Nanofuture: What’s Next For Nanotechnology
From Publishers Weekly
Nanotechnology has become a hot topic in recent years, but few laypeople understand what it is. Hall writes that nanotechnology “involves building machines whose parts are of molecular size, but more importantly, of atomic precision….” He foresees nanotechnology progressing through five stages of development, stage one being our current ability to image objects at an atomic scale with a limited ability to manipulate them, and stage five being the ability of miniature robots to reproduce and learn from experience. A fellow of the Molecular Engineering Research Institute in Palo Alto, Calif., Hall devotes a chapter to his own concept, “Utility Fog,” a fog composed of nanoparticles that will coalesce to form sofas, coffee tables and maybe even artificial plants, and then disintegrate back into fog. More realistic predictions include thin body suits that will control body temperature, allowing people to live in the tropics or in the Arctic and medical advances that will send artificial antibodies into the bloodstream to destroy bacteria or viruses. Hall admits that civilization could face many dangers as nanotechnology advances, but he argues that banning its development in the U.S. would only result in other countries or groups gaining technological dominance. Readers excited by the promises of nanotechnology will find this book a gripping read. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
A leading nanotechnology researcher, Hall offers this popularization of the subject, covering the physical principles of engineering at the atomic scale, possible applications of nanomachines, and their potential alteration of human society. Before overreacting to that last prospect, readers would benefit from learning how a nano-sized gadget is built, which Hall explains clearly with references to chemical bonds, the van der Waals force, and quantum mechanical behavior. What to build comes next, and Hall explores the mechanical possibilities. Traits such as self-repair and self-replication, Hall avers, could be imitated by tiny machines designed for targeted medical therapies, as touted in a recent tract of techno-optimism, More Than Human, by Ramez Naam (2005). Hall also discusses wild-sounding household appliances–a synthesizer that makes clothes and furniture, air cars, fog composed of nanobots, and more that would make techno-pessimists, such as Bill McKibben (Enough, 2003), blanch, and Hall directs more than a few ripostes McKibben’s way. Expressed in conversational prose, Hall’s positive outlook gives readers the buzz behind the buzzword nanotechnology. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Research and Markets: Comprehensive Study of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites: Metal and Ceramic Matrices
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/706922/carbon_nanotube_re) has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd’s new report “Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites: Metal and Ceramic Matrices” to their offering.
Carbon nanotube (CNT) was first discovered and reported in 1991. Since then, some efforts have been made to acquire its function as a reinforcing agent in ceramic matrix composites (CMC) and metal matrix composites (MMC). CNT was found to have outstanding elastic modulus and plasticity. So far, it is difficult to visualize the entire picture of this subject without going through a huge literature survey of articles. It is therefore high time that all information on this topic be organized in a single book to provide a comprehensive view of it.
Providing a broad insight into the potential applications of carbon nanotubes with metals and ceramic materials as a matrix, this book focuses on the preparation and the microstructural, physical, and mechanical characterizations of such novel nanocomposites. It features information on current synthesis and structure-property-relationships of metals and ceramics reinforced with CNT, organizing the vast array of surveys scattered throughout the literature in a single monograph. With its laboratory protocols and data tables this is invaluable reading for research workers and academics, as well as for applied scientists and industry personnel.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Introduction
- Types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
- Synthesis of carbon nanotubes
- Importance of CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Importance of CNT-ceramic nanocomposites
- Current challenges in developing CNT reinforced metal and ceramic matrix nanocomposites
2. Carbon nanotube -metal nanocomposites
- Processing of CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Dispersion of CNTs in metals
- Interfaces in CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Aluminum, magnesium and titanium-based composites
- Microstructural characterization
3. Physical Properties of CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Electrical behavior
- Percolation concentration
4. Mechanical characteristics of CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Tensile deformation behavior
- Strengthening and toughening mechanism
- Structure-property relationship
- Comparison with nanoparticle-reinforced metals
5. Carbon nanotube-ceramic nanocomposites
- Preparation of CNT-ceramic nanocomposites
- Oxide based nanocomposites : Alumina, magnesia, silica, titania and zirconia matrices
- Carbide-based nanocomposites: Silicon carbide, boron carbide
- Nitride-based nanocomposites: Silicon nitride
- Microstructural characterization
6. Physical Properties of CNT-ceramic nanocomposites
- Electrical behavior
- Percolation concentration
- Thermal behavior
7. Mechanical characteristics of CNT-ceramic nanocomposites
- Strengthening and toughening
- Microdeformation mechanism
- Fracture toughness
8. Conclusions
- Future prospects
- Potential applications of CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Potential applications of CNT-ceramic nanocomposites
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/706922/carbon_nanotube_re
Research and Markets: Environmental Surfaces and Interfaces from the Nanoscale to the Global Scale – An Advanced Exploration of Water-Rock Interactions
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/db51c0/environmental_surf) has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd’s new report “Environmental Surfaces and Interfaces from the Nanoscale to the Global Scale” to their offering.
Based on the author’s fifteen years of teaching and tried-and-tested experiences in the classroom, here is a comprehensive exploration of water-rock interactions. Environmental Surfaces and Interfaces from the Nanoscale to the Global Scale covers aspects ranging from the theory of charged particle surfaces to how minerals grow and dissolve to new frontiers in W-R interactions such as nanoparticles, geomicrobiology, and climate change.
Providing basic conceptual understanding along with more complex subject matter, Professor Patricia Maurice encourages students to look beyond the text to ongoing research in the field.
Designed to engage the learner, the book features:
- Numerous case studies to contextualize concepts
- Practice and thought questions at the end of each chapter
- Broad coverage from basic theory to cutting-edge topics such as nanotechnology
- Both basic and applied science
This text goes beyond W-R interactions to touch on a broad range of environmental disciplines. While written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students primarily in geochemistry and soil chemistry, Environmental Surfaces and Interfaces from the Nanoscale to the Global Scale will serve the needs of such diverse fields as environmental engineering, hydrogeology, physics, biology, and environmental chemistry.
Key Topics Covered:
| 1 Some Fundamental Chemical Thermodynamic and Kinetic Concepts. |
| 2 The Hydrologic Cycle as Context for Environmental Surfaces and Interfaces. |
| 3 Some Minerals of Special Interest to Environmental Surface Chemistry. |
| 4 Some Key Techniques for Investigating Surfaces and Interfaces. |
| 5 Surfaces and Interfaces. |
| 6 The Charged Interface and Surface Complexation. |
| 7 Sorption: Inorganic Cations and Anions. |
| 8 Sorption: Organic Compounds. |
| 9 Mineral Nucleation and Growth. |
| 10 Mineral Weathering and Dissolution. |
| 11 Plants as Environmental Surfaces. |
| 12 Microorganisms As Environmental Surfaces. |
| 13 Environmental Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. |
| 14 The Big Picture: Interface Processes and the Environment. |
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/db51c0/environmental_surf
QD Soleil™ Expands Leadership Team with World-Class Nanotechnology Leaders
QD Soleil™, the solar division of Nanosys, Inc., today announced the expansion of its leadership and advisory team including the addition of four exceptional thought leaders in the use of nanotechnology for solar energy applications. Among these additions is Dr. J. Wallace Parce, who will serve as the chief technology officer (CTO) of QD Soleil. Dr. Parce was formerly the CTO of Nanosys where he led commercialization programs including the development of nanocrystal technology for integration into solar cells. Prior to Nanosys, Dr. Parce co-founded and led research for several technology companies including Caliper Life Sciences and Molecular Devices.
“I am joining the leadership team of QD Soleil at a critical growth period for the application of nanotechnology for solar energy collection,” said Dr. Parce. “QD Soleil is a natural extension of the technical programs that I led at Nanosys, and I look forward to furthering the commercialization of this technology at QD Soleil.”
In addition to Dr. Parce, QD Soleil added three advisory board members:
- Dr. Avery Goldstein, one of the leading minds in nanotechnology since the beginnings of the field with expertise in thin film manufacturing using roll-to-roll processing and nanoparticle inks
- Dr. Delia Milliron, a Lawerence Berkeley National Labs scientist working on nanoparticle and quantum dot technology for use in solar energy applications
- Dr. Xiangfeng Duan, a well regarded leader in nanowire technology for a broad range of applications including solar devices. Dr. Duan was a scientific cofounder of Nanosys and is currently an assistant professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“This world-class team of nanotechnology thought leaders will bring formidable leadership and insight to bear on the commercialization of QD Soleil solutions,” said Vijendra Sahi, vice president and general manager of QD Soleil. “The team’s expertise in all areas of nanotech solar applications will allow us to respond rapidly with solutions that meet the evolving manufacturing needs of the solar industry.”
About QD Soleil
QD Soleil is a division of Nanosys, Inc. focused on the use of proprietary nanotechnology in solar panel cell designs. QD Soleil controls a seminal intellectual property estate that includes over 500 patents and patent applications. The technology has been refined over many years by Nanosys and exploits best in class inorganic material compositions, processing and integration chemistries, and includes the most stable nanomaterial formulations known in the field. Applications of the technology and intellectual property are broad and include additive enhancement layers for light conversion engineering, nano-particle inks, light waveguide concentrators and nanomaterial composites for enhancing overall solar cell efficiency.
For more information about QD Soleil, visit www.qdsoleil.com.
About Nanosys, Inc.
Nanosys, Inc. is a leader in the development of nanotechnology enabled products utilizing high performance inorganic nanostructures. Nanosys has built one of the broadest technology platforms in the industry with over 650 patents and patent applications covering fundamental areas of nanotechnology. Based in Palo Alto, Calif. and privately held, Nanosys collaborates with industry leaders to develop revolutionary high-value, high-performance products for the life sciences, computing, lighting, renewable energy, and defense industries. For more information about Nanosys, visit www.nanosysinc.com
Shrink Nanotechnologies to Trade under the Stock Symbol “INKN” Beginning June 24, 2009
Shrink Nanotechnologies, Inc. (“Shrink”) , an innovative platform nanotechnology company, developing breakthrough technologies for a number of diverse fields ranging from medical diagnostics to solar cell concentrators, announced that FINRA has assigned Shrink a new trading symbol. Beginning June 24, 2009, Shrink will trade under the stock symbol “INKN.”
About Shrink Nanotechnologies, Inc.
Shrink brings together leading scientists, business advisors and an executive team that is dedicated to bringing its exclusively licensed technology to the commercial marketplace. Shrink solutions, including its substrates, devices and research tools are being designed to not only be mechanically effective in the solar energy, environmental detection, stem cell and biotechnology markets, they are also being made from biodegradable materials, including corn-based plastics.
Shrink has created the Shrink Chip Manufacturing Solution(TM) which utilizes the unique characteristics of Shrink Chips(TM). Made from a shrinkable thermo-plastic material, Shrink Chips(TM) enable complex structures to be designed at the macro-scale, while retaining the original designs on a much smaller scale. Shrink’s applications can be designed and prototyped in a few hours and in a cost-effective manner versus conventional methods utilizing silicon or other materials that require costly fabrication equipment and labor intensive processes. Shrink creates features that retract uniformly, to a fraction of the original size. Because the patterned features “shrink,” Shrink devices do not require high-resolution printing which is otherwise necessary to achieve such fine features. This flexible and elegant design and fabrication solution reduces costs by eliminating the need for expensive clean room equipment and vastly improves time-to-market for products in Shrink’s focused market segments.
More information about Shrink may be found at www.ShrinkNano.com.