Carbon Nanotubes

The Latest Scientific Inventions and Cool New Research

2009-03-01T04:53:00.000-08:00

There is always something new happening in the world of science. In fact, there are so many new scientific discoveries and inventions, that it’s virtually impossible to stay abreast of all the new information. Here are a few really cool new inventions that are under development.

Using flying beetles for search and rescue

New research, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has demonstrated how flying beetles could one day be used surveillance purposes or for search-and-rescue and similar missions.

Michel Maharbiz is trying to take advantage of the beetle's natural abilities by melding insect and machine. The team has wirelessly controlled a giant flower beetle with implanted electrodes and a radio receiver on its back. With a nearby computer they can send wireless signals to the beetle including commands to take off, hover in place, turn left, and turn right and land.

Oscillating electrical pulses delivered to the beetle's optic lobes trigger takeoff, while a single short pulse ceases flight. Sending electrical signals to the left or right basilar flight muscles make the animal turn right or left, respectively.

The reason behind the selection of the giant flower beetle is that it is large and can carry a heavy payload. It would need to carry a camera and heat sensor for search-and-rescue missions for example.

Artificial gecko feet using carbon nanotubes

Scientists have been trying to duplicate the adhesiveness of gecko feet for years without success. Liming Dai, a professor at the University of Dayton, and Zhong Wang, director of the Center for Nanostructure Characterization at Georgia tech, have developed a new adhesive that closely mimics the structures on gecko feet.

Gecko feet are covered with millions of micro-scale hairs which branch into even smaller hairs. The hairs each have a weak electrical interaction with a surface, and add up to a strong force over the area of the foot.

The researches came up with an adhesive made of carbon nanotubes whose structure closely resembles that of gecko feet. The material is 10 times more adhesive than the geckos' feet and it’s easy to lift back up.

Dai’s group, using a silicon substrate, grew arrays of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes topped with an unaligned layer of nanotubes, like rows of trees with branching tops. The adhesive force of these nanotube arrays is very strong, about 100 newtons per square centimeter. That’s enough for a .15 inch x .15 inch square to support a 3 pound weight. The adhesive properties stayed the same when tested on surfaces, including glass plates, polymer films, and rough sandpaper.

One problem with these materials is that when the material gets dirty they don’t work well. No one has been able to do that. Dai says that carbon nanotubes' versatility may help overcome the dirt problem. Dai is developing adhesive nanotube arrays that have the nanotubes coated with proteins that change their shape in response to temperature changes. The idea is that robot feet could heat up when they get clogged, sloughing off the dirt so that it can keep walking.

Self-cleaning clothing

Researchers at Monash University, in Victoria, Australia, led by organic chemist and nanomaterials researcher Walid Daoud, have discovered a way to coat fibers with titanium dioxide nanocrystals, which break down food and dirt in sunlight. They have coated natural fibers such as wool, silk, and hemp so that they will automatically shed food, grime, and even red-wine stains when exposed to sunlight.

Titanium dioxide is used in sunscreens, toothpaste, and paint, and it is a strong photo catalyst. In the presence of water vapor and ultraviolet light, it forms hydroxyl radicals, or decompose organic matter. However, says Daoud, "these nanocrystals cannot decompose wool and are harmless to skin." The nanocrystal coating doesn’t change the look or feel of the material.

Titanium dioxide also destroys bacteria in the presence of sunlight by breaking down the cell walls of the microorganisms. Self-cleaning fabrics would be useful in hospitals and other medical settings.

The material stands up to red-wine stains, which are very difficult to remove. After 20 hours of exposure to simulated sunlight, titanium-dioxide-coated wool shows almost no sign of the red stain, while the untreated wool remains boldly stained. Other stains disappear faster: coffee stains fade away in two hours, while blue-ink stains disappear in seventeen hours.

Materials that use nanoparticles have been developed in the past. Stain-repellant fabrics and paints that are currently on the market typically have a nanoparticle or nanofiber coating that causes drops of liquid to roll off instead of getting absorbed into the material, taking small particles of dirt and grime with them.

The sunlight requirement has not stopped the technology from getting commercial interest. Several wool manufacturers have suggested that they'd like to evaluate the technology, Daoud says.

What is Nanoelectronic?

2009-03-01T04:48:00.000-08:00

Nanoelectronic is concerned with understanding and exploiting the properties of devices, which have dimensions at the nanometre scale.

Microelectronics will gradually evolve into nano-electronic. In fact, this has already happened as can be seen from the smallest feature size of present integrated circuits, which is below of one micrometer. It is currently believed that optical lithography can be used for ground rules down to 150 nm and might even be used for the 100 nm generation and below. This would imply an increasing process and mask complexity, and consequently, increasing the cost.

Molecular-scale electronic has been widely touted as "the next step" in electronic miniaturization, with theory and research suggesting that single molecules may have the capability to take the place of today's much larger electronic components.

Therefore, what are the advantages of scaling down of devices?

Speed of operation - Reduction of the parasitic capacitances associated with non-conductive paths in an electronic device leads to a higher cut-off frequency. This enables a device to operate at much higher speeds. Density - An obvious advantage. This reduces size and cuts materials cost. Power dissipation - This is reduced due to lesser resistance in interconnects and currents flowing in smaller circuits. In lasers, the use of lower dimensional systems reduces the threshold current due to improved density of states distribution. New applications - This enables certain uses, currently speculative, but very much in the offing.

Integrated circuits are also known as microelectronic. The term micro derives from micro-fabrication technology, which embraces all highly sophisticated techniques like optical- and electron-beam lithography, metallization, implantation and etching that allow generating structures on the scale of one micrometer.

In the early 1970's, two scientists, Ari Aviram and Mark Ratner, began to envision electronic circuit elements made from single molecules and described in detail how they might function. This was the origin of the field of molecular electronics, now sometimes called molecular-scale electronics.

The emergence of molecular electronics and spintronics is providing a challenge to traditional electronic manufacturing techniques. Significant reduction in size and the sheer enormity of numbers in manufacturing are the benefits of molecular electronics. Scientists predict that computers will be assembled using molecules in the future, pushing technology far beyond the limits of silicon.

Satish P. Nair, Technical Insight Analyst says "The future of electronics is nano-sized, exciting nanofabrication techniques have unfolded different methods to engineer nanowires, quantum wells, and nanotubes which function as the building blocks of future nanoelectronic devices." The progress in carbon nanotube and semiconductor nanowire has provided researchers with a model against which to gauge future nanoscale devices and systems.

Adds Nair: "Molecular electronic can create devices that could be a thousand times smaller than current semiconductor-based devices. Molecular memories will also have a storage density million times that of today's best semiconductor chips."

Dramatic breakthroughs in molecular electronic by industry giant Hewlett Packard (HP) and other major developers validate these predictions. HP has created a new kind of minute circuit for computer chips using nanotechnology. The company's research laboratory also announced the development of the highest density electronically addressable memory to date.

Nair notes: "Research indicates that the time-to-market for commercial applications of Nanoelectronic-based devices is shrinking with the years. It is predicted that within the next five years, we will probably witness the first complete based-based device in the market."

Nanoelectronic areas being studied include the fabrication of atomic wires; Single Electron Tunnelling (SET) devices and atto-farad structures; and the study of spin-polarised electronics and magnetic nano-structures, all of which are likely to play an important part in future electronic devices. A study of the thermal motion of an isolated surface-trapped atom will also be carried out and its potential as a nano-scale noise thermometer investigated.

By growing nanowires that are 20 to 200 nanometers in diameter (one nanometer is one one-thousandth of a micrometer and human hair is typically 50 to 100 micrometers thick), researchers say they are closer to creating the circuitry required for nanoelectronic devices.

Research and development in nanoelectronic has been fuelled by huge investments by various national governments, as it is happing with nanotechnology in general. Countries in Europe and Asia, notably Japan and China are expecting to spend - and reportedly spending at the present - millions of dollars in the field of nanoelectronic.

Altawell.

©Altawell 2008

The World of Advancing Computer Memory

2009-03-01T04:45:00.000-08:00

The first magnetic core memory, developed in 1951, began the revolution of computer memory and the start of bigger and better personal computers. The development of static and dynamic RAM integrated circuits followed swiftly in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Compared to the relays and vacuum tubes used for computer memory function prior to the development of the magnetic core memory models, the advancement created a more user friendly experience as well as an increase in the amount of memory a computer could be expected to produce. This precursor to the common personal computer revolutionized the technological world since it made it possible to begin to see the advantages of the computer for personal use instead of being seen and used only in business operations.

The computer systems of today boast a hierarchy of memory that includes CPU registries, SRAM caches, external caches, DRAM, and swap space among others. This is often referred to as RAM, but it actually defies the original concept of true random access memory and does not hold the same intent as the original magnetic core memory from which RAM was born. The methods utilized by the pool of memory in today's computers often sequence through various subsystems with different access times in layered sequential order to allow the illusion of instantaneous response times. Generally, the computer accesses its memory in order of speed with the slower forms of memory being the last to be drawn from when a command is given to the computer.

RAM now has methods of upgrading that allow for even greater memory capacity if there is a need to change the amount of RAM a computer has based on the amount of RAM used by the operator on average, these are usually in the form of DRAM and come in the form of memory modules. A few sticks of chewing gum are comparable in size to the memory modules in terms of physical size. These modules can be replaced quickly in the case of damage or should the amount of memory need to be increased again at a later date. Small amounts of RAM, most commonly SRAM, are also found in other locations on the computer, such as the mother board or the hard drive.

Developers are currently investigating the possibility of non-volatile RAM. This would be another huge step in computer memory as these new forms of RAM would allow for the preservation of data upon the loss of power. Currently, RAM is a volatile memory form and will lose information if an interruption of power occurs. Carbon nanotubes offer promising results in this field of RAM development, but no non-volatile RAM has been released for public use yet. All of the developing technologies under this direction of RAM are pre-beta stage at present.

MRAM has seen some success with the release of several chips that have undergone extensive testing. The core technology of MRAM depends upon the concepts of the magnetic tunnel effect and is promising to turn the world of computer memory onto the pathway of the future as a result.

In 2004, Solid state drivers became available. Bases on flash technology, these drivers have a capacity exceeding 150 GB. These drivers also have speeds that far exceed the speed of traditional disks. In short, this means that the lines between RAM and disks have blurred and there is less difference between the two in performance.

With each passing year, memory capacity grows. New technologies revolutionize the way we think of computer memory and how we use that memory once it becomes available. It is expected that computer memory will only continue to increase and evolve as our world becomes more technologically advance.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for computer memory, PC supplies, and computer games. When shopping, we recommend the best online stores for PC computer accessories

Easton Stealth CNT

2009-03-01T04:42:00.000-08:00

This new bat line from Easton features numerous cutting edge technologies including patented CNT technology and patented two-piece ConneXion™ design, the new Stealth Comp CNT represents the best bats ever made from Easton Sports, a leader in the world of softball and baseball bat technology. This is by far the most advanced product line ever launched by Easton, helping players of all levels and abilities improve there overall hitting. Take it from somebody who has played both softball and baseball for over 27 years, this bat makes good hitters great and great hitters lethal.The Stealth Comp CNT bats are born with exclusive carbon nanotube technology made possible by Zyvex NanoSolve® materials.

This never seen before composite is sixteen times stronger than steel and one-billionth of a meter in size, CNT is perhaps the strongest fiber that will ever be made. The ability of carbon nanotube technology strengthens composite structures to allow for bigger sweet spots and maximum performance along the entire length of the barrel. Not least of all, Easton's patented ConneXion technology acts like a hinge to provide the most efficient energy transfer from handle to barrel, giving the hitter maximum bat speed and a whip like motion through the hitting zone. The Stealth Comp CNT bat line spans all of Easton's bat bat lines include: Adult, Senior League, Youth, Slow-pitch and Fastpitch. The stealth line is also available in a regular or stiff version for even more versatility. Easton's patented Opti-Flex™ CNT composite handle technology is where a hitter will feel the difference between the regular and stiff models. REGULAR, designed for more whip and contact hitters, provides maximum handle flex - three times greater than aluminum. STIFF, catered to stronger hitters looking for more power, has a flex 1.5 times greater than aluminum. The 2008 Stealth Comp CNT REGULAR features a silver barrel with a blue handle, while the STIFF model features an orange barrel with a blue handle.

From a visual standpoint these are also one of the sharpest looking products a batter can carry to the plate. If you want the latest in bat performing technology from a proven company and industry leader, the Easton Stealth CNt product line is head and shoulders above the competition.

Choosing The Best Slowpitch Softball Bat

2009-03-01T04:37:00.000-08:00

Perhaps your slowpitch softball team didn't make it to the playoffs this year, or get as far in the last tournament as you had hoped for. You certainly don't want that to happen next year! The good news is, it doesn't have to. Don't let them off the hook. The answer to becoming a great team may be as simple as getting rid of that used slowpitch softball bat and getting a new one. I know, that may sound strange, but if you don't have the latest in slowpitch softball bat technology you're lagging way behind the other teams.

Choosing a new softball bat isn't difficult, but it does take a little research. Don't just walk into Wal-Mart and pick up a $20 no-name bat and call it a day. That would be a huge mistake if you're looking to improve your team's play and swing for the fence. Today, softball bat technology has went to a new level. It is incredible at how far technology has come with softball equipment. You must stay on top of this technology if you want to remain competitive.

What bats offer the newest in technology? Here's a look at a few of our favorites.

Worth Softball Bats

Worth slowpitch softball bats offer NANO composite frames that help to increase bat speed and give added power on every swing. The Worth Mayhem softball bat is one of its top models, with a retail price of $299.

The latest slowpitch softball bat from Worth is the new Jeff Hall Mayhem M7 model. Brand new for 2007 this bat is an extremely limited edition model with only 2,000 being available for distribution. The bat features an even larger sweet spot than it's regular Mayhem model. You will be hitting HR's like never before if you are lucky enough to get your hands on one of these Worth limited edition bats.

Miken Softball Bats

Miken is another of the top manufacturers of softball equipment. The slowpitch softball bat that is getting the most attention is their "FREAK" model. Retailing for around $299, the FREAK offers a 13.5" barrel, plus it is designed to hit the ball LONG and over the fence! All top-of-the-line Miken bats include the E-Flex ESD (Extended Sweet Spot) technology. They are also end-loaded, which gives maximum distance. Plus, the FREAK also includes a thinner bat handle for even more control. The knob is coated with their X-Tack coating for additional control. You'll do your team well by selecting one of the Miken model bats.

Easton Softball Bats

Long regarded as one of the top slowpitch softball bat manufacturers, Easton offers up a full carbon composite bat called CNT, or Carbon Nanotube Technology. Nanotube uses a smaller bead, making it much stronger and even more flexible in the hitting area. This new technology also makes the bat last much longer than normal without breaking. The Stealth line of bats are Easton's top sellers.

Demarini Softball Bats

Demarini is another top quality slowpitch softball bat company. Demarini uses a method of fusing together carbon composite materials plus high performance aluminum. This combination creates an incredible "pop" when hit. It's similar to a golf club in that the bat flexes when hit and the aluminum delivers the power. And what power that is! Demarini is known as the industry standard when it comes time to review slowpitch softball bat.

As you can see, in order to be the best you're going to have to use the latest in sports technology. Put away the used slowpitch softball bat and get the latest in slowpitch softball bat technology, and you can and watch your team start to improve in the standings.

Acoustic Transducers to Power Swarms of Nanomites

2008-12-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

How can we keep SmartDust aloft? How can we keep these tiny motes and nodes airborne for long periods of time? It maybe possible to build SmartDust so small you would need to refer to them as nanomites. Carbon Nano Tubes have transparent properties, which keeps them invisible. These nanomites can be built out of carbon nano tubes with water molecules for propulsion. Water molecules display some really interesting properties inside nano tubes and can produce hurricane like forces in a micro scale and transport them selves via micro extreme weather. Kind of like a Tornado lifting and flying a cow?

Nano Tubes and Water; Carbon nano tubes have unique properties with regards to water at various temperatures. Water in long nano tubes have behaviors which one could describe as a tornado inside a tube or a micro-Hurricane. Having such properties could be used for propulsion by if a nano tube coating was applied to a surface of lets say the bottom of an aircraft of some type or perhaps a boat or robotic AUV Autonomous Under Water Vehicle. Can we build Nanomites which are self-propelled in this way or smart dust which would have perpetual motion from the moisture in the air? Can we build flying invisible tubes made of sheets of carbon nano tubes? A literal flying carpet just like the ancient Arab tales and fables; indeed, maybe we can. Can we increase the performance of the of such flying or airborne items we innovate by sending in beams of sound with acoustic transducers, lasers, light waves, microwave or ultrasound? One think tank member writes:

“Water behaves differently when it's inside a long, narrow nanotube, when it is controlled by hydrophobic--water repulsing--materials. The tubes were made of nearly pure carbon and were 1 atom thick. Each was 1.4 nanometers across and 10,000 nanometers long. At 8K, or minus 445 F, 4 coordinated water molecules create an icy lining inside the hydrophobic carbon nanotube. The lining free-floats inside the tube with a 0.32 nanometer space all around it. That's as close as the water can get to the carbon. In liquid water, an average of 3.8 hydrogen bonds connect the molecule to its closest neighbors. In ice, 4 hydrogen bonds do this. In nanotube water, the number is only 1.86. The water is very active and always moving because of loose bonding. The icy lining is more stable, but the mobile chain makes and breaks bonds continuously betweeen parts of the chain and sometimes with the icy wall. The carbon nanotube sample was exposed to water vapor for several hours and exterior water was dried off. It was studied with neutron scattering techniques. A simulation was developed to show how the new form of water behaved. They will next look at water in nanotubes with smaller diameters close in size to membrane proteins that selectively transport water. They also will study the thermodynamic properties of nanotube water. They were very surprised it sounds like by the way water moved.”

Well, if all this is true then carbon nano tubes, moisture and a little powered frequency manipulation to the material and combination maybe the answer to propelling flying objects against the weak for of gravity. Of course such levitation will appear to be magic at first, but eventually the technology will be available to every aspect and industry sector of the human endeavor and indeed, solve the serious problems and future potential eventualities that mankind faces. Think on this.

Online Think Tank forum board

NanoTube Cancer Weapons

2008-09-19T10:29:00.000-07:00

Nano Technology may in fact hold the keys to fighting many different types of cancer in the human bio-system. The technologies are so promising we may see survival rates skyrocket, thus everyone can live strong in the upcoming decade. Nano Tubes use in fighting cancer is indeed, a unique process; it works by inserting tiny microscopic carbon synthetic rods into the body to deliver the cancer treatment to the exact spot needed. By directly aiming the rods into the cancer cells, the healthy tissue is saved.

This research is quite promising and is being researched by Stanford University. Chemotherapy seems to becoming a thing of the past. That is the theory that nuking the body and seeing which dies first; the cancer or the person. Even when the human survives it is left with huge amounts of destroyed tissue, which was not cancerous. When you see a person who is using chemotherapy to treat the cancer you see their hair fallout, but that is only one of many dire and serious side effects.

These nanotubes are so small they are the width of a DNA strand. The nano tubes will be heated up using near infrared light in a laser beam, which takes about two-minutes. The cancerous cells are quickly destroyed. This research is only in the preliminary stages but should be solved within the coming decade.

The nano tubes will be coated with a vitamin called folate, which is found in cancerous cells, but does not normally bind with healthy cells. Once these tubes touch the cancerous area they quickly bind and then are electrified with near infrared laser light, killing the cells. Nano Tube technologies are quickly coming of age and once they are available this process should be relatively easy to use. One cancer already targeted is Lymphoma and tests of the process are being done on mice with good results. There are other cancers it might work on well to and have been suggested. For instance Ovarian Cancers, Cervical Cancer and others; Nano Technology and biomedical processes are coming of age as we speak.

By Online Think Tank

Nano-Carbon Tube Windshields

2008-09-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

Glass is a very problematic material to use in cars, mini-vans and SUVs. Even with safety glass it can cause issues and increase injuries. If you have ever been in an accident, ran up to help someone who had or seen a vehicle that had been in an accident afterwards you know the serious nature of glass and the damage it can cause to flesh and bone mortals.

Glass of course does have many good properties as well; it is transparent, hard and can be easily molded when manufactured. Of course the unfortunate properties include brittleness and jagged edges when it fails. In the future we will not have to worry about injuries caused by glass in traffic accidents, SUV rollovers or falling trees.

Why not you ask? Because Carbon Nanotube sheets can be made so thin that they will be transparent and you can see through them. They will also be somewhat flexible allowing for impact without major injury. These windshields will be 50 times stronger than steel and harder than glass, but they will not be brittle and will not break.

Additionally carbon nanotube windshields will be light-weight and the average car has up to 400 pounds of glass on it. By lowering the cars weight you increase its performance and gas mileage and can even put a smaller motor in the car and thus use even less fuel still. Think on this in 2006.

Online Think Tank forum board.

Study Uncovers Mesothelioma Link to Nanotechnology

2008-09-17T00:32:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma has long been linked to the inhalation and exposure to asbestos fibers and dust, so when scientists uncovered an additional potential cause for this incurable form of lung cancer, the unthinkable became a reality.

According to researchers based out of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington D.C., the early 90's development of carbon nanotubes has been an amazing feat for technological applications, however, it has not gone without its price. Specifically, carbon nanotubes may be causing harm to the human body in the form of mesothelioma cancer.
If the carbon nanotubes are introduced into the wrong environment, the development of lesions and inflammation of the lungs occurs - symptoms similar to that of mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure. Researchers uncovered the finding through exposure of carbon nanotubes to animals.
Dr. Andrew Maynard, who published a study in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, described the use of nanotubes and the potential link to mesothelioma cancer. He said that currently, nanotubes are being implemented because of their awesome abilities at conducting heat and electricity. Mostly, Dr. Maynard explains, the nanotubes are being implemented into sports equipment. He said that there are no regulations as to where nanotubes can be implemented and there are currently no requirements for the use of nanotubes to be disclosed to the general public.

What Are Nanotubes?

According to Maynard, nanotubes are a product of nanotechnology research, one he considers the "poster child" of nanotechnology. The nanotubes are cylindrical structures comprised of carbon atoms that have been rolled together. Maynard's study found that when mice were exposed to nanotubes, they developed asbestos-induced symptoms within the lungs. While he and other researchers consider nanotubes to be safe - when encased - the risk occurs when nanotubes are incinerated or broken.

Nanotubes are currently being used in:

* a variety of sports equipment

* bicycle frames

* tennis rackets

* electronic gas detectors

* radios

Additionally, because of the strength of nanotubes, many consider its future use to vastly effect several business ventures and areas, and be widely used in industries including:

* aerospace

* automobile

* airplanes

* television box productions

* medical

* environmental uses

Working with Nanotubes

While the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is doing research on nanotoxicology, there is little knowledge or research currently available regarding the safety of using nanotechnology. Additionally, Dr. Maynard noted that because of the ever-increasing nanotechnology industry, which is likely to be worth $2.6 trillion by 2014, it will be difficult to adequately and accurately assess nanotechnology safety because of the technology's quick growth, which is also being used in the food industry.

Transparency of nanotoxicology among some nanotechnologically-produced products may fall into the hands of manufacturers and producers, which John M. Balbus, health program chief for the Environmental Defense Fund who was interviewed in a Washington Post article on nanotechnology, said could either be a very good thing with open communications, or a very bad thing replicating the mistakes made among the construction industry's use of asbestos. However, he noted that upfront communication regarding the dangers of nanotechnology with the public may increase because of the previous mistakes made by other industries in hiding mesothelioma conditions from the public.

Finding Help with Nanotube Related Mesothelioma

Individuals, especially nanotube factory workers who have previously worked with carbon nanotubes or have been exposed to the potential dangers associated with the nanotubes and developing mesothelioma should receive medical attention immediately.
It may also become necessary for these individuals to locate a law firm with knowledge of mesothelioma-related litigation in order to develop a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Because of the nature of the industry and the continued funding flooding into carbon nanotube research it is important to develop a lawsuit that will also alert others, in a similar predicament, and provide aware of the potentially serious health risks associated with nanotechnology. Further, because only 5 percent of the funding, which consists of billions of dollars annually, provided by the National Nanotechnology Institute is going toward health and safety research, it is important for individuals with nanotube-induced mesothelioma to develop a lawsuit that may offer monetary compensation to victims suffering from this irreversible and deadly lung cancer.

For more information on nanotechnology-induced mesothelioma, visit http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/.

Nanomedicine

2008-09-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

NANOMEDICINE in present century is the potent output of nanotechnology. It could changes the path of doctors to treat various life threaten diseases. Nanomedicine could increases effectiveness and reduces side effects unlike the other painful therapy. The basic principles of this technique are based on targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles, proper diagnosis using sensors and micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) and to monitor in vivo biochemical activities. Nanotechnology has provided the different important tools (nanomedicine) like nanoshells, nanomachines, nanobiosensors, nanofilms, nanocapsules and nanotubes for improvement of human health.

Nanoshell is made up of inner core of glass and coated with gold shell. It is 1000 times less than the actual size of human hair. Nanoshells are used in the treatment of solid tumors. After injecting the nanoshells deeply in the tumor, a dose of infra red radiations in the targeted area is given for 10-30 seconds. Nanoshell here performs dual role, either acts like scalpel or get heated by IR radiations to kill the cancerous cells.

It is the work of Jennifer and Naomi halas at Rice University. Nanoshell avoids the unpleasant side effect of chemotherapy. The nanomachine can be also called as LAB ON CHIP that continuously monitors the level of biochemicals in the bloodstream and in response would release appropriate drugs. E.g. such device monitors and adjusts the insulin level in insulin dependent diabetes. The nanobiosensors & MEMS are used for pathogen and contamination detection. Person facing the problems of vitamin and nutrient deficiency could overcome by nanocapsule enriched with specific supplements.

The traditional system of drug delivery loss drugs from the body by means of water. Applying nanofilm coated with multiple drugs may be an effective approach for delivering drugs locally for longer duration. This technique would eliminate unrequited surgeries.

E.g. the dexamethasone coated nanoscaled polymer film when implanted in mice; it suppresses the cytokines of immune system. This could allow the successful skin grafting. Silver, for a long time is known for its potent antimicrobial activities. It controls microbial infection. It is reported to improve wound healing & is non toxic to human tissue. Based on these properties, nanocrystalline silver films coated with silver particles (average size 15 nm) have been developed. These stripes could be directly applied on the wounds. After contact with water, these stripes release silver particles in the form of silver radicals that penetrates in the wounded area to improve healing.

Scientist have shown for the first time that carbon nanotubes make an ideal scaffold for the growth of bone tissue because it has high mechanical strength, excellent flexibility and low density. It also mimics the role of collagen (the natural composite of bone) as a scaffold for the growth of hydroxyapatite in bone. Thus heal bone fracture, simply by injecting nanotubes solution to the fractured area.

Nanotechnology has wide applications in different scientific areas. However, there is the need of public awareness about the advantages, challenges and future of nanotechnology in medicine and other disciplines.

RAVI DHANDE & NILAM SHARMA

Charging Ahead With Nanotechnology

2008-09-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

With all of the technology that is being continuously introduced and used, it would only seem logical in our quest for a green world to apply some of the renewable energy efforts to this spectrum. That is exactly what some scientists are looking into with their research on how nanotechnology can be used with lithium batteries.

According to Science News, a report that will be published in International Journal of Nanomanufacturing asserts that "carbon nanotubes can prevent such batteries from losing their charge capacity over time." The batteries they are speaking of are the lithium-based batteries that are found in commonly used devices such as MP3 players, laptop computers, and cell phones.

As any of us who partake of these various technologies are quite aware of, with continued use, the battery power just seems to lose its life. As the news story reports, elements such as hot and cold temperatures help this reduction process along even more. Scientists have been researching this degradation process for awhile, and have looked into silicon to replace the universally used lithium-ion batteries. However, due to the fast rate that silicon also degrades, they have had to search even further.

This is where nanotechnology comes into play. As Science News states, "Shengyang's Hui-Ming Cheng and colleagues have turned to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to help them use silicon (Si) as the battery anode but avoid the problem of large volume change during alloying and de-alloying." By introducing the carbon nanotubes to the silicon, they seem to be solving some of the problems that previously existed.

The whole process is quite amazing. "The researchers grew carbon nanotubes on the surface of tiny particles of silicon using a technique known as chemical vapor deposition in which a carbon-containing vapor decomposes and then condenses on the surface of the silicon particles forming the nanoscopic tubes. They then coated these particles with carbon released from sugar at a high temperature in a vacuum. A separate batch of silicon particles produced using sugar but without the CNTs was also prepared."

The scientists used these two diverse batches and compared them. What they found was remarkable - the batch using the carbon produced a discharge capacity twice that of the one which only contained the silicon particles.

There seems to be many reasons that have prompted research into better material used to create batteries. Reports of fires found to be ignited by lithium-ion batteries, although rare, seem to have caused much attention to be placed on safer materials. The general complaint many have regarding the increased reduction of device batteries after continued use is likely another reason that prompted the research. Whatever the likely combination was, this new research could be monumental in how users of technological devices power up their gadgets.

Nanotechnology is not the only material researchers are using in their quest for a better battery, but it does seem to be one of the options that show much promise.

Study Uncovers Mesothelioma Link to Nanotechnology

2008-09-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma has long been linked to the inhalation and exposure to asbestos fibers and dust, so when scientists uncovered an additional potential cause for this incurable form of lung cancer, the unthinkable became a reality.

According to researchers based out of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington D.C., the early 90's development of carbon nanotubes has been an amazing feat for technological applications, however, it has not gone without its price. Specifically, carbon nanotubes may be causing harm to the human body in the form of mesothelioma cancer.

If the carbon nanotubes are introduced into the wrong environment, the development of lesions and inflammation of the lungs occurs - symptoms similar to that of mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure. Researchers uncovered the finding through exposure of carbon nanotubes to animals. Dr. Andrew Maynard, who published a study in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, described the use of nanotubes and the potential link to mesothelioma cancer. He said that currently, nanotubes are being implemented because of their awesome abilities at conducting heat and electricity. Mostly, Dr. Maynard explains, the nanotubes are being implemented into sports equipment. He said that there are no regulations as to where nanotubes can be implemented and there are currently no requirements for the use of nanotubes to be disclosed to the general public.

What Are Nanotubes?

According to Maynard, nanotubes are a product of nanotechnology research, one he considers the "poster child" of nanotechnology. The nanotubes are cylindrical structures comprised of carbon atoms that have been rolled together. Maynard's study found that when mice were exposed to nanotubes, they developed asbestos-induced symptoms within the lungs. While he and other researchers consider nanotubes to be safe - when encased - the risk occurs when nanotubes are incinerated or broken.

Nanotubes are currently being used in:

* a variety of sports equipment

* bicycle frames

* tennis rackets

* electronic gas detectors

* radios

Additionally, because of the strength of nanotubes, many consider its future use to vastly effect several business ventures and areas, and be widely used in industries including:

* aerospace

* automobile

* airplanes

* television box productions

* medical

* environmental uses

Working with Nanotubes

While the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is doing research on nanotoxicology, there is little knowledge or research currently available regarding the safety of using nanotechnology. Additionally, Dr. Maynard noted that because of the ever-increasing nanotechnology industry, which is likely to be worth $2.6 trillion by 2014, it will be difficult to adequately and accurately assess nanotechnology safety because of the technology's quick growth, which is also being used in the food industry.

Transparency of nanotoxicology among some nanotechnologically-produced products may fall into the hands of manufacturers and producers, which John M. Balbus, health program chief for the Environmental Defense Fund who was interviewed in a Washington Post article on nanotechnology, said could either be a very good thing with open communications, or a very bad thing replicating the mistakes made among the construction industry's use of asbestos. However, he noted that upfront communication regarding the dangers of nanotechnology with the public may increase because of the previous mistakes made by other industries in hiding mesothelioma conditions from the public.

Finding Help with Nanotube Related Mesothelioma

Individuals, especially nanotube factory workers who have previously worked with carbon nanotubes or have been exposed to the potential dangers associated with the nanotubes and developing mesothelioma should receive medical attention immediately.
It may also become necessary for these individuals to locate a law firm with knowledge of mesothelioma-related litigation in order to develop a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Because of the nature of the industry and the continued funding flooding into carbon nanotube research it is important to develop a lawsuit that will also alert others, in a similar predicament, and provide aware of the potentially serious health risks associated with nanotechnology. Further, because only 5 percent of the funding, which consists of billions of dollars annually, provided by the National Nanotechnology Institute is going toward health and safety research, it is important for individuals with nanotube-induced mesothelioma to develop a lawsuit that may offer monetary compensation to victims suffering from this irreversible and deadly lung cancer.

Author: Katie Kelley

Space Colony Outer Walls Made of Bacteria to Produce Oxygen

2008-09-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to create a space colony in which the outer walls of the buildings are covered with special bacteria between two outer sheets of Carbon NanoTubes? Let me explain the idea to you. We genetically modify and create bacteria, which is spread onto the colony buildings then a another layer of Carbon tubes is placed over the live bacteria. The Space Colony's Outer Walls would have enclosed Bacteria to Produce your needed Oxygen Supplies.

This bacteria will eat either moon dust or carbon dioxide on the surface of Mars. The bacteria will produce oxygen after it eats the CO2. The oxygen will be collected and forced into the space module or colony to provide oxygen for the human inhabitants. The bacteria can also be put into giant bacteria colonies encased in something like giant solar cell panels and this could provide all the Oxygen needed to the space colony.

Too bad about the budget cuts for the NASA Astrobiology Group, as this would have been a perfect project for them indeed. How big much moon dust would need to be put between the walls for the bacteria? Well that depends on how much oxygen you with to produce with your genetically modified bacteria, as well as if you decide to use extra layers of moon dust to protect the colony against Solar Flares of sun radiation. Consider all this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

The Future of Invisible Military Craft

2008-09-05T10:14:00.000-07:00

Newer materials such as carbon nanotube sheets will be used in modern warfare due to their strength and safety against potential adversaries with high impact weapons. But there are many other reasons to consider carbon nanotube sheets such as their ability to conduct electricity or even double as a flat panel display.

Imagine a blimp sporting a picture in the sky of the Great Allah that surely would put the fear of God into your enemy. What about the potential for displaying the sky behind the blimp on the blimp? Meaning you could not see it.

Additionally even if you did see it, big deal because carbon nanotubes are so strong most bullets would not penetrate them anyway. Another great feature of carbon nanotube sheet construction is it can be made 250 times stronger than steel, yet paper thin as well. At that thinness it would appear transparent or invisible to the human eye? If it were sitting on the ramp you could drive right into it before you figured out it was there?

There can be no greater advantage in modern warfare than complete Stealth and the easiest way to achieve total stealth is to incorporate current Stealth Technology with cloaking technologies and new materials which are see thru. Think on this in 2006.

What is Nanotube?

2008-09-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

They were discovered in 1991 by the Japanese electron microscopist Simio Iijima who was studying the material deposited on the cathode during the arc-evaporation synthesis of fullerenes. Carbon nanotubes are fullerene-related structures which consist of graphene[1] cylinders closed at either end with caps containing pentagonal rings. Examples of Nanotubes are Single-layer nanotubes and nanotube "ropes" and nanohorns. Carbon nanotubes, therefore, are rolled-up sheets of graphite - i.e. the same material that is used in pencils. A sheet of graphite is composed of carbon atoms arranged in a flat hexagonal pattern similar to chicken wire mesh.

Nanoelectronic has witnessed a shift towards molecular systems in recent years. Though the term molecular electronic is rather an old one, it is only recently that single molecules have become the focus of interest, as nanoelectronic start to surface. This was triggered by research on carbon nanotubes. But before the carbon nanotubes entered the scene, molecular electronic was the science of organic polymers, their synthesis, processing and doping. With carbon nanotubes, we finally have a model system at hand that is equally of interest for chemists, material scientists and physicists. However, carbon nanotubes are supramolecular objects for a chemist; they are one-dimensional solids for a physicist. In the future, more of this supramolecular structure will be studied on a single molecule level.

Theorists have shown that nanotubes can be conducting or insulating depending on their structure. Therefore, this may lead to applications in nanoelectronic.

Wires are not possible for use in nanoelectronic, because they are susceptible to thinning and breakage. Despite recent interest in carbon nanotubes, they have variable electronic properties, depending on their orientation, reducing their functionality as electrical conductors.

One problem that plagues researchers looking to fashion circuit components from nanotubes is separating metallic tubes from the ones that are semi-conducting. Common synthesis procedures produce spaghetti-like mixtures of nanotube ropes that are unusable for semiconductor applications because they contain both types of tubes.

Nanotubes can be metals or semiconductors, and because of their strong chemical bonds and satisfied valences[2], the materials boast high thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability. In addition, carbon nanotubes can be efficient conductors as a result of their tiny diameters, long lengths, and defect-free structures that make them ideal one-dimensional systems.

Theoretical models have predicted that nanotubes could behave as ideal one-dimensional "quantum wires" with either semi conducting or metallic behaviours. Study of Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) images, however, has indicated that the nanotubes also incorporate kinks and defects into their walls

Progress in nanotubes synthesis has now yielded single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) with well-defined diameters, bringing the experimental situation much closer to that of the theoretical models. Recent measurements indicate that these materials do behave like one-dimensional wires. The SWNTs should also be more sensitive to defects, to the extent that defects may dominate the transport characteristics. In this work, an STM tip was used as a sliding electrical contact to probe the length-dependence of SWNT conductance. Although atomic defects were not directly imaged, sharp conductance transitions and hetero-junction behaviours in the nanotube conductance are suggestive of the signatures of nanotube defects.

Altawell.

©Altawell 2008

[1] Graphene: A sheet similar in appearance to "chicken wire mesh" made up from carbon atoms.

[2] Valence: The number of chemical bonds an atom can form.

[3] STM: Scanning Tunneling Microscope.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Najib_Altawell

Carbon NanoTubes and Applications

2008-09-04T07:48:00.000-07:00

If you were an engineer and wanted to build something that would last a long time, take the ultimate of abuse from the elements and could even withstand a Category 5 Hurricane, well then; what would you make it out of?

Perhaps you would want a material that is stronger than steel, flexible and yet, harder than diamonds; indeed and that is what she said. No more viagra needed? But in all seriousness can you image a real legitimate use for this type of material? How about replacing wooden dams in flood prone areas or cement dams in Earthquake prone regions? How about a car that you could play bumper cars with and never lose, the ultimate urban assault vehicles? Speaking of urban assault and the war in Iraq which is similar to the Los Angeles Freeways, how about a Humvee made out of that kind of material. Yah that would save our Troops from roadside bombs and murderous cowardice International Terrorists indeed. What if you were making these units out of a material that was ten times lighter than steel and 250 times the strength?

Well as an engineer you would be making bridges, nuclear power plants, ships, airplanes, cars, buildings and swimming pools out of it. You would be thinking of Space Shuttles, Lunar Colonies, Satellites, iPods and even the levees in New Orleans, but the more you thought about it, you would say; Golf Clubs, fishing poles and snow boards; boy you do need a vacation don’t you? Yes and they you would be re-designing the Château, ski lift and making yourself a new snow mobile too.

You would water pipes, oil pipelines, aqueducts and Space Needles out of the stuff. You are a true American entrepreneur I can tell, so I am thinking you wish to make flag poles, Washington Monument and even the Statue of Liberty out of this stuff. Oh, did I tell you that this material could conduct electricity and even remain invisible to the naked eye? Oh, there goes your engineering mind again, underground Internet lines; high-tension power lines and ditch those lightning prone telephone wires too. Well, I guess we agree that Carbon Nanotubes are the material of the future then. Think on this.

by Online Think Tank forum board.

Carbon Nanotubes For Nanotechnology

2008-08-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

Fullerenes and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are two closely related carbon materials. While fullerenes have bucky-ball structure, CNTs are stripes of graphite rolled up seamlessly into tubes (cylinders). The carbon atoms in a nanotube are arranged in hexagons, similarly to the arrangement of atoms in a sheet of graphite. The electronic properties are fully determined by its helicity (chirality) and diameter. They can have both metallic and semiconducting properties. The typical dimensions of a single wall CNT are: 1 nm in diameter and length of few micrometers. On the other hand, multi-walled CNTs can have diameters up to 100 nm. Recently, super long nanotubes with length of around 1 cm were successfully synthesized.

CNTs are produced by a variety of methods. The most common methods include chemical vapor deposition (CVD), electric arc-discharge, laser ablation of a carbon target, etc. Aligned (forest-like) nanotubes can also be synthesized. Aligned CNTs provide a well-defined structure for some applications. For example, high power density supercapacitors can be built using locally aligned nanotube electrodes.

CNTs play important role in the developing field of nanotechnology. Their excellent electronic transport properties make them good candidates for building blocks in nanoelectronics. The high aspect ratio of nanotubes is favorable in applications based on field emission, like flat panel displays and lamps. Furthermore, the strong mechanical properties and high thermal stability of CNTs improve the properties of matrix materials such as polymers or ceramics. Nanotubes have also been used as an alternative to currently used fillers (e.g. carbon black) to facilitate electrostatic dissipation by increasing the conductivity of polymers. Other studies have been directed towards improving the conductivity of already conducting polymers, thus resulting in a more conductive material.

As already mentioned, the properties of CNTs are fully determined by their exact atomic structure. Thus, in order to build a precise nanotube-based nanoelectronic device with well-defined properties, it is crucial to control the positioning and the atomic (electronic) structure (helicity) of nanotubes already in the growth phase. Some major hurdles still need to be overcome in this field. However, there are many applications where CNT networks are used instead of individual nanotubes. In these cases the properties of the whole nanotube network are determinative. These applications are very promising and a long line of nanotube-based materials and devices are already in the pipeline.

To learn more about carbon nanotubes, please visit

Carbon Nanotubes - Research and Applications

2006 Trends in Carbon NanoTube Construction

2008-08-19T01:32:00.000-07:00

In 2005 scientist’s dreams of carbon Nanotube material came alive. We saw the first carbon nanotube sheets produced. Research Scientists were amazed at the incredible strength of the material, but that is not all, as the material was so thin it could remain transparent. Still more good news, it conducted electricity and it was flexible. Now then the scientists thought about all the applications for such a material, they are truly endless indeed.

Everything from racecars, space ships and jet fighter planes were considered. All of which could use such properties. An invisible airplane with a flexible wing, which was stronger than steel, get out! No, it is true; think of it. The computer display companies said well we can make ultra thin laptops with this material. The Navy said we can make a whole ship out of it, maybe an aircraft carrier.

NASA said wow, we can build rockets, space station and it is perfect for our Lunar Colony Building too. NASCAR said “hoo hoo, we can make stronger, safer, lighter and faster racecars!” The Police Departments saif we can put bulletproof windows in our cars and make these bulletproof vest less cumbersome. Boeing said, hey we can make an aircraft like the 747, which weighs 80% less and can carry more, further with less fuel. Indeed, indeed.

Now then there is only one problem. That is going into 2006 these carbon nano tube sheets are too expensive to make and until we get a better manufacturing process for them, many of these applications are completely out of the question. So what will 2006 do for carbon nanotubes? Scientists will find ways to make them cheaply and efficiently and by the end of the year have that problem solved, even if only on paper. Carbon Nanotubes are on there way and once here, they are here to stay. So think on this in 2006.

Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington