Crowd-sourced protein design a promising path to advanced nanotechnology
Foresight Update 25.02—February 9, 2012
ISSN 1078-9731
Discuss these news stories at http://foresight.org/nanodot.
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The structural DNA path toward productive nanosystems has achieved another step forward with the demonstration that a DNA origami scaffolding can be used to program a DNA motor to navigate a network of tracks. …
The coming era of atomically precise manufacturing will provide digital control of the structure of matter for a very wide range of possible products and will make possible personal manufacturing of most products. Steps toward digital control of the structure of matter and personal manufacturing, although on a scale much less precise than atomic and for a much more limited range of products, are to be seen with today’s rapidly developing 3D-printing technology. Rival technologies were on display a few weeks ago in Las Vegas. …
… Meeting the challenges of incremental nanotechnology development and application includes adequately addressing any potential environmental, health, and safety issues (see Foresight’s "Nanoparticle safety" policy brief.). We therefore note with pleasure that an expert panel of the National Academy of Sciences has recommended that the potential health and environmental risks of nanomaterials should be studied further and that they will revisit the issue in 18 months, when it is to be hoped that the necessary research will be moving forward. …
Less than four years ago we asked here whether online gamers playing Foldit could help perfect the de novo design of proteins that do not exist in nature. Four months ago we reported that Foldit players had succeeded where scientists had failed in solving the structure of an important viral enzyme. Now Scientific American reports that Foldit players have topped scientists in redesigning a protein—the challenge we suggested less than four years ago. …
Foresight Institute Co-Founder and Past President Christine Peterson was among four panelists addressing the role of technology in human existence for a Stanford University Continuing Studies series. …
Researchers at I.B.M.'s Almaden Research Center have used a scanning tunneling microscope to assemble an array of 96 iron atoms into an antiferromagnetic structure that encodes one byte (eight bits) of information. …
The potential of advanced nanotechnology is getting some attention from mainstream media. Late last year The Guardian web site posted a brief article on the prospects for nanofactories and atomically precise manufacturing, featuring quotes from Christine Peterson and Robert Freitas. …
We received this announcement of the new M.S. in Nanomedicine program from Radiological Technologies University – VT:
Radiological Technologies University VT, located in South Bend, Indiana is pleased to announce the approval of the first Master’s of Science in Nanomedicine degree program in the country. …
—Nanodot posts by James Lewis
Foresight Partner Events – Lectures
Personalized Life Extension 2012
March 31-April 1, 2012
S. San Francisco, CA USA
This conference, chaired by Foresight co-founder Christine Peterson, explores actions we can take today to extend our healthy lifespans. Implementing nanotechnology fully will take decades—come find out how to stay healthy enough to help! Use code FORESIGHT for $100 discount.
Advancements in technologies such as nanotech, robotics, and biotech are promising to make major differences in our lives in the not-too-distant future, as the Industrial Revolution did to the agrarian world — to do for the physical world what the computer and Internet have done to the world of information.
Since 1986, the Foresight Institute has been in the forefront of a worldwide community of visionaries who work to help shape these possibilities into a positive, beneficial reality. If you would like to help us understand the potential of these technologies, and influence their direction, please consider becoming a member of the Foresight community. With your support, Foresight will continue to educate the general public on these technologies and what they will mean to our society.
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NanoManufacturing Conference & Exhibits 2012
March 28-29, 2012
Boston, MA USA
This conference highlights the current and near-term applications of nanotechnology and how they are transforming the way we manufacture products.
9th Annual Conference: Foundations of Nanoscience
Self-Assembled Architectures and Devices
April 16-19, 2012
Snowbird, Utah USA
Foundations of Nanoscience is a yearly conference on foundations of nanoscience, maintaining the highest scientific standards. Self-assembly is the central theme of the conference.
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IPAS 2012
February 12-15 2012
Chamonix, France
The aim of the Sixth International Precision Assembly Seminar is to discuss the rapidly evolving field of micro-assembly, including the development of microfactories and microsystem fabrication.
Nanotech Conference & Expo, 2012
June 18-21, 2012
Santa Clara, CA USA
Join us in Santa Clara for the world's largest gathering of nanotechnology experts. In our 15th year, come network with over 4,000 participants and 300 exhibitors and be part of this incredible global innovation community.
The 6th International Symposium on Macro- and Supramolecular Architectures and Materials (MAM-12)
November 21-25, 2012
Coimbatore, India
Novel materials will play a key role in science and technology in the 21st century.
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