Latest Reports & Publications

New U.S. institute eyes next generation of nano engineers Nine (the National Institute for Nano-Engineering), a recently-formed government education organization under Sandia Labs, will focus on generating student interest in nanoelectronics, nanoenergy generation and nanomanufacturing.

More soldiers in nanotechnology labs? This article highlights the increasing military support for research and development, especially in the area of nanotechnology, where the US Department of Defense contributes 30% of the funding for the US Nanotechnology Initiative.


Minority Professors Are Underrepresented in Top Science Programs, Report Says
Students in underrepresented minority groups earn undergraduate and doctoral degrees in science and engineering at much greater rates than minority professors hold faculty jobs in those same disciplines at the nation's top research universities. That is a key finding of a new report, released on Wednesday, that was financed by the National Science Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The report found that the gap between the proportion of science and engineering degrees awarded to underrepresented minority students and the proportion of minority faculty members in those disciplines means that those minority students have very few same-race role models. That in turn, says the report, could lead to a decline in the number of minority students who want to pursue degrees in the disciplines.

SCIENCE | NU making a big difference in the world of nanotech Northwestern University has become a hub for nanotechnology research, its scientists playing major roles in the 30 nanotech startups in Illinois. These companies have attracted $250 million in venture capital in the past few years.

Why UVA will spend $20 million on 6 professors UVA has launched a $126 million initiative to improve its standing in the sciences. The university is using the money to attract superstar faculty as well as to improve research facilities and attract better junior faculty.

NASA Selects Penn State to Lead National Education Initiative NASA has selected the Pennsylvania State University's Center for Science and Schools in University Park to lead the agency's Aerospace Education Service Project, a comprehensive educational program designed to reach out to all 50 states and U.S. territories.

Michigan Universities Gaining in Innovative Research

CNM called one of best in micro, nanotech Due to its partnerships with Sandia National Labs and the University of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College’s Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems Program has been named one of the top four in the nation among community colleges.

Purdue nanotechnology program moves up in rankings Purdue’s $58 million Birck Nanotechnology Center, which opened in October 2005, has earned Purdue Small Times Magazine’s designation of 8th best nanotechnology program in the nation.

$20 Million Donation To Create Nanotechnology Center at University of Pennsylvania Krishna Singh, founder, president and chief executive officer of Holtec International, an energy-technology company, has donated $20 million to the University of Pennsylvania to create a 100,000 square foot nanotechnology facility.

Nanoscience Expert and Experienced Academic to Head Rensselaer Biology Department Susan P. Gilbert has been appointed to the head of the Rensselaer biology department. Her work involves nanoscale molecular motors and her influence will strengthen the department’s commitment to biotechnology and new research.

Support for Doctoral Students Provided by $3 Million NSF Grant The National Science Foundation has granted the University of Kentucky $3 million for the new Integrative Graduation Education Research Training (IGERT) program, which aims to serve graduate students involved in multidisciplinary research, including nanotechnology.

Teaching Nanotech Through Child's Play FEI Company is sponsoring NanoMission(TM), a series of video games produced by PlayGen, a London-based company, that aim to inspire young students to pursue interests in science and technology.


Fact Sheet:: America Competes Act of 2007 A short summary of the America Competes Act, which aims to support scientific innovation through education, research, job training, and worker incentives.

America needs a new formula for success in the sciences This op-ed by the Dean of Southern Methodist University’s School of Engineering and co-founder of the Infinity Project, a national high school program for engineering and innovation, praises the America Competes act and condemns the condition of US high schools, emphasizing the need to change teaching methods and improve instruction.

Justice Department Will Not Oppose Proposal for Joint Research Related to Oil and Gas Exploration Several oil companies as well as the University of Texas at Austin have formed the Advanced Energy Consortium (AEC), with aims to research and discover nanotechnology-based methods for finding and extracting petroleum. The US Justice Department voted to allow this organization on the basis that it is research-oriented and does not violate antitrust laws.

Coalition releases proposed nanotech rules A coalition under the International Center for Technology Assessment has released a set of rules for containing the possible hazards of nanotechnology.

EPA's Actions on Health Risks of Nanomaterials Called 'Too Little, Too Late' Some groups, such as Environmental Defense, are criticizing the EPA voluntary Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program for not being strict enough in regulating nanotechnology’s potential adverse effects on health and the environment.

Nanotechnology development bill introduced in U.S. Congress With input from the the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Nanotechnology (BRTFN), Congress introduced HR 3235, the Nanotechnology Advancement and New Opportunities (NANO) Act to promote development regulation of nanotechnology in the United States.

US FDA lacks resources to regulate nanotechnology The FDA Nanotechnology task force has released a report detailing how products containing nanotechnology will soon comprise a large portion of those products regulated by the FDA. The report also states that the effects of nanotechnology in these products are unknown and that the FDA has little capability to measure or regulate nanotech.

A big push gains on small scale State funding of research alliances aids International Electronic Machines, UAlbany NanoCollege sensor projects With support from federal Small Business Innovation Research Grants and the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research, nanotechnology companies in Albany have been working closely with University of Albany researchers to develop groundbreaking nanotechnology devices, including some of those used by the US Military.

EPA's nano stewardship program concept paper draws response The EPA’s Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program will be a voluntary effort that asks nanoscale manufacturers to implement a nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety ("EHS") risk management program as well as to submit nano-related information for use in EPA's future regulatory decisions. Many manufacturers praised the NMSP, while some environmental groups criticized the program’s voluntary nature.

EPA Looking for Improved Understanding of Nanotechnology Risks and Benefits The Environmental Protection Agency will hold a meeting in efforts to find out: Characteristics currently used or potentially available to characterize nanoscale materials; Rationale for the use of these characteristics; and Issues to consider regarding use of these characteristics in the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program.


The Malaysian Government's High-Tech Emphasis Creates Opportunities for its Automation and Electronics Industry In its pursuit of a 'knowledge economy,' the Malaysian government has formulated numerous policies to attract private and foreign investments in the automation and electronics industry. The Third Industrial Master Plan, Ninth Five Year Plan, and Science and Technology Policy are some of the government policies and programs that can enhance the prospects for semiconductors and related sectors.

UK starts plastic electronics research center Cenamps. a UK nanotechnology center, is launching PETeC, a plastics electronics technology center, which will provide facilities for “smart packaging, electronic newspapers, intelligent signage, point-of-care medical diagnostic devices, drug delivery devices, printed electronics for consumer products, flexible solar cells and solid state lighting.”

SCOTLAND: Scientists Develop Levitation Technology Scientists the University of St. Andrews have developed technology that offers a new way of levitating tiny objects. The technology is designed for applications in nanotechnology, especially in eliminating friction between nanoscale mechanical parts.

TURKEY: Waterless, detergent-free washing machine on its way Over the past year, Samsung, an electronics company, has spent $5.3 billion on R&D to produce a washing machine that needs no detergent or water, which aims to save energy and the environment.

ISRAEL: High-tech firms raise $842m in first half of 2007

IINDIA: Centre to give strong push for nanotechnology

Jordan and Kazakhstan agree science cooperation

Industrial Nanotech's Insulation Coating Qualifies for New Construction in Dubai, UAE

Advanced Energy enhances resources for Japanese customers Advanced Energy has improved its Japanese website to provide product, support, applications and corporate information to its Japanese customers.


Nano Firms See Green in Clean-Tech Many large firms and venture capitalists are investing in “clean-tech,” which often means technologies using nanoscale implements such as filtration or insulation devices.

Carbon nanotube pollutants are identified Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have identified cancer-causing compounds, air pollutants and other substances of concern that stem from production of carbon nanotubes.

USA : Book identifies nanotechnology as secret to many 'Must-Have' consumer products A Consumer’s Guide to MEMS and Nanotechnology, by Marlene Bourne, examines how MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) and nanotechnology are playing an integral role in many of today’s must-have products such as cosmetics, apparel, and sporting goods.

Nanotoxicology Study Shows No Pulmonary Toxicity Issues For Type of Carbon Nanotube Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee, both in the U.S., report study findings that indicate that a form of engineered carbon nanoparticles called single-walled carbon nanohorns have shown no pulmonary toxicity in animal tests.

Nanotechnology materials, startups highlighted at ACS symposium Aug. 19 in Boston 19 of the world’s leading scientists came together at a special Presidential symposium, “Material Innovations: from Nanotech to Biotech and Beyond,” at the 234th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston to discuss innovations for human health and productivity.

Industrial Nanotech Distributor Awarded Contract to Supply Nansulate® for BioFuel Refinery Project Industrial Nanotech, Inc. will supply supply over 800 gallons of the company's patented thermally insulating and corrosion resistant coating, Nansulate®, for a new biofuel facility being built by Greenlight Biofuels, Ltd.

Nanotech Lab Design Specialist to Share Expertise at NanoTX'07 John Weinman, head of architecture firm Perkins and Will’s Nanoscience and Engineering Laboratory Group, spoke at NanoTX’07 on the unique requirements of nanotechnology laboratory facilities.

Alliance Targets Emerging Markets With Enabling Technologies The Value Engineering Alliance announces a strategic alliance with the DTI-NanoTech division of Discovery Technology International in order to develop nanopositioning systems which will be used in laboratory, industrial automation and military/intelligence related applications that require computer vision and ultra-precise motion control.

Nanotech’s Impact on Cleantech Growing Rapidly Lux Research has released a report, “Nanotech’s Impact on Energy and Environmental Technologies” that details the growing financial and governmental support for nanotechnology “cleantech” research, but also warns that nanotech may have additional adverse affects on the environment.

Nanosphere, NanoDynamics and NanoOpto (RIP) Three Nano startups went downhill this summer: NanoDynamics attempted to file for IPO and failed, Nanosphere filed for IPO but is losing money rapidly, and NanoOpto was liquidated and sold off to a non-nano company.

Top executive leaving nanotechnology company Timothy J. Stultz is leaving Imago Scientific Instruments to become president of Nanometrics Inc., a Silicon Valley-based nanotech company.

Nanotech unit gets CEO Technologies Inc. named Fred Allen, co-founder and director of the Greater Garden State Nanotechnology Alliance, chief executive officer of its wholly owned subsidiary, AlwaysReady Inc., which produces nano-sized batteries as well as its magnetometer products.

MFIC Corporation Announces Second Quarter Financial Results MFIC Corporation reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. MFIC is an industry-leader in high-shear processing equipment to produce the most uniform and smallest liquid and solid particles available for the biotech, pharmaceutical, chemical, personal care and food industries.

Nanotechnology and the wildcard of advanced software


Automation of Nanotech Manufacturing May Be Ahead In the quest for ever smaller electronic devices, engineers at Duke University have adapted a decades-old computer aided design and manufacturing process to reproduce nanosize structures with features on the order of single molecules.

A Nanotech Approach to Cancer Insert Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Arrowhead Research, has developed a nano drug delivery system, with molecules large enough not to pass through the kidneys but small enough to enter tumor cells.

Antimicrobial Nanotech Product Set To Protect Homes In Hurricane Areas U.S. company BioQuest Technologies, Inc., has announced that it will develop an application of its nanotechnology-based antimicrobial product BioShield 75 to treat microbial problems arising in homes, businesses, and public facilities due to hurricane damage.

Water, nanotechnology's promises, and economic reality Nanotechnology can be used to filter water safely and cheaply, but there are still enough technological and economic obstacles that no dramatic change has been seen in the water industry.

New nanotech battery technology is created Researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created a nanoscale battery that is superlight, flexible, withstands high or low temperatures, can be printed like paper, and can use blood or sweat for power.

Nanotechnology Neckties Help Reduce The Spread Of Infectious Diseases U.S. company SafeSmart, Inc. has developed nano-treated antimicrobial neckties called SafetyTies to reduce the spread of infection and foodborne diseases in the healthcare, hospitality, and food service industries.

Nanoparticles in Your Sunscreen: Too Hot to Handle? Experts differ on their views toward nanotech-based sunscreen: some believe that it is the safest and most effective available, whereas others worry that the nanoparticles will seep into skin and make people sick.

Antimicrobial Nanotech Product Set To Protect Homes In Hurricane Areas BioQuest Technologies, Inc., will focus on adapting the company’s existing and developing nano-technology products for homes and businesses in hurricane paths. The company will modify BioShield 75, the company’s patented, EPA and USDA approved nano-technology preventative product for home, business, and public facility issues.

Eco Friendly Car Washing Eurochem has created a waterless car wash that uses biodegradable inputs.

Nanoscopy - nanoscale resolution in light microscopy Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen, Germany have developed a new microscopy technique called optical 3D far-field microscopy, which illuminates nanoscale images without having to prepare thin sections.

Cognitive revolution through computing, nanotechnology, modeling and simulation Sandia National Laboratories’ Cognitive Science and Technology Program (CS&T) attempts to model the way humans interact with machines.

Advance Nanotech Provides Update On ULTRATUBE Advance Nanotech, Inc. reports progress on ULTRATUBE, a nanofiber which can transmit optical pulses under a trillionth of a second.

Yamaha Introduces World's First Boat Hulls Engineered Using Nanotechnology Yamaha has created NanoXcel, a material used in boat hulls, decks, and liners, which reduces weight by 25% while increasing boat strength.

Diamondoid: Next big thing in nanotechnology? Chevron Technology Ventures’ Molecular Diamond Technologies has created diamondoids, which are tiny clusters of diamond molecules that, due to their exceptional strength and rigidity, have potential uses in the microelectronics, pharmaceutical, and optics industries.

Sensor For Cargo Ships Contract Awarded By Homeland Security To Nano-Proprietary The U.S. Homeland Security Advanced Research Project Agency (HSARPA) has awarded Applied Nanotech, Inc. a contract to create a chemical-based nanosensor to detect humans hiding in cargo ships.

A most powerful detector Oxford Instruments Nanoanalysis, a UK technology company, received the Queen’s award for Enterprise for its INCAS-DryCool, a detector that can be used to examine very mall structures.

Nanotechnology to reduce experiments on animals

Nanotube formation: researchers learn to control the dimensions of metal oxide nanotubes Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are studying how nanotubes form out of their precursor chemical “soup” and how they can regulate the size and diameter of these tubes.

Using nanotechnology to prevent pollution Nanotech is said to contribute to more durable, less toxic or polluting products, more efficient processes, and more energy efficiency.

New Cancer Weapon: Nuclear Nanocapsules Rice University chemists have found a way to package some of nature's most powerful radioactive particles inside DNA-sized tubes of pure carbon -- a method they hope to use to target tiny tumors and even lone leukemia cells.

Action on a Very Small Scale Several companies have come out with computer or video games targeted at young teens that take place in nanoscale environments, such as cells.