Picture of the day

Under Water 2006

From NanoArt 2006. © Copyright Vijay Kochar (click to see larger version)

NANOART is a new art discipline related to micro/nanosculptures created by artists/scientists through chemical/physical processes and/or natural micro/nanostructures that are visualized with powerful research tools like Scanning Electron Microscope and Atomic Force Microscope.

NanoArt could be for the 21st Century what Photography was for the 20th Century. We live in a technological society, in a new Renaissance period, and there is no reason for Arts to stay away from Technology. NanoArt is the expression of the New Technological Revolution and reflects the transition from Science to Art using Technology.

See all of Vijay Kochar's NanoArt 2006 entries here, or visit his website.

Please contact me if you would like to submit an image. (rocky at bir-consulting.com)

Quote of the day

"Exponential or near-exponential advances in everything from computer processing power to data storage to bandwidth, and amazing scientific advances in disease diagnostic technology, brain-scanning technology, pharmacogenetics, and proteomics, are poised to usher in an age of unprecedented change -- change that will require many corporations to modify their existing business models, or adopt new ones, if they hope to remain competitive."

~Jack Uldrich, Author of Investing in Nanotechnology

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"The future is not a roulette wheel that we sit back and watch as worried spectators. It's a matter of work. We should see the risks, see the possibilities, and do what we can to make sure that future outcomes are the ones that we desire."

~Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University

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"Nano brings in a revolution in the culture of the potential pharma world. It's no longer chemical, it's no longer biological-it's different."

~Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., Professor of nanotechnology at the University of Texas Health Science Center

Show me the money, Pt. II

Today I will again cover what’s happening in the nano-investment world.

Here is a list of some of the investments going to "nanotech" companies, universities, and VC funds, for the 2-week period between January 27, 2007 and February 9, 2007.

Why did I put nanotech in quotes? Because the definition of nanotechnology remains elusive at best, and is often purposefully misapplied to fit the self-promotional goals of some companies who may not actually be working with nanoscale materials. The listings below are all "legit" nanotech.

Given the importance of investing, I will revisit this topic at least once a month.

--Alliance of Angels invested $5.8 million in 31 companies in 2006. Modumetal received funding. Websites: http://www.allianceofangels.com/ & http://www.modumetal.com/ (appears to be under construction)

--API Nanotronics Corp. buys National Hybrid Inc. and its subsidiary Pace Technology Inc. for $9.75 million. Website: http://www.apinanotronics.com

--Analytical Nano Technologies (ANT) raised £450,000 from private equity sources.

--$300 million to develop an international nanotechnology facility (amount requested by NY Gov. Eliot Spitzer).

--China jumps to second place in terms of overall government investment in nanotechnology in 2006 with $1.1 billion (the US was at $1.57 b).

--Emergency Filtration Products will place up to $1.65 million (in common stock) with two investors. Website: http://emergencyfiltration.com

--US President Bush asked Congress for $1.45 billion for nanotechnology for FY 2008, up 4.2% from 2007.

--NIST may get as much as a $50 million increase for FY 2007 for physical science programs and nanotechnology research. Website: http://www.nist.gov/

--NanoMed Pharmaceuticals announced second closing of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock investment by SWMF Life Science Venture Fund (amount not disclossed). Websites: http://www.nanomedpharm.com/ & http://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/VentureFund.cfm

-- NanoQuébec budgets nearly $700,000 for eight nanotechnology research projects. Funding partners, NSERC, the NRC and Precarn. Website: http://www.nanoquebec.ca/

Nanotech investing events of interest:

Towards Finnish – Russian cooperation in commercializing nanotechnologies
Feb 8, 2007
http://www.swbusiness.fi/portal/87/?view=16623


Please contact me at rocky at bir-consulting.com for detailed reports on this or any other "nanotech" area, including advanced materials, nanomedicine, energy, etc.

Picture of the day

Nano Curl

From NanoArt 2006. © Copyright Eva Lewarne (click to see larger version)

NANOART is a new art discipline related to micro/nanosculptures created by artists/scientists through chemical/physical processes and/or natural micro/nanostructures that are visualized with powerful research tools like Scanning Electron Microscope and Atomic Force Microscope.

NanoArt could be for the 21st Century what Photography was for the 20th Century. We live in a technological society, in a new Renaissance period, and there is no reason for Arts to stay away from Technology. NanoArt is the expression of the New Technological Revolution and reflects the transition from Science to Art using Technology.

See all of Eva Lewarne's NanoArt 2006 entries here, or visit her website.

Please contact me if you would like to submit an image. (rocky at bir-consulting.com)

Quote of the day

"Nanotech is where breakthroughs are likely. Forget about just the cancer-detection and other advanced medical tools it's midwifing and the next-gen consumer electronics such as super-bright displays. On a planet that's on the cusp of catastrophic climate change, nano-engineered materials have the potential to make a real difference. Imagine solar power cells that are far cheaper and more efficient; batteries that allow for more efficient electric cars; components that make cleaner coal-fired power plants. These and other applications are hardly trivial--they'll save energy, reduce pollution, and maybe go a little way to making sure Times Square won't be under water for the next millennium celebration."

~David Talbot link

Clean Technologies, Pt I

Clean Technologies (cleantech) include solar (PV), wind systems, fuel cells, wave and tide systems, biomass, geothermal, hybrid vehicles, water purification and others.

Investments in cleantech are rising. According to the Cleantech Venture Network, clean technologies investment was $1.6 billion in 2005, up 34.9% over 2004. In 2006 investment in cleantech was $2.9 billion, representing a 78% increase over 2005, and a 140% increase over 2004 ($1.2 b).

Why invest in cleantech? Bottom line: demand for energy is growing (think China), and supplies of traditional energy, especially oil, are not growing. Also, as the public becomes increasingly aware of the consequences of pollution, cleantech demand rises. According to Frost & Sullivan, wind, solar and “clean power” will rise from a combined market total of $13.5 billion in 2000 to an estimated $91.5 billion in 2012.

Where does nanotechnology (nanoscale materials) come in? Many “clean” technologies are either enhanced by nanotechnologies or enabled by them. For instance, consider “nanomagnets” that could help treat arsenic-contaminated water (1), concrete treated with nanoscale titanium dioxide that reduces auto pollution (2), nanotechnology-enabled solar cells that become efficient enough to compete with traditional energy generation methods (some say we’ll see these in less than 5 years), and the use of materials that will greatly reduce weight (think automobile bodies and components) while at the same time increasing strength (already happening). There are many other examples, and many new ones added every day. The promise of nanotech-enabled cleantech is huge.

Here is a tidbit for you to consider:

“The Cleantech Venture Network forecasts that cleantech venture capital investment opportunities for major institutional investors globally through 2009 are estimated at $17 billion, with $10 billion in North America, $5 billion in Europe and $2 billion for the rest of the world. Cleantech Venture Network research has also shown that for every $100 million invested into venture-backed companies, 2,700 new jobs are created and the overall economy receives a 5x positive impact in related economic growth.”

From: Institutional Investors Surpass $1 B Clean Technology Investment Goal http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=46126

Want to learn how your company can take advantage of this trend? Visit bir-consulting.com.

(1) http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17776&ch=nanotech
(2) http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/CL/News/Valuing_Clean_Nanotech.asp