News

20 July 2007

Nanotech.org

Nanomarkets predicts that the market for printed and organic lighting will exceed $2.9 billion (€2.1 billion) by 2012. The report claims that the higher energy efficiencies and the ability to create novel lighting products provided by OLED and carbon nanotubes in particular will push the market up to $5 billion by 2014. Analysts believe that much of the CNT lighting will be printed and will include products such as transparent signage.

Instrument maker Keithley, US, has teamed up with CEA Leti, France – a major European electronics facility – to pursue nanotechnology and semiconductor materials research. Under the joint development partnership, Keithley and CEA Leti will develop methods for characterizing advanced semiconductor materials and devices that support DC, high frequency and RF-level signals on both micro- and nano-level structures.

Industrial Nanotech continues to roll out new applications for its nanotechnology-based speciality coatings technology. This week, the firm announced "Nansulate Aqua" – a thermally insulating, corrosion resistant coating for use on underwater oil and gas pipelines.

Nanomedicine

Z-Medica has launched two rapid blood-clotting products for sports and adventure enthusiasts following its success in the military and security sector. QuikClot Sport and QuikClot Silver consist of molecular sieve-like material enclosed in porous surgical fabric, which are packed into the wound to accelerate clotting and control bleeding.

Nanogen has begun shipment of its congestive heart failure (CHF) product. Dubbed StatusFirst, the CHF test measures circulating levels of NT-proBNP, a biomarker for heart disease, and returns a quantitative assessment in as little as 15 minutes via a low-cost reader. According to the firm, the market for cardiac diagnostics is expected to exceed $500 million (€360 million) annually in the next five years.

Plasma-coated yarns for medical applications will be under the spotlight at this year's NanoEurope event in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Plasma-coated yarns have applications in operating room clothing thanks to their anti-static and anti-bacterial properties. Other uses include the integration of electrodes within fabric for long-term electrocardiogram measurements.

Technology

Carl Zeiss has shipped what it claims is the world's first ORION helium ion microscope to the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. The device uses a beam of helium ions rather than electrons to deliver higher resolution images with greatly improved material contrast, says the firm.

Carl Zeiss SMT has acquired 100% of the shares of ALIS Corporation, Peabody, USA for its Nano Technology Systems Division (NTS). ALIS´ newly developed helium ion microscopy technology will add an important building block to Carl Zeiss SMT´s existing portfolio of charged-particle technologies aimed at nano-scale imaging, structuring and analysis applications. The acquisition of ALIS Corporation further expands Carl Zeiss SMT´s global leadership position as enabler for industrial nanotechnology solutions and academic research.

First nano has introduced a solid source deposition system specifically designed for the production of semiconducting nanowires. According to the firm, the improved temperature control of its ET2000-SS and ET3000-SS units together with their increased capacity marks the first step in bringing semiconducting nanowires up to full production levels.

People

Nanosensors, has appointed Robert Coutu, the current president of Ocean Fresh Seafood, to its board of directors. Nanosensors is developing a biosensor for the seafood industry and believes that Coutu's market knowledge will be invaluable.

Global Crown Capital has hired John Roy to strengthen its activity in the nanotechnology sector. Previously, he was senior research analyst covering alternative energy and nanotechnology at WR Hambrecht and before that Roy headed up Merrill Lynch's nanotechnology efforts.