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‘nanotechnology’ Stories

Nanotechnology-infused material is completely water resistant

, Nov 24th 2008 Discuss [0]

Now this is pretty interesting. If nanotechnology news gives you the warm fuzzies then you'll be pleased to learn that some chemists at the University of Zurich have created a new fabric that can't ever get wet. Ever. I mean, it was in water for two months and it's still not wet! This material is made from polyester which were covered with 40nm-wide silicone nanofilaments. Since these filaments are so tiny and so spiky, they make it so water actually sits above the material in a sort of pocket. This is a permanent state. The material won't ever be made wet. So what are the potential applications of this technology? Well, it reduces drag in water by up to 20%, for one. It can also serve as a self-cleaning cloth. Regardless of how it ends up being used, this is still pretty cool and presents numerous opportunities.

Nano Silver could cause environmental pollution

, Nov 14th 2008 Discuss [1]

A report released by the UK Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution indicates that we might not know enough about nano-engineered materials for them to be widely used. In fact, the commission chair will not wear clothing that has nano silver in it until more study is completed. Read The Full Story

iPosture keeps you standing tall

, Aug 22nd 2008 Discuss [2]

Sitting at the computer all day not only strains your eyes--it hurts your back. That's why Moacir Schnapp and his wife, Dr. Elma Schnapp, developed the iPosture, which is meant to remind you to sit up straight. The device is rather small and can be worn on the skin with an adhesive patch, or clipped to a bra strap or shirt. It works by means of nanosensor technology. the microchip within the iPosture can actually monitor the angle of your upper chest and will vibrate when it detects a three degree change from your "ideal stance." The iPosture will cost about $99.95, but it could be well worth it. The researchers say you may only need to wear the device four hours a day for two to four weeks, initially at least, to train your body into its new upright position. [via Crave at CNET]

Rat neuron-infused robot learns, avoids obstacles

, Aug 14th 2008 Discuss [2]

A group of scientists at Reading University in the UK have developed a robot that is controlled by rat neurons. In case you're wondering why anyone would take rat brain cells and stuff them in a robot, the answer is simple: to learn more about the human brain, how it works and potentially make progress in the battle against degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Read The Full Story

Invisible material could make objects ‘disappear’

, Aug 12th 2008 Discuss [0]

The purported "invisibility cloak" has been in the news before. However, University of California at Berkley researchers are on the cusp of something big. They've developed a material "that can bend light around 3D objects" in effect, causing them to disappear. Now, of course this material currently only exists on a nano scale. But these recent developments could potentially one day be scaled up to create great expanses of the material that could conceal objects and even people. Read The Full Story

Nanoantenna Skin to provide next-gen PC cooling

, Aug 12th 2008 Discuss [0]


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If you're looking for the next generation of PC cooling technology or consumer electronic recharging, you may only have to look so far as a group of researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory who have developed a flexible solar cell. This cell could be applied to all sorts of electronics to make recharging a snap and cooling devices a breeze. Read The Full Story

Flexible Material Makes For Stretchy Electronics

, Aug 11th 2008 Discuss [0]

It looks like the dream of flexible and stretchy electronics will come true sometime in the semi-near future. A group of scientists at the University of Tokyo have recently developed a material that both conducts electricity and is made of a rubbery material that can be stretched to more than twice its size. Read The Full Story

300,000 words inscribed on a the head of pin

, Dec 26th 2007 Discuss [0]

Nanotechnology is fascinating to me. I’m going to attribute that to the ‘girl/miniature’ gene of mine. The most current newsworthy item in the world of nanotechnology is apparently making tiny bibles. Read The Full Story

Hitachi is at it again, making all the other HDD manufacturers look bad with their 4TB HDDs

, Oct 15th 2007 Discuss [0]

That’s right, by 2011 your laptop could have a 1TB HDD and your desktop could have a 4TB HDD. That’s all thanks to some nanotech thing that Hitachi has done that reduces Nanometer Recording by two times. You could actually see the technology as early as 2009, but probably not quite in those capacities. Basically what they did was shrunk the head (I KNEW IT WAS ALL VOODOO!) to a point where it’s about 2,000 times smaller than a human hair. Read The Full Story

Reach for the Robo-Raid: Bionic Hornet brings nanotech to war

, Nov 17th 2006 Discuss [4]

I'm in two minds about this story - impressed, because nanotechnology is cool and tiny robots are even cooler, but more than a little disturbed at the idea of killer robots flying around and zapping people in the neck.  Reuters is reporting that Israel are developing a bionic hornet that could chase, photograph and eventually kill enemy combatants or terrorists.  Able to navigate tightly confined areas and so small as to be difficult to target by traditional weaponry, the concept is expected to reach prototype stage within three years.  It's uncertain as yet whether the robots would be remotely controlled or have some sort of AI, though a combination of both is perhaps most likely; general targeting by remote, while short-range sensors automatically manage obstacle avoidance, tracking and flight.  Israel developing anti-militant "bionic hornet" [Reuters]

Nanotechnology Strom Fishing Lures Catches More Fish

, Sep 20th 2006 Discuss [2]

For all ye fishermen out there prone to over-priced shiny lures. Coming out in October is the shiniest of them all created by the major vacuum equipment manufacturer, Ulvac. The "Strom" lure as they call it is produced using advanced nanotechnology featuring a nanocoating that makes it reflective and shiny from any angle you view it. Yes, fish like em shiny things, but I think these suckers attract more humans than fish as with most lure products on the market. However, Ulvac claims these lures, under much testing, prove to attract four times more fish. Anyhow, if you got the money, these suckers go for $25 a piece and come in two sizes, 2.4g and 3.7g. Via: pinktentacle

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