Picture of the day

Based on an interpretation of existing and potential nanoscale technology, a "Stinger" engages in a delicate surgical operation to remove a cancer tumor. The Stinger nanorobot can inject a toxin or medicine of choice, either autonomously, or through teleoperation.

Visit artist Erik Victor's website

As with the previous picture, I will post the others in this series over time. To see it all now, visit the Nanotechnology Now Gallery.

Quote of the day

If the U.S. could manufacture large-scale products with high flexibility, high quality, and extremely low cost, it would possess an economic driver much larger than the whole of computing technology in the last quarter century. This is not an exaggeration, nor is it a description of a free lunch. It is the recognition of an economic opportunity that will accrue to any country that develops molecular manufacturing first.

~Neil Jacobstein, Ralph Merkle, Robert Freitas
Balancing the National Nanotechnology Initiative's R&D Portfolio

Building Materials and Housing Systems

One of the things my clients rely on is my keeping them up to date on current and future applications of nanoscale materials.

Today, while researching the building materials industry, a tidy little article by NanoVic crossed my desk.

Normally I won’t use this space to report news, but in this case I think an exception is warranted.

Here is an excerpt, which, taken as a whole (and including all the usual caveats), seems very promising:

Building materials

* Corrosion protective roofing and cladding using nanometer scale corrosion inhibitor coatings.
* Glass with properties such as self cleaning coatings. Transparent / opaque switchable glass, UV blocking glass, heat management glass coatings.
* High performance insulation materials based on nanoporous aerogel materials.
* Paint coatings with enhanced UV protection, and durability using transparent UV adsorbing nanoparticles, nanodyes, and nanoadditives.
* Antibacterial household fittings based on silver nanoparticles or light activated nanoparticles.
* Fire retardant materials using nanoparticles or nanoclays.
* Easy clean surfaces based on surface nanostructures that produce water-repellent surfaces.

Housing systems

* Water treatment systems based on nanofiltration and light activated nanoparticles that facilitate household water recycling.
* Energy efficient lighting using light conducting materials that transmit light and energy efficient LED and electroluminescent based lighting.
* Advances in energy generation using solar generation and advanced energy storage systems will enable freedom from grid electricity and environmental sustainability
* Intelligent housing systems that respond to stimuli such as temperature, light, and airflow to continually optimize the environment inside the building.

This list is by no means exhaustive, it does however, give you a glimpse into areas where nanoscale materials are making inroads. Areas that, collectively, represent hundreds of billions of dollars in annual revenues, and a huge number of jobs.

Read the entire article here