Foresight Nanotech Institute Weekly News Digest: July 20, 2005
In this issue:
- Foresight Nanotechnology Challenges – Related News & Events
- Productive Nanosystems Roadmap
- Advanced Nanotech Conference – Updated Program
- Spotlight on Foresight Members – Corporate Member – Sun Microsystems
- Foresight Partners
- Nanotech News & Events
Foresight Nanotechnology Challenges
Foresight has articulated six critical challenges that humanity faces which can be addressed by nanotechnology. In the Weekly News Digest we identify news items, research breakthroughs, and events citing current research and applications providing the stepping-stones to solutions to these challenges.
1. Meeting global energy needs with clean solutions
QuantumSphere, Inc. Accelerates Commercialization, Nanomaterials Product Delivery Capabilities
Appoints Kimberly McGrath, Ph.D. to Director of Fuel Cell Research
News source: Nanotech-Now
QuantumSphere, Inc., the leading manufacturer of metallic nanopowders for applications in aerospace, defense, energy, biomedical and other markets demanding advanced material applications, announced the appointment of Kimberly McGrath, Ph.D., to the position of Director of Fuel Cell Research.
Source
QuantumSphere, Inc. http://www.qsinano.com/
2. Providing abundant clean water globally
Technical Conference: Technology 2005 - The 2nd Joint Specialty Conference for Sustainable Management of Water Quality Systems for the 21st Century
August 28-31, 2005
Sponsored by Water Environment Federation
San Francisco, California
The 2nd Joint Specialty Conference for Sustainable Management of Water Quality Systems for the 21st Century conference features leading engineers and scientists from all over the world who will exchange the latest findings and successful case studies highlighting new technologies, novel applications of established technologies, and innovative solutions to historical operational challenges and to emerging issues—many operating on the nanoscale.
http://www.wef.org/conferences/Wastewater_Technology2005.jhtml
3. Increasing the health and longevity of human life
UCLA chemists create nano valve
News source: PhysOrg.com
UCLA chemists have created the first nano valve that can be opened and closed at will to trap and release molecules. The discovery, federally funded by the National Science Foundation, was published July 19 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
http://www.physorg.com/news5217.html
UCLA http://www.healthcare.ucla.edu/news/
4. Maximizing the productivity of agriculture
The Evolution of Frankenfoods
The multibillion-dollar nanotech industry wants to change what you eat at the molecular level.
News source: AlterNet by John Feffer
Alternet puts forth a skeptical view of the prospect of nanotech in foods:
"Nothing brings home the reality of a new consumer product like eating it. Nanofoods, currently a several billion dollar industry, is expected to grow to $20 billion by 2010. Most of this money is in packaging, but the food component may not stay under wraps for long. Nano-rice, nano-cheese, and hundreds of other products are in the research phase. Nano-agriculture, which relies on advances in microfine fertilizers and pesticides as well as microsensors for precision farming, is also just around the corner. Instead of waiting on the sidelines for the start-ups to work out the kinks, the big boys — Kraft, Nestle, Campbell — are investing large sums, putting their money where our mouths are going to be. Are nanofoods the best thing since sliced bread or simply round two in the "frankenfood" debate?"
http://alternet.org/envirohealth/23534/
Join the discussion about this article on nanodot
http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=1987
5. Making powerful information technology available everywhere
Nanotech manufacturing could break semiconductor biz models—analyst
News source: Tom’s Hardware Guide by Wolfgang Gruener
With semiconductor structures getting smaller every two years, a switch to nanotechnology manufacturing is inevitable and a matter of time. Skyrocketing cost to build nano-fabs will have dramatic effects on the semiconductor industry and force chip companies to rethink their business model, suggests a new research report.
According to Lawrence Gasman, an analyst with the market research firm NanoMarkets, the cost of a new fab could equal the cost of the GDP of small countries. This will get even worse with the introduction of fabs for new nanotechnology manufacturing processes and ultimately can disrupt current semiconductor business models.
Source
Nanomarkets
6. Enabling the development of space
Government Research Institution: NASA Ames Research Center, Center for Nanotechnology
NASA Ames nanotechnology effort started in early 1996 and has steadily grown to establish a Center for Nanotechnology. The research work focuses on experimental research and development in nano and bio technologies as well as on a strong complementary modeling and simulation effort that includes computational nanotechnology, computational nanoelectronics, computational optoelectronics, and computational modeling of processes encountered in nanofabrication. The Center has about 55 scientists working on the above aspects.
The Center’s primary vision is (1) to develop novel concepts in nanotechnology for NASA's future needs on electronics, computing, sensors, and advanced miniaturization of all systems, and (2) to develop highly integrated and intelligent simulation environment that facilitates the rapid development and validation of future generation electronic devices as well as associated materials and processes through virtual prototyping at multiple levels of fidelity.
http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/index.html
Productive Nanosystems Roadmap
The Foresight Nanotech Institute’s Nanotechnology Roadmap process will involve holding a series of workshops and coordinating the contributions of experts from private industry, government, research institutes, and academia. The first workshop has been scheduled for September 2005. As the project progresses we will keep you apprised of meetings, events, and other pertinent news items.
For information about becoming a Roadmap sponsor, contact Jillian Elliott at jillian@foresight.org
Carl F. Kohrt, President and CEO of Battelle, our partner on the roadmap, is the co-chairman of the Foresight Vision Weekend, October 22-23, 2005.
Eric Drexler, Chief Technical Advisor at Nanorex, and Founder of Foresight Nanotech Institute, will give a presentation about the Technology Roadmap for Productive Nanosystems at the Vision Weekend.
For more information about the Vision Weekend: http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/program.html
For more information about the Foresight Nanotech Institute Roadmap Initiative: http://www.foresight.org/roadmaps/index.html
Advancing Beneficial Nanotechnology
Focusing on the Cutting Edge
13th Foresight Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology
October 22-27, 2005
San Francisco Airport Marriott Hotel
http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/index.html
Early Registration Discount – deadline August 30, 2005
Customize your conference experience – Choose the days and sessions that provide the kind of nanotechnology information and contacts you seek. Foresight Nanotech Institute offers an "a la carte" conference so you can select the days that are most valuable to you. Or attend all six days and receive a comprehensive overview: from Vision, through current Applications and Policy work, to Research on the cutting edge of advanced nanotechnology.
http://foresight.org/conference2005/registration.html
Conference Speakers and Updated Program
We have added new speakers since our last email. Follow this link to our conference website to view the program and speakers list:
http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/index.html
Selected Program Highlights
http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/index.html
Vision Weekend – October 22-23, 2005
Debate: Nanotechnology: Revolutionary or Questionable?
Jerry Mander, Director, International Forum on Globalization
Ralph Merkle, Dept. of Computer Science, Georgia Tech
Soft Machines: Why Nano will be like Bio, Richard A.L. Jones, University of Sheffield, UK
Applications & Policy – October 24-25, 2005
Panel: Nanotech for clean energy
Clark Gellings, VP Innovation, Electric Power Research Institute
Michael Pak, President and CEO, Nanostellar
Debate: Is the public interest being protected?
Norris Alderson, Associate Commissioner for Science, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Adam Werbach, Conservationist and former President, Sierra Club
Research – October 26-27, 2005
Tutorial: Molecular Nanotechnology Research Overview
David Forrest, U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center
Nanotechnology Research in Japan
Hiroshi Yokoyama, International Chair and Director, Nanotechnology Research Institute, AIST, Japan
For complete program:
http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/index.html
Spotlight On Foresight Members
Foresight Nanotech Institute has updated its membership levels and added benefits. This week’s spotlight is on Foresight corporate member Sun Microsystems. Sun Microsystems has supported Foresight as a conference sponsor since 1997.
Corporate Member – Sun Microsystems
A singular vision — "The Network Is The Computer" — guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://www.sun.com
Congratulations
Congratulations to Doug Arends, Foresight Participating Member, for being part of the winning group who bid on eBay for lunch with Dr. Ray Kurzweil. The auction benefits the Mprize. Read more
Foresight Partners
If you attend or use any of our media partners’ events or services, please tell them you heard about it from Foresight Nanotech Institute.
AlwaysOn is transforming the communication business with its online blogging network, establishing it as a leader in the Open Media revolution. Borrowing from the underground tradition of blogging and social networking AlwaysOn, launched in 2003, offers online services that encourage direct collaboration between global thought leaders and technology insiders.
http://www.alwayson-network.com
Read Christine Peterson’s column at AlwaysOn
http://www.alwayson-network.com/comments.php?id=11181_0_4_0_C
Nanotech Events & News
Article: Commercializing Nanomaterials
Officials look for ways to lower barriers for getting nanotech products from lab to market
News source: Chemical & Engineering News - Nanofocus
Engineered nanoparticles have already found their way into fabrics and sporting equipment, and they are being studied for use in drug delivery systems and enhanced sensors. But some federal policymakers worry that companies may be deterred from developing nanomaterials into commercial products because of regulatory uncertainty and funding shortfalls.
"Nanotechnology is already changing the products we use and has the potential to revitalize our manufacturing base," said Rep. Bob Inglis (R-S.C.), chairman of the House Science Committee’s Research Subcommittee, at a hearing held on June 29. "It promises to impact virtually every field," he noted.
Source
House Committee on Science http://www.house.gov/science/
Representative Bob Inglis webstie: http://www.house.gov/inglis/
Event: July 29, 2005 Symposium on Nanotechnology
Chicago, Illinois
Sponsored by The World Future Society
http://www.wfs.org/2005main.htm
Event: August 15-16, 2005 - AANM’s First Annual Scientific Meeting
Baltimore, Maryland
Sponsored by the American Academy of Nanomedicine
http://www.nanomedacademy.org/meeting/
About The Foresight Nanotech Institute Weekly News Digest
The Foresight Nanotech Institute Weekly News Digest is emailed every week to 15,000 individuals from 129 countries. Foresight Nanotech Institute is a member-supported organization. We offer membership levels appropriate to meet the needs and interests of individuals and companies. To find out more about membership follow this link:
http://www.foresight.org/members/index.html
Judy Conner, Director of Communications at Foresight Nanotech Institute, is the editor of the Foresight Nanotech Institute Weekly News Digest. If you would like to submit a news item or contact her with comments about the news digest, please send an email to: editor@foresight.org.
Visit our blog Nanodot and join the discussion led by Christine Peterson
http://foresight.org/nanodot/
Foresight Nanotech Institute is located in Menlo Labs in the Menlo Business Park, in Menlo Park, California. Our space is a generous donation from Tarlton Properties. If you are seeking space for your nanotechnology or biotechnology company, please contact them at http://www.tarlton.com.
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