from the less-is-more dept.
In a brief article on Tech Central Station ("Small Is Beautiful", 7 January 2002), Duane D. Freese highlights some recent progress in nanotech-related research, and advocates a decidedly limited role for government-funded research and development: "As the potential for nanotechnology moves out of the lab, government spending ought to mimic the technology — and shrink."
Kristine Palmquist writes "Small Times has an extensive article on the increase of nano research and industry in Louisiana. Coverage includes R&D efforts by: the Louisiana Technology Council; Louisiana State University's Advanced Materials Research Institute, Health Sciences Center, and Neuroscience Center; University of Louisiana at Lafayette; Tulane University; University of New Orleans Research and Technology Park; Mezzo Systems; Analytical Specialties, Inc.; Axxon LLC; Louisiana Tech's Institute for Micromachining; the Louisiana Accelerator Center; and a consortium of Louisiana Universities, The Micro/Nano Technologies Consortium for Advanced Physical, Chemical and Biological Sensors."
An article from the Inter Press Service ("Nanotech should help the world, not just the West, experts warn", 2 January 2002) says "Scientific breakthroughs last year heralded potential benefits for developing countries but experts urge that research be managed in a socially responsible manner." The piece focuses on breakthroughs in nanotechnology (molecular electronics and computing, in particular) and their potential impact on the developing world. The article contains extensive quotes from the Foresight Guidelines for the safe development of nanotechnology. Also quoted are the head of the United Nations Development Program and the non-profit American Council for the United Nations University; both organizations cited the need to ensure that scientists from around the world — not just in the West — actively participate in cutting-edge research projects.
from the World-Watch dept.
According to a University of Queensland (Australia) news release (11 December 2001), the Queensland Government and the University of Queensland have formally announced the establishment a $50 million Australian Institute of Bio-Engineering and Nanotechnology at the UQ St. Lucia campus in Brisbane. Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said the Institute was the first project to be funded through the $A 100 million Smart State Research Facilities Fund established in this yearís State Budget. Although the new institute will initially focus on biotechnology-related research and development, Beattie said, ìNanotechnology will provide the building blocks of the future. Itís the ëSmart Stateí technologies that will drive employment opportunities in Queensland in the years ahead.î
The announcement said the Queensland Government, the University of Queensland and "an overseas philanthropic organization" are funding the new institute. Beattie said the Australian national Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) would also be a key contributor to the institute. Beattie had announced plans to establish the center at a biotechnology conference in June 2001. The St. Lucia campus is already home to the University of Queensland NanoMaterials Centre (NanoMac) and Nanotechnology and Biomaterials Centre.
In a related development, on 18 December 2001 Premier Beattie also invited the collaboration of researchers in New Zealand with the new University of Queensland institute. "The NEST group (the Nanostructure Engineering, Science and Technology group) at the University of Canterbury [in New Zealand] is highly regarded by their colleagues in Queensland. . . . Links with the new Australian Institute would be a natural fit and could be beneficial to both parties," Beattie said.
from the penny-wise… dept.
According to an article from the Gannett News Service (ìNASAís future in balance; closures seem imminentî, by Larry Wheeler, 26 December 2001), the Bush Administration is conducting a thorough review of the core needs and capabilities of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). According to the article, the review will include consideration of the possibility of closing down one of NASAís ten major regional centers. The report states that one of the centers that is considered vulnerable to closure or conversion to a private, non-government research park is the Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, in the south San Francisco Bay area. NASA Ames is home to the Center for Nanotechnology. The impact that closure of the Ames Center, and any other cuts that might result from the review, would have on NASA nanotechnology efforts is unclear.
According to an article on the Small Times website ("Lieberman working on U.S. Senate bill that would ensure nanotechg funding", by Doug Brown, 26 December 2001), Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman is working with several U.S. senators to craft the nationís first broad nanotechnology bill, which will probably be introduced in February or March. The article cites an unnamed senior aide to Sen. Lieberman as its source. Other senators involved in drafting the bill were not named.
According to the article, Lieberman is pushing a bill to ensure that nanotechnology receives as much money and overall federal support as it needs and will likely call for some changes in the way nanotechnology gets federal funding, the Lieberman aide said. Federal investments in nanotechnology education and infrastructure, too, will be addressed in the bill. The bill is also intended to ensure that the federal government is aware of precisely what types of nanotechnology research other countries are conducting and how much they are spending. Finally, the bill will also address potential societal and ethical implications of nanotechnology.
from the current-events dept.
The editors of the journal Science, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and one of the leading scientific journals worldwide, have highlighted the field of molecular electronics as this yearís "Breakthrough of the Year" in the a special issue of the journal (20 December 2001). As usual, you cannot access their announcement or coverage online unless you are a subscriber.
However, some spot news coverage is available in articles from Reuters News Service and Associated Press (via the New York Times). Advances in the field have also been covered extensively here on nanodot. Just use the keyword "molectronics" in the search field.
from the Small-stuff dept.
According to a press release (20 December 2001), two Virginia Tech research projects — to develop new sensors for detecting pathogens and DNA, and to improve molecular devices in electronic applications — received Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER) grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Research by Massimiliano Di Ventra of Virginia Techís Department of Physics and a joint effort of Randy Heflin of physics and Kevin Van Cott of chemical engineering is exploring the nanoscale world through computer simulations and a combination of optics, thin-film technology, and analytical biochemistry.
from the World-Watch dept.
An extensive article on the Small Times website ("China, emboldened by breakthroughs, sets out to become nanotech power", by Jen Lin-Liu, 17 December 2001) describes recent advances in the production of carbon nanotubes in China, and discusses the overall direction and strategies of Chinese nanotechnology programs:
"In laboratories across China, researchers at universities are intensely studying the potential of nanotubes and nanowires ñ some reporting breakthroughs that have escaped the West. The scientists, most of whom have interdisciplinary backgrounds in chemistry, physics and engineering, are first seeing how far they can stretch their imaginations before they translate their discoveries into practical applications. China plans to intensify research in the field, aiming to prove that the country has the potential to become a powerhouse in nanotechnology."
An article in the Philadelphia Business Journal (ì$1.3M raised to aid area nanotechnologyî, by J. George, 16 November 2001) reports a coalition of Philadelphia-area universities, economic development groups and businesses have raised $1.32 million to bolster efforts to turn the region into a nanotechnology hub. A portion of the money will be used to develop associate degree programs in nanotechnology at community colleges in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. A coalition led by the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and Ben Franklin Technology Partners has received a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation under its "Partnerships for Innovation" program. That grant was augmented by a $300,000 matching grant from the state of Pennsylvania, $300,000 from Ben Franklin Technology Partners and $118,000 from five corporate partners. Last year, The Pennsylvania Technology Investment Authority awarded the coalition a three-year, $10.5 million grant for the creation of a Nanotechnology Institute that would link university researchers and businesses developing molecular-scale technologies.
