Everyday Nanotechnology Conference

Cleveland will be hosting "Nano Week" October 17-21. One of the events in the Nano week is a conference, Oct. 17-19, that focuses on three industry specific applications: Aerospace, automotive and consumer products. Companies like 3M, Procter & Gamble, NanoDynamics, etc. will be presenting on consumer products. Click here for a schedule.

"Finally, a Nanotechnology Conference Completely Dedicated to Today's Product Applications.
Get beyond the research. Beyond the hype. And explore the next generation of products and applications that will transform the aerospace, automotive, and consumer product markets. Join us for the most applications-focused nanotechnology conference ever held, anywhere in the world.

With three industry-specific conference tracks, your entire day is focused on nanotechnology applications for your industry. Learn what major manufacturers and product developers are focused on and what products are coming next. There’s even a University Commercialization Showcase where you can make contacts and discuss application-needs with nanotechnology-transfer agents from top university research programs." (http://www.asminternational.org/nano/).

(Picture from http://www.asminternational.org/nano/consumer.htm)

Nautral Nano & their everyday applications

I "rediscovered" an interesting nano company, Natural Nano, that utilizes nanoparticles that are made the natural way, by Mother Nature. In fact, they have discovered halloysite nanotubes in clay found in Utah. The company is planning on using their halloysite nanotubes for a number of applications, ranging from cosmetics to plastics. Their website claims that over 200 commercial applications are possible.

Natural Nano will be participating in an upcoming meeting in Chciago, NanoCommerce/SEMI NanoForum 2005 (Nov. 1-3).

(Picture from http://www.naturalnano.com/halloysite/index.html)

Nanotechnology: The next industrial revolution

I found a good article about how nano will be one of the next industrial revolutions. The article also discusses the potential of molecular biology and information science to be industrial revolutions. One interesting point is that the overlap of these revolutions will create a synergy in engineering and economics:

Industrial revolutions in the 21st century

Nanotechnology Impacts Music, but not the iPod Nano!

While sitting at a loud local concert in Ann Arbor last night, I couldn't help but wonder how nanotechnology will impact the music scene (maybe earplugs integrating nanotech would be a good start).

Established by the Blue Velvet Bar & Nightclub , nanosounds.com claims that they can control sound at the micro and nanoscale for high resolution music. This is the first time I have heard of any such attempt. On their site you can even listen to samples of their compositions. Also check out the Molecular Media Project. Next time I go to a concert, I will keep an eye out for a "nano-band."

Another way to make nanomusic is to learn how to play the nano-guitar. Harold Craighead and his graduate students have fabricated a nanoscale guitar. The strings can actually be "plucked" using an atomic force microscope. I guess I can get rid of my pick now.

However, the iPod nano uses no nanotechnology. Markerters seem more and more eager to throw the label "nano" on their products.

(photo from http://www.news.cornell.edu/science/July97/guitar.ltb.html)

Europeans believe Nanotechnology will impact industry & everyday lives

In Europe people believe nanotechnology will play a role in their day-to-day lives in the next decade:

"Jan. 7, 2005 – The vast majority of Europeans believe nanotechnology will impact industry and everyday life in Europe within a decade, according to a survey conducted for the European Commission. Almost half predicted Europe would face a shortage of qualified workers before 2015, and most supported more funding for interdisciplinary education and research.

The commission unveiled the survey results today. They are based on the European Union-funded study, “Outcome of the Open Consultation on the European Strategy for Nanotechnology,” which was completed in December. "

From Small Times's
SURVEY: EUROPEANS SEE NANO IMPACTING INDUSTRY, EVERYDAY LIFE

Eric Drexler: Computers, solar cells, material stronger than steel, etc.

I just came across Eric Drexler's new website, which has some good links and info. In the middle of the page are links to pages that discuss nanotechnology's potential impact on computing, solar cells, and material that is 100 times stronger than steel.

Site Description:
"This site focuses on the science behind emerging technologies of broad importance, summarizing research results and offering technical perspectives on research directions. It includes tutorial material, new results, annotated bibliographies and links to external web resources. Initial topics include nanotechnology-based production systems (central to the future of physical technology), and secure, distributed computing (central to the future of informational technology). In both these areas, several widespread assumptions are very wrong. A better understanding can benefit both technical leaders seeking productive directions for research and development and policy makers aiming to make wise decisions." - e-drexler.com

Carbon Nanotubes Create Lighter and Stronger Bikes

Easton Sports has developed a way of replacing resin in carbon-fiber parts with carbon nanotubes. This replacement will result in lighter and stronger components for their top of the line bikes.

This technology has been developed with Zyvex. The Easton website has a FAQs page regarding the technology and Zyvex: Introduction to carbon nanotubes and enhanced composites


"Carbon nanotubes have been called “the strongest fiber that will ever be made”. Nanotubes have a strength-to-weight ratio orders of magnitude greater than steel. Easton’s proprietary process impregnates the resin/fiber matrix with evenly distributed carbon nanotubes. The addition of real carbon nanotubes greatly improves the toughness and strengthens Easton’s already legendary components." - Easton

"Beginning in 2005, many Easton carbon components will feature carbon nanotube (CNT) technology. This is just the beginning. Easton is committed to continued research and development using these exciting new materials. Watch closely as Easton introduces new super-strong products implementing nanotechnology in the coming years." -Easton

Kevin Maney Quote

I have posted one of Maney's articles in Spray on Solar Cells - Weaning the US from Oil, but I just came across a quote of his that examplifies the perspective of this blog. Here it is:

'I try to cover "around the corner" technologies that are
going to impact everyday life, and nanotech is definitely in
that category. I don't even think we can conceive of all the
ways it will affect us. Really, it's like the invention of plastic
in the mid-twentieth century -- plastic became part of
almost everything around us, and so will nanotech
materials. It might make lighter baseball bats, or paint that
can change color, or clothes that become waterproof when
it rains and let air in when it's hot. Watching the
technology unfold will be one of the high points of the
next decade.' - From USA Today

Spray on Solar Cells - Weaning the US from Oil

Several years back, I had a discussion with my biologist friend who explained how great it would be to have solar panel paint. You could just paint solar cells wherever you want: on the roof of your house, on your car, and maybe even the shoulder of freeways.

It looks like we are on our way to such technologies. Several companies are working toward printable and paintable solar cells. Nanosolar is already using a semiconductor "paint" to fabricate printable solar cells. Other companies include Konarka and Nanosys.

Imagine what new nano solar-paint technologies could do for our country. When it comes to energy production, nano has the potential to make the US self-sufficient. Why should the US be self-sufficient. One argument is for money. "One-third of the U.S. trade deficit is from imported oil. We buy 40% of the world's oil production" (Kevin Maney's USA Today article). Another interesting article can be found here.

Michael Crichton's Prey

While attending a lecture at the University of Michigan on dendrimers and advances toward curing cancer (also see PEBBLEs ), I was introduced to Michael Crichton's Prey. I figured if it were in a scientific talk, I should see what the book was all about.

A Summary:
The story revolves around a character that is a stay at home Dad who recently lost his job. However, his wife is working at a company developing nanotechnology. She starts acting strange and the next thing you know the story is in the desert with the main character killing swarms of nanocritters. The plot thickens further when you realize the swarms envelope people and basically control them (maybe that is the highest example of everyday nanotechnology!). Thus, eliminating the desert swarms was not the end of it. All-in-all, some people die, there is a large explosion, a helicopter flies away, and the story is over.

The Good:
My favorite part of the book was the introduction. It seemed that Crichton had a good handle on nanotechnology. He gave some nice statistics and a good overview. The book was an easy (and enjoyable) read that will make a nice movie.

The Bad:
At a couple points in the read, I felt like Crichton had actually written the book to be a good movie rather than a good book. I read somewhere online that he had sold the movie rights to the book for 10 million before he had even written it. Thus, contributing to the fact that the book seemed a pre-planned movie.

I had trouble accepting the science he put forth. There are even a couple points where his size scales are off. Being a scientist, I can't help but notice these types of errors. But - as when watching a scifi film - you sometimes have to turn off your science brain.

The book spins nano in a negative way.

Overall View:
Weak on the science. Strong on the story. Read the intro!

Dohh!

My first post got deleted after typing several paragraphs...Ugh! So, now I am going to keep it short. Here are some definitions/concepts:
Nanotechnology(science):
A technology or science that utilizes the novel properties of materials or devices that have a dimension below 100 nm. I should have an entire blog on what nano is. So, look for one in the future.
Everyday Nanotechnology:
The impact that nanotechnology will have on our regular lifestyles. I have become very interested in exploring these applications and have come across a plethora of examples - everything from spray on solar panels, carbon nanotube lightbulb, and even hair products (maybe the hair products are more like pseudo-everydaynano).