Postdoctoral Research Fellow : Brisbane, Australia

•June 24, 2009 • Leave a Comment

ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
A material scientist, chemical engineer, or physical chemist is required to work on Hydrogen storage in confined systems by porous material.

The Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) is an exciting new research institute which abandons traditional boundaries to focus research effort into areas that will provide great benefit for human health, manufacturing, information technology and the environment.

The unique capabilities of the AIBN come from merging the skills of the engineer, chemist, biologist and computational scientist to conduct a world-class research program in nano-scale science, technology and engineering, technology transfer and commercialisation. The Research Professionals of the AIBN are leaders in the fields of bioengineering and nanotechnology.

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials is a centre within the AIBN at The University of Queensland (UQ) and is closely affiliated with UQ’s School of Engineering. The Centre’s research focuses on the fundamentals of novel nanomaterials and nanostructures and their applications in renewable energy resources. Clean and sustainable energy is among the research strengths in The School of Engineering. The School provides world-leading education for students in Engineering at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The role The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will be based at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials. The laboratories are housed at the AIBN. The successful candidate will be part of a multi-disciplinary research team led by Prof. Max Lu, working in a large Queensland-China Alliance in Nanomaterials for Clean Energy Technologies. The research involves programs that will lead to the development of alternative liquid fuels, hydrogen production from clean coal processes, and new storage methods for hydrogen and electricity for application in hybrid vehicles. More specifically, the candidate will focus on hydrogen storage materials confined by porous materials.

The person Applicants should possess a PhD in chemical engineering, physical chemistry, or materials science or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training. Experience in nanomaterial synthesis, by wet chemistry, characterisation and in particular extensive experience in hydrogen storage materials, as well as excellent skills in proposal writing, scientific editing and reporting are essential. Experience in supervising or co-supervising postgraduate students is desirable.

Remuneration The remuneration package will be in the range $49,704 – $67,420 per annum, plus employer superannuation contributions of 17% (total package will be in the range $58,154 – $78,882 per annum). This is a full-time, fixed term appointment for three years at Research Academic level A.

Contact Obtain the position description and selection criteria online . To discuss the role contact Dr Xiangdong Yao, email x.yao@uq.edu.au.

Send applications to Dr Xiangdong Yao, c/- ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072 or email x.yao@uq.edu.au.

Employer:The University of Queensland, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

Website:http://www.aibn.uq.edu.au

Location:Brisbane, Australia

Applications close 14 July 2009
Reference Number: 3020711

Postdoctoral Researcher in Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, Nanomaterials: Specifically nanocrystals (nanorod assembly) electrical characterisation

•June 24, 2009 • Leave a Comment

QUALIFICATIONS: PhD level candidates with expertise in electrical characterisation of nanorods, nanowires or nanoparticle assemblies. In particular, experience in single electron transport properties at the nanoscale is an advantage. Candidates should have a good publication record. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable with solution phase nanomaterial synthesis, device fabrication and electrical characterisation. The position is available initially for 2 Years. (www.ifnano.com <http://www.ifnano.com>) for more details.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
A Postdoctoral research position funded by Science Foundation Ireland is available at the Materials and Surface Science Institute. The project involves synthesis, assembly by electrophoretic deposition and device integration of semiconductor nanorods. The research project will focus on electric field assisted assembly of the nanocrystals in lithographic channels, understanding the electrical properties of these assemblies as a function or position, interparticle spacing and alignment. Device application as single electron transistors and nanorod solar cells will be investigated. Of particular interest is the investigation of single electron charging in vertically aligned nanorod assemblies.
DESCRIPTION:
The Materials & Surface Science Institute is a centre of excellence generating state-of-the-art fundamental research on topics of industrial significance in the fields of surface science, materials and nanotechnology. MSSI is currently comprised of 211 researchers engaged in a wide range of research activities and is housed in a purpose built facility equipped with state of the art instrumentation.
Essential
PhD in Electrochemistry Materials Science or Applied Physics or related discipline:
Experience in electrical characterisation of nanowires or nanoparticles assemblies
Experience in Electrochemistry or Electrophoretic deposition
Good Publication Record

Desirable
Evidence of the capability of working both independently and as part of a team
Expertise in Solution Phase Nanocrystal Synthesis
Record of collaboration.

Informal enquiries about the post may be directed to:
Dr. Kevin M. Ryan
Materials and Surface Science Institute
Tel.: +353 61 213167;
email: kevin.m.ryan@ul.ie
University of Limerick Ireland

*Important applications must be made online through http://www.ul.ie/hrvacancies/

Salary Scale €40,578 – €57,547 Maximum starting point €49,342

The closing date for receipt of completed online applications is Wednesday 1st July 2009 at 12h00 GMT.

Please note your online application must include:
• A letter/email of introduction indicating how you meet the criteria outlined in the advertisement and/or information for applicants.
• A full curriculum vitae.
• Copies of relevant publications that include evidence of instrumental expertise.

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified female and male candidates. The University is an equal opportunities employer and committed to selection on merit.

Hyderabad – Nanotechnology’s First Magazine in India

•June 24, 2009 • Leave a Comment

A new nanotechnology magazine entitled the Nano Digest is a monthly magazine that recently landed on newsstands; this is India’s first nanotech based magazine. Professor C.N.R. Rao, the renowned scientist and Indian Nanotechnology’s father, recently unveiled the first edition.
About a year and a half ago, the Indian Government began the National Nano Mission. In a cover story presented in the first issue of the Nano Digest, an English magazine, Prof. CNR Rao, Chairman of Nano Mission asserted that nanotech researchers have been requesting government investment in the development and research of nanotechnology and nanoscience for quite a while. Now, the Indian government has agreed to provide Rs.1000 crore to be used for the Nano Mission in order to start a variety of nano-based projects. Rao also explained that the Nano Mission intends to establish two distinct institutes of Nanoscience and Technology: one in Chandigarh and one in Bangalore.

In Nano Digest, the cover story focuses on Prof. C.N.R. Rao, FRS, the is Chair of the Scientific Advisory Council to India’s Prime Minister and National Research Professor, Linus Pauling Research Professor and Jawaharalal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research. According to K Jayadev, Nano Digest’s editor, Professor Rao is known globally for his considerable contributions to nanoscience and solid state and materials Chemistry. The Professor has authored more than 1500 papers and over 40 different books; Rao is the recipient of 46 honorary doctorates from a variety of universities, and he has been honored on a national and international level with numerous scientific awards, all except the Nobel Prize. The feature story concentrates on the use and research of Nanotechnology in India, the future direction of the field, and the benefits of such technology.

The maiden issue of Nano Digest contains 50+ pages that are targeted toward nanotechnology researchers, scientists, and interested industries; the magazine costs Rs.100/- and subjects covered in the nanotechnology magazine include nanotech based events, nanotech news, nanotech story updates, and research and innovation success stories. The digest also offers a Nano Community column, information about nanotech educations and careers, and some of the benefits of getting into the nanotechnology research field. The entire magazine has been established as a dedication to nanotech development, research, business implementation of nanotech innovations, and nano trends. Accessing a copy is possible by contacting Nano Digest at 23235414 or by emailing the company at nanodigest@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Article courtesy of www.nanovip.com

CNano Technology Commissions World’s Largest Carbon Nanotube Manufacturing Plant With a Capacity of 500 Tons per Year

•June 24, 2009 • Leave a Comment

SANTA CLARA, CA, Jun 23, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — CNano Technology (CNano) announced today at NT09: Tenth International Conference on the Science and Application of Nanotubes, that it has successfully scaled up its manufacturing technology to reach the world’s largest production capacity of 500 tons per year for multiple wall carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube products are already in evaluation with selected customers in several markets that include electronics, automotive and energy storage.

“This manufacturing capability is an important milestone in the drive to meet current and future customer supply demands. The production line validates our technology at a much larger scale while providing a reliable large volume supply source for customers utilizing the unique properties of carbon nanotubes in their products,” said Xindi Wu, President and CEO of CNano.

CNano proprietary manufacturing technology enables large scale production at a lower cost structure than other commercial nanotube manufacturing processes. The growing list of commercial applications for carbon nanotubes includes conductive plastics for electronics and automotive, structural composites for sporting goods and aerospace, conductive coatings for displays and aerospace and electrodes for batteries and super capacitors among others.

“CNano has achieved a truly significant milestone. CNano can now bring mass produced nano materials to market at the right price. The company has broken through a barrier that has existed in this market up until now. They have successfully scaled the manufacturing process for making carbon nanotubes. This now makes their unique combination of elevated mechanical properties and low electrical resistivity available at the low cost necessary for adoption in large consumer and industrial markets,” said Tom Baruch, founder and managing director of CMEA Capital, who serves as chairman of CNano.

“CNano’s management has brought high quality US-style manufacturing into China, tapping the best from both sides of the Pacific Ocean. Through its large scale production of carbon nanotubes, we expect to see more applications that will be feasible that leverage the highly unique properties of this material,” said Peter Liu, Chairman of WI Harper.

“This major capacity expansion not only validates CNano’s differentiated low cost production capabilities but also now resolves market concerns on price and high volume supply,” added Purnesh Seegopaul, Partner at Pangaea Ventures.

CNano platform production technology also facilitates the production of other types of carbon nanotubes. The Company plans to further leverage the 500 ton plant for additional products to be rolled out in the near future.

About Cnano

CNano was founded in 2007 to change the economics of producing a wide range of applications based on extremely pure carbon nanotubes. The company’s headquarters are in Santa Clara, CA with manufacturing located in China. CNano has significant intellectual property, existing products, and established customers. It has received venture capital funding from CMEA Capital, Pangaea Ventures, and WI Harper.

www.cnanotechnology.com

Contact information:
Xindi Wu
President and CEO
CNano Technology Limited
3333 Bowers Ave., Suite 130
Santa Clara, CA 95054
USA
Phone: 408-826-0918
Fax: 408-899-5157
Email Contact

SOURCE: CNano Technology, Ltd.

http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=80AC454B401996F8

NN09 – 6th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies

•June 22, 2009 • Leave a Comment

The NN09 is the Internationally established world-class event in Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies (N&N) that focuses on the latest advances on N&N and promotes profound scientific discussions between scientists and researchers from different disciplines. Scientists and Engineers from multidisciplinary research and application areas are asked to join this conference, to discuss the benefits of N&N in their R&D efforts, to advance the networking and collaborating between different academia, research and industry players in the field and to stimulate the exchange of educational concepts.

NN09 Scientific Topics of Interest

•Organic Electronics and Nanoelectronics
•Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine
•Thin Films, Meta-materials and Spintronics
•Nanomaterials, Nanoengineering and Nanomechanics
•Nanotechnology in Energy and Environment
•Computational Modelling at the Nanoscale
•Nanotechnology in Safety and Education
•Nanometrology, Instrumentation and Tools
•Commercialization of Nanotechnology

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Chair : Logothetidis S. (Physics Dept., AUTh)
Co-chair : Choli – Papadopoulou T. (Chemistry Dept., AUTh)
Co-chair : Giannelis E., (Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, USA)
Co-chair : Arsenakis M. (Biology Dept., AUTh)
Co-chair :Komvopoulos K., (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of California Berkeley, USA)
Co-chair : Frangis N. (Physics Dept., AUTh)
Co-chair : Anastasiadis S. (Chemistry Dept., Crete)
Members: Lousinian S., Gioti M., Chachamidou M., Laskarakis A. (Physics Dept., AUTh)

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Schropp R.E.I., Faculty of Science, Univesriteit Utrecht, The Netherlands
Drévillon B., CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, France
Brabec C., Konarka Technologies, Germany
Stelzer F., Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
Ozbay E., Director of Nanotechnology Research Center at Bilkent University, Turkey
Heuken M., AIXTRON, Germany
Graetzel M., Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Lausanne, Switzerland
Saf R., University of Graz , Austria
Dragieva I., National Centre of NanoTechnologies, Bulgaria
Rustichelli F., Univ.Politecnica delle Marche, Istituto di Scienze Fisiche, Italy
Baumgaertner A., Institut für Festkörperforschung, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
Hunziker P., University /University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland
Damnjanovic M., Faculty of Physics, Belgrade University, Serbia
Hadziioannou G., Laboratoire d’Ingénierie de Polymères pour les Hautes Technologies (LIPHT), Institut d’Electronique des Solides et des Systèmes, InESS, CNRS, France
Kaxiras E., Harvard University, Division of Engineering and applied Sciences, USA
Pantelides S. T., Vanderbilt Univ., Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, USA
Malliaras G., Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, USA
Tsakalakos T., Dept. of Meterials Science and Engineering, Rutgers, State Univ. of New Jersey, USA
Kallitsis J., Department of Chemistry, Univ. of Patras, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Chemical Engineering and High Temperature Processes, Greece
Komvopoulos K., Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of California Berkeley, USA
Fortunato E., CENIMAT, Dept. de Ciência dos Materiais, Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Univ. Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
Varonides A., Physics & Electrical Engineering Dept., University of Scranton, A Jesuit University, USA
Kousoulas G., Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA & Stanley S Scott Cancer Center, Health Sciences Center, Louisiana State, University, New Orleans, LA, USA
Kyriakidis D., Biochemistry Dept., AUTh & National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
Missirlis Y., Dept. of Mechanical & Aeronautics Engineering, Univ. of Patras, Greece
Quake S., Dept. Of Bioengineering, Stanford University
Logothetidis S., LTFN, Physics Dept., Aristotle Univ. Thessaloniki, Greece
Aifantis E.C., Lab of Mechanics & Materials, Polytechnic School, AUTh and Center for the Mechanics of Material Instabilities & Manufacturing Processes, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, USA
Giannelis E., Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, USA
Kelires P., Cyprus Univ. of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus & Univ. of Crete, Heraclion, Greece
Nassiopoulou A., Institute of Microelectronics, NCSR Demokritos, Greece
Moustakas T.D., Wide Bandgap Semiconductors Laboratory, Boston University, USA

NN09 INVITED SPEAKERS (Tentative List)

•Kaxiras E., Professor, Harvard University, Division of Engineering and applied Sciences, USA
“Theoretical studies of organic-inorganic hybrid systems for solar energy conversion”

•Giannelis E., Professor, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, USA
“Nanoparticle based Ionic materials: NIMs”

•Malliaras G., Professor, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, USA
“Photolithographic Patterning for Organic Electronics”

•Boukerche M., Programme Officer, Large Area & Organic Electronics; Display Systems, European Commission, Belgium
“EC activities in Large Area Electronics”

•Fillon B., Research Program Manager, CEA, France
“Micro and Nanotechnologies for new energy applications”

•Blanchet G.B., Chief Technical Officer, Nano Terra, USA
“Semicondcuting Networks for Printable Electronics”

•Kousoulas G., Professor, Director Div. of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Louisiana State Univ., Stanley S Scott Cancer Center, Health Sciences Center, LA, USA
“Engineering Herpesviruses and Coronaviruses as Nanomachines for the Treatment of Breast, Prostate and Colon Cancer”

•Koutsos V., Reader, Inst. for Materials and Processes, School of Engineering & Centre for Materials Science and Engineering, Univ. of Edinburgh, UK
“Atomic Force Microscopy and Polymer Micro/Nanostructures”

•Varonides A., Professor, Physics & Electrical Engineering Dept., Univ. of Scranton, USA
“Thermionic Emission and Diffusion Theory for Carrier Transport in Organic Solar Cells”

•Jandt K.D., Professor, Chair in Materials Science, Director of Institute of Materials Science and Technology (IMT) Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena
“Functional biomaterials and biological materials on the nanometre scale“

•Damnjanovic M., Professor, University of Belgrade, Department of Physics, Serbia
“Diffraction from nanotubes”

•Hunziker P., Professor, University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland.
“What CLINICAL Nanomedicine is and how it will transform medicine”

•Nassiopoulou A., Director of Institute of Microelectronics, NCSR Demokritos, Greece

•Hadziioannou G., Professor, Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, CNRS / Univ. Bordeaux / ENSCPB, France

•Komvopoulos K., Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of California at Berkeley, USA
“Surface Micropatterning Technology for Single-Cell Culture”

•Keiper D., Manager R&D Projects, AIXTRON, Germany
“Nanoscale Control of Chemical Vapor Deposition for Solid-State Lighting Applications”

•Missirlis Y., Professor, Dept. of Mechanical & Aeronautics Engineering, University of Patras, Greece
“Bioreactors in Tissue Engineering”

•Teixeira V., Professor, Physics Department, University of Minho, Portugal
“Nanocomposite and nanostructured thin films for advanced energy systems”

•Carayannis E.G., Professor, Dept. of Information Systems & Technology Management, George Washington Univ., USA
“Mode 3 and Quadruple Helix: Towards a 21st Century fractal innovation ecosystem and implications for Nanotechnology as a trans-disciplinary field of research and innovation”

•Tsakalakos T., Professor, Department of Meterials Science and Engineering, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, USA

•Nowak R., Professor, Director of the Nordic Hysitron Laboratory, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland
“A mystery of the Current Spike – Nanoscale plasticity revised”

•Fostiropoulos K., Senior Researcher Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin fu”r Materialien und Energie, Berlin, Germany
“Structures and morphology in small molecule organic solar cells”

•Porfyrakis K., Senior Researcher, Dept. of Materials, Oxford University, UK
“Towards a Two-Qubit Solid-State System Based on Endohedral Fullerenes”

•Anthopoulos T., Lecturer, Experimental Solid State Physics Group, Imperial College, UK
“Low-Voltage Organic Transistors Based on Self-Assembled Monolayer Gate Dielectrics”

•Papakonstantinou P., Nanotechnology and Integrated Bioengineering Centre, School of Engineering, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, N. Ireland
“Graphene for electrochemical detection of biomolecules”

more info: http://nnconf.physics.auth.gr/index.html

2nd International Symposium on Flexible Organic Electronics – IS-FOE09

•June 22, 2009 • Leave a Comment

The 2nd International Symposium on Flexible Organic Electronics (IS-FOE09), will take place at 8-10 July 2009, in Porto Carras Hotel (Meliton), Halkidiki, Greece, which is very close and connected with a shuttle boat to the Neos Marmaras village.
The purpose of the Symposium is to bring together scientists and engineers actively engaged in the research, development, and manufacturing for Flexible Organic Electronics including organic/inorganic materials, flexible substrates, manufacturing processes, circuit designs, flexible devices, system integrations and product applications, and to discuss current progresses in this emerging field.

Symposium Topics
The IS-FOE09 topics will cover the most advanced subjects in the areas of (but not limited to):

• Organic electronic materials (small molecule and polymers)
• Organic Multifunctional materials
• Organic/inorganic and hybrid materials and systems
• Flexible substrates & encapsulation methods & materials
• Molecular electronics and photonics
• Self organized molecules and systems
• Theory & modelling (materials, components and devices)
• Manufacturing (printing, vacuum, chemical) & quality control processes
• Flexible displays & lighting
• Flexible solar cells & batteries
• Flexible circuits & sensors
• Flexible RFIDs & textiles

IS-FOE09 Committees

Organizing Committee
•S. Logothetidis, LTFN, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (Chair)
•M. Ando, Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory, Hitachi Europe, Ltd., UK (Co-chair)
•C. Brabec, Konarka Technologies Inc. USA, Austria, Germany (Co-chair)
•G. Hadziioannou, University Louis Pasteur – Strasbourg, France (Co-chair)
•K. Hashimoto, Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Tokyo, Japan (Co-chair)
•J. Kallitsis, University of Patras, Greece (Co-chair)

•R. Lazzaroni, University of Mons-Hainaut, Belgium (Co-chair)
•G. Malliaras, Cornell University, USA (Co-chair)
Local Organizing Committee
•S. Logothetidis, LTFN, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
•J. Kallitsis, University of Patras, Greece

•A. Laskarakis, LTFN, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
•D. Georgiou, LTFN, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
International Scientific Committee
•P. Alivisatos, Univ. of California, Berkeley, USA
•R. Baumann, Fraunhofer IZM, Chemnitz, Germany
•F. Biscarini, CNR Bologna, Italy
•M. Boukerche, European Commission, Belgium
•C. Brabec, Konarka Technologies Inc. USA, Austria, Germany
•B. Drevillon, Ecole Polytechnique, France
•R. Eveson, Dupont Teijin, UK
•K. Müllen, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany
•M. Fahlman, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, Sweden
•B. Fillon, CEA LITEN, France
•E. Kaxiras, Harvard University, Division of Engineering and applied Sciences, USA
•Y. Geerts, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
•M. Graetzel, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerlands
•G. Hadziioannou, University Louis Pasteur – Strasbourg, France
•K. Hashimoto, Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Tokyo, Japan
•M. Heuken, Aixtron, Germany
•J. Kallitsis, University of Patras, Greece
•J. Kido, Yamagata University, Japan
•K. Leo, Novaled & Dresden Technical University, Germany
•P. Lianos, General Department of Polytechnic School of Patras, Greece
•S. Logothetidis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
•G. Malliaras, Cornell University, USA
•S. Amberg Schwab, Fraunhofer ISC, Gemany
•N. Serdar Sariciftci, Linz Institute for organic solar cells, Austria
•F. Stelzer, University of Technology Graz, Austria
•J. Ulanski, Department of Molecular Physics, Technical University of Lodz, Poland

more info: http://isfoe.physics.auth.gr/index.html

Implantable device containing magnetic nanoparticles offers continuous cancer monitoring

•June 17, 2009 • Leave a Comment

New device could track tumor’s grow

Surgical removal of a tissue sample is now the standard for diagnosing cancer. Such procedures, known as biopsies, are accurate but only offer a snapshot of the tumor at a single moment in time.

Monitoring a tumor for weeks or months after the biopsy, tracking its growth and how it responds to treatment, would be much more valuable, says Michael Cima, MIT professor of materials science and engineering, who has developed the first implantable device that can do just that.

Cima and his colleagues recently reported that their device successfully tracked a tumor marker in mice for one month. The work is described in a paper published online in the journal Biosensors & Bioelectronics in April.

Such implants could one day provide up-to-the-minute information about what a tumor is doing — whether it is growing or shrinking, how it’s responding to treatment, and whether it has metastasized or is about to do so.

“What this does is basically take the lab and put it in the patient,” said Cima, who is also an investigator at the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT.

The devices, which could be implanted at the time of biopsy, could also be tailored to monitor chemotherapy agents, allowing doctors to determine whether cancer drugs are reaching the tumors. They can also be designed to measure pH (acidity) or oxygen levels, which reveal tumor metabolism and how it is responding to therapy.

With current tools for detecting whether a tumor has spread, such as biopsy, by the time you have test results it’s too late to prevent metastasis, said Cima.

“This is one of the tools we’re going to need if we’re going to turn cancer from a death sentence to a manageable disease,” he said.

In the Biosensors & Bioelectronics study, human tumors were transplanted into the mice, and the researchers then used the implants to track levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced by human tumor cells.

The cylindrical, 5-millimeter implant contains magnetic nanoparticles coated with antibodies specific to the target molecules. Target molecules enter the implant through a semipermeable membrane, bind to the particles and cause them to clump together. That clumping can be detected by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

The device is made of a polymer called polyethylene, which is commonly used in orthopedic implants. The semipermeable membrane, which allows target molecules to enter but keeps the magnetic nanoparticles trapped inside, is made of polycarbonate, a compound used in many plastics.

Cima said he believes an implant to test for pH levels could be commercially available in a few years, followed by devices to test for complex chemicals such as hormones and drugs.

Lead author of the paper is Karen Daniel, a recent MIT PhD recipient. Other authors are recent PhD recipients Grace Kim and Christophoros Vassiliou; Marilyn Galindo, research affiliate in the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology; Alexander Guimares, a radiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital; Ralph Weissleder, a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School; Al Charest, visiting assistant professor of biology at MIT; and Institute Professor Robert Langer.

The research was funded by the National Cancer Institute Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence and the National Science Foundation.

Source:
Anne Trafton, News Office
www.MIT.edu

Cards stacked against counterfeiters – New film enables production of unmistakable, unique IDs

•June 15, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Cards stacked against counterfeiters
Excellent potential also for logistics, brand protection and labeling

Leverkusen, June 2009 – In 2008, debit card fraud with counterfeit cards caused losses of around EUR 40 million in Germany. Now, the new polycarbonate film Makrofol® ID ProteXXion from Bayer MaterialScience AG could put a stop to this kind of fraud once and for all.

The film contains tiny metallic identification particles (OVDot®), which are distributed stochastically and can be arranged in customized patterns to deliver identification security features. This overlay film can be used to give polycarbonate security documents, such as IDs, passports, drivers’ licenses and, in the future, also credit cards, an unmistakable, unique surface. It also holds excellent potential for protecting high-quality branded articles and in the production of counterfeit-proof labels. “Thanks to the random distribution of the metal particles, every ID made of our new film is unique and, therefore, virtually counterfeit-proof,” says Cengiz Yesildag, Head of Sales in the Films Unit at Bayer MaterialScience.

The metal particles, which measure around a tenth of a millimeter, can also be provided with alphanumeric information, such as letters, to meet specific customer requirements. Logos, pictograms and national emblems can also be incorporated. “This adds an extra dimension to the card security,” explains Dirk Pophusen, Head of Business Development in the Films Unit at Bayer MaterialScience.

The new film is available in a standard thickness of 100 micrometers. It can be formed when either hot or cold and back-injected with thermoplastics in a process known as Film Insert Molding (FIM). It can be decorated beforehand using screen printing or laser engraving.

The Films Unit is working closely with Bayer Technology Services GmbH on the market launch of the new film. The cooperation came about as a result of the ProteXXion® technology platform recently launched by the Bayer subgroup. This platform features laser-optic scanners for reading off surface information to ensure counterfeit-proof authentication of objects. The light beam of a laser scanner records and digitizes the reflective characteristics of an object’s surface and compresses the information using special analysis algorithms. The resulting datasets can be compared at any time with previously generated registration scans stored in a database – either locally or via a Web application. This enables the object or card to be unambiguously authenticated. “Customers using cards made of our new film have access to all the technical peripherals of ProteXXion® – such as laser-optic scanners and analysis and comparison software – for quick and unambiguous card identification,” explains Dr. Markus Gerigk, Head of Authentification Solutions at Bayer Technology Services.

About Bayer MaterialScience:
With 2008 sales of EUR 9.7 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries. At the end of 2008, Bayer MaterialScience had 30 production sites and employed approximately 15,100 people around the globe. Bayer MaterialScience is a Bayer Group company.

For more information visit www.bayermaterialscience.com and www.protexxion.de

Plastic film with shining edges

•June 15, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Colorful light contours for an unusual product design

Makrofol® LISA polycarbonate film from Bayer MaterialScience AG provides designers with enormous scope for creating plastic parts with a highly unusual and very striking colored light around the edges. The transparent film collects incident light, conveys it to the edges and allows it to emerge there, shining brightly. Molded parts thus exhibit a clearly visible edge lighting that emphasizes their contours. “This kind of corona effect is attractive for many Makrofol® applications. We are thinking, for example, of displays and dials, advertising articles, trade show booths, furniture and the printing industry,” says Norbert Kinzel, head of the Films Unit in the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties Business Unit.

Potential applications include business cards, posters, traffic signs, presentation screens, fashion accessories and labels for sportswear such as ski clothing. “Our light-emitting film could also be used to design components for lamps, as well as frames, beading strips and facings for cupboards and chairs,” says Kinzel.

Makrofol® LISA is available in green, orange and red in sheets measuring 300 x 1000 mm. The light-collecting film has all the properties that standard Makrofol® films have – high heat resistance, toughness and elasticity over a broad temperature range as well as good electrical insulation properties. It can be molded hot or cold, and can also be back-injected and stiffened with a thermoplastic using the Film Insert Molding (FIM) technique. It can be readily printed with standard inks, for example by screen printing or digital printing.

Bayer MaterialScience has appointed Vink Holding B.V. as a distribution partner for the Makrofol® LISA business. This Dutch company is based in Didam (www.vinkkunststoffen.nl) and is specialized in plastic film. It also supplies other distributors with the film. “This ensures that the product reaches the customers in the right colors quickly and flexibly,” says Kinzel.

About Bayer MaterialScience:
With 2008 sales of EUR 9.7 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and sports and leisure industries. Bayer MaterialScience has 30 production sites around the globe and employed approximately 15,100 people at the end of 2008. Bayer MaterialScience is a Bayer Group company.

For more information visit www.bayermaterialscience.com
source: http://baynews.bayer.de

Film with anti-microbial surface coated on web substrates

•June 15, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Film with anti-microbial surface
-newly developed film protects against bacteria

Swiss company, Perlen Coverting AG, which core business is dedicated to packaging, has introduced a novel antibacterial antibacterial film containing silver nanoparticles. In our latest innovation a transparent coating with an extremely effective anti-microbial efficacy is coated on standard web substrates. The 5 most critical bacteria in hospitals are eliminated by nearly 100% within 24 hours.

This level of efficacy is unique worldwide.

Subsequent thermoforming of the transparent film has no negative effect on the effectiveness of the coating.

source: www.perlenpackaging.com