Nanobot-protected cubicle

Backgrounder
Gray Goo

NanoBot 2006 at a Detroit-area Hooters?

What has America come to when we listen to topless women about cutting-edge scientific experiments? What's next? Will Hooters be hosting the next Nobel Prize convention? More in Wired News: Rants & Raves

Hmmm. Not a bad idea at all. Not the Nobel right away. We'd have to work up to that. Perhaps a Detroit-area Hooters could be the location of the first NanoBot trade show and convention. Attendance should not be a problem, I could skimp on fabric for the souvenir T-shirts and I hear they serve some pretty good chicken. Anybody game?

Backgrounder
A new wrinkle for Eddie Bauer
Wired News runs with THONG
Naked aggression

Steve Jobs' commencement speech inspires

Now, THAT is probably one of the most-inspiring speeches I've read in a long time. Sure, there may be a few cliches in there for you academics who sit through painful hours of commencement speeches every year. I suffer under no such burden. I need to print it out and frame it in my office just to remind myself what the hell I'm doing. The full version can be found here, where he also discusses how getting fired from Apple was the best thing that ever happened to him.

'Crain's-ing' my neck to see the hype

My old colleague Jeff Karoub, whom I had a hand in hiring about four years and a lifetime ago, must be making his presence felt at Crain's Detroit Business, where he is now managing editor. Crain's Detroit covered the 24th Annual Michigan Growth Capital Symposium in Ann Arbor, where panelists asked and answered the loaded question: “What’s Real and What’s Hype in Small Tech.” Nanofilm CEO Scott Rickert dusted off the "nano-robot" punching bag as an example of "hype" -- at least, that's the way the story made it appear.

For example, Rickert said nano-robots aren’t much more than science fiction that exists in “someone’s imagination.” But others are real and provide solid opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors. More here

I'll ask the question again: Who exactly is hyping nanobots? And how exactly is the longer-term vision of molecular manufacturing -- the vision that truly gets the public excited about nanotech -- worth singling out as "hype" as opposed to, say, Scotchgard renamed nano, "energy" patches, questionable "nanofilters," muscle potions or over-the-top investment promotions? Just to name a few off the top of my head. I'm wondering whether they talked about some of the real hype in small tech.

Again to his credit, Ardesta CEO Rick Snyder (my former big boss for whom I retain a great deal of respect), cut through some of the garbage to mention one good thing about hype: "In many cases, it is spawning a responsible discussion of health and societal issues," he said.

And, of course, one of only a handful of news "organizations" that hosts this kind of discussion is ... well ... NanoBot.

Related News
Nanotech: "Hype or Reality?" (complexifly flickr)

Backgrounder
NanoBot's discard pile
Nanobots: Possible only when convenient
Where is the hype?

Tomorrow Ever Knows

I've neglected to promote the first three incarnations of the Carnival of Tomorrow at The Speculist, so make sure you look at all the futuristic, speculative goodies in 4.0. Eye-rubbing wonders, bionic diesel vehicles, apocalypse delayed and efficient solar power all await -- along with the cool image above.

My favorite year!

  

Happy first birthday, Max! You help me see the little things.

Europe sees some nano 'action'

Looking small, thinking big – keeping Europe at the forefront of nanotechnology (Welcomeurope)

The European Commission has today announced the ways in which it intends to keep Europe at the forefront of the fast-moving field of nanotechnology in a safe and responsible way.

Applications of nanotechnology – activities at the level of atoms and molecules – are bringing a range of benefits including more effective ways of delivering drugs to treat diseases, faster computer processors and more efficient solar cells. An action plan proposes measures to be taken at national and European level to strengthen research in this area and develop useful products and services. More here

Backgrounder
Survey aims to re-create creativity
The sounds (and videos) of science
Here's to Euro health in 2020

Attention nano stakeholders: Make your voice heard

Many of my recent posts (here, here and here) have to do with scientists communicating effectively with citizens, and concerned citizens' desire to have a voice in how science and technology develops.

Anybody who is interested in having his or her voice heard might want to attend this first meeting, of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Board of Scientific Counselors Nanotechnology Working Group on Friday, June 24 in Research Triangle Park, NC. It's open to the public and will also be Webcast. More details on the group can be found here, select "Advisory Boards & Committees."

This meeting is significant in that it's the first official opportunity for the general public to speak to government agencies about their concerns over health effects of nanomaterials. The meeting is going to be mostly federal agencies discussing nano efforts in their organizations, but there will be time allotted for public comment.

The NTP's Kristina Thayer tells me the the toxicology program is an "interagency program whose mission is to evaluate agents of public health concern by developing and applying the tools of modern toxicology and molecular biology. This involves conducting toxicological evaluations of substances of public health concern, developing and validating improved (sensitive, specific, rapid) testing methods, developing approaches and generating data to strengthen the science base for risk assessment, and communicating with all stakeholders."

The Nanotechnology Working Group was created specificically to address public concern and disseminate information to all stakeholders.

I repeated "stakeholders" on purpose. That's you. All of you. From THONG to thientist ... um ... scientist. Here's the advantage of living in a democracy as opposed to, well, not.

Naked aggression

Here are some snippets of reaction to my Wired News article: "When Nanopants Attack." I'll let them speak for themselves, but let me just offer a simple thought for scientists who do not believe they need to be paying attention to this.

Yes, the protesters have their facts wrong in so many ways (most of which has already been pointed out on this blog over the past couple of years), but does that not place the burden on you to make sure the general public understands what it is you're really doing? And what you're really selling? And what you really do not yet know about nanomaterial toxicity?

In any revolution, it's almost always the intellectuals who are first to be carted away.

Now, here's what others are saying:

"This is not helping our future it is only showing how stupid people can be."

I suppose it doesn't hurt to bring up issues, but I can't help but notice these are zealots leading the cause of environmental awareness.

"I think we all agree that it would be bad for nanocytes to be roaming freely through the environment, but the nanowhiskers in Eddie Bauer pants are not self-replicating entities. People don't understand that uncontrolled self-replicating monsters are far more likely to be developed if this is all pushed underground. ... Anybody who thinks that China and other high tech players are going to sign on to any form of nano nonproliferation treaty are gravely mistaken. While we wait, the sun rises in the East." More here

It’s just a bunch of neo-luddites operating under the guise of “environmentalism” trying to stop the only technology that will actually answer all their calls for “renewable, clean, green” technology that allows the earth, humanity and our essential tool using consumerism to exist in harmony. More here

Not to put too fine a point on it…

…but what a bunch of ridiculous morons. No, really, morons — the kind of ignorant people who think “natural” means “safe” [or anything at all], that Man’s relationship with nature is all about unknowable deep wholistic truths unattainable by mere mortal men [as if there was such a thing as “Man”, “relationship” and “truth”], and that they’re being oppressed and endangered… by marketing jargon. About laundry. More here

Backgrounder
Better watch your backside ... beware the pants
Nanopants miss the Bullseye
Nanopants: 'Century City' style
Nanopants diary
NanoVlog

Nano World: Stem cell tag team

Blogger's Note: UPI's Charles Choi gives us another sneak preview into his latest Nano World column, appearing Monday. -- Howard

This week I'm writing about how the cutting-edge science of nanotechnology is now helping advance the equally pioneering new field of stem cell research.

Technologies include capsules that help analyze stem cells and nanofibrous scaffolds that help stem cells grow.

Backgrounder
Nanomedicine journal to debut in March
QuoteBot
Mr. Nano, come here. I want you!

Stop dialoguing and get back to work

End this two-way process
Scientists are too busy discovering hard facts to engage the public in constant dialogue, says John Warren (Education Guardian)

As a scientist in the 21st century I am not only expected to unravel the mysteries of the universe, but also to engage the public in dialogue. Unlike my predecessors, who were simply encouraged to go forth and educate the masses - or more politely - "enhance the public's understanding of science", I am told to be involved in a two-way process; so let's kick-off.

What do you wish to discuss, sub-atomic partials, the human genome or nanotechnology? Sorry, I can't help you there, they are not my field. Before I could get involved in any worthwhile dialogue on these topics, I would need to do some reading or talk to an expert. Yes, I would need to 'enhance my understanding of science'. I don't have any problem with that, but no, that is old hat, we must have a two-way process. The trouble is, for a meaningful two-way discussion to occur there must be at least some understanding on the part of the non-specialist.

Let me give you an example of the problem. I was recently involved in a government-funded project that was designed to find out how much the public values biodiversity (and hence how much they would be willing to pay to support nature reserves, or more environmentally friendly farming and so on). The problem with this is that many members of the public have virtually no understanding of what biodiversity is. More here

Backgrounder
The abstract 'public' is right here
You can trace time

I'm quitting journalism, studying nanotech

Community college courses in high school cut time at UCD in half (The California Aggie)

She took only 13 units during her first quarter, but soon realized that she could graduate within two years if she scheduled her classes strategically. Timoshek, a declared chemistry major with a minor in psychology, and began to take more units, averaging about 18 per quarter.

People who lived with her in the residence hall did not believe she had accomplished so much so soon, she said. Most of her friends, Timoshek said, are not amazed by the fact that she’s an “overachiever,” which she’s content with.

"I don’t want to come off as cocky," she said.

In addition to juggling labs and other coursework, she found a position in a research lab working in the field of nanotechnology under leadership of Frank Osterloh.

Osterloh said this past quarter, Timoshek has been helping with a project looking at the number of linkers needed to connect two gold nanoparticles. He said her passion for chemistry is evident in the work she contributes to the lab, where she began last summer.

She has a strong work ethic,” Osterloh said. “She always comes in interested in her work." More here

Backgrounder
Dear NanoBot: I'm sold on nano, but now what?
Wilkes-Barre's Camp Nano
Nano on top of Ol' Smoky

Wired News runs with THONG

It has danger, it has romance, it has nanopants. It's the feel-good hit of the day.

When Nanopants Attack (By Howard Lovy, Wired News)

On a chilly Chicago afternoon in early May, environmental activists sauntered into the Eddie Bauer store on Michigan Avenue, headed to the broad storefront windows opening out on the Magnificent Mile and proceeded to take off their clothes.

The strip show aimed to expose more than skin: Activists hoped to lay bare growing allegations of the toxic dangers of nanotechnology. The demonstrators bore the message in slogans painted on their bodies, proclaiming "Eddie Bauer hazard" and "Expose the truth about nanotech," among other things, in light of the clothing company's embrace of nanotech in its recent line of stain-resistant "nanopants." More here

Update: And now it's entered the Slashdot-o-sphere

Backgrounder
A new wrinkle for Eddie Bauer
QuoteBot: Naked protests work
Nano industry hits bottom

Little white coat lies

One-third of scientists admit to research violations (Star Tribune)

A third of the scientists in a nationwide survey admitted to violating some of the bedrock rules of scientific research, according to a report by a team of Minnesota researchers.

The survey, of more than 3,200 U.S. scientists, found that hardly anyone admitted to falsifying data outright.

But a surprising 33 percent confessed to other kinds of misconduct -- such as claiming credit for someone else's work, or changing results because of pressure from a study's sponsor.

The survey indicates that the misconduct involves more than a 'few bad apples,' said the lead author, Brian Martinson.

Martinson is a sociologist at the HealthPartners Research Foundation in Bloomington." More here (free registration required)

Backgrounder
What up with BBC doc?

You can trace time

Glenn Reynolds' Tech Central Station column on personal fabricators mentions Neil Gershenfeld's new book, FAB: The Coming Revolution on Your Desktop--From Personal Computers to Personal Fabrication. It reminded me of a fascinating news conference the director of MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms gave in late March. I was taking care of my son, with CSPAN on in the background, when I found myself enthralled by Gershenfeld's talk (there's a RealPlayer link here, but it's not working for me, for some reason.)

What really impressed me was what he said toward the end. This isn't an exact quote, but I quickly scribbled down the essence of what he said. The people who should be paying attention to his work are not the ones who read Science and Nature. Those publications were not written for those who ultimately will accept or reject new technological concepts.

This is the assumption I wake up with every day -- that there is a crucial need for as many people as possible to understand that we all, in our lifetimes, will experience vast technological changes that will forever alter the way we interact with our environment, with one another and with our own bodies. It will not be too long before we rub our eyes, look around and wonder what happened to the world in which we were born.

At times, I blog out of shear frustration over how inadequately I see these changes being covered by most of the science and technology publications and Web sites I read. They're either tailored toward a closed-in set of technogeeks who speak the same code understood by nobody, or written in language that parrots the scientists and oh so impresses themselves, yet is impenetrable to a broad audience.

At the end of Gershenfeld's talk, I blurted out "Yes!" And that's when my then-9-month-old son learned that his father was crazy. He was bound to find out eventually.

Related Story
The Dream Factory: (Wired, Dec. 2004)

Backgrounder
The abstract 'public' is right here
The sounds (and videos) of science
Images of the possible
Remember, we know more than you do

QuoteBot

"(The university) is inclined nowadays to develop only disciplines such as nanotechnology and hotel administration, which bring in money to the university."

Hebrew University history professor Esther Cohen
Quoted in Haaretz on the "slim" chances of the university developing the field of women's history

Why nanobusiness as usual with China?

Take a look at the story below and tell me whether you're uncomfortable with nanotech companies worldwide doing business in China. A lot of business. In fact, China is truly the land of opportunity for nanotech companies, where their products are likely to reach consumers sooner -- from nanocatalysts for fuel to drug delivery devices.

This is not a rhetorical question. I've had very mixed feelings on this issue since 1989, when I found myself yelling at the TV in outrage as I watched Brent Scowcroft toasting the Chinese leadership so soon after the Tiananmen Square massacre.

And the arguments over which dictatorial regimes to punish with economic sanctions are too wrapped up in U.S. politics to make any kind of sense. Liberals credit sanctions for toppling apartheid in South Africa, yet blame sanctions for impoverishing Cuba. Business-friendly conservatives argue in almost all cases that economic engagement with the people living under dictatorships is the surest way to change a society from within -- that is, unless we're talking about Cuba.

Even though it's a question that's broader than our own nano world, I still think this issue should be discussed among nanotechnology's other "societal and ethical implications."

China defector can stay - Australia minister (Reuters)

"A senior Australian minister said on Thursday that a Chinese diplomatic defector pleading for political asylum in Australia is in no danger of being sent home.

Chen Yonglin, a 37-year-old political affairs consul at China's Sydney consulate, has told Australian authorities he fears for his family's safety and would rather die than return to China.

'Mr Chen is in Australia, he is being dealt with in accordance with the ordinary process of Australian immigration law and he is at no risk of being sent back to China,' Health Minister Tony Abbott, a close ally of Prime Minister John Howard, told reporters.

Howard himself tried to calm concerns that Chen's fate might be influenced by Canberra's booming trade and economic ties with Beijing.

'Let me simply say that, just as in relation to the U.S., we have steadfastly refused to mix trade with politics and strategy and national security -- so it is in relation to China, and I'm sure that our Chinese friends will know that,' Howard told a business lunch in Sydney.

China, which is Australia's third-largest trading partner with annual trade worth almost A$29 billion (more than $22 billion), is in talks with Canberra on a free trade deal and a separate pact to import Australian uranium." More here

Backgrounder
People-to-People's State Partnership
'Dual-use' nano vs. export controls
China's Great NanoLeap Forward
Sleeping nanogiant stirs
U.S. to China: Let's share power
NanoSinoPhobia
China, garment workers and nanotechnology

Please stand by

I see that other bloggers apologize to their readers if they skip a day or a few hours, so I'll do that here. Sorry.

It's a good thing, though. I'm doing some work for money for a change. NanoBot readers will, of course, be alerted to Lovy sightings in other publications and will get some of the "cutting-room floor" stuff if it isn't too embarrassing. I'll be back to blogging soon.

Kroto kasts a spell

Joke of the day from buckyball co-discoverer Sir Harry Kroto, via Richard Jones: "After going through a spell-checker his name comes out as 'Sir Harlot Crouton.'"

Well, that should spell "job security" for nanotech copy editors. Wait ...

Greatest American Heroes

The Discovery Channel and AOL are using a scientific method to determine who exactly is the Greatest American of All Time: They're taking an online poll, of course.

It's narrowed down to 100, so now each candidate is going to be profiled in a four-part weekly show. But no purchase is necessary. You can see the candidates and voice your opinions on Discovery's blog.

Among the nominees that might interest NanoBot readers:

Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Bill Gates, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Jonas Salk, Carl Sagan and, of course, Tom Cruise ("Minority Report" featured some cool nano.)

The abstract 'public' is right here

"Open dialog with the media and the public would make sure that people did not see nanotechnology as a threat or build up irrational fears," says risk expert Christoph Lauterwasser of the Allianz Center for Technology. I agree. NanoBot may be a one-man media outlet, but it's the only one that's devoted to public understanding of nanotechnology and that can claim a broad readership of environmentalists, policymakers, business leaders, scientists, innovators, educators, students ... and the "public" that's so often referred to in the abstract. They're all here. Let's talk.

Backgrounder
A new wrinkle for Eddie Bauer
You say you want an evolution ...
NanoBot's discard pile

News from the Bottom: The Backstory

Blogger's Note: As a bottom-feeder, myself, I of course had to get the lowdown on "News from the Bottom". When I discovered that, no, it was not a porn site, I reluctantly continued my investigations, primarily to determine whether these damned college kids are any threat to me. Aren't they supposed to be doing a lot of ("bottoms-up") drinking and dancing? I watch MTV, I know what college kids are supposed to do. But, no, these young folks decided to (imagine me saying this in a high-pitched mocking tone) "think about nanotech's implications." What a bunch of dorks. Anyway, I decided to let them speak for themselves. This is the only college bottom I'd ever hope to attract -- even back in my own dorky college days. -- Howard

By Ashley Shew
Associate Editor
News from the Bottom

News from the Bottom - the Only Online Student Journal of Nanotechnology's Implications - is proud to feature the work of students and non-academics on the societal, ethical, legal, epistemological, and historical implications and aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Written and edited by students, News from the Bottom's name refers to two things: Feynman's "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" speech envisioning nanotechnology and the bottom rung of the academic ladder (at which we are operating).

News from the Bottom is supported through the help of University of South Carolina's Honors College and NanoCenter. Founding editor Jamie McIntyre has experience in journalism and on research in the societal implications of nanotechnology. She positioned the journal to address a variety of issues with nanotechnology and to give voice to people of many levels.

Papers in Volume 1 of News from the Bottom come from a very varied group of people: from a law student who spent 20 years working in the electronics industry to we undergraduates who try to envision the nanoscale. The content in each issue has no less variety. Issue 2 features papers of students thinking about the medical implications of nanotechnology, about the way technological language can be incorporated into English language courses, about a code of ethics for nanotechnology, and about Indian music playing the nanoscale.

We invite papers from all levels of student and from regular joes. We're interested in incorporating voices that might not otherwise have a venue into a discussion on nanotechnology. We're students, and we're thinking about this stuff too.

Please check out News from the Bottom at http://schc.sc.edu/nfb/ or email us at NanoEditors@gmail.com.

Buckyball gangs goo up the ground

Buckyballs could restrict growth of soil bacteria (nanotechweb.org)

Researchers at Rice University and Georgia Institute of Technology in the US have found that the nano-C60 aggregates that may form when C60 molecules are exposed to water can have a detrimental effect on soil bacteria. Under certain conditions, the aggregates restricted the bacteria’s growth and respiration rates.

“We have found that these C60 aggregates are pretty good antibacterial materials,” said Joseph Hughes of Georgia Tech. “It may be possible to harness that for tremendously good applications, but it could also have impacts on ecosystem health.”

... Current guidelines in the US for the handling and disposal of buckyballs are based on the properties of bulk carbon black. But Hughes says that buckyballs have different properties from this bulk material and should be treated differently.

“As information becomes available, we have to be ready to modify these regulations and best practices for safety,” said Hughes. “If we’re doing complementary studies that help to support this line of new materials and integrate those into human safety regulations, then the industry is going to be better off and the environment is going to be better off.” More here

Backgrounder
A future filled with fullerenes?
When nanotubes meet buckyballs ...
The nano-brain barrier

Survey aims to re-create creativity

Survey seeks top scientists for study of research creativity and innovation (EurekAlert)

Who's doing the most innovative and important research in the fields of human genetics and nanotechnology? A team of U.S. and European researchers will be asking that question through a survey that 1,200 leading scientists, industrial researchers, editors and research program directors will be receiving in June.

The questionnaire is part of an 18-month study to determine what factors lead to especially innovative and important research -- with a goal of determining what institutions might do to foster it.

The Project on Creative Capabilities and the Promotion of Highly Innovative Research (CREA) is being carried out by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) in Germany, the Technology Policy and Assessment Center (TPAC) in the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States, and Sussex University's Science and Technology Policy Research Unit in the United Kingdom.

Using the results of the survey, the researcher team aims to identify about 60 scientists and research teams on both sides of the Atlantic that are responsible for creative research that has produced innovative breakthroughs in human genetics and nanotechnology. Using in-depth interviews with the individuals and systematic studies of scientific productivity, the CREA study will then attempt to determine the factors, both personal and environmental, that helped those researchers work so effectively. More here

Backgrounder
'Swarm,' 'Prey,' whatever ...
Europe fires its nano-engines, aims at America
NanoSurvey says ...
The people want the pants