Foresight Nanotech Weekly News Digest: July 27, 2005



FORESIGHT NANOTECH INSTITUTE
WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST
July 27, 2005
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In this issue:

- Foresight Nanotech Institute News - Welcome Diamandis, Von Ehr and Niehaus
- Foresight Nanotechnology Challenges - Related News & Events
- Advanced Nanotech Conference - Additional Speakers & Updated Program
- Foresight Nanotech Institute - Lectures
- Spotlight on Foresight Members - Corporate Members
- Foresight Partners
- Nanotech News & Events

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FORESIGHT NANOTECH INSTITUTE NEWS

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NANOTECHNOLOGY THINK TANK WELCOMES
PETER DIAMANDIS, ED NIEHAUS AND JAMES VON EHR

COMMERCIAL SPACE FLIGHT, MEDIA AND NANOTECHNOLOGY EXPERTS
JOIN FORESIGHT NANOTECH INSTITUTE'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Foresight Nanotech Institute announced today the appointment of commercial
space flight pioneer, Dr. Peter Diamandis, CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation
and CEO of Zero Gravity Corporation; venture capitalist and media expert,
Ed Niehaus, Partner at Cypress Ventures; and nanotechnology leader and
executive, James Von Ehr II, Founder and CEO of Zyvex Corporation, to our
Board of Directors.

Complete list of Board of Directors:
http://www.foresight.org/about/directors.html

"Foresight Nanotech Institute enthusiastically welcomes Messrs. Diamandis,
Von Ehr, and Niehaus to our Board of Directors," said Scott Mize, President
of Foresight Nanotech Institute. "They bring an abundance of knowledge,
experience and wisdom that will assist Foresight in furthering our mission:
ensuring the beneficial implementation of nanotechnology. The new Board
members will take an active role in Foresight, including overseeing strategy
development, participating in fundraising activities, providing access to a
variety of resources and guiding the non-profit as we execute our plan for the
next phase."

For complete news release:
http://www.foresight.org/cms/press_center/137

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FORESIGHT NANOTECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES

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Foresight has articulated six critical challenges that humanity faces which can
be addressed by nanotechnology. In the Weekly News Digest we identify
news items, research breakthroughs, and events citing current research and
applications providing the stepping stones to solutions to these challenges:

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1. Meeting global energy needs with clean solutions

Titanium and nanotubes improve fuel cell storage capacity
News source: Small Times

Researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) and Turkey's Bilkent University discovered that titanium-crusted
carbon nanotubes could meet two key requirements for efficient hydrogen
storage: the abilities to latch on to hydrogen molecules in adequate numbers
and to relinquish the hydrogen readily when heated.

The U.S. Freedom Car Research Partnership, which features participation
from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. automakers, requires a 6
percent minimum storage capacity. The researchers' single-walled carbon
nanotubes, which are decorated with titanium or other transition metals, can
amass a predicted 8 percent of the nanotubes' weight worth of hydrogen.

http://smalltimes.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=9631

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2. Providing abundant clean water globally

Nanotech for Clean Water Panel
News Source: Foresight Nanotech Institute conference

There will be a panel discussion on Nanotech for Clean Water at the
Advancing Beneficial Nanotechnology: Focusing on the Cutting Edge conference.

Panelists are:

Todd Barker, Partner, Meridian Institute
William Lee, President and CEO, eMembrane
Kevin McGovern, Chairman, McGovern & Associates (for KX Industries)
Fred Tepper, President, Argonide

http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/index.html

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3. Increasing the health and longevity of human life

Nano World: A nano DNA-delivery system
News source: World Peace Herald by Charles Q. Choi, UPI

Scientists have used silica nanoparticles loaded with DNA to deliver genes
safely into mouse brains, a technique that could lead to gene therapies able to
repair cells more safely and effectively than current methods, which rely on
viral vectors.

Paras Prasad, a physical chemist and executive director of the University of
Buffalo Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics in New York, has
created silica particles roughly 30 nanometers in diameter as non-viral gene
-therapy delivery mechanisms. The synthesis of these nanoparticles, led by
University of Buffalo chemist Dhruba Bharali, involves coating their surfaces
with organic molecules that bind to genetic payloads, protecting the delicate
DNA from enzymatic digestion.

http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050726-122809-7406r

Dr. Paras Prasad http://www.chem.buffalo.edu/prasad.php

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4. Maximizing the productivity of agriculture

Nano detector fingers pathogens
News source: Food Production Daily.com

A portable nano detection tool could be used by processors to ensure food
safety, say a team of European researchers.

Biofinger, which is being funded by the EU, could be used as a cheap and fast
method in the diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. It could also be used for
chemical and food analysis, said Biofinger's project coordinator, Joan Bausells.

The new system, now in final development stages, is scheduled to begin field
testing later this summer. The detector would help food processors in their
battle to maintain the safety of their products. Consumer demand and an
increased focus on food safety through regulator oversight and regulations is a
driving trend in the market

http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/news-ng.asp?n=61527-nano-detector-fingers

Biofinger http://www.biofinger.org/

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5. Making powerful information technology available everywhere

Small Tech Spared as Hewlett Packard Cuts Research
News source: SmallTimes

As part of a massive restructuring that includes 14,500 job cuts companywide,
Hewlett-Packard Co. is discontinuing four research projects at HP Labs,
including one headed by pioneering technologist Alan Kay. About 10 percent,
or 70, of HP Labs 700 employees worldwide will receive layoff notices but
some may find work elsewhere in the company.

Other HP projects will continue, including its well-known research in
nanotechnology and quantum computing.

http://www.smalltimes.com/document_display.cfm?section_id=53&document_id=9595
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6. Enabling the development of space

U.S.-Russian Nano-Filter Enters Space Technology Hall of Fame
News Source: Argonide Corporate Announcement

An efficient "superfilter" able to extract bacteria, cysts, turbidity and even
viruses from water was among four innovative space-based technologies
inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame. The NanoCeram
Superfilter, developed by Argonide Corporation of Sanford, Florida, uses
nanofibers originally developed at the Design Technology Center (DTC) in
Tomsk, Russia.

http://nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=1825
http://www.argonide.com/index.htm

Fred Tepper, President of Argonide will participate on a "Nanotech for Clean
Water" panel at the Advancing Beneficial Nanotechnology: Focusing on the
Cutting Edge Conference.
http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/index.html

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LECTURES - FORESIGHT NANOTECH INSTITUTE

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OPTICS & PHOTONICS
The International Society of Optical Engineering
July 31 - August 4, 2005
San Diego, California

Eric Drexler, Chief Technical Advisor at Nanorex and Founder of Foresight
Nanotech Institute will give a Symposium-wide Plenary presentation about
Productive Nanosystems: Roadmap to a Bottom-up Revolution on July 31, 2005,
5-5:30 p.m.
http://spie.org/Conferences/Programs/05/am/specialevents/index.cfm?fuseaction=plenary

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ADVANCING BENEFICIAL NANOTECHNOLOGY:
Focusing on the Cutting Edge
13th Foresight Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology

October 22-27, 2005
San Francisco Airport Marriott Hotel
http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/index.html

Early Registration Discount - deadline September 1, 2005

Participating Member Discounts Available:
To join online:
https://foresight.org/forms/php/donate.php

Customize your conference experience - Choose the days and sessions that
provide the kind of nanotechnology information and contacts you seek.
Foresight Nanotech Institute offers an "a la carte" conference so you can
select the days that are most valuable to you. Or attend all six days and
receive a comprehensive overview: from Vision, through current Applications
and Policy work, to Research on the cutting edge of advanced
nanotechnology.
http://foresight.org/conference2005/registration.html

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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS AND UPDATED PROGRAM

We have added new, thought-provoking, presentations since our last email.
Follow this link to our conference website to view the program and speakers
list:
http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/index.html

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SELECTED PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/index.html

Vision Weekend - October 22-23, 2005

Nanotechnology: New Capabilities in Security, Defense and Offense
Sharon Smith, Director of Technology, Lockheed Martin

Technology Roadmap for Productive Nanosytems
Eric Drexler, Chief Technical Advisor, Nanorex, and Founder, Foresight Nanotech
Institute

Soft Machines: Why Nano will be like Bio
Richard A.L. Jones, University of Sheffield, UK

Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence to Extend Human Lifespan
Aubrey de Grey, University of Cambridge, UK

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Applications & Policy - October 24-25, 2005

Debate: Is the public interest being protected?
Randy Hayes, Founder and President, Rainforest Action Network
Norris Alderson, Associate Commissioner for Science, U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
Adam Werbach, Conservationist and former President, Sierra Club

Investing Debate: How Can We Overcome the "Valley of Death?"
Steve Jurvetson, Managing Director, Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Floyd Kvamme, Partner, Kleiner Perkins
Michael Moe, Chairman & CEO, ThinkEquity Partners
Ray Rothrock, Managing General Partner, Venrock Associates

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Research - October 26-27, 2005

Tutorial: Molecular Nanotechnology Research Overview
David Forrest, U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center

Electromechanical Nanodevices
Z. L. Wang, Georgia Tech

Engineering Artificial Biochemical Circuits
Roy Bar-Ziv, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Hierarchical Organization of Nanoscale Building Blocks
Charles Lieber, Harvard University

For complete program:
http://www.foresight.org/conference2005/index.html

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SPOTLIGHT ON FORESIGHT MEMBERS:
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Foresight Nanotech Institute has updated its membership levels and added
new benefits. One of the new levels is the corporate membership. Foresight
would like to welcome our most recent corporate members, Biophan,
Nanoscience Technologies, Tarlton Properties, Waitt Family Foundation and
Zyvex Corporation. A appreciative thank you to all of our corporate members
for their support.

Accelrys - http://www.accelrys.com/
Battelle - http://www.battelle.org/
Biophan - http://www.biophan.com/
Dorsey & Whitney LLP - http://www.dorsey.com/
Draper Fisher Jurvetson - http://www.dfj.com/
Foley & Lardner LLP - http://www.foley.com/
Howard, Rice, Nemerovski, Canady-Falk & Rabkin - http://www.howardrice.com/
NanoHoldings LLC - http://www.nanoholdings.net/
Nanorex, Inc. - http://www.nanorex.com
Nanoscience Technologies, Inc.- http://nanoscience-tech.com/html/
NaturalNano - http://www.naturalnano.com/
SEMI - http://wps2a.semi.org/wps/portal/_pagr/103/_pa.103/210
Sun Microsystems - http://www.sun.com/
Tarlton Properties - http://www.tarlton.com/
Waitt Family Foundation - http://www.waittfoundation.org/
Zyvex Corporation - http://www.zyvex.com/

To become a corporate member follow this link:
http://www.foresight.org/members/index.html

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FORESIGHT PARTNERS

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If you attend or use any of our media partners' events or services, please tell
them you heard about it from Foresight Nanotech Institute.

August 21-23, 2005 Targeted Nanodelivery for Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging
Sponsored by Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Washington, D.C.

The goal of targeted therapeutics is to create drugs that by the specificity of
their design and delivery will be more effective in treating disease and less
toxic. Nanotechnology offers the possibility of a device and a drug in one,
with novel capabilities. This meeting will address the challenges in
implementing nanotechnology for drug delivery systems and imaging agents,
and promote dialogue between diagnostic and therapeutic development.
http://www.healthtech.com/2005/bms/index.asp

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tinytechjobs - tiny technology. Big Opportunities

tinytechjobs is a unique career website devoted to jobs at the convergence of
nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information technology. On the site you
will find both academic and industrial positions in such disciplines as
chemistry, physics, materials science, biology, biochemistry, molecular
biology, micro- and nano-electromechanical engineering, biomedical
engineering and devices, microfluidics, microarrays, information technology,
optics, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering, and other relevant
fields.
http://www.tinytechjobs.com/index.html

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NANOTECH EVENTS & NEWS:

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Article: Researchers Sort Out the Carbon Nanotube Problem
News Source: NIST

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and university
researchers report a significant step toward sorting out the nanotube
"problem"--the challenge of overcoming processing obstacles so that the
remarkable properties of the tiny cylindrical structures can be exploited in
new polymer composite materials of exceptional strength
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/techbeat/tb2005_0726.htm#researchers

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Event: August 15-16, 2005 - AANM's First Annual Scientific Meeting
Baltimore, Maryland
Sponsored by the American Academy of Nanomedicine
http://www.nanomedacademy.org/meeting/

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Event: August 22-25, 2005 - Course: New Electronic Materials for Extending
Moore's Law
Palo Alto, California
Sponsored by the Stanford University
http://scpd.stanford.edu/SCPD/courses/proed/institute/mooreDetail.htm

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Event: August 28-September 1, 2005 - National Meeting & Exposition
Washington, DC
Sponsored by the American Chemical Society
http://acswebcontent.acs.org/nationalmeeting/dc05/home.html

Includes short course:
Designing Novel Advanced Materials Using Molecular Structure-Property
Relationships

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The Foresight Nanotech Institute Weekly News Digest is emailed every week
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Judy Conner, Director of Communications at Foresight Nanotech Institute, is
the editor of the Foresight Nanotech Institute Weekly News Digest. If you
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editor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Foresight Nanotech Institute is located in Menlo Labs in the Menlo Business
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Tarlton Properties. If you are seeking space for your nanotechnology or
biotechnology company, please contact them at
http://www.tarlton.com.

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