Modified phytoglycogen nanoparticles to protect oil in foods from oxidation

A researcher from Purdue University sucessfully modified the surface of phytoglycogen nanoparticles to make them behave “like an emulsifier, creating phytoglycogen octenyl succinate, or PG-OS. PG-OS is thicker and denser than commonly used emulsifiers, creating a better defense from oxygen, free radical and metal ions, which cause lipid oxidation“. His work also showed that ε-polylysine, a [...]

Gold nanoparticles and magnetic microparticles to detect an indicator of prostate cancer

A new assay developped by US and Austrian researchers uses gold nanoparticles and DNA as amplification agents to detect prostate specific antigen (PSA), a protein associated with prostate cancer. The immunoassay is based on the use of 1) PSA antibody-functionalised gold nanoparticles decorated with DNA strand and 2) magnetic microparticles functionalised with a second PSA [...]

New Russian nanotechnology funding program

According to President Dmitry Medvedev at the opening of Rusnanotech 09 on Tuesday, “nanotechnology will rival oil as a global powerhouse industry, so Russia’s economy needs to embrace it now (…) The global nanotechnology market is worth about $250 billion today and may reach $2 trillion to $3 trillion by 2015, making it comparable to the market of [...]

Carbon nanotubes can dramatically accelerate the germination and growth of plants

In the frame of a new study entitled “Carbon Nanotubes Are Able To Penetrate Plant Seed Coat and Dramatically Affect Seed Germination and Plant Growth“ recently published in the online edition of ACS Nano, researchers have demonstrated that carbon nanotubes can penetrate thick seed coat and support water uptake inside tomato seeds. According to some of [...]

A nanotech sensor to distinguish between the breath of lung cancer patients and healthy controls

Israeli researchers have demonstrated that an array of sensors based on functionalized gold nanoparticles in combination with pattern recognition methods can distinguish between the breath of lung cancer patients and healthy controls. Their study was published online in Nature Nanotechnology on August 30th in an article entitled “Diagnosing lung cancer in exhaled breath using gold [...]

Integrating the nanoscale in formulations : the InForm project

A new EU-funded 3-year, EUR 1.7 million project entitled INFORM (“Integrating the nanoscale in formulations”) aims to facilitate communication and consequently scientific advances in the field of formulation science regarding the use of nanomaterials. It will focus its efforts on six priority areas:
- the formulation of nano-bio materials
- the handling and processing of nanopowders
- process [...]

Differential toxicity of carbon nanomaterials in fruit flies

According to a new study carried out on Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies and published in Environmental Science & Technology :
- Larval fruit flies showed no physical or reproductive effects from consuming carbon nanoparticles (fullerene C60, carbon black, or single-walled or multiwalled nanotubes) in their food, “despite evidence that the nanomaterials are taken up and become sequestered in tissue“
- [...]

Nanoscience and nanotechnology in the EC research programs

- In February 2008, the European Commission released a recommendation on a code of conduct for responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research. It is based on seven principles : meaning (activities should be broadly comprehensible); sustainability; precaution; inclusiveness (with regard to stakeholders); excellence; innovation; and accountability (with regard to social and other impacts).*
- The 7th Framework [...]

Scope of the French public nanotech debate

According to the official document signed in late February 2009 (see also corresponding press release), the French public nanotech debate forecasted for next autumn will be focused on general orientations of development and regulation of nanotechnologies. The debate will be based on a benefit/risk analysis (especially health and environmental benefits and risks) of the various nanotech applications and [...]

2.3 billion euros in the frame of the French “Nano 2012″ program

The stakeholders of Nano 2012 (government, local authorities, scientific and industrial partners) yesterday agreed on the frame of this ambitious French R&D program which involves an investment of 2.3 billion euros over 5 years. Nanoelectronics is a privileged topic of this program. (article 1, article 2).