Blog @ NanoVic - Nanotechnology Blog

Sarah recently posted on the Bridge8 blog about meeting Don Eigler, IBM fellow from IBM Almaden Research Center (USA) at ICONN08. (Pictured are Mrs Francesca Calati of La Trobe University, Don Eigler, Prof Chennupati Jagadish from ARCNN and Assoc Prof Joe Shapter from Flinders University)

So who is Don? You might remember some excitement amongst physicists and molecular scientists in the late 1990s when some IBM guy managed to manipulate individual xenon atoms to spell out the word “I-B-M”.   

That guy was Don Eigler. Don then and now works on extending human understanding of the physics of atomic-scale structures and exploring the potential of atomic-scale logic and data storage technologies. Don is remarkable not only for his capacity to dream big and make things happen for IBM, but also for his willingness to participate in the scientific process at many levels.

In addition to delivering a plenary lecture at ICONN2008, Don inspired a whole new generation of scientists by chatting to teenagers and their supervisors attending the conference student and teacher nanotechnology teaching sessions. He provided simple and yet unpatronising explanations of atoms, electron microscopy and data storage amongst other topics, and willingly answered questions and posed for photos (we are such atomic celebrity junkies!).

A fascinating project is underway at Nano2Hybrids, where a team of European nanotech researchers are documenting their own lives in the lab through video diaries. So if you’ve ever wanted to know what REALLY goes on in a nanotech lab and how science unfolds when unexpected things happen, tune in!

Last week, Peter & I attended a presentation at the CSIRO Niche Manufacturing Flagship by Dr Andrew Maynard of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in the US.  As well as being an outstanding presentation, there were a couple of things that stood out.  Some I’ve blogged for Bridge8, but here I’ll focus on his comments about risk and regulation.  He said that to ensure safe, sustainable nanotechnologies, first the term ‘nanotechnology’ needs to be de-coupled.  He did this by defining ‘Personal Benefits’ that we see through stain-resistant clothing and cosmetics and ‘Social Benefits’ such as those from new materials, and innovation in energy, water and health.  He then said we need to set boundaries and focus attention on the priorities for safety and risk assessment and listed nanoparticles, agglomerates, aerolized suspensions, comminution, degradation and unintentional use as areas for focus.  He also presented results showing that both particle size and struture were important variables in understanding behaviour and effects of nano-sized particles.  To ensure appropiate oversight, the functionality as well as the chemistry needs to be considered.

Over the last three years Bridge8 has become an integral part of NanoVic’s activities, bringing new perspectives on the future of nanotechnology in our society, based on the expertise of Dr Kristin Alford.  This has shaped our thinking about fundamental issues such as the role of public debate in directing a technology, the importance of having new technologies address social inequities, and the opportunity for competitive advantage through education.  Bridge8 has also helped us think through the topic of molecular manufacturing – a topic most conventional nanotechnology tries to avoid, but which may in some form be the future of the technology; we cannot afford to dismiss it unconsidered.

Kristin has now set up a new forum for discussion of the perspectives, applications, creative pursuits and social issues related to innovation and emerging technologies, with a focus on nanotechnologies. The Bridge8 blog, is an important addition to the field and will add expertise and the insights from other industries to our understanding of nanotechnology.

When chemist Fraser Stoddart recently celebrated his 65th birthday at “The Young(ish) Giants of Chemistry” conference in Edinburgh, UK, he might have been surprised to discover that one of his gifts was an original portrait of himself.  However, this wasn’t any normal portrait - this was a portrait so small you need a microscope to see it! The 20 micrometre-sized work of art was produced by Chad Mirkin of Northwestern University, Illinois, using a technique he developed known as Dip-Pen Nanolithography. This technique uses an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip to write onto surfaces using molecular ink and is now used in labs across the world for studying materials at the nanoscale.  What a creative way to apply such a scientific tool!

Ecology Coatings is featured in this Fast Company article called Sally’s Dreamcoat - foucssing on waterproof and microbial resistant applications of nanocoatings.  Apparently these are created with the use of nanotechnology liquid solids which dry without evaporation and therefore without emissions.  The article provides a good example of innovation in action.

On International Women’s Day last week, Peter and I were discussing the contribution of women to nanotechnology.  Therefore it was interesting to see a profile of Prof Michelle Simmons of the University of New South Wales on the ABC program Catalyst that same evening (picture from Catalyst).  The transcipt is available here.

NanoVic and AZoNano have just released thier second nanotechnology podcast - this one investigates the potential health, safety and environmental implications of nanotechnology. The podcast features key staekholders such as Georgia Miller, Friends of the Earth spokesperson on nanotechnology; Steve Mullins from the ACTU; Angus Robinson, from insurance agency CGU (IAG); ethicist Dr Rob Sparrow from Monash University and toxicologist Assoc Prof Paul Wright from RMIT University.

The first nanotechnology podcast was a general introduction to Australian nanotechnology. Both these podcasts provide information about nanotechnology to the public in an informed and easy-to-access way. Let us know what you think!

At the end of September, the Foresight Institute announced the Richard Feynman Prizes for Nanotechnology. The Feynman Communications Prize was awared to J. Storrs Hall for his book “Nanofuture: What’s Next For Nanotechnology” which explains the impact of molecular nanotechnology in a clear and reader-friendly way. Storrs Hall is also recognised as the inventor of utility fog.

I have been using the concept of utility fog to investigate the impacts of molecular manufacturing technologies on society in workshops conducted for school and government groups. I will be summarising the workshop at the AusForesight Conference during the public session called ‘Futures Spotting’ on Sunday 22 October at Swinburne University. ‘Futures Spotting’ aims to showcase the foresight profession to the public and provide some insight into the myriad of applications for futures work in education and business. Attendance is free, but you do need to register.

Last night I travelled to Canberra to attend the awards ceremony for the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science with Mrs Francesca Calati of St Helena Secondary College.  For me there were two themes that shone through.

Firstly, several of the prize winners praised science as a team activity, one that could not be done in isolation.  Ms Majorie Colvill, winner of the primary teaching award, stressed the importance of meeting with other science professionals.

Secondly, both Prof Mandyam Srinivassan, winner of the Prime Minisiter’s Prize for Science and Dr Naomi McClure-Griffiths, winner of the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year emphasised the importance of curiosity-driven science.  In their opinions, asking the ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions were of primary importance.  With freedom to do this, it is then possible to use this understanding to examine potential practical applications.

These observations resonate with the work we are doing to provide support to St Helena Secondary College with the introduction of their nanotechnology curriculum.  The nanotechnology elective aims to spark curiousity and the development of the curriculum has necessitated a cooperative appraoch with industry and academia.