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Researchers at Cornell University recently made a major breakthrough when they invented a method to test and demonstrate a long-held hypothesis that some very, very small metal particles work much better than others in various chemical processes such as converting chemical energy to electricity in fuel cells or reducing automobile pollution.
The breakthrough, reported in this week's edition of the journal Nature Materials, also came with a surprise. By devising a way to watch individual molecules react with a single nanoscale particle of gold in real time, researchers confirmed that some gold particles are better at increasing the rate of a chemical reaction than others, but they also found that a good catalyst sometimes spontaneously turns bad.
Understanding why these particles change and how to stabilize the "good" particles may lead to solutions for a wide range of problems such as the current global energy challenge.
-NSF-
Media Contacts Bobbie Mixon, NSF (703) 292-8070 bmixon@nsf.gov
Program Contacts Rama Bansil, NSF (703) 292-8562 rbansil@nsf.gov Z. Charles Ying, NSF (703) 292-8428 cying@nsf.gov Thomas P. Rieker, NSF (703) 292-4914 trieker@nsf.gov
Principal Investigators Peng Chen, Cornell University (607) 254-8533 pc252@cornell.edu
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $6.06 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

The Akiyama-probe has been developed in cooperation with the Institute of Microtechnology (IMT) at the University of Neuchâtel for the NANOSENSORS™ brand that is specialized on cutting edge scanning probes for Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) applications. The product is called the Akiyama-probe or A-probe to honour its inventor Dr. Terunobu Akiyama. It is a novel self-sensing and – actuating probe based on a quartz tuning fork combined with a micromachined cantilever for dynamic mode AFM.
It features a symmetrical arrangement of a U-shaped silicon cantilever attached to the two prongs of a quartz tuning fork. The tuning fork serves as an oscillatory force sensor that governs the tip vibration frequency as well as the amplitude and ensures a high mechanical Q-factor. The force constant of the probe is determined by the cantilever and can be adjusted independently from the resonance frequency.
The Akiyama-probe requires neither optical detection, nor an external shaker. A-Probe occupies only a small volume above the sample. These features make it very attractive for creating a new generation of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) instruments.
Up to now the probe was only available to and via AFM manufacturers who sell instruments with A-probe capability. Starting November 2008 the Akiyama-probe will also be available to end-customers via our regular distribution channels. For this occasion NANOSENSORS™ has dedicated a complete website akiyamaprobe.com which offers ample information on this very special product.
About NANOSENSORS™:
NANOSENSORS™ is specializing in the development and production of innovative high quality probes for scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The products are especially designed for scientists at universities, research institutions and industrial R&D centres in the fields of nanotechnology, microtechnology, materials research, semiconductors, biology, biotechnology, chemistry and medicine. NANOSENSORS™ is a trademark of NanoWorld AG.

The arrangement combines Nanogen’s strength in real-time PCR IVD product development with Menarini’s significant market presence in the major EU countries and their rapidly expanding reach into the developing Eastern European markets. Under the terms of the agreement the kits will be manufactured by Nanogen and branded as Menarini products. The first products are expected to be introduced to the market in 2009 and will target infectious disease diagnostics.
“Molecular diagnostics is a high growth segment of the global IVD market and real-time PCR has become a gold standard diagnostic technology,” said Howard Birndorf, CEO of Nanogen. “We are pleased to have a partner like Menarini that can help bring our innovative technology to the $1 billion European market. We believe our strong technology and product capabilities together with Menarini’s local sales strength will open a new market and revenue stream for Nanogen and will make a highly competitive offering in Europe.”
About Nanogen, Inc. Nanogen provides innovative, high quality diagnostic products to clinicians, physicians and researchers worldwide, making it easier to predict, diagnose and, ultimately, help treat disease in a timely fashion. The company's products include molecular diagnostic kits and reagents and kits for rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests. Nanogen has pioneered research in areas involving nanotechnology, biomarkers, and molecular biology to bring better results to diagnostics and healthcare. For additional information please visit Nanogen’s website at nanogen.com.
About Menarini Menarini is a leading pharmaceutical company formed over a century ago (1886) with a consolidated turnover above €2.5 billion. Today, the Menarini Group has many licensing partners for the European market and an excellent reputation as an effective and efficient partner, both in the development of new products and new scientific information. Additional information is available on the company's website: menarini.com.
Nanogen Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including whether patents owned or licensed by Nanogen will be developed into products, whether the patents owned by Nanogen offer any protection against competitors with competing technologies, whether products under development can be successfully developed and commercialized, whether results reported by our customers or partners can be identically replicated, and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the caption "Factors That May Affect Results" and elsewhere in Nanogen’s Form 10-K or Form 10-Q most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Nanogen disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

A revolutionary new gold nanoparticle manufacturing method has been developed that results in gold nanowires that are upwards of 2 microns in length and only 20 nm in diameter. These ultra-long devices exhibit tremendous photothermal properties, converting up to 90% of incident light energy to heat. Their tunable optical absorption range is from 1 to 10 microns.
Nanowires are an extension of the technology currently employed by Nanopartz™ for nanorods. Gold nanorods have recently found huge successes in cancer therapy. Gold nanorods are also used for blood testing in diagnostics; as optical contrast agents in imaging; in material science, optics, negative refractive index materials such as the “Harry Potter Cloak;” and for improving the density of optical data storage in compact disks.
With tunable absorptions in the near to mid-IR, solar cell manufacturers can use these devices to improve the efficiencies of their devices since current devices do not absorb well at these wavelengths. Their shapes lend themselves to be a component in better optical devices like polarizers, filters, and negative refractive index materials. Many scientists have employed these devices as wires in nanocircuitry. Nanopartz™ is also experts in conjugating surface coatings to these gold nanoparticles. These conjugation provide the mechanical linkage necessary for many of these applications.
These devices are now available for evaluation at pre-production quantities. "We are very excited at the potential applications of these gold nanoparticles,” said Christian Schoen, President of Nanopartz™.

PDS Biotechnology Corporation today announced that the company has been selected as a collaborator of the US National Cancer Institute's Nanotechnology Characterization Lab (NCL) to complete preclinical development of Versamune(TM)-HPV prior to filing of the Investigational New Drug Application. The NCL will perform selected physical, chemical and biological studies on behalf of the company at its facilities at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Frederick, Maryland. Dr. Frank Bedu-Addo, President of the Corporation stated that, "PDS Biotechnology Corporation's partnership with the NCL provides significant value to the company. The invaluable expertise of the NCL's scientists will provide the company with additional expert resources and technologies, and will facilitate rapid development of the product."
Versamune(TM)-HPV is an immunotherapy drug which has demonstrated significant promise in curing HPV infection and HPV-related cancer in preclinical animal and human model studies. Cancers caused by infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) include cervical, head and neck and anal cancers. No cures exist for these cancers. Based on promising in vivo and in vitro efficacy data, PDS Biotechnology Corporation was awarded in August 2008, a phase I SBIR grant by the US National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute to develop Versamune(TM)-Melanoma to treat melanoma, which is the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
PDS Biotechnology Corporation's Versamune(TM) nanotechnology facilitates the uptake of disease-associated protein and peptide antigens by the antigen- presenting cells of the immune system and simultaneously acts a strong immune system activator (adjuvant) without the inflammatory side effects induced by current adjuvants. The result is simple, safe and cost effective nanotechnology-based drugs and vaccines that induce effective eradication of the specific cells infected with, or expressing the particular protein formulated with Versamune(TM).
PDS Biotechnology Corporation ( pdsbiotech.com) is a Cincinnati, Ohio-based biotechnology company applying the company's proprietary Versamune(TM) nanotechnology drug platform technology to the development of safe and potent immunotherapies to prevent and to treat cancer and diseases caused by infectious agents.
The NCL is a formal collaboration between the US National Cancer Institute, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) to rapidly advance promising cancer nanotechnology drugs through regulatory submissions with the FDA.
Web site: pdsbiotech.com/

According to a paper by Hatice Şengül and colleagues at the University of Illinois at Chicago, strict material purity requirements, lower tolerances for defects and lower yields of manufacturing processes may lead to greater environmental burdens than those associated with conventional manufacturing. In a study of carbon nanofiber (CNF) production, Vikas Khanna and colleagues at The Ohio State University found, for example, that the life cycle environmental impacts may be as much as 100 times greater per unit of weight than those of traditional materials, potentially offsetting some of the environmental benefits of small size of nanomaterials.
Materials engineered at dimensions of 1 to 100 nanometers­ (1 to100 billionths of a meter) ­exhibit novel physical, chemical and biological characteristics, opening possibilities for stunning innovations in medicine, manufacturing and a host of other sectors of the economy. Because small quantities of nanomaterials can accomplish the tasks of much larger amounts of conventional materials, the expectation has been that nanomaterials will lower energy and resource use and the pollution that accompanies them. The possibility of constructing miniature devices atom-by-atom has also given rise to expectations that precision in nanomanufacturing will lead to less waste and cleaner processes.
“Research in this issue reveals the potential of environmental impacts from nanomanufacturing to offset the benefits of using lighter nanomaterials,” saysGus Speth, dean of the Yale University School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. “To date, most attention has focused on the possible toxic effects of exposure to nanoparticles­ and appropriately so. But the ‘old-fashioned’ considerations of pollution and energy use arising from the production technologies used to make nanomaterials need attention as well.”
Other topics explored in the special issue include: · Approaches for identifying and reducing the life cycle hazards of nanomaterials · Quantified life cycle energy requirements and environmental impacts from nanomaterials · Tradeoffs between nanomanufacturing costs and occupational exposure to nanoparticles · Efficiency of techniques for nanomaterials synthesis · Improvement of the sustainability of bio-based products through nanotechnology · Industrial frameworks for responsible nanotechnology · Industrial and public perception about the risks and benefits of nanomaterials · Governance and regulation of nanotechnology
Industrial ecology is a field that examines the opportunities for sustainable production and consumption, emphasizing the importance of a systems view of environmental threats and remedies. “Through the use of tools such as life cycle assessment, green chemistry and pollution prevention, industrial ecology takes a broad and deliberate view of environmental challenges,” states Reid Lifset, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Industrial Ecology. “This special issue shows the power of this approach.”
Roland Clift, Professor of Environmental Technology in the Centre for Environmental Strategy at the University of Surrey and Shannon Lloyd, Principal Research Engineer in the Sustainability & Process Engineering Directorate at Concurrent Technologies Corporation, served as guest editors. Support for this special issue was provided by the Educational Foundation of America, in Westport, Conn. and the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C.

Dear Colleagues,
It is our great pleasure to invite you to join us at NanoIsrael 2009, to be held in Jerusalem on March 30-31, 2009. The conference will be held as part of the year-long celebrations of Israel’s 60th anniversary.
NanoIsrael 2009 is a unique event, bringing together a diverse group of elite dynamic speakers and participants. The central showcase for Israel’s excellence in the interdisciplinary world of nanotechnology, NanoIsrael 2009 will bring together industry, academia, investors, non-governmental organizations and government representatives to focus on current research, commercial endeavours and future opportunities in nanotechnology.
NanoIsrael 2009 is being held in cooperation with the Israel National Nanotechnology Initiative (INNI) and the Nanotechnology centers in Israeli universities, and is supported by the Jerusalem Development Authority and BioJerusalem. The conference will also be supported by key companies, universities and organizations from Israel and abroad.
The agenda will balance scientific themes and business opportunities in areas such as
* Nanomaterials * Nanoelectronics * Nanophotonics * Nanobio * Nanomedicine * Energy & The Environment
Speakers include business leaders as well as top scientists in the field.
The conference will serve as a meeting point for local and multinational companies, venture capitalists, private equity investors, corporate and institutional investors, technology transfer experts, licensing executives, business development executives, university, government and corporate research scientists and government representatives.
We look forward to welcoming you in Jerusalem in March 2009.
Sincerely,
Nava Swersky Sofer President & CEO, Yissum NanoIsrael 2009 Co-Chairperson
Dan Vilenski INNI - Israel National Nanotechnology Initiative NanoIsrael 2009 Co-Chairperson
Prof. Uri Banin Hebrew University of Jerusalem Scientific Committee Chairperson NanoIsrael 2009 Co- Chairperson
Deadline for Submission of Abstracts: January 5, 2009
source and conference programme: www2.kenes.com/nano/pages/home.aspx

Pathogens evolve every day, and hence challenges met by the worldwide health care centers are tremendous. Therefore, one has to keep up with these fast and efficient techniques to identify infections as early as possible.
Do-coop Technologies Ltd. is a private company established in 1997 in Israel near Tel Aviv close to the Ben-Gurion International Airport. It has developed a patented Nanotechnology system to modify the properties of water using nanometer (one-billionth of a meter) size particles (Nano particles). This enables the first ever introduction of water-based biomaterials.
Neowater® is the first branded product of Do-coop, which targets the molecular diagnostics and research market within the Life Science industry. It is also offering new soluble service for Pharma and Biotech companies to enhance bioavailability and solubility of existing and new drugs. Do-coop qualifies for ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004. The Neowater® technology is generated using a distinctive and innovated patented-process, challenges, and contemporary notions about water as well as the fundamental understanding of modern Physics.
Do-coop has the required proficiencies in the fields of Nanotechnology, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. Neowater® has developed exceptional and half step PCR based kits for a rapid and consistent identification of various avian, feline and canine disease tests.
These kits are freeze free thus, the expense of shipping and storing are reduced, as it can be stored at room temperature. The diagnostic company such as Karnieli Ltd. presently uses Neowater®. To know more about Neowater® log on to the website. If you have queries or question you can log on to this site and you will receive a prompt reply from docoop.com. Docoop.com lets you know all the necessary information related to their current projects and services to other companies and detailed reports, supports, forums and media details.
Everyone loves to have a life of quality. Technology does go a long way in helping lead us a quality life, but sometimes one needs to have a superior technology to solve certain problems. Neowater® is a technology that will help you lead this quality life. On docoop.com, you can also join their research in their field of water physics and chemistry.

Scholars and scientists alike all seem to be in agreement that nanotechnology will undoubtedly be a significant science in future years and this is evidenced by the noteworthy focus on and release of fresh nanotechnology news. Some are going as far as calling nanotech research the 21st century science. Current nanotech research which focuses directly on micro particles and nanostructures will be used in the future in cosmetics, beauty aids, wine flavorings, cleaning products, and in the production of self cleaning clothing.
The future of nanotechnology, as documented in recent nanotechnology news, also promises some considerable advances in the medical fields and in the food industries. This certainly is promising for anyone interested in the study of nanotechnology information and/or nanotechnology jobs. Yet, with all of the positive views pertaining to nanotechnology and the ever present advances in nanotechnology, some scientists and scholars actually fear the act of trusting the science, and are worried about the potential ramifications that may or may not accompany nanotechnologies.
Considerable concern exists with the question pertaining to what effect nanoparticles have on the human body, if any effect at all. This question, to this date, remains unanswered, and some scientists fear that the presence of nanoparticles in the human body, over time, may pose some sort of threat. Since nanoparticles are so tiny, there is considerable belief that nanoparticles can sneak through natural defenses, into cell membranes, and potentially transport foreign materials between human strands of DNA. The effects of nanoparticles on the human body have potentially harmful results and this prospect is considerably frightening to some. Some studies recently released aren’t too promising. Fish that have consumed carbon nanoparticles have been tested and have developed brain cancer, so there may indeed be a correlation between the two. Also, alternative studies conducted on rats reveal a correlation between inhaled carbon nanotubes and respiratory dysfunction: ailments considerably similar to the symptoms one develops from asbestos exposure.
John Balbus, Chief Health Scientist at Environmental Defense, asserts that there is little to fear, but that prudence is needed. There are currently some institutions which are demanding and campaigning for rigid checking systems and testing. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration announced that nanoparticles pose no public hazard and that anything manufactured with nanotechnology does not require unique and specified testing. This can prove detrimental to the public if, in the future, scientists suddenly begin revealing an issue with nanoparticles and how they affect human beings on a cellular level through exposure. The United Kingdom government recently released a report suggesting that stringent detection and nanoparticle measurement restrictions need to be implemented. The level of human exposure to nanoparticles also needs to be monitored, the degree of potential toxicity must be revealed, and the environmental effects of nanotechnology must also be assessed.

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. Animals that were exposed to carbon nanotubes was how the researchers discovered the link. Dr. Andrew Maynard, who published a study in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, described the use of nanotubes and the potential link to mesothelioma cancer. The ability for nanotubes to conduct heat and electricity is what is driving their use, he said.
Mostly, Dr. Maynard explains, the nanotubes are being implemented into sports equipment. There are no regulations in place with nanotechnology or the use of nanotubes.
What Are Nanotubes?
Nanotubes have been deemed the poster child of nanotechnology, Maynard said. 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. Nanotubes are considered safe until broken.
The use of nanotubes includes:
* 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, heatlh program chief for the Environmental Defense Fund told the Washington Post that with open communications nanotechnology will flourish, but without it, another wave of unknowing mesothelioma victims will occur.
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.
Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley