Nanowerk News
The latest nanotechnology news headlines from Nanowerk
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- Novel carbon nanomaterial combines benefits of fullerenes and nanotubes
Carbon comes in many different forms, from the graphite found in pencils to the world's most expensive diamonds. While diamonds might be very popular among ladies, the two most celebrated carbon materials among nanotechnology scientists are fullerenes and carbon nanotubes. What makes them so interesting are the many advantageous properties that they exhibit. Despite the similarities between these two forms of carbon, there have been very few attempts to physically merge them. An international research group, led by a Finnish team, now has discovered a novel hybrid material that combines fullerenes and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) into a single structure in which the fullerenes are covalently bonded to the outer surface of the SWCNTs. In this newly discovered material, that the researchers termed NanoBuds, the fullerene molecules are attached to the outside surface of the carbon nanotubes, just like buds on the branch of a tree - hence the name - and can be made in a simple one-step process. These NanoBuds have been shown to be extremely efficient electron emitters and have excellent electrical conductive properties. In fact, as NanoBuds combine the chemical reactivity of fullerenes and electrical, optical as well as mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes, they may one day replace current materials in many products. Research is continuing to explore NanoBuds' properties with a view to using them in a wide range of applications.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - Canon is confident in patent-related dispute over nanotechnology TV
Canon expects to win a patent-related dispute in the U.S.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - Nanoparticle combination therapy kills intractable tumors
Administering a small amount of a potent but potentially toxic anticancer agent along with nanoparticles loaded with a second anticancer agent produced a dramatic inhibition of tumor growth in normally intractable cancers.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - Magnetic nanocrystals carry tumor-killing drugs
Magnetic nanocrystalline iron-nickel alloys can effectively carry and release anticancer agents.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - Targeted nanoparticles image early tumors
Using nanoparticles targeted to the tiny blood vessels that surround even the smallest tumors, researchers have developed a radioactive imaging agent that was able to identify human tumors.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - Watery nanoparticles deliver anticancer therapy
Ultrafine nanoparticles made of a lacy web of polymer and tiny pockets of water may prove to be an ideal vehicle for delivering light-activated drugs to tumors.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - New nanotechnology engineering breakthrough points to hydrogen-powered vehicles
An advanced concept in nanoscale catalyst engineering - a combination of experiments and simulations that will bring polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells for hydrogen-powered vehicles closer to massive commercialization.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - The million dollar microscope
How to break the 'impenetrable barrier' of optical microscopy.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - The challenge of designing nanomaterials with reduced toxicity
Obtaining an understanding, at the atomic level, of the interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems has recently become an issue of great research interest. Nanomaterials can exhibit drastically different characteristics compared to their bulk counterparts. Although the use of such materials in biological systems opens avenues for the creation of novel biosensing and alternative nanomedical technologies, these nanomaterials can also be highly toxic. A greater understanding of the interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems, especially of the interaction of nanomaterials with cell membranes, will enable scientists to take full advantage of the unique properties of nanomaterials while minimizing their adverse effects. Fullerenes and their derivatives are an important subset of nanomaterials. Fullerenes have been used as robust oxygen scavengers, anti-HIV drugs, X-ray contrast agents, and transporters for delivering antibodies. While experimental studies suggest that the toxicity of nanomaterials depends critically on their surface properties, it was also found that, in the case of fullerenes, functionalizing the molecules can reduce their toxicity notably. New work by U.S. researchers offers a mechanistic view on the different cytotoxicity of fullerenes and their functionalized derivatives - a first in this important field of nanotoxicity. The major finding is that pristine fullerene can readily jump into a lipid bilayer while the translocation of a functionalized fullerene is severely hindered due to its surface charge, leading to a much reduced toxicity.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - The future of material sciences is in nanotechnology
One of the world's largest polymer manufacturers says that the future of material sciences is closely linked to nanotechnology.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - Delicate relation between single spins
Scientists measure the magnetic interaction between single atoms.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - Complementary circuits made from organic materials
Scientists construct complementary circuits from organic materials.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - New nanoscale electronic switch works like lightning
Nanoscale electrical switches can be built from self-assembled layers of organic molecules on silver wires.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500 - Semi-finalists for Nano Idea to Product Competition announced
Fifteen teams from 12 universities have been selected to present their new product ideas at the Nano Idea to Product Competition April 2-4.
Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:56:08 -0500
