Foresight Nanotech Institute Logo
Image of nano

Archive for June, 2012

Solid state synthetic molecular machine points to advanced nanotechnology

Posted by Jim Lewis on June 26th, 2012

Interlocking organic molecules held between copper atoms have been assembled in a void inside a solid state material to create a very simple molecular machine, a wheel that spins around an axle.

An expanded genetic alphabet could lead to more easily designed proteins

Posted by Jim Lewis on June 22nd, 2012

The demonstration that the process of DNA replication is more flexible than thought should make it easier to incorporate unusual amino acids into designed proteins, which might make it easier to design novel protein machines.

Nanotechnology greatly improves sensitivity of common medical tests

Posted by Jim Lewis on June 21st, 2012

A new nanomaterial provides a three million-fold improvement in the sensitivity of common medical tests, potentially permitting earlier detection of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Individual atoms resolved within nanoparticle comprising several grains

Posted by Jim Lewis on June 20th, 2012

Current methods can image individual atoms in complex structures if the structures are crystalline, comprising many identical structures in a regular array. A new method resolves individual atoms in nanoparticles comprising several irregularly arranged crystalline grains.

New method to identify intermediates in protein folding

Posted by Jim Lewis on June 12th, 2012

Tryptophan residues introduced at various positions in a protein chain identify folding intermediates that are too short-lived to be structurally characterized otherwise.

Advancing nanotechnology with protein building blocks

Posted by Jim Lewis on June 6th, 2012

A variety of protein cage structures have been constructed by designing specific protein domains to self-assemble as atomically precise protein building blocks in defined geometries.

Foresight Institute at Space Frontier Conference

Posted by Jim Lewis on June 4th, 2012

How and how soon will nanotechnology play a role in space commercialization?