WHEN IS A BUBBLE FLAT? WHEN IT’S A NANOBUBBLE
Australian researchers obtained the first direct images of nanobubbles on water-repellent surfaces immersed in water, which could lead to advances in development of advanced materials, according to the American Institute of Physics’ Physics News Update .
The team from of the University of South Australia Ian Wark Research Institute, examined glass surfaces with a tapping-mode atomic force microscope. The images revealed that nanobubbles form closely packed, irregular networks that nearly cover hydrophobic surfaces and the bubbles rapidly reform after being disturbed, the report said.
The work also revealed that the bubbles are flattened like pancakes, with curvature and pressure much lower than previously expected. That explains how the miniscule bubbles can exist at all, according to the report.
CORNELL GOES INTO SPIN AFTER RECEIVING GRANT
The National Institutes of Health awarded Cornell University nearly $6 million to create the National Biomedical Center for Advanced ESR Technology, the university said.
ESR is electron spin resistance, a technology for studying the bonds and structures of chemical and biological materials. The technique specifically deals with how molecules move, react and interact with one another.
The center, which will occupy 5,600 square feet of lab space on campus, will have 21 collaborators from universities and medical schools in the United States, Canada, Germany and Israel. The center plans to release its findings through software, online tutorials, biomedical summer schools and other sources.
The director will be Jack H. Freed, an ESR pioneer and professor of chemistry and biology at Cornell.
FIRMS TEAM UP TO DEVELOP NANO-POWERED VACCINE
pSiMedica, a subsidiary of Australian biotechnology company pSivida Ltd., signed a deal with PowderJect Pharmaceuticals plc to jointly develop nanostructured porous silicon for possible vaccine delivery.
The agreement involves researching the potential use of the technology in PowderJect’s needle-free powder injection delivery system. The system delivers microscopic vaccine particles into the outer layer of skin, which can enhance the immune response to vaccines and improve safety, economy and convenience, the companies said.
AKZO, SHELL SEEK CHEAPER SOLAR CELLS
Akzo Nobel and Shell Renewables, a Royal Dutch/Shell Group business unit, are teaming up to develop flexible solar cell panels using nanoscale materials.
The new process uses mass production methods to apply an ultra-thin “solar cell coating” to rolls of flexible foil substrates. The companies are working with several Dutch universities to speed the process.
If the pilot project succeeds, it could help overcome cost issues related to solar photovoltaics. Currently, solar panels have to be made from expensive materials, such as silicon, glass and metals.
RECRUITER, INVESTMENT FIRM CREATE $500M FUND
NanoTech Services, which specializes in small tech recruiting, said it has joined with an unidentified “major investment banking firm” to aggressively pursue investment opportunities.
As part of the effort, NanoTech and the southern California investment firm are working with a fund of more than $500 million for high-tech, focusing on MEMS and opto-electronics, NanoTech said.
MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES ELECTS BOARD MEMBER
Measurement Specialties Inc., a maker of MEMS-based sensors for consumer products, elected David Morton to its board of directors.
Morton rose through the ranks of Alcan Inc. to become its chief executive officer and chairman of the board. He also serves on the boards of McCain Foods, Methanex Corp. Inc., Canadian Overseas Packaging Industries Ltd. and The Laird Group PLC.
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By Jeff Karoub, 734-528-6291.