication is becoming a real risk now that more Member States are introducing national initiatives.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">These revelations are made in a Commission communication detailing the progress made on implementing the EU's Action Plan on nanosciences and nanotechnologies (N&N). The Action Plan runs from 2005 to 2009, and this is the first report analysing how much momentum there has been since its inception. 'Nanotechnology is an area where Europe is an acknowledged world leader. This is an opportunity we must grasp with both hands,' said EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik. The implementation report notes that advancements have been made in all areas, from funding, infrastructure and training to the societal dimension, safety, international cooperation and the elaboration of a coherent European strategy. Highlights include the increase in EU funding for nanotechnology and nanosciences. Having allocated €1.4 billion to 550 research projects under the Sixth Framework Programme (2002 to 2006), the European Commission has become the world's largest public investor in nanotechnology, accounting for one-third of public funding in this area. Funding is set to increase still further under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The Commission supported N&N infrastructures in FP6 with €40 million, and will continue to do so under FP7. Of course the responsibility for any research infrastructure lies mainly with the EU Member States, but a roadmap produced by the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) identified a pan-European infrastructure for nanostructures and nanoelectronics as a priority facility. The Commission is also looking into the viability of an infrastructure for nanobiotechnology. Education and training in N&N has moved forward with the launch of Masters degrees in various aspects of the disciplines, and the awarding of Marie Curie Awards to researchers working in N&N. The Commission has also been very active in the related areas of societal acceptance and safety. Knowledge gaps remain in relation to the effects that nanoparticles could have on the environment and human health. Uncertainty here is fuelling public distrust of N&N, although the Commission report does state that surveys 'show that public confidence in European public authorities' ability to ensure good governance for nanotechnology is higher in Europe than elsewhere'. The Commission has funded or published a wide range of information, aimed at a variety of audiences, in order to inform the public about N&N, while simultaneously funding research to fill current knowledge gaps on health and safety implications. A review of current legislation is ongoing in order to establish whether current legislative frameworks offer sufficient protection, and a consultation is underway on attitudes towards a Code of Conduct on N&N. The Code of Conduct would comprise a set of basic principles on precaution, inclusiveness and integrity. The consultation is an attempt to gather feedback on the principles outlined in the Code, willingness to sign up to it and ideas for additional steps. Responses received thus far appear to be in favour of such a Code, and have provided new ideas on how to improve it, according to the Commission. The Commission has also issued a call for proposals for the establishment of an observatory to provide decision-makers with dynamic assessments of scientific and market developments. One proposal received has been recommended by the evaluating panel of external experts, which means that the observatory could be up and running next year, according to Renzo Tomellini, Head of Unit within the Commission for 'Nano science and technology - convergent science and technology'. The Commission recommends that in the coming years, particular attention be devoted to the development of interdisciplinary infrastructures, appropriate conditions for the safe and effective use of nanotechnology, and a shared understanding of the responsibility of researchers within an ethical framework. The next implementation report on the N&N Action Plan will be submitted before the end of 2009.<br />For further information, please visit: </span><a href="http://cordis.europa.eu/nanotechnology"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://cordis.europa.eu/nanotechnology</span></a> </div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-52773553151336506472007-09-18T09:17:00.000+02:002007-09-18T09:26:17.984+02:003rd Chemistry Tecnological Platform General Meeting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdL1vgcHIEgrguFA6fRWNTUKOdWHpLHTDPW2MrqweUxZH7TdAHU4f9PSKxV033DrhXAA-7vnf_GEnsEyyx6vqsc1lHbGZ1IvhSisoch-jQfBwyrr5JRxCMOf2G7pWkPKOvU0oWTs5gro/s1600-h/quim_sost.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111441598562356482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdL1vgcHIEgrguFA6fRWNTUKOdWHpLHTDPW2MrqweUxZH7TdAHU4f9PSKxV033DrhXAA-7vnf_GEnsEyyx6vqsc1lHbGZ1IvhSisoch-jQfBwyrr5JRxCMOf2G7pWkPKOvU0oWTs5gro/s200/quim_sost.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Today Septmber the 18th is taking place in Barcelona the 3rd Chemistry Technological Platform General Meeting in the 'Palacio de Congresos de la Fira'. Colaborates with this event the spanish ministry of education and science.</span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">The objective of the meeting is to inform about the activities done during this last year as well as future projects of the Platform. There'll also inform the audience about the improvement in the participation in the FP7 and the next spanish 'Plan Nacional 2008-2011'.</span></p>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-91677870078950407242007-09-07T09:27:00.000+02:002007-10-09T11:13:27.729+02:00THE EUROPEAN COMMISION LOOKING FOR SCIENTIFIC ADVICE ON NANOSCIENCES AND NANOTECHNOLOGY<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ug79ltMPRbaCA68MrQSTjKF1bdAgKux18WSfT0oBJCbFdQQdujKl9CgdBP_AsrQvGFg2qFLD1O-cSccBjQt7m3XnhQyJiMunSUIWKBMbRp43YZOdjRDZ_KwrHaciYTUKvWGuNVwvAwA/s1600-h/eu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107361165876367378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ug79ltMPRbaCA68MrQSTjKF1bdAgKux18WSfT0oBJCbFdQQdujKl9CgdBP_AsrQvGFg2qFLD1O-cSccBjQt7m3XnhQyJiMunSUIWKBMbRp43YZOdjRDZ_KwrHaciYTUKvWGuNVwvAwA/s200/eu.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The European Commission is planning to adopt a voluntary “Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies Research” in order to promote safe and responsible nanotechnology research:<br /><br /></span><a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1140&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1140&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />There is a consultation process open up to 21 September 2007 from SINAPSE where all the experts can share all their concerns and knowledge implementing an assessment for the “Code of Conduct”:<br /><br /></span><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/sinapse/sinapse/index.cfm?&fuseaction=ews.detail&EWS_ID=01BC259F-DC56-9446-A3728137F6351C68&backfuse=sinapse.lastupdate"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://ec.europa.eu/sinapse/sinapse/index.cfm?&fuseaction=ews.detail&EWS_ID=01BC259F-DC56-9446-A3728137F6351C68&backfuse=sinapse.lastupdate</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />This initiative arouse from the increasing strength of nanotechnology in science and industry and the wish of a responsible and sustainable growth.<br /><br />SINAPSE (Scientific INformAtion for Policy Support in Europe) is an initiative form the European Commission for a better use of scientific knowledge in European Governance. The main general objective on SINAPSE e-network is to make a better use of expertise in policymaking.<br /></span></div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-86583121833440755232007-07-09T16:36:00.000+02:002007-07-17T11:08:06.380+02:00Nano wheels developed for improved food packaging<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCIkzXYuOK_CjffBlsGz-ifjLSDfHGwwumxng8E6xlIwf-ecxc8zQWHvcML7EvqaE79rXTt4DLK2u0ccFPLZT39vobKd3k92ZXj2Jy5HsyBIxQLlVW0DLFK28UfpIthcwAUPwotEYkI0/s1600-h/nanowheels.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085209960946264738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCIkzXYuOK_CjffBlsGz-ifjLSDfHGwwumxng8E6xlIwf-ecxc8zQWHvcML7EvqaE79rXTt4DLK2u0ccFPLZT39vobKd3k92ZXj2Jy5HsyBIxQLlVW0DLFK28UfpIthcwAUPwotEYkI0/s200/nanowheels.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">With the use of nanoparticles, bottles and packaging can be made lighter and stronger, with better thermal performance and less gas absorption. These properties can extend the shelf life of products, as well as lower the transportation costs involved in shipping food.In a paper, Sigurd Högerof Universität Bonn in Germany said he and his research team managed to use </span><a class="arial113399cc" href="javascript:KeywordSearch(" keywords="nanotechnology&period=all&amp;amp;inner=1');""><span style="font-family:arial;">nanotechnology</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> to synthesise a molecule shaped like a wagon wheel. Scanning tunneling microscope images published with the article in the journal Angewandte Chemie depict giant </span><a class="arial113399cc" href="javascript:KeywordSearch(" keywords="molecules&period=all&amp;amp;inner=1');""><span style="font-family:arial;">molecules</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> with a diameter of seven nm. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The molecule's "hub", "spokes", and "rim" of the highly symmetric structure are clearly recognisable in the images, they stated. Two-dimensional particles, such as inorganic alumina platelets, are used as fillers for plastics because they impart excellent mechanical properties to these materials, they stated.Nanocomposites made of alumina platelets and polymers are thus extraordinarily rigid, strong, and thermally stable materials, they stated. "The barrier properties of plastics with respect to liquids and gasses, such as oxygen, could be improved by the addition of nanoscopic platelets," the paper stated. "This would be useful for applications such as food packaging, and makes less expensive, more environmentally friendly plastics accessible."</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">To better understand the way in which the platelets work, several researchers have been working with synthetic alumina platelets. Some are interested in the use of large organic molecules in the form of rigid disks. Such disks can be produced with uniform shapes and sizes and their chemical properties can be adjusted as needed by the attachment of additional functional groups. "Until now, organic molecular disks could not be made as large as the inorganic originals they are intended to imitate," the researchers stated.Now Högerof's team from the universities of Bonn and Leuven claim to have jumped this hurdle by successfully synthesing very large wheel-shaped molecules. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">In the next step, the researchers will attempt to grow these little wheels bit by bit by adding more building blocks onto the rim. The development should result in structures resembling a spider web, they stated.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Author: Sigurd Höger, Universität Bonn (Germany), <a href="http://www.chemie.uni-bonn.de/oc/ak_ho/">http://www.chemie.uni-bonn.de/oc/ak_ho/</a></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Title: Molecularly Defined Shape-Persistent 2D Oligomers: The Covalent-Template Approach to Molecular Spoked WheelsAngewandte Chemie International Edition, doi: 10.1002/anie.200701614.</span></div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-37086984254404048122007-07-09T16:19:00.000+02:002007-10-09T11:14:35.427+02:00IGAPE News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZ3OYnvR5W2aqLEwxC6lvl-pmjvZg-nfC3A5c4Hm-NqUGnfGYDNEBhA8O7zx94CGFPSSmX4TqbeslR6zeQDd_tMwp6pb5Nk8_n38V3Bs-2YVPjtrJgboNidPxORfYQ1gLq5EHUE5AMWU/s1600-h/igape.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085203707473881746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZ3OYnvR5W2aqLEwxC6lvl-pmjvZg-nfC3A5c4Hm-NqUGnfGYDNEBhA8O7zx94CGFPSSmX4TqbeslR6zeQDd_tMwp6pb5Nk8_n38V3Bs-2YVPjtrJgboNidPxORfYQ1gLq5EHUE5AMWU/s200/igape.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Nanogap is one of the most active companies of Spain in the nanomaterials field. <a href="http://www.igape.es/">IGAPE</a>, the galician institute for economic promotion, dedicates them an article. You can read the article <a href="http://www.igape.es/nanogap-nanotecnoloxia.html">here</a></div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-91415241964168741852007-07-09T13:29:00.000+02:002007-07-17T11:07:08.333+02:00Gold Nanoparticles and cancer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFw4Tu8VsmF-HjY8gZHqw0nRwGEK8EfYahciK_ECfSp_rSuVH7dLzbr8DBBX1Z1XmX2YTokanXQEBd9dyBNtO84pEAdI5zzHZTSMIHvulQKsCkrDbDDkJhUoOUbHsjeShL_ZtW1DBV1c/s1600-h/sample1e.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085200658047101570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFw4Tu8VsmF-HjY8gZHqw0nRwGEK8EfYahciK_ECfSp_rSuVH7dLzbr8DBBX1Z1XmX2YTokanXQEBd9dyBNtO84pEAdI5zzHZTSMIHvulQKsCkrDbDDkJhUoOUbHsjeShL_ZtW1DBV1c/s200/sample1e.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.usc.es/qfmatco/Nanomat.htm">Lopez-Quintela</a> and colleagues (J Invest Dermatol. 2007 Jul;127(7):1701-12) have recently reported that inorganic nanoparticles (smaller than 10 nm) may penetrate human skin and occasionally permeate the skin. Skin penetration through the stratum corneum lipidic matrix with nanoparticles could be a very powerful drug delivery strategy.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.usc.es/qfmatco/Nanomat.htm">M.A. Lopez-Quintela</a> is part of the scientific advisory board of <a href="http://www.nanogap.es/">Nanogap</a>. He is leading the biomedical researchs of <a href="http://www.nanogap.es/">Nanogap</a>, aided by Prof. Fernando Domínguez and Prof. Benito Regueiro.</div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-13057743882783957442007-05-29T12:05:00.000+02:002007-05-31T08:41:42.556+02:00Soft machines II<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s5tyeJoUyKw9qqvPvv2dRYkc7Xt3rSUZ78tlDe0xtHQFzu8fqXYutfSrEiBECd7pVbvo4ez1RQAm4lRbm4XgVB7GgmDh1wyDvps8-2jr6Rn8Fp2i7RqKUWd1hvAyAxzmxELeOiYnMyw/s1600-h/solarcell.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069922164743539186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s5tyeJoUyKw9qqvPvv2dRYkc7Xt3rSUZ78tlDe0xtHQFzu8fqXYutfSrEiBECd7pVbvo4ez1RQAm4lRbm4XgVB7GgmDh1wyDvps8-2jr6Rn8Fp2i7RqKUWd1hvAyAxzmxELeOiYnMyw/s200/solarcell.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>In this second part of the post we will see possible paralelisms between nanoechnology and nature in order to improve our engineering skills at the nanoscale</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In nature, Surface forces + Brownian motion = self-assembly. Complex structures are made by self assembly. How can we copy that? We can do synthetic self assembly with block copolymers. It’s simple, cheap and available in. On the other hand using nucleic acids let to design structures from designed sequences but it is expensive and delicate.<br /><br />Brownian motion + lack of stiffness = conformational translations. Motor proteines change shape in response to changes in the environment. We can copy that combining a responsive polymer with an oscillating chemical reaction: e.g. synthetic muscle (expanding and contracting in response of changes in pH)<br /><br />What areas might bio-inspired nano trasnform? Energy, information and medicine seem possible candidates at the first sight. Humanity is existentially dependent on technology for its survival at current and projected populations, but the tech we have isn't sustainable in the energy, environment and medicine fields. Nanotechnology can help.<br /><br />In the energy field there is the terawatt challenge: as the world continues growing, the demand of energy will be bigger. There's plenty of sunlight, we must develop Viable photovoltaics (need lower processing costs and large areas) and solar cells for electricity or hydrogen. Any options? Biokleptic approach (photosyntetic bacteria) or biomimetic approach (nanotitania).<br /><br />The drug delivery is another important field where nanotechnology can mimic nature. We can develop semi-intelligent biomedical nanobots propelled by chemicals reactions using its own coating with self motile reactions.<br /><br />So what is the future of nanotechnology? It seems that it won’t be shrinking mechanical engineering. Nanotechnology will be soft and bio based. It will be more like biology than engineering.<br /><br />Once again we must be very cautious with the toxicity of this nanotechnology advances and we must engage with the public about nanotechnology before polarised positions appears.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks to prof. Richard Jones from the Univ. of Sheffield</span><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Recommended links: <a href="http://www.softmachines.org/">http://www.softmachines.org/</a>; <a href="http://www.shef.ac.uk/physics/people/rjones/">http://www.shef.ac.uk/physics/people/rjones/</a>; <a href="http://nanobot.blogspot.com/">http://nanobot.blogspot.com/</a>; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanorobotics">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanorobotics</a></span></p>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-4088166427827649042007-05-29T11:36:00.000+02:002007-05-30T09:26:40.504+02:00Soft machines I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9tmm0-tJMRfswVMbTvHPtHxb5pfz94tgQrsN0DsXGDk_EtpRo47GLaRiEstlQMfn1xxkdTKMJU8qggi_YekFkAYMmH6xZof2omhxaxsMuJAOQ9OfAL0CYPicuyWFb_nKp0lcacl4Kyk/s1600-h/nanobot01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069921065231911394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9tmm0-tJMRfswVMbTvHPtHxb5pfz94tgQrsN0DsXGDk_EtpRo47GLaRiEstlQMfn1xxkdTKMJU8qggi_YekFkAYMmH6xZof2omhxaxsMuJAOQ9OfAL0CYPicuyWFb_nKp0lcacl4Kyk/s200/nanobot01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>History of technology is about how to increase precision and miniaturisation. When we talk about nanotechnology is ease to let our mind fly and think about little nanobots fixing our body from the inside. But is this what the future has for us? Let’s take a closer look.</strong><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Physics change at the nanoscale. Classical concepts of engineering change.Things like the viscosity of the water, how do we stick things together, Brownian motion and biocompatibility enter in game. We also must take the step between nanoscience and nanotechnology. The scalability and economical viability of the process is critical when we are talking about industrial process. So where are the nanomachines?<br /><br />Is there any nanomachine working today? The answer is yes. Cell biology is full of them and we must look at the efficiency of the biology at the nanoscale. We should copy nature because of its optimal efficiency in biology nanotechnology, biological designs… and we must be aware that it will be hard to do better nature itself!<br /></div></span><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">But, why is biological nanotechnology so efficient? Design principles are quite different from macro engineering and biology exploits the principles of the nanoscales. In the next post we will see how nanotechnology can mimic nature to use these principles.</span></div>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-67304808591688331582007-05-29T09:26:00.001+02:002007-05-31T08:44:40.359+02:00Nano Expo 07<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yX4bzj6ZmGkVPAJHMWOGy0AcKNptr48w2bW5Oct2GeMTBG_c7ClHsvEVsRfj209IGU5mwtuKKBHeUk6AgQa9jDJeERFr0tSGhgyod0zGz6J5dRv4fuXouVqCIEYr1ZzhTzx4wP7hJEo/s1600-h/Imagen(082).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069881238000175538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yX4bzj6ZmGkVPAJHMWOGy0AcKNptr48w2bW5Oct2GeMTBG_c7ClHsvEVsRfj209IGU5mwtuKKBHeUk6AgQa9jDJeERFr0tSGhgyod0zGz6J5dRv4fuXouVqCIEYr1ZzhTzx4wP7hJEo/s200/Imagen(082).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Nano Expo 07 was succesfully held on Last 16 & 17 May 2007 at EMCC, Nottingham. </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKETV1Rb5HCJc6G1ZsAcAi_o0sXHOQI7-bHIxRoFX0Gqt7vBHVbgbRB35uKu9ALoBY0f8FEgYuLzEaiA2sTxSJlEVMB6IjpzUekJxgsNQbBHh4om8lVkIK4sRvjvySCXGmhMGGnDFSYxE/s1600-h/Imagen(084).jpg"></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Robin Hood's land welcomed the nanotech and nanoscience community. There was time for business and for science in the last Nano Expo in the East Midlands Conference Center, Nottingham. Nanotoxicology is one of the most controversial <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKETV1Rb5HCJc6G1ZsAcAi_o0sXHOQI7-bHIxRoFX0Gqt7vBHVbgbRB35uKu9ALoBY0f8FEgYuLzEaiA2sTxSJlEVMB6IjpzUekJxgsNQbBHh4om8lVkIK4sRvjvySCXGmhMGGnDFSYxE/s1600-h/Imagen(084).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069881246590110162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKETV1Rb5HCJc6G1ZsAcAi_o0sXHOQI7-bHIxRoFX0Gqt7vBHVbgbRB35uKu9ALoBY0f8FEgYuLzEaiA2sTxSJlEVMB6IjpzUekJxgsNQbBHh4om8lVkIK4sRvjvySCXGmhMGGnDFSYxE/s200/Imagen(084).jpg" border="0" /></a>topics of nanotechnology. People from Eminate (organizers of the event) are well aware of this and they prepared very interesting talks about it, with the presence of the FDA from USA. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">There was also talks related to The Impact of Regulations on the Application of Nanotechnology, Diagnostics, imaging and sensors, Manufacturing & Commercialisation, Nano-particles, drug delivery and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf99pLUz3oGyFkjEzexi2afOWE0i-rISWAkUJ3Gjwm0juApTs4WNyzORrIA-p3dzGljDFzOzKAx2szew1y3bn5ab0hyphenhyphendccefaY1VeRiG4A460N8h5JjfZj4UNDBPhpX8MtgLBZ8xee6yE/s1600-h/Imagen(083).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069881242295142850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf99pLUz3oGyFkjEzexi2afOWE0i-rISWAkUJ3Gjwm0juApTs4WNyzORrIA-p3dzGljDFzOzKAx2szew1y3bn5ab0hyphenhyphendccefaY1VeRiG4A460N8h5JjfZj4UNDBPhpX8MtgLBZ8xee6yE/s200/Imagen(083).jpg" border="0" /></a>Future opportunities and public perception.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">The city gave a reception to all participants in the Council House of Nottingham. There was also a public lecture 'Nanotechnology: life-changing new applications' by Dr Alan Smith.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Companies like Carl Zeiss, Nanocentral and associations like ENTA were in the event. Nanogap represented spanish nanotechnology once again. Luis Manuel Alonso, Nanogap business manager has informed us that Nanogap is now part of the NIA (Nanotechnology Industries Association; <a href="http://www.nanotechia.co.uk">http://www.nanotechia.co.uk</a>). Nanogap is now part of the two major associations of european nanotechnology, ENTA and the NIA.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com0