Nanostructures Against Cancer

Images obtained from BIND Biosciences web site

The startup BIND Biosciences develops novel nanoparticles which include a drug and that they hope, at the same time, reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and increase its effectiveness against cancer. In addition to carrying the drug, these nanoparticles are inserted into proteins used to attack the cancer.

The nanoparticles developed by BIND Biosciences can remain in the bloodstream longer than a day, which increases the effectiveness of the drug due to increased chances of the medication to reach its objectives.

Nanocrystalline Silicate and Aluminosilicate Materials

Image obtained from www.latech.edu

NanoZeolites development has resulted in the creation of a spin-off of the Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians University called NanoScape AG.

The NanoZeolites include a range of nanocrystalline silicate and aluminosilicate highly porous materials that the company offers both in suspension and powder. In addition, the technology platform of the company ZeoCol combines large-pore, nanocrystalline materials with a variety of techniques of encapsulation and loading.

New Anode for Lithium-ion Batteries

Image obtained from Amprius web site

A California startup called Amprius sells a new type of anode for lithium-ion batteries. These anodes are made from silicon nanowires.

According to the company, this anode will provide more autonomy to both electric vehicles as mobile devices, allowing storing a charge 10 times higher than that of graphite, which is currently used.

Carbon Nanotubes Utilities

We had previously approached to you other three videos in the range of carbon nanotubes in posts entitled “Carbon Nanotubes”, “Production of Carbon Nanotubes” and “How can we see Carbon Nanotubes”

This time we return to that series with a video about the carbon nanotubes utilities entitled “Where are nanotubes used?”

Hybrid Cars with Carbon Nanotubes

Images obtained from Velozzi web site

Velozzi US Company has unveiled its new hybrid car model SOLO. This vehicle can reverse the polarity and be used as a power generator; in its development carbon nanotubes are used to increase the mechanical properties of components, about a 40%, and reduce vehicle weight.

Nanoledge, a spin-off of the French CNRS institute, will use its Nano In^TM technology to integrate the Bayer MaterialScience’s Baytubes® multi-walled carbon nanotubes used in the SOLO.

Velozzi expects to begin mass production in late 2011 or early 2012.

Identification of DNA Bases Without Fluorescent Tags

Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies have made a strategic alliance in which Illumina will market exclusively BASE^TM technology products developed by Oxford Nanopore for the DNA sequencing. These sequencing systems use protein nanopores coupled with a processive enzyme.

The system developed by the spin-out of the University of Oxford, Oxford Nanopore, is designed for the electric identification of DNA bases at the molecular level, without the need for fluorescent labels.

Antimicrobial and Flame Retardant Agent

Images obtained from Nanoparticle BioChem web site

Nanoparticle BioChem Inc., a University of Missouri spin-off  has developed antimicrobial and flame retardant agent, called NUL/FL-Mikrobe-I. This agent can provide antimicrobial and flame retardant properties for textiles. According to the company, the staff developed an antimicrobial action has proved 100% against several important microbes both gram-positive and gram-negative.

Antimicrobial Research conducted by the company focuses on a number of microbial agents with applications for the production of antimicrobial textiles earmarked to military and health and hygiene industries.

INL closes first tender for supply of scientific equipment

The deadline for the first INL tender for the supply of scientific material and instruments was met before yesterday. Close to 40 bidders presented their proposal for 32 lots within five set of lithography tools, wetbenches and fume-hoods, deposition and etching tools, characterization tools and magnetometry laboratory tools.

This contract will be co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), namely through the Programa Operacional do Norte On.2 (Portugal)

New tenders shall be announced soon at our website http://www.inl.int/cont-opportunities.php

New Technique for Manufacturing Organic Electronic Components

Image obtained from Orthogonal web site

The startup of Ithaca, Orthogonal, is developing materials that will enable organic electronic components using the same type of equipment used to manufacture silicon electronic components, allowing the construction of more complex organic compounds also.

The company has made four prototype devices using new photolithography chemical compounds compatible with organic materials.

In the company’s website we can also find a flash resource that explains the OLEDs operation that may be useful as an educational resource.

Solar Energy Backpacks to Recharge Electronic Devices

Images obtained from Mascotte Industrial Associates web site

Mascotte Industrial Associates has submitted a new backpack that incorporates thin film solar cells dye sensitized. These backpacks are lined with layers of this type of solar cells which are flexible, lightweight, and low cost and they will recharge electronic devices as we move. With these packs we could recharge the phone without needing a nearby power point.

The solar cells manufactured by G24 Innovations, are based on semiconductor nanocrystals coated with a layer of dye. The dye absorbs light and creates electrons which are transmitted to the semiconductor and then to the circuit.

These solar cells have a lower efficiency than the best thin film solar cells but they have in advantage that they are significantly cheaper and they can be printed on flexible surfaces.

In addition, dye-based cells operate in a wide range of angles; they have a long durability and they are effective indoors, because the dye is poorly absorbed by diffuse sunlight and fluorescent light.