CSC Bright Minds Internship Program

Last Day

2005-07-08T18:18:00.000-05:00

Today I read a collection of various articles, from DNA nanoassembly to carbon nanotube price cuts.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa002&articleID=00008E5D-7C81-11F1-BC8183414B7F0000
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa002&articleID=000D08AB-8751-119E-875183414B7F0000
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa002&articleID=0002FFA7-F4A6-1166-B4A683414B7F0000
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa002&articleID=00069535-2EF9-1052-AEF983414B7F0000

Eric Drexler

2005-07-07T15:24:00.000-05:00

Today I discovered the website of Eric Drexler, the man who first 'invented' nanotechnology. The site has tons of information, from stronger materials to new PC technologies. It's mostly theoretical stuff, but well worth a look.

http://www.e-drexler.com/

Practice makes. . . ?

2005-07-07T08:49:00.000-05:00

Yes, practice is a good idea. Excellent presenters make it a point to rehearse fequently.
Practice allows you to review your thoughts. . .consider additional points to make.
Please let me know if you received the email regarding your presentation which is on July 28 and NOT July 21.
Have a good day.

Practice

2005-07-06T21:09:00.000-05:00

Practicing my presentation. I looked up some extra information to throw in if I have extra time. Not much going on here though.

DNA

2005-07-06T12:13:00.000-05:00

Today I read some interesting stuff about DNA computing and the Travelling Salesman Problem, or TSP for short. Nothing to do with teaspoons I suppose....

Link One

Link Two

Bright Minds Progress...

2005-07-01T11:04:00.000-05:00

Students are learning a great deal about nano technology through this program. The trip to U of I was particularly rewarding. After researching broadly about the field for the past few weeks, the students are now focussing on certain key areas in preparation for their presentation to the CSC Board of Trustees. They are also working on some nano products for their show and tell during their presentation.
Each of the students has been given a budget to buy nano products. From the College's perspective, I have gained some valuable insight into how we can partner with Argonne and U of I in developing nano tech curriculum as well as workforce development for this new technology.

Time is Running Out

2005-06-30T13:56:00.000-05:00

Today I worked on finishing my project because time is running out. I am trying to make a good power point. I found some pictures and information to include and I am nearly completed. I also found a list of the top ten nanoproducts of 2004 at forbes.com. Another interesting thing I found and believe should be included in our presentation is a powerpoint about nanotechnology in the high school curriculum. http://www.bowlesphysics.com/nano/Nanotechnology.ppt#32

Quantum foam makes me roam

2005-06-30T12:03:00.000-05:00

I read today about quantum computing. This new technology will hopefully help Moore's Law keep true, even there's a physical limit on the size of transistors. UC Berekeley is actually teaching an undergraduate course in quantum computing, a subject usually not breached until the graduate level.

For much mas information, be clickin here: http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/sabl/2005/June/02-quantum-comp.html

Nanowires

2005-06-30T09:06:00.000-05:00

Today circuits are all basically made up of copper wire in some way. There are a few optical fiber ones, but for the most part, people use copper wire and electricity. Well that could change within the next ten years. Researchers at UofCal at Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and even NASA are working on using nanowires to send light signals through as new form of media. These wires will work about the same way as optical fiber, but better. Fiber normally has light around it that can interfere with the real signals that are being sent. However, fiber is still one of the fastest ways to send data (however, very expensive). These new nanowires will be able to go even faster and more accurate than today's optical method. White light can separate into different colors which can increase the available bandwidth of the wire. Routing using this wire may not be too far off into the future.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/bmanz

University of Illinois

2005-06-29T13:49:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we went to the University of Illinois for a seminar on nanosciences. The speakers present several powerpoints and gave several examples. They showed us how an atomic force microscope works. They showed us the size of a nanometer compared to a hair. They also demonstrated how difficult it is to work using the tools they have. We talked with some students about their current projects. To conclude the day we worked hands on in a clean room and then took a survey to comment on the whole experience.

Dip-pen nanolithography ... Or: How I Spent my Summer Vacation

2005-06-29T11:57:00.000-05:00

DPN is a method of 'drawing' nanostructures onto a substrate. The tip of this 'pen' can also be used as an atomic force microscope (
http://www.che.utoledo.edu/nadarajah/webpages/whatsafm.html. DPN can be used to draw transistors on a semiconductor to make a CPU. Applications include protein nanoarrays, electrochemical whittling, Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization, and nanostructure arrays.

Link One
Link Two
Link Three
Link Four

The trip to University of Illinois

2005-06-29T10:50:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we were went to the University of Illinois to get a better look at what they have been studying in the field of nanotechnology. They explained to us many of the different projects that they had going on right now. They also came up with a clever way to show us how small a nanometer is and how difficult it can be to work on that scale. They had us try to assemble a logo car with cooking mittens on our hands. Later that day we got to go into a clean room and do a lab. Over all it was a was very interesting and I would recommend going there for a visit for anyone that is interested in going into nanotechnology for a career or even if they are just interested in the technology.

U of I trip

2005-06-29T10:15:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we went to U of I, where we got lost. It's a pretty big campus for us small town folks. We took too many lefts, but in the end found where we were suppose to be. When we got there we put on little name tags and went into room 2005. We stood before a big yellow circle that represented a hair. Then one of the speakers pulled out many sizes of spheres until he had a grain of salt. If the yellow circle was actually a hair, then the grain of salt would be a visible nanometer. We did many different activities that showed how important tools are in nanotechnology and how getting atoms to go where you want them can be a difficult task. Other activities showed how nanotechnology is and will be applied to future objects to things better overall. The last thing we did was go to a clean room where, through the use of UV light, we printed a label on a silicon wafer. We then went back and took a survey and headed home.

It was a fun trip and I really enjoyed it.

Coming up next...

2005-06-27T15:12:00.000-05:00

Everyone is doing a good job on their research. Here are upcoming events and assignments:

Tuesday, June 28th -- visit to the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign -- Leave CSC Circle Drive at 7am

Tuesday, July 5th -- Final day of Internship at CSC starting time 9am -- Board Room -- Discussion of Findings and Board Presentation Rehearsal

Thursday, July 28st -- 7:00PM --Presentation to CSC Board of Trustees -- Carthage Branch Campus -- 15 Minute Presentation by the group which will include show and tell of products made of nano materials.

Nano Today

2005-06-27T14:54:00.000-05:00

I looked for my product to present as an example of currently available nanotech. I found several products and I am trying to decide which one to get. I will likely get a pair of pants with stain resistance. Dockers makes some of these pants and I will try to get them. If I am unable to aquire them i will try to obtain another product as long as it is not the same as anyone else's. If anybody finds a good product but needs help getting it let me know.

Nano Products

2005-06-27T12:20:00.000-05:00

Nanotechnology is not being used in may different products on the market today. They have used this technology to make mini videocameras that can fit into your hand. Also car waxes and new windshields that have strong water repellents in them. They also use them in sports like tennis rackets and tennis ball that make them bounce better. Also golf clubs that have built-in inserts that allow the user to hit the ball farther and straighter.

Nano now

2005-06-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

I read about nanoproducts that are actually on the market today, from muscle cream to windshield coatings to golf balls. It's amazing some of the things they can do...there are footwarmers that are 3 to 100 times more efficient than existing insulators, golf balls that self-correct wobbles in flight, air filters that have no filters, to carbon nanotubes.

http://www.forbes.com/investmentnewsletters/2005/01/12/cz_jw_0112soapbox.html
http://www.voyle.net/Nano%20Products%202005/Products%202005-0003.htm
http://www.larta.org/lavox/articlelinks/2003/031006_nanojapan.asp

Electric Eye

2005-06-27T09:53:00.000-05:00

Nanosensors is today' topic. These nano guys could be used to better detect potential weapons for air ports and/or luggage departments. These will be more active than today's passive sensors in a sense that will follow its target, keeping the viewers safe from harm. Maybe they'll be able to track a target as it goes through the building.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/7avfl

The production costs will also be able to be cut way down. Using these sensors, security could detect radiation or other biochemical agents that may be in the building. In medicine they could be use as an ultra-early cancer detector. To keep our airplanes in tip-top-shape, the sensors could be used to monitor how well the plane is doing in all of its aspects.

Like the rest of nanotechnology, don't expect to see too many in the near future. The market for such things is still in its infancy. Once nanotechnology is seen as the next step, technology will be evolving really fast.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/clfqa

Bringing New Meaning to an Army of One

2005-06-24T09:34:00.000-05:00

The USA's Army has always thought of it's self as an "Army of One." We've seen the commericals, with Godsmack playing in the background, showing our troops are not just a bunch of people, but each one has his/her own job to serve. Well based on potential uses of nanotechnology in the military, an "Army of One" might have a new meaning.

An expert panel was put together and asked what their opinion on how nanotechnoloy could be applied in the military. They came up with a lot of interesting ideas. One has been said before, cloth that can monitor and provide greater protection to the soldier, yet still be light could be posible. Also using small receptor-enhancers to enhance altertness and lower reaction-time. However, these receptor-enhancers could leave the soldier wanting more (additiction), fatigue, neural damage, and/or even death.

Weapons will also be a lot smarter. This will cause more accuarcy and less killing of friendlies and innocents. They will also cut down on damage to buildings and the enviroment. That will make war a little more safe.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/9m5ks

The presentation, etc.

2005-06-23T16:47:00.000-05:00

It looks to me like you are on the right track. Each of you can use Power Point to organize your materials--pictures, video, and text. Then select your best slides and send them to Josh--right?--. PowerPoint is a good tool for organizing your material.

Always keep a copy of what you send. . .in case there is an unexpected event.

I'm confident you'll remember about citation of sources.

What else do you need at this point?

My Topic!!!

2005-06-23T15:34:00.000-05:00

Hey guys whats up well i guess im gonna research the artificial red blood cells and if i cant find enough info ill jump to another topic but right now ill found is about the same that dan found about how the blood cells will run completely of glucose and will be sphereic As well they will have nanocomputers that will montier the host body in addition each sphere will have a tank that will hold oxygen in a tank up to 1000atm with which it will deliver throughout the body and signifigantly increase the oxygen to the muscles with this the body will be able to hold its breath for 72 hours not moving and around 8 hours moving depending on the intensity but in anycase that is a considerable break through well gotta go ill talk to you either tomorrow or monday adios and peace

M-Dizzle

Presentation

2005-06-23T14:10:00.000-05:00

Today I found some information for my presentation. I have found some good references and I decided to do my presentation on clothing and medicine. I have found some companies that use nanomaterials. I have also found some visual aids. That is about it for today.

Our presentation

2005-06-23T12:08:00.000-05:00

Well today I was elected I guess to put together to powerpoint and the order we are going in. So I went online and try to find more information on the advantages and the risks of the use of nanotechnology. I have found some more advantages and thought of more risk that will go well with the presentation. So once everyone has decided what they want to do there part of the the presentation please tell me and get your information to me that way I can start putting the powerpoint together. So once everyone know what they want to do please tell me and figure out what kind of presentation aids if that you want to use like powerpoint, pictures, or something else.

Powerpoint

2005-06-23T12:01:00.000-05:00

Today I did my powerpoint. I made some videos for it as well. I think I'll hand out the still figures on hardcopy during the presentation, if that's ok. Now all I have to do is write out the stuff I'm actually gonna say, and shorthand it onto notecards.

The Nanoarmy

2005-06-23T10:07:00.000-05:00

Today I looked around at what more nanotechnology can do to improve the military. That's where a lot of the US's funds go to, so you can understand my curiosity on that regard.

Recently a bill was passed to grant $8 million for military research projects. $3 million went to researching more effective clothing. This clothing would have "smart textiles" that would sensor and protect the soldier. Another $3 million would go to researching less corrosive items. A lot of the military's money is lost to corrosion, so this will aid both the soldier's welfare and the military's finances. $1 Million went to developing Biomedical DNA that would help with curing chemical victims. The last of the money went to find a way to cure cancer.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/94zsp

Today

2005-06-22T13:45:00.000-05:00

Today I went to the U of I site and the Argonnne sites again and looked more in depth to get some information for next week and check out some stuff. I read the article about water that will not freeze because it is in a carbon nanotube. I also read about nanophotonics and bio-inorganic interfaces and their possible uses as sensors, storage units, catalysts, and biological intervention units. I also found some pictures to use just by searching google and looking on the sites. That is about it for today.

Nano, Nano

2005-06-22T12:01:00.000-05:00

Today I found some information on quantum teleportation. This is a very cool process of transporting matter from one place to another. Near term uses would include quantum computing; it's going to be awhile before we're beaming anywhere a la Star Trek. Quantum teleportation skirts the issue of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle by using the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen effect, aka quantum entanglement. This process is a bit difficult to explain (although it's really rather simple in principle) so I'll leave it to a good page I found that explains it in clear and simple terms: Here you go. Or, a more in-depth explanation.

I also found some stuff on a new form of data storage IBM hopes to bring to the market in 2006 or '07, which uses nanoscopic needles to punch pits in the surface of the data storage material which are then read as data, much like the old punchards of the 1970's. However, these 'punch cards' have data densities so high that a chip the size of a postage stamp could hold as much data as 25 DVDs. Check that out here.

IBM also (same link) has developed a new form of germanium that conducts better than silicon, and is being used to increase the performance of existing chip designs by as much as 35%.

I also read a little about nanowires, which can be as thin as one atom wide. Obviously the applications for electronics, including CPU transistor density, are enormous. Link

Well, that's all folks.

Carbon nanotubes

2005-06-22T11:51:00.000-05:00

NASA has discovered that single walled carbon nanotubes can greatly increase the catalytic efficiency and decrease the mass and energy requirements of life support systems on future space missions. These carbon nanotubes could be applied to cabin environmental control and waste processing in an advanced regenerate life support system. As the missions get father from earth it gets harder for them to get a re-supply of life support materials become difficult and expensive. The use of carbon nanotubes might give scientist a new way to re-supply they ships. NASA is also trying to find many other ways that they could us nanotechnology. The site that I got my information form is listed below.

http://www1.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/technology-onepagers/carbon_nanotube_emitters.html

No Pants can Turn Out to be Positive?

2005-06-22T09:50:00.000-05:00

In the past month there was a protest in Chicago by young men and women who are afraid of nanopants. They were afraid that nanomachines might damage brain cells, cause cancer, or even self-replicate like in the Grey Goo theory. However, there isn't proof of these nanopants actually being bad for a person to wear.

Kevin Maney for the USA Today tells how protests can actually be good. Protests from concerned persons can bring up things that researchers can test to prove if they could actually happen. Take the idea that nanoparticles from nanopants can cause cancer. The researchers could test this out before many people buy the pants and end up getting cancer. The idea of testing the protester's arguments can work in all products. It makes the products safe instead of dangerous. Kevin points out that when gas stoves were introduced, many didn't get one because they thought they'd explode. Once no one who owned a gas stove exploded, many people began to buy them. Maybe that same idea will work in nanotechnology to put myths aside.

It's only human nature to fear what something they don't understand. In most cases it's good to, so that any error in what is being feared can be tested. Once nanopants are deemed okay, then I'm sure they will sell very well.

Nanopants are basically pants that doesn't allow substances to cling onto it. In a sense, they are self cleaning pants.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/cb5xo

Source for what nanopants are: http://tinyurl.com/aovc7

More and more info but what to do

2005-06-22T09:48:00.000-05:00

Hey guys whats up ok todays will be short on acount that my computer is about to die so hear goes when i went and looked around i looked up on google for nanotech and it pulled up quite a few sites so you guys might wanna try that and as for gatherin pics for you guys that are goin to be presenting to the board heres one of those new space transports i was talkin about

www.orionsarm.com/ civ/nanotech_civs.html

Check out this site its pretty cool but i gotta get some liquids and rest in me so i can get better so cya peace out

M-Dizzle

comments 20June2005

2005-06-21T08:29:00.000-05:00

It seems to me that you are doing a good job of seeking and posting information. A keyword/concept that comes to mind as I read your entries is "Implications".

If we have workers that can do small tasks repetively, cars can be mass produced easily and cheaply. Were there implications here? How about bring new technology to factories? Have robots and other automation changed how we work?

From Nanotech now. . . to the hard X-Ray. . . to programing a visual aid. . .to Nanotech for medicine. . . .What are the implications is a good question to ask. It is one that is not always asked as we rush to have the latests and greatest improvement.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip. . .the things you learned and the people you met.

Ken Grodjesk

So many sites

2005-06-20T12:09:00.000-05:00

I found some more sites including one for the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network which provides links to several college research facilities and good information. The site also has a brief page about society and ethics concerning this field. Another good site for ethics is Ethicsweb. The Nanotech Company also has a good site with some information and a view at the business side of nanotech. The National Cancer Institute has a site about nanotech oncology (nanotech in cancer). The FDA has a site for nanotech and the regulations they have on it. Another site to visit is the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory site.

Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network: http://www.nnin.org/
Ethicsweb: http://www.ethicsweb.ca/nanotechnology/
The Nanotech Company: http://www.nanotechnology.com/
National Cancer Institute: http://nano.cancer.gov/
FDA: http://www.fda.gov/nanotechnology/
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory: http://www.micro.uiuc.edu/

The use of nanotechnology in medicine

2005-06-20T12:03:00.000-05:00

The University of Michigan has been researching how to use nanotechnology in the medical field and how to apply it to already known techniques made by scientist. The scientists at University of Michigan have created a way to put a powerful chemotherapy drug inside tumor cells. Previous studies in cell cultures have showed that attaching anticancer drugs to nanoparticles for targeted delivery in tumor cells could increase the therapeutic response in patients. James R. Baker Jr., M.D., the Ruth Dow Doan Profressor of Biologic Nanotechnology directed the study. "We're very optimistic that nanotechnology can markedly improve cancer therapy," says Baker, who directs the Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and the Biological Sciences. I thought this was very interesting since I have have bone tumors in my leg and had to have a surgery to get a large one removed this past year 2 days before christmas. I still have one that I know of so this seem interesting to me.

Visual Aids

2005-06-20T11:25:00.000-05:00

I spent today hunting down video and pics for Utility Fog and respiroctyes. Also, I coded an animation of a nuclear bomb for use as a visual aid for the mini-nukes the military is developing. Not research in and of itself, but concentration-requiring work nonetheless, and productive, I should think.

More web sites to check out

2005-06-20T11:23:00.000-05:00

I went to the Argonne National Labs site and found it to be a very good site. They have found a way to prevent water from freezing all the way down to 8 Kelvin nearly absolute zero. They have also activated a "hard x-ray" which will allow them to study individual atoms and molecules and unique physical reactions on the nanoscale. They are also using the technology to combine inorganic and bio/organic materials to create an entirely new class of materials. This is a site you should definitely check out.

http://nano.anl.gov/

Little Miracles

2005-06-20T10:22:00.000-05:00

Today I just looked at nanotechnology in general. I read some articles that I found from nanotech-now that leads me to today's blog. I had seen the articles entitled "Hype" all over nanotech-now's news, and finally took a look at what they were talking about.

Nanotech-now linked me to where the article was typed, Responsible Nanotechnology. This is another blog managed by the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN). This four part article starts off with a question from another blog, "Who exactly is hyping nanobots?” CRN then sets out to see "Who has the hype?” They do this by showing articles from different researches and what can come out of nanotechnology.

An item talked about was a material stronger and lighter than steel. Also there are many social issues that nanotechnology will most likely create. They expect issues to arise from religious standpoint to even the business world. Many industries will be lost to nanotechnology because those industries will become obsolete. A lot of issues will arise from how nanotech will be used in medicine. It'll be able to cure diseases that were once incurable, allow the deaf to hear, allow the blind to see, even allow everyone to live much longer than they can today. Many science-fiction dreams that many have had, could very well become possible thanks to nanotechnology.

The things mentioned in the three articles prove why nanotechnology should be hyped about. All the things that were previously thought impossible become possible. It will do great things for everyone around the world that could put a smile on anyone's face.

Sources~:
First article: http://tinyurl.com/beq4t
Second (Start): http://tinyurl.com/bw3sa
Third: http://tinyurl.com/c6dj2
Fourth (end): http://tinyurl.com/an5nn

Redirected from: http://www.nanotech-now.com/

What will you do with all of this information?

2005-06-19T21:07:00.000-05:00

Greetings and Salutations from Alaska. . .even in the Seattle like rain. . it is spectacular!

As you gather information. . . Nanotech news; Utility fog, Nanotech Transportation and Technology Review here are some thoughts:
(1) Is there a way to categorize some of the information you are collecting?
(2) What woiuld the experts mentioned in the Nanotechnology article ["Tiny Is Beautiful. . ." New York Times February 27, 2005 say about these sources?
(3) When you look at Nanotechnology. . .have you looked back on the questions I presented the first day?
(4) Are there some applications that might work in the very near future and some that might work "later" if you will in the future.
(5) What visuals will you use to accompany your presentation?

I am very pleased with what you have found at this point. . .I encourage you to consider these questions.

Take Care

kmantech

Transportation Part 1!!!!!!!!!

2005-06-18T20:35:00.000-05:00

Hey whats up guys sorry this took so long to post my internet was knocked out after I got home from work on Friday but this is what I found with Nanotechnology in the transportation field. What most people don’t realize is that there are already things that are being put into cars that are from nano research. For example the paint that now coats the newer model cars has been change by nanotechnology to give it different effects, higher durability, and hardness. To add to that the automotive industry is also looking into creating new engine component to increase life, power, and strength. One of the ways they are trying to do this is by using nanomachines that will be lighter stronger and smaller that will have a better capability to monitor, repair, and resist damage. They want you to be able to sit in your car and be able to look at a screen to tell you how much life you car has left, whats wrong, what the road conditions are like, how the environment is being effected, and how much of your engines emissions are being trapped by the nanotech that’s in your car. Now let’s go to the air this is where the stuff gets more interesting and vaguer at the same time. As air travel becomes more and more economical the planes are becoming more environmentally friendly, quieter, and faster. Not only that either they are becoming huge like the new air bus that will be able to take 700 people on a single flight. That would not be possible with out new advancements of atoms and how elements react with one another and without developing material that is lighter and stronger than the material that we had once before. One of the things that really restrict the planes payload ability is how heavy the equipment it has to have in order to keep in contact with the ground and to monitor all the flight systems. Nanotech would revolutionize this by making equipment significantly lighter and more capable than once before just like a car it would be able to monitor wear, conditions, life expectancy and so forth. Also the fuel for the planes would be more environmental more power fuel and once again lighter. This would make supersonic commercial flights more realistic cheaper and economical. One of the theories ive found is based on military flight is that we would be able to give steel a rubber like property to so while up in the air it would be able to fly through antiaircraft bullets because they would bounce off leaving no structural damage which would save a lot of pecuniam (money) on repairs and lost aircraft. Even though we could still have pilots to fly commercial flights the military like the idea of not having human pilots in hostile air so with nanotech the military would be able to control the fighter from the ground while monitoring all the systems and being able not only to control the aircraft but also allow the aircraft to make some of its own decisions. And finally lets explore the final frontier space (you all know you guys like Star Trek). Any way one of the things I found I think thanks to Dan if im wrong let me know but anyways. Something that’s being thought of is the space elevator which would reduce the costs of going into space greatly. To add to that it would also be a great breakthrough and might be a way to make space colonization possible and from there the possibilities are endless such as space exploring craft that would be stationed up in a port in orbit its like actually making star trek and star wars a reality. But in any event ill close it up for today and post some more stuff either this weekend or on Monday. Cya

M-Dizzle

Second Day Finished

2005-06-17T11:50:00.000-05:00

After the Utility Fog, I found some information on nanoweapons, such as ways to deliver chemical or biological weapons to a select group of people. Many experts think these things are possible, but not in the near future. I also found information on medical treatments, including delivering drugs to certain target areas, and nanobugs that would burow into a tumor and destroy it.

THE GOOD AND THE EVIL

2005-06-17T11:18:00.000-05:00

In today's world there are always consequences to everything. Nanotechnology is no exception, our society are starting to use nanotechnology more and more. There are many benefits of using nanotechnology a few of them were listed yesterday in the other blogs, which range from medical, military, equipment improvement, house hold items, and computers. Even though many of the improvements are truly amazing discoveries that can help millions of people. We need to stop and think about what could happen if we don't discuss the consequences of these actions. There could be a economic disturbance due to the abundance of cheap products. The use of nanotechnology in the military creates a person risk from criminal or terrorist since it very easy for someone to smuggle these due to their size. This technology could be dangerous in the wrong hands. There are environmental damages due to the unregulated production of the machines. So scientist are trying to find an effective way to use this technology with out the risk. Until we find that we most be very careful when and where we use nanotechnology.
Source: http://www.crnano.org/dangers.htm

Some cool links

2005-06-17T10:50:00.000-05:00

I found some sites that explain nanotechnology pretty well. Some also contain links to other sites and current news of nano developments. Nanotech-now provides up to date nano news http://www.nanotech-now.com/. "Foresight is the leading think tank and public interest institute on nanotechnology. Founded in 1986, Foresight was the first organization to educate society about the benefits and risks of nanotechnology. At that time, nanotechnology was a little-known concept. Today, with the basic framework of public understanding in place, we are refocusing our efforts on guiding nanotechnology research, public policy and education to address the critical challenges facing humanity. Foresight’s new mission is to ensure the beneficial implementation of nanotechnology. Foresight is accomplishing this by providing balanced, accurate and timely information to help society understand and utilize nanotechnology through public policy activities, publications, guidelines, networking events, tutorials, conferences, roadmaps and prizes."(http://www.foresight.org/) "The United States is the acknowledged international leader in nanotechnology research and development (R&D)." (http://www.nano.gov/) http://www.nano.org.uk/ has some good information and even some images. How stuff works had a good explanation of nanotechnology and some goals for it. It also had a bit about the future of nanotech at http://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology.htm. That’s all for today but I will keep looking.

Utility Fog

2005-06-17T09:52:00.000-05:00

Utility fog is a theoretical active polymorphic intelligent material that could conform to any shape and color. It could simulate any object with the most important of the two senses (sight and hearing) at a level of fidelity that would make it indistinguishable from the real thing to human beings. These 100-micron foglets would have 12 arms arranged dodecahedrally and have grippers on the end for holding onto neighbors. The applications are almost endless. Check it all out at the site I found this all at.

Attacking with Celerity

2005-06-17T08:51:00.000-05:00

Today a question was raised in my mind. What kind of use would nanotechnology have in the military? Didn't take me long to find out this bit of information.

Researchers are coming up with more potent and deadly weapons. Using nanometal, like nanoaluminum, they will be able to make missiles/bombs and bullets quicker and more effective when it strikes its target. The weapon will strike so fast that the target won't have time to react. The researchers are also combining superthermites to make this work, thus bringing more deadly weapons to the battlefield. Superthermites chemically react faster than a normal thermite. Nanoaluminum also reacts faster because it has more atoms than normal aluminum. The nanoaluminum would be used as powered to give the projectile thrust and lift. It is also burns at ten times the rate than today's propellants, so one could imagine how fast the bullet of tomorrow will be. The nanometals cost less than today's metals, thus dropping how much someone might spend for better weaponry.

Mini-nukes. Scary but true. These nukes would easily fit into a briefcase and could destroy a building with ease. This however poses the threat that if terrorist ever got a hold any, it would be very bad. They would also conflict with the current challenge to limit WoMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction). With the problems that could be and most likely will be caused due to mini-nukes, it's a wonder why they are being developed.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/87bes
Redirected from: http://www.nanotech-now.com/

First day finished

2005-06-16T13:24:00.000-05:00

Well, that's the first day finished. I didn't get online until 9, but I worked until 1:30 today. I read most of the document about the respirocytes, a lot of technical stuff, but I think I understand a lot of it after side-trips to other sites to look up the words I didn't know. :) I read a lot about convergent manufacturing of nanotech too. Good first day for all of us I think.

The Attack of the Gray Goo!

2005-06-16T12:19:00.000-05:00

I took a stroll through wikipedia's nanotechnology area today. It had a nice chunk of information. Then I became curious about a term that I had found...Gray Goo. I then looked around for more insight on what this strange term was.

Come to find out, this chap named Eric Drelxer, a pioneer in nanotechnology. The gray goo is said to be the end of everything as we know it kind of scenario. This is when nanomachines that self-replicate get out of control and multiply more than rabbits. Everything is then swallowed up by the gray goo. Goo may not actually be gooie at all, but is defined rather as a mass of self-replicating nanomachines that lack large scale structure. Whether this event could actually happen is debatable. Some say that a virus is very similar to gray goo. Viruses have been evolving for over 4 billion years, and have yet to cause a gray goo problem, so why would an artificial nanomachine accomplish such an act. Others think that it being not natural could give it the edge over natural beings and thus cause a gray goo scenario. None the less, it's still a possibility of what could happen. If I find anything else about this "Gray Goo", I'll be sure to post it here.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_goo

2005-06-16T11:34:00.000-05:00

Well first day of research what fun well found a lotta stuff on the MIT website and a lil bit on the U of I website but i recommend that you guys at least one go to MIT in anycase they have a lot stuff about nanotechnology and the advancements thus far into the field. One thing thats really cool is MIT has cut down on the expense and time to analyze DNA normally it would take $500 or more per microarray and it takes over 400 printing steps now however bcuz of MIT it takes 3 count em 3 steps and cost under $50 and its also a lot better to analzye with. ANother thing is the nanoruler which will be revolutionary for science and experiments it can measure within a nanometer if its being used to pattern gratings of lines and space seperated only by a few hundred nanometers which is the equivalent of shooting a target the size of a nickel in manhattan all the way from san fancisco bet i could do that. Also get ready to eat sleep and bath in nanotechnology thats right nanomaterial will be in soap in the future creating the ability to regenerate nerve cells cells and more cells by using protiens in the body thats a new definition of an all in one shampoo. What else o yea they have also created a new process of waterproofing which instead of coating the outside and inside it also coats every molecule individually one at a time so how bout goin swimming and not getting wet lol. And yes theres more but this is it for me today i put up so more stuff maybe this afternoon or at night. Take a look at ur nose and ears yep they are trying to replicate cartilage on a nanocale in hope of curing a few diseases such as osteoarthritis and etc. becuz of its durability and strength. well thats it for me right now ill see ya tomorrow bright and early adios valete omnes peace.

M-Dizzle

Respirocytes: Artificial Erythrocytes

2005-06-16T10:38:00.000-05:00

Respirocytes are hypothetical nanobots with a complete design (we just can't build them yet). They would provide oxygen and take carbon dioxide waste away from cells via molecular sorting rotors in the surface of a diamondoid sphere containing gas tanks at ~1,000atm pressure. They would be powered by glucose fuelled engines and have onboard computing power, as well as water tanks for ballast to change buoyancy so that they could by filtered out of the blood via kidney dialysis if no longer needed. External commands would be delivered via acoustic signalling. Partial pressure sensors would tell the computer when to relase oxygen or CO2 or to take oxygen or CO2 on. Size of these devices would be 1 micron.
Link to Source

A little background on Nanotechnology

2005-06-16T09:55:00.000-05:00

CSC Bright Minds Internship Program Nanotechnolgy was first introduced in 1959, in a speech by the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, entitled "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom". Nanotechnology, is the creation of materials, components, devices and systems at the nanometer level. A nanometer is about the size of ten atoms placed side bye side. Nanotechnology gives scientists a whole new way to look at things on a nanomoter or atomic level, which leads to new research in all kinds of feilds from computers, to medical, to enviromental studies. Currently Nanotechnology is being used in metal al to make them stroger and more flexible, many different kinds of coating that do anything form preventing rust on metal to making a tennis ball bounce higher and longer. Nanotechnology is also being used to make newer and better air filters which allow AC/Heating units not only make the air inside our homes clean but makes the units last longer and more efficient for the custmer therefor they save money. I know this since I work for JC Heating and Air Conditioning. Some sites, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-molecular-nanotechnology.htm?referrer=adwords_campaign=molecularnanotechnology_ad=011041&_search_kw=what%20is%20nanotechnology
http://www.nanodynamics.com/Home/NDnanotechnology
http://www.nanotech-now.com/current-uses.htm

About me!!!

2005-06-15T22:10:00.000-05:00

What up in the hizzle this is matt derry (mdizzle) um well a lil blurp about me is im from monmouth high school which by the way is located in monmouth if you couldnt guess next school year ill be a junior so im the youngest in this group of 5 but no problem there um what else lets see well im planning on goin into the aerospace field but im still keepin my options open thats one reason im doin this intern but in any case ill rap this up by saying one thing carthago delenda est!! or in other words Carthage must be Destroyed lol a bit of roman history for you cya

about me

2005-06-15T15:52:00.000-05:00

My name is Joshua Morris I was a senior this previous year at Warsaw High School. I was enrolled in duel credit classes through Carl Sandburg College. I took 28 college hours my senior year. I am attending Southeastern Community College this fall were I will take 18 hours both semesters so I will have my associate degree come the beginning of next summer.

me

2005-06-15T14:29:00.000-05:00

i am going to be a senior next year at ROWVA high school. i plan to attend college after graduation and study medecine and become a doctor. i live in wataga and thats all i got.

Introduction...thingy

2005-06-15T12:56:00.000-05:00

Hi, this is Andrew. I live in Galesburg and will attending Knox College in the fall. I'm going for Computer Science. That's about it...

Where is the line. . . ?

2005-06-15T11:42:00.000-05:00

I have a wide range of experience in teaching. I have taught in the K-12 setting for about 23 years. Then I entered higher education. . .teaching at Monmouth College. I have been at Sandburg for 2 years now and I am responsible for the Teacher Education Program.

More information to come.

Doggy fizzle Televizzle

2005-06-15T11:27:00.000-05:00

My name is Daniel Butler. I'm from Bushnell. I plan to enter the Air Force, CSC, or some 4-year university for Spring 2006. I'm interested in biochemistry, in particular genetic engineering and molecular immunology. I program in C++ and Python as a hobby and I'm working on a website with my friend from Canda.

Welcome

2005-06-15T11:21:00.000-05:00

Welcome. . .it has been great meeting you. I am looking forward to working with you.

Field Visit

2005-06-15T11:18:00.000-05:00

CSC Bright Minds Internship Program

Next Activity Tuesday, June 21st -- field visit to Argonne National Labs, Chicago -- Meet at the Circle drive at CSC Galesburg 7am.

During this visit, students will get to interview Dr. Derrick Mancini of the Center for Nanoscale Materials

Test Posting

2005-06-05T11:08:00.000-05:00

Sam, et al,
I am able to sign in on this blog. Some of my students, from the past semester, had trouble with the invitation process.
Hopefully, none of you will have that difficulty.
Welcome!

Ken

Bright Minds Internship Program

2005-06-04T22:02:00.000-05:00

The "Bright Minds" Internship program at Carl Sandburg College is targeted towards academically brilliant juniors and seniors of the twenty K-12 School districts within Carl Sandburg Community College District 518.
The program has been offered to the top five of the winners in the Computer Science category of the Academic Challenge competition offered at the Galesburg and Carthage Campuses in March, 2005. The Academic Challenge is sponsored by Carl Sandburg College and the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) Organization and covers seven academic categories namely, Mathematics, Chemistry, English, Physics, Biology, Engineering Graphics and Computer Science.
This year the students will be involved in an "Information Research" project on the topic of Nanotechnology. The project will culminate in a fifteen-minute presentation to the Carl Sandburg College Board of Trustees at their regular Board Meeting in July, 2005.
The project will span over a month starting June 14th and ending on July 8th and will involve the students spending one day a week at Carl Sandburg College campus in Galesburg and the rest of the days working at home or at a nearby CSC campus. During this time, they will go on field visits, conduct interviews, and do research on Nanotechnology.