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September 13th, 2005
Accelrys Introduces Nanotechnology Design Tool
Accelrys, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACCL) has introduced ONETEP, a nanodesign tool developed in conjunction
with the members of the Accelrys Nanotechnology Consortium. The consortium was formed to expedite the development of nanomaterials
and nanodevices. Mark J. Emkjer, CEO of Accelrys commented on ONETEP broad applicability, "With the launch of the ONETEP software
solution, the first deliverable against our target of increased accuracy, capabilities and performance across a broad range
of nanoscale applications, the Consortium is well on its way to fulfilling the promise of furthering the rational design of
nanomaterials and nanodevices. With the Consortium's membership continuing to grow, we are well positioned to develop novel
technologies that meet the needs of the scientists and engineers who are participating in and building the nanotech industry."
Noting the value of nanodevice simulation was Bob Daniels, vice
president of research and development at Lyondell Chemical Company, "We recognize the potential value of molecular modeling
as a means of reducing the cost of new materials research. Accelrys has created a collaborative nanotechnology forum where
Lyondell's needs for specific modeling capabilities are being satisfied. We will deploy these tools to real-world problems
to provide solutions that create a strategic advantage in an increasingly complex and competitive market."
Specific
applications for the ONETEP nanosimulator include nanotubes, mixed bio-materials systems and oxide nanoparticles.
The consortium, which just added seven members, includes organizations
from industry, the academic world and government. The new members include Kyoto University, Millennium Chemicals (A Lyondell
Company), R.J. Mears, CSIC of Spain and PPG Industries. Other members include Corning Incorporated, Fujitsu, e2v Technologies,
Imperial College, Uppsala University, Johnson Matthey, Schenectady International, Fraunhofer IFAM, Fraunhofer IZM and the
Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
September 13th, 2005
Agoura Closes Series A Investment Round
Agoura Technologies, based in Sacramento, California, has closed on an investment from American
River Ventures. Agoura is involved in the development of nanotechnology-based optical films that have applications in the
semiconductor, display, storage and wireless industries. The company’s CEO is Mike Little; former Chief Technology Officer
of Solus Micro Technologies, optical MEMS based tunable filter company. Mr. Little has been awarded over 39 patents and has
six patents pending.
September 12th, 2005
Interface Sciences Launches Oil Spill
Technology Early – Seeks Production Partners
Interface Sciences Corporation (ISC), based in Santa Barbara, California,
has brought out a new nanotechnology based oil spill and recovery technology. The company indicated that Hurricane Katrina
was one of the reasons. The new patented oil spill technology, referred to as Self-Assembled Monolayer (SAMs) technology,
is said to have the capacity to absorb about 40 times it weight in oil. As well, the technology permits the oil absorbed to
be recovered and reused. CEO at ISC, Mitch Hawkins commented on the product’s early release, "Interface Sciences Corporation
wants to make this highly effective material widely available to help mitigate the environmental and health impacts caused
by the approximate 3,000 worldwide annual oil spills, and in particular oil spill damage caused by Hurricane Katrina."
The launch comes about six months of the company’s plans,
which will require the company to find a partner to ramp up production. According to ISC President Chuck Fishel, "We were
not really set up to produce enough of this exciting material, but thought we had to put it out there given the emergency
in the Southeast. We can probably generate enough for use with environmental cleanup of wildlife, but need to find a partner
to accelerate the production and distribution of major quantities for large leaks and spills."
Interface Sciences has been applying its nanotechnology to a number of different fields. It list these as oil spill
remediation, fiber composites and composite structures, computer circuit boards, MEMS, sports equipment, nanoparticle functionalization
and paper treatments.
September 8th, 2005
A carbon nanotube based television (CNTV) has been developed by Applied Nanotech, Inc. The television, which was
developed with six Japanese based display component manufacturing has a 25 inch diagonal and a resolution of 280 x 200 color
lines. According to Dr. Zvi Yaniv, CEO of Applied Nanotech, "This proof of concept is a critical achievement in that the processes,
including printing-like processes, used in creating the display will allow manufacturers to dramatically reduce the capital
investment needed to produce CNT TVs."
The new CNTV display is said to be compatible with low-cost CMOS drivers.
September 7th, 2005
The National Science Foundation reported that researchers at Pennsylvania
State University have demonstrated a cleanroom-free method to produce nanoelectronic devices. The method called microdisplacement
printing is based on a technique called microcontact printing, which involves the use of a patterned rubber stamp like device
inked with a solution of molecules. According to the principle investigator, Paul Weiss, the microdisplacement technique offers
significant advantages over microcontact printing, "But the new microdisplacement technique gives us more control over the
precision with which the patterns are placed and retained, and also allows us to use a wider range of molecules." The funding
for the project was provided in part by the National Science Foundation.
September 7th, 2005
iCurie, Inc. (OTC:ICUR), a company that has developed nanocooling
technology for the electronics market, has opened a manufacturing facility in Furu Industrial Park in Seoul, Korea. That facility
has been reported to have a capacity of 700,000 cooling devices per year and can be expanded to a capacity of 1.2 million
units a year. The facility took less than six months from the time the decision to build the facility to the time the facility
was operational.
With the opening of the facility, iCurie’s partners are expected
to have test samples to verify that their iCurie based nanocooling devices will work. According to Chief Technology Officer
at iCurie, Dr. Jeong Hyun Lee, "We now have the resources and capabilities to rapidly supply up to 500 test units from a real
manufacturing environment. With this facility in place, we have become a full solution provider in the field of thermal heat
management."
ICurie, with the announcement, reported that it had received a grant
from the Korean Small Business Administration.
September 1st, 2005
Enterprise Network Obtains $2 Million EDA Grant
for IT, Nanotechnology and Biotechnology Development – International Alliances Noted
The Enterprise Network (TEN), based in the Silicon Valley, has been
awarded a $2 million Economic Development Administration grant through the United States Department of Commerce. TEN, which
is an organization designed to assist entrepreneurs and start-up companies in the areas of IT, nanotechnology and biotechnology,
indicated it will use the funds for an upgrade of its 72,000 square foot facility in San Jose, California. The facility, called
the Sobrato Center for Innovation, when completed, will include a laboratory and cleanroom, needed for the prototyping of
new design technololgy.
Besides supporting new companies, the facility is also expected
to become a resource for universities and community college students. As well, the center is expected to further integrate
the technology of other countries into the United States technology economy. According to Dr. Bill Musgrave, TEN's president
and CEO. "The timing is impeccable because it comes on the heels of a recent surge of international interest in Silicon Valley
and TEN's incubation model. A fantastic new and modernized TEN Sobrato Center for Innovation will attract U.S. and foreign
entrepreneurs, thereby embracing both technological and global economic convergence, while creating jobs and contributing
to the Bay Area economy."
High-level government officials also commented on the positive economic
impact of the new facility. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez said, "President Bush and I are committed
to partnering with communities to promote innovation and competitiveness. Through economic development grants like these to
The Enterprise Network of Silicon Valley, the Commerce Department will continue to encourage investments in local areas, grow
the economy and create jobs."
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren also commented on the job creation potential
of the facility, "I am pleased that the Department of Commerce is making this vital investment in Silicon Valley's future.
Through TEN's stewardship of this $2 million grant, we are taking an important step in supporting the Valley's most important
resource -- the entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial spirit that drive innovation and spawns the creation of high growth, high
paying jobs."
TEN has a culturally rich business background and has the potential
to serve as a gateway between the Silicon Valley and the technology markets of numerous other countries. The organization
lists visiting delegates from China's Ministry of Education, the Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology, the Barcelona
Chamber of Commerce, and a U.S. Department of Commerce Inter-American E-Business delegation from Peru. Also at TEN’s
Sobarto Center one will find the Mexico-Silicon Valley Technology Business Accelerator (TECHBA). TECHBA was formed through
the work of the United States-Mexico Foundation for Science (FUMEC) and the Mexico's Ministry of Economy. TEN also reports
it has a working relationship with the Greater San Jose Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GSJHCC).
TEN, an independent 501(c)(3) public benefit California Corporation,
has already launched a number of technology successes. The organization lists eBay, iPrint, Xros, Vertical Networks, Right
Works, Vertical Networks, and Tukaroo as companies it has worked with.
September 1st, 2005
BioForce’s BioMolecular Nanoplacement System Selected for Nanomaterial Development
North Carolina State University (NCSU) has selected the NanoArrayer System from BioForce Nanosciences for use in
the laboratory of Dr. Dan Feldheim, Professor of Chemistry. The system is expected to be used at the facility for research
into RNA sequences that can act as catalysts for the formation of nanomaterials. Noting that BioForce will be part of the
research effort at NCSU was Dr. Eric Henderson, CEO at BioForce Nanosciences, "The NanoArrayer System provides a unique solution
to the problem Dr. Feldheim faces of ultramicro-scale deposition of femtoliter volumes on specialized surfaces developed in
his laboratory. In addition to providing this technology, we will also be working with this research group at a collaborative
level as they further develop their powerful and novel molecular screening process."
Dr. Feldheim and a team of researchers, which included Professor Bruce Eaton at The University of Colorado, recently
discovered that RNA sequences can act as central catalytic forces used in the formation of metallic nanomaterials. It was
also indicated that these new nanomaterials could be useful in the fields of alternative energy and medical imaging. As well,
according to Dr. Curtis Mosher, Vice President of Research and Development at BioForce, "This technology has significant market
potential in several areas including Molecular Diagnostics, Molecular Detection and Pharma Discovery."
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