Public release date: 29-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Michael Bernstein m_bernstein@acs.org 619-525-6268 (March 23-28, San Diego Press Center) 202-872-6042

Michael Woods m_woods@acs.org 619-525-6268 (March 23-28, San Diego Press Center) 202-872-6293 American Chemical Society

SAN DIEGO, March 29, 2012 To the ranks of horses, donkeys, camels and other animals that have served humanity as pack animals or beasts of burden, scientists are now enlisting bacteria to ferry nano-medicine cargos throughout the human body. They reported on progress in developing these "backpacking" bacteria so small that a million would fit on the head of a pin here today at the 243rd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific society.

"Cargo-carrying bacteria may be an answer to a major roadblock in using nano-medicine to prevent, diagnose and treat disease," David H. Gracias, Ph.D., leader of the research team said. Gracias explained that nanotechnology is the engineering of ultra-small machines and other devices. These devices generally lack practical self-sustaining motors to move particles of medication, sensors and other material to diseased parts of the body. So why not attach such cargo to bacteria, which have self-propulsion systems, and have them hike around the human body?

"Currently, it is hard to engineer microparticles or nanoparticles capable of self-propelled motion in well-defined trajectories under biologically relevant conditions," Gracias said. He is with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. "Bacteria can do this easily, and we have established that bacteria can carry cargo."

In addition, bacteria can respond to specific biochemical signals in ways that make it possible to steer them to desired parts of the body. Once there, bacteria can settle down, deposit their cargo and grow naturally. Bacteria already live all over the body, particularly in the large intestine, with bacterial cells outnumbering human cells 10-to-1. Despite their popular reputation as disease-causers, there are bacteria in the human body, especially in the intestinal tract, that are not harmful, and the backpackers fall into that category.

Gracias' bacteria don't really carry little nylon or canvas backpacks. Their "backpacks" are micro- or nano-sized molecules or devices that have useful optical, electrical, magnetic, electrical or medicinal properties. The cargos that the team tested also varied in size, shape and material. So far, the team has loaded beads, nanowires and lithographically fabricated nanostructures onto bacteria.

Other scientists are seeking to enlist bacteria in transporting nano-cargo. They already have established, for instance, that large numbers of bacteria so-called "bacterial carpets" can move tiny objects. Gracias' research focuses on attaching one piece of cargo to an individual bacterium, rather than many bacteria to much larger cargo. The bacteria, termed "biohybrid devices," can still move freely, even with the cargo stuck to them.

"This is very early-stage exploratory research to try and enable new functionalities for medicine at the micro- and nanoscale by leveraging traits from bacteria," explained Gracias. "Our next steps would be to test the feasibility of the backpacking bacteria for diagnosing and treating disease in laboratory experiments. If that proves possible, we would move on to tests in laboratory mice. This could take a few years to complete."

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'Backpacking' bacteria

ScienceDaily (Mar. 29, 2012) To the ranks of horses, donkeys, camels and other animals that have served humanity as pack animals or beasts of burden, scientists are now enlisting bacteria to ferry nano-medicine cargos throughout the human body. They reported on progress in developing these "backpacking" bacteria -- so small that a million would fit on the head of a pin -- in San Diego on March 29 at the 243rd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

"Cargo-carrying bacteria may be an answer to a major roadblock in using nano-medicine to prevent, diagnose and treat disease," David H. Gracias, Ph.D., leader of the research team said. Gracias explained that nanotechnology is the engineering of ultra-small machines and other devices. These devices generally lack practical self-sustaining motors to move particles of medication, sensors and other material to diseased parts of the body. So why not attach such cargo to bacteria, which have self-propulsion systems, and have them hike around the human body?

"Currently, it is hard to engineer microparticles or nanoparticles capable of self-propelled motion in well-defined trajectories under biologically relevant conditions," Gracias said. He is with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. "Bacteria can do this easily, and we have established that bacteria can carry cargo."

In addition, bacteria can respond to specific biochemical signals in ways that make it possible to steer them to desired parts of the body. Once there, bacteria can settle down, deposit their cargo and grow naturally. Bacteria already live all over the body, particularly in the large intestine, with bacterial cells outnumbering human cells 10-to-1. Despite their popular reputation as disease-causers, there are bacteria in the human body, especially in the intestinal tract, that are not harmful, and the backpackers fall into that category.

Gracias' bacteria don't really carry little nylon or canvas backpacks. Their "backpacks" are micro- or nano-sized molecules or devices that have useful optical, electrical, magnetic, electrical or medicinal properties. The cargos that the team tested also varied in size, shape and material. So far, the team has loaded beads, nanowires and lithographically fabricated nanostructures onto bacteria.

Other scientists are seeking to enlist bacteria in transporting nano-cargo. They already have established, for instance, that large numbers of bacteria -- so-called "bacterial carpets" -- can move tiny objects. Gracias' research focuses on attaching one piece of cargo to an individual bacterium, rather than many bacteria to much larger cargo. The bacteria, termed "biohybrid devices," can still move freely, even with the cargo stuck to them.

"This is very early-stage exploratory research to try and enable new functionalities for medicine at the micro- and nanoscale by leveraging traits from bacteria," explained Gracias. "Our next steps would be to test the feasibility of the backpacking bacteria for diagnosing and treating disease in laboratory experiments. If that proves possible, we would move on to tests in laboratory mice. This could take a few years to complete."

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'Backpacking' bacteria help ferry nano-medicines inside humans

The University of Miamis biomedical nanotechnology institute got a little closer to finding a cure for blindness and diabetes and improving cancer treatment, thanks to a $7.5 million donation announced Tuesday.

The Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation provided the donation. The institute will be renamed in honor of the foundation, which has donated $38 million to medical research and scholarships since 1992, said Kim Greene, the centers executive director.

We think that nanotechnology is on the leading edge of science and medicine, and can literally change peoples lives and upgrade the technology that we currently use for things such as blindness and chemotherapy, Greene said.

Biomedical nanotechnology research involves working with everyday materials such as carbon, but on a nano-scale which is less than one-millionth of a millimeter in size in order to treat and cure medical conditions.

Its extremely small. In fact its getting to the size of molecules, said Dr. Richard J. Cote, director of the institute.

The foundations donation will go in part toward building a clean room in which nano machines and nano devices can be built.

Were talking about something that is much, much cleaner than an operating room in which there is no dust whatsoever, said Cote. Because, you can imagine, when youre working on a very small scale, a piece of dust is like a boulder.

The donation also allows the institute to conduct new research for which there isnt much supporting research making it hard to get funding from more common sources such as the government, Cote said.

The facility, now named the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, has been around for about three years. It brings together investigators from UMs Miller School of Medicine, College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering, and several university departments.

The institute needs to have expertise from a variety of disciplines in order to be comprehensive, Cote said.

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University of Miami’s nanotechnology institute gets $7.5 million donation

It's the largest of events for the smallest of sciences.

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center will host Nano Days, part of a nationwide festival of nanoscience education programs, from Saturday, March 24, through Sunday, April 1.

Nano Days is organized by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net), and takes place throughout the United States this weekend. This community-based event is billed as the largest public outreach effort in nanoscale informal science education and involves science museums, research centers, and universities from Puerto Rico to Alaska.

A range of exciting Nano Days programs demonstrate the special and unexpected properties found at the nanoscale, examine tools used by nanoscientists, showcase nano materials with spectacular promise, and invite discussion of technology and society, program organizers said.

Locally, Granite Staters can visit the discovery center to make some of their own nanomaterials using scotch-tape, investigate super thin materials used in solar cell technology, and change the color of a butterfly's wings.

Other activities will include an I Spy Nano game, a look at nano gold, investigations of the properties of sunblock, and the reasons for the rainbow of colors produced by thin film.

At the nanoscale the scale of atoms and molecules many common materials exhibit unusual properties.

Our ability to manipulate matter at this size enables innovations that weren't possible before, program organizers said.

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing research and development in medicine, computer technology, new materials, food, energy, and other areas. Nano will affect our economy, environment, and our personal lives.

Some scientists think that future nanotechnologies and materials could transform our lives as much as cars, personal computers, or the internet.

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Discovery Center takes part in nationwide science festival

Paragon Innovations Helps Diabetics Cut the (Refrigerator) Cord, with Design of New Temperature Control Device

Say goodbye to coolers and ice packs. Available this summer from Kewl Innovations, amazing nano-technology-driven device will keep medicine temps consistent for days.

Paragon has been instrumental in the design of Kewls new product, which is scheduled to hit the market this summer. The small, lightweight device can control and monitor the temperature of medications over several days, making travel easier than ever. With a single charge, the device can ensure medicine is properly refrigerated without a gel pack, ice chest or other bulky and unreliable cooling methods.

Paragon is working with Kewl to leverage several advanced methodologies in the new product, which relies on nanotechnology, advanced software and long-lasting rechargeable batteries.

The development of this product presented a unique challenge. Providing accurate, long-lasting temperature control in a small, portable device requires expertise across multiple engineering disciplines, said Tom Borger, president and chief executive officer for Kewl Innovations, Inc., which is headquartered in Richardson. Paragon attacked this complex problem and is helping us create a product we are excited to take to the marketplace.

The Kewl product will represent a breakthrough in consumer healthcare. It will be the first time a single product has solved three significant problems for individuals who rely upon insulin and similar medications: long-term temperature control, portability in a small format, and extended battery life over several days.

Were always happy to help clients solve their engineering challenges, but this product from Kewl Innovations is particularly exciting, said Michael Wilkinson, chief executive officer for Paragon. With a single device, patients who once felt tethered to their homes and their refrigerators will be given the freedom to travel, without worrying about their medication or their schedule.

About Paragon Innovations A leading engineering and product development services provider, Paragon Innovations, Inc., specializes in medical devices, video displays and portable wireless devices. Founded in 1990, Paragon Innovations has worked with Fortune 500 companies, as well as startup ventures, to provide turn-key electrical, mechanical and industrial design engineering services from concept development to market launch. The company is headquartered in Richardson, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.paragoninnovations.com.

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Paragon Innovations Helps Diabetics Cut the (Refrigerator) Cord, with Design of New Temperature Control Device

Printing three dimensional objects with incredibly fine details is now possible using two-photon lithography. With this technology, tiny structures on a nanometer scale can be fabricated.

Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna) have made a breakthrough in speeding up this printing technique: Their high-precision-3D-printer is claimed to be orders of magnitude faster than similar devices, as this video shows.

The scientists say that this achievement enables new application areas, such as in medicine. The 3D printer uses a liquid resin, which is hardened at precisely the correct spots by a focused laser beam. The focal point of the laser beam is guided through the resin by movable mirrors and leaves behind a hardened line of solid polymer, just a few hundred nanometers wide.

This high resolution enables the creation of intricately structured sculptures as tiny as a grain of sand. Until now, this technique used to be quite slow, says Professor Jrgen Stampfl from the Institute of Materials Science and Technology at the TU Vienna. The typical printing speed used to be measured in millimeters per second but now our device can print five meters in one second.

In two-photon lithography, this is a world record achievement.

Jan Torgersen, also working at the TU Vienna, continues, This amazing progress was made possible by combining several new ideas. It was crucial to improve the steering mechanism of the mirrors.

The mirrors are continuously in motion during the printing process. The acceleration and deceleration-periods have to be tuned precisely to achieve high-resolution results at the record-breaking speed.

Photoactive molecules harden resin

Torgersen adds that 3D-printing is not all about mechanics: Chemists had a crucial role to play in this project too. The resin contains molecules that are activated by the laser light, which induce a chain reaction in other components of the resin, the monomers, and turn them into a solid.

These initiator molecules are only activated if they absorb precisely two photons of the laser beam at once and this only happens in the center of the laser beam, where the intensity is highest.

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‘World beating’ 3D printer enables nano-precision

WEST HOLLYWWOOD, Calif., March16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Today, the Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics announced the 2012 recipients of the organization's prestigious Pioneers in Medicine, Technology, and Healthcare Policy Awards. The Society will honor each recipient at the Brain Mapping Foundation's Gala on June 1, 2012 as part of their 9th Annual World Congress in Toronto, Canada.

This year, the Society has selected Andres Lozano from the University of Toronto, Antonio Desalles from the University of California, Los Angeles and George Paxinos from the University of New South Wales to each receive a Pioneer in Medicine Award.The trio is on the forefront of Neuromodulation and Stereotactic-Radiosurgery. Their work has contributed to the understanding of the human brain and enabled scientists and surgeons across the globe to better treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease.

The Pioneer in Medicine Award is presented to individuals who have significantly contributed to scientific advancements in the fields of medicine and image guided therapy through a multi-disciplinary approach. Their groundbreaking contributions have led to the development of state-of- the-art technology.

George Paxinos has pioneered stereotaxic (3D) mapping in animal models, which enabled neuroscientists and neurosurgeons around the globe to learn more about the basic science of the brain and push conventional boundaries in clinical neuroscience. Antonio Desalles has contributed significantly to the frameless stereotactic radiosurgery technology and broken new grounds in the use of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Andres Lozano is highly regarded as one of the authorities in the field of DBS. He has broken new grounds in treatment of Depression, Obesity and Alzheimer Diseases using DBS.

"These scientists truly have advanced our understanding about the brain in a fundamental ways; their work has significantly contributed to introduction of new therapies for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease, Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders," states Babak Kateb, Founding Chairman of the Board of SBMT and President of Brain Mapping Foundation, and Director of National Center for Nano-Bio-Electronics, Research Scientist, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, CA, USA.

The Pioneer in Healthcare Policy Award is presented to lawmakers who have demonstrated visionary policies laws that have contributed to the advancement of science, technology, education, and medicine. The past recipient of this prestigious award include Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (2011), Senator Harry Reid (2010), Senator Ted Kennedy and Madam Speaker Pelosi (2009) and Governor Schwarzenegger (2008).

This year Canadian MP, the Honorable Kirsty Duncan, will receive the Pioneer in Healthcare Policy Award for creating legislations, which has impacted research funding and better healthcare delivery in Canada. Her legislative work contributed significantly support for patients with neurological disorders in Canada and global collaboration in this area in order to expedite introduction of new therapies.

"Not only do her sound healthcare policies impact millions of people in Canada, they also provide a model for present and future generations. We are truly honored to recognize one of the best advocates of brain research in Canada," states Mike Chen, President of SBMT and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at City of Hope National Comprehensive Cancer Center, CA, USA.

Kevin Lobo, Orthopedics Group President from Stryker Corporation, will be accepting a Pioneer in Technology Development from the Society on behalf of the Stryker Corporation, which has contributed to introduction of new devices, technologies and significantly contributed to therapies of neurological disorders. The Pioneer in Technology Award is presented to trailblazing companies and their CEOs/presidents who have facilitated the development of pioneering technologies through interdisciplinary approaches that have impacted diagnostics, treatment, and healthcare delivery in unprecedented ways.

"The awards committee has been impressed with pioneering work done by Stryker Corporation to address health disparities. We hope Stryker continues its contribution to the field and support game-changing medical research with cutting edge technology that could one day turn into restorative solutions for patient with neurological disorders," said Shouleh Nikzad, member of the board of directors of SBMT and Brain Mapping Foundation, Co-chair of the Award Committee, and Lead, Advanced UV/Vis/NIR Detector Arrays and Imaging Systems, and Nanoscience Group, Strategic Initiative on Gigapixel Focal Plane Arrays, NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, CA, USA.

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Top Scientists from US, Canada, and Australia, Member of the Canadian Parliament and Stryker Executive to be Honored ...

Flu Drug Could Aid Recovery Of Brain

Can Help Victims Of Car Accidents

(AP) Researchers are reporting the first treatment to speed recovery from severe brain injuries caused by falls and car crashes: a cheap flu medicine whose side benefits were discovered by accident decades ago.

Severely injured patients in the U.S., Denmark and Germany who were given amantadine got better faster than those who received a dummy medicine. After four weeks, more people in the flu drug group could give reliable yes-and-no answers, follow commands or use a spoon or hairbrushthings that few of them could do at the start. Far fewer patients who got amantadine remained in a vegetative state, 17 percent versus 32 percent.

This drug moved the needle in terms of speeding patient recovery, and thats not been shown before, said neuropsychologist Joseph Giacino of Bostons Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, co-leader of the study. He added: It really does provide hope for a population that is viewed in many places as hopeless.

Many doctors began using amantadine for brain injuries years ago, but until now theres never been a big study to show that it works. The results of the federally funded study appear in Thursdays New England Journal of Medicine.

A neurologist who wasnt ina. volved in the research called it an important step. But many questions remain, including whether people less severely injured would benefit, and whether amantadine actually improves patients long-term outcome or just speeds up their recovery.

Each year, an estimated 1.7 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury. Falls, car crashes, colliding with or getting hit by an object, and assaults are the leading causes. About three-quarters are concussions or other mild forms that heal over time. But about 52,000 people with brain injuries die each year and 275,000 are hospitalized, many with persistent, debilitating injuries, according to government figures.

With no proven remedies to rely on, doctors have used a variety of medicines approved for other ailments in the hopes that they would help brain injury patients. Those decisions are based on hunches and logic rather than data, said Dr. John Whyte, of the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute in suburban Philadelphia. He led the study along with Giacino.

Amantadine, an inexpensive generic, was approved for the flu in the mid-1960s. The first hint that it might have other uses came a few years later when it appeared to improve Parkinsons symptoms in nursing home patients. It was found to have an effect on the brains dopamine system, whose many functions include movement and alertness, and it was later approved for Parkinsons.

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Flu Drug Could Aid Recovery Of Brain

Summary: Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology have developed a method for fabricating intricately structured sculptures as tiny as a grain of sand in record speed.

Using a technique known as two-photon lithography, Austrian researchers have developed a high-precision 3-D printer capable of producing nanometer-sized objects in the shape of race cars, cathedrals and bridges all in a matter of minutes.

The high-precision 3-D printer at TU Vienna is purportedly orders of magnitude faster than similar devices and opens up new areas of applications, such as in medicine.

The super-fast nano-printer uses a liquid resin, which is hardened at precisely the correct spots by a focused laser beam. The focal point of the laser beam is guided through the resin by movable mirrors; it leaves behind a hardened line of solid polymer just a few hundred nanometers wide. The result is a detailed sculpture measuring a couple hundred micrometers in length.

Until now, this technique used to be quite slow, said Professor Jrgen Stampfl from the Institute of Materials Science and Technology at the TU Vienna. The printing speed used to be measured in millimeters per second our device can do five meters in one second. In two-photon lithography, this is a world record.

The scientists at TU Vienna are now developing bio-compatible resins for medical applications that can be used to create scaffolds to which living cells can attach themselves for the systematic creation of biological tissues. The 3-D printer could also be used to create tailor-made components for biomedical technology or nanotechnology.

The video below shows the 3-D printing process in real time. The very fast control mechanism connected to the laser beam produces 100 layers, consisting of approximately 200 single lines each, in four minutes.

Source: Vienna University of Technology

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3-D printer with nano-precision sets world record

The 3D printer uses a liquid resin, which is hardened at precisely the correct spots by a focused laser beam. The focal point of the laser beam is guided through the resin by movable mirrors and leaves behind a polymerized line of solid polymer, just a few hundred nanometers wide. This high resolution enables the creation of intricately structured sculptures as tiny as a grain of sand. Until now, this technique used to be quite slow, says Professor Jrgen Stampfl from the Institute of Materials Science and Technology at the TU Vienna. The printing speed used to be measured in millimeters per second our device can do five meters in one second. In two-photon lithography, this is a world record.

This video is not supported by your browser at this time.

The video shows the 3d-printing process in real time. Due to the very fast guiding of the laser beam, 100 layers, consisting of approximately 200 single lines each, are produced in four minutes.

A model of St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna. Credit: Klaus Cicha

The London Tower Bridge. Credit: Klaus Cicha

Because of the dramatically increased speed, much larger objects can now be created in a given period of time. This makes two-photon-lithography an interesting technique for industry. At the TU Vienna, scientists are now developing bio-compatible resins for medical applications. They can be used to create scaffolds to which living cells can attach themselves facilitating the systematic creation of biological tissues. The 3d printer could also be used to create tailor made construction parts for biomedical technology or nanotechnology.

Provided by Vienna University of Technology

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3D-printer with nano-precision

By Eddie Wrenn

PUBLISHED: 12:44 EST, 13 March 2012 | UPDATED: 08:53 EST, 14 March 2012

The attention to detail is exquisite - and the craftsmanship is even more impressive when you appreciate the scale of the endeavour.

This little Formula 1 car is just 0.028cm across - or to put it another way, less than a third of a millimetre.

So this tiny little motor could fit into the space of the full-stop at the end of the sentence.

If that isn't impressive enough, the Vienna Institute of Technology created the 100-layer nano-structure in just four minutes - a huge increase on previous technology.

Tiny detail: The F1 nano-car was created by the Vienna Institute of Technology in a record-breaking four minutes

The precision model uses a technique called two-photon lithography, which uses highly-focused light beams to manipulate then harden the resin molecules in exactly the right position.

The technology is still new, and is generally limited right now to solid plastic shapes - but the field is moving forwards

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Small but perfectly formed: Scientists use world's fastest 3D printer to create amazingly detailed F1 car (... that ...

Ultra-high-resolution 3D Printer Breaks Speed-Records at Vienna University of Technology.

Printing three dimensional objects with incredibly fine details is now possible using "two-photon lithography". With this technology, tiny structures on a nanometer scale can be fabricated. Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna) have now made a major breakthrough in speeding up this printing technique: The high-precision-3D-printer at TU Vienna is orders of magnitude faster than similar devices (see video). This opens up completely new areas of application, such as in medicine.

Setting a New World Record

The 3D printer uses a liquid resin, which is hardened at precisely the correct spots by a focused laser beam. The focal point of the laser beam is guided through the resin by movable mirrors and leaves behind a polymerized line of solid polymer, just a few hundred nanometers wide. This high resolution enables the creation of intricately structured sculptures as tiny as a grain of sand. "Until now, this technique used to be quite slow", says Professor Juergen Stampfl from the Institute of Materials Science and Technology at the TU Vienna. "The printing speed used to be measured in millimeters per second - our device can do five meters in one second." In two-photon lithography, this is a world record.

The video shows the 3d-printing process in real time. Due to the very fast guiding of the laser beam, 100 layers, consisting of approximately 200 single lines each, are produced in four minutes.

This amazing progress was made possible by combining several new ideas. "It was crucial to improve the control mechanism of the mirrors", says Jan Torgersen (TU Vienna). The mirrors are continuously in motion during the printing process. The acceleration and deceleration-periods have to be tuned very precisely to achieve high-resolution results at a record-breaking speed.

Photoactive Molecules Harden the Resin

3D-printing is not all about mechanics - chemists had a crucial role to play in this project too. "The resin contains molecules, which are activated by the laser light. They induce a chain reaction in other components of the resin, so-called monomers, and turn them into a solid", says Jan Torgersen. These initiator molecules are only activated if they absorb two photons of the laser beam at once - and this only happens in the very center of the laser beam, where the intensity is highest. In contrast to conventional 3D-printing techniques, solid material can be created anywhere within the liquid resin rather than on top of the previously created layer only. Therefore, the working surface does not have to be specially prepared before the next layer can be produced (see Video), which saves a lot of time. A team of chemists led by Professor Robert Liska (TU Vienna) developed the suitable initiators for this special resin.

Researchers all over the world are working on 3D printers today - at universities as well as in industry. "Our competitive edge here at the Vienna University of Technology comes from the fact that we have experts from very different fields, working on different parts of the problem, at one single university", Juergen Stampfl emphasizes. In materials science, process engineering or the optimization of light sources, there are experts working together and coming up with mutually stimulating ideas.

Because of the dramatically increased speed, much larger objects can now be created in a given period of time. This makes two-photon-lithography an interesting technique for industry. At the TU Vienna, scientists are now developing bio-compatible resins for medical applications. They can be used to create scaffolds to which living cells can attach themselves facilitating the systematic creation of biological tissues. The 3d printer could also be used to create tailor made construction parts for biomedical technology or nanotechnology.

Read more:
3D-Printer with Nano-Precision (with video)

Summary: Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology have developed a method for fabricating intricately structured sculptures as tiny as a grain of sand in record speed.

Using a technique known as two-photon lithography, Austrian researchers have developed a high-precision 3D printer capable of producing nanometer sized objects in the shape of race cars, cathedrals, and bridges in a matter of minutes.

The high-precision-3D-printer at TU Vienna is purportedly orders of magnitude faster than similar devices, and opens up new areas of applications, such as in medicine.

The super fast nano-printer uses a liquid resin, which is hardened at precisely the correct spots by a focused laser beam. The focal point of the laser beam is guided through the resin by movable mirrors and leaves behind a hardened line of solid polymer, just a few hundred nanometers wide. The result is a detailed sculpture measuring a couple hundred of micrometers in length.

Until now, this technique used to be quite slow, says Professor Jrgen Stampfl from the Institute of Materials Science and Technology at the TU Vienna. The printing speed used to be measured in millimeters per second our device can do five meters in one second. In two-photon lithography, this is a world record.

The scientists at TU Vienna are now developing bio-compatible resins for medical applications that can be used to create scaffolds to which living cells can attach themselves for the systematic creation of biological tissues. The 3D printer could also be used to create tailor-made components for biomedical technology or nanotechnology.

The video below shows the 3D-printing process in real time. The very fast control mechanism connected to the laser beam produces 100 layers, consisting of approximately 200 single lines each, in four minutes.

Source: Vienna University of Technology

Related

Read more here:
3D printer with nano-precision sets world record

12-12-2011 11:02 Camiel Duytschaver Camiel is concerned about fossil fuel dependency. Camiel first became interested in biofuel while working with energy concepts. Now, she and her partner, Lou Posada, plan to propose a program that would allow schools to use their own resources for energy. Outside the science lab, Camiel also enjoys working in the photography lab, where she blends a passion for both science and art. Lou Posada Lou has had an interest in science for as long as he can remember. Lou is particularly interested in working with nano-medicine, a new form of medicine using nanoparticles. Today, Lou will be talking about biodiesel; more specifically, Lou and his classmate will be discussing a program for promoting the use of biofuel in schools, local communities, nationally, and perhaps worldwide as well. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

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TEDxYouth@ISASKinkaid - Camiel Duytschaever

02-01-2012 13:36

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Cancer Nanomedicine - Detection - Video

ScienceDaily (Mar. 9, 2012) Researchers at Oregon State University have tapped into the extraordinary power of carbon "nanotubes" to increase the speed of biological sensors, a technology that might one day allow a doctor to routinely perform lab tests in minutes, speeding diagnosis and treatment while reducing costs.

The new findings have almost tripled the speed of prototype nano-biosensors, and should find applications not only in medicine but in toxicology, environmental monitoring, new drug development and other fields.

The research was just reported in Lab on a Chip, a professional journal. More refinements are necessary before the systems are ready for commercial production, scientists say, but they hold great potential.

"With these types of sensors, it should be possible to do many medical lab tests in minutes, allowing the doctor to make a diagnosis during a single office visit," said Ethan Minot, an OSU assistant professor of physics. "Many existing tests take days, cost quite a bit and require trained laboratory technicians.

"This approach should accomplish the same thing with a hand-held sensor, and might cut the cost of an existing $50 lab test to about $1," he said.

The key to the new technology, the researchers say, is the unusual capability of carbon nanotubes. An outgrowth of nanotechnology, which deals with extraordinarily small particles near the molecular level, these nanotubes are long, hollow structures that have unique mechanical, optical and electronic properties, and are finding many applications.

In this case, carbon nanotubes can be used to detect a protein on the surface of a sensor. The nanotubes change their electrical resistance when a protein lands on them, and the extent of this change can be measured to determine the presence of a particular protein -- such as serum and ductal protein biomarkers that may be indicators of breast cancer.

The newest advance was the creation of a way to keep proteins from sticking to other surfaces, like fluid sticking to the wall of a pipe. By finding a way to essentially "grease the pipe," OSU researchers were able to speed the sensing process by 2.5 times.

Further work is needed to improve the selective binding of proteins, the scientists said, before it is ready to develop into commercial biosensors.

"Electronic detection of blood-borne biomarker proteins offers the exciting possibility of point-of-care medical diagnostics," the researchers wrote in their study. "Ideally such electronic biosensor devices would be low-cost and would quantify multiple biomarkers within a few minutes."

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Nanotube technology leading to new era of fast, lower-cost medical diagnostics

The new findings have almost tripled the speed of prototype nano-biosensors, and should find applications not only in medicine but in toxicology, environmental monitoring, new drug development and other fields.

The research was just reported in Lab on a Chip, a professional journal. More refinements are necessary before the systems are ready for commercial production, scientists say, but they hold great potential.

With these types of sensors, it should be possible to do many medical lab tests in minutes, allowing the doctor to make a diagnosis during a single office visit, said Ethan Minot, an OSU assistant professor of physics. Many existing tests take days, cost quite a bit and require trained laboratory technicians.

This approach should accomplish the same thing with a hand-held sensor, and might cut the cost of an existing $50 lab test to about $1, he said.

The key to the new technology, the researchers say, is the unusual capability of carbon nanotubes. An outgrowth of nanotechnology, which deals with extraordinarily small particles near the molecular level, these nanotubes are long, hollow structures that have unique mechanical, optical and electronic properties, and are finding many applications.

In this case, carbon nanotubes can be used to detect a protein on the surface of a sensor. The nanotubes change their electrical resistance when a protein lands on them, and the extent of this change can be measured to determine the presence of a particular protein such as serum and ductal protein biomarkers that may be indicators of breast cancer.

The newest advance was the creation of a way to keep proteins from sticking to other surfaces, like fluid sticking to the wall of a pipe. By finding a way to essentially grease the pipe, OSU researchers were able to speed the sensing process by 2.5 times.

Further work is needed to improve the selective binding of proteins, the scientists said, before it is ready to develop into commercial biosensors.

Electronic detection of blood-borne biomarker proteins offers the exciting possibility of point-of-care medical diagnostics, the researchers wrote in their study. Ideally such electronic biosensor devices would be low-cost and would quantify multiple biomarkers within a few minutes.

This work was a collaboration of researchers in the OSU Department of Physics, Department of Chemistry, and the University of California at Santa Barbara. A co-author was Vincent Remcho, professor and interim dean of the OSU College of Science, and a national expert in new biosensing technology.

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Nanotube technology leading to fast, lower-cost medical diagnostics

March 11, 2012

Researchers at Oregon State University have tapped into the extraordinary power of carbon nanotubes to increase the speed of biological sensors, a technology that might one day allow a doctor to routinely perform lab tests in minutes, speeding diagnosis and treatment while reducing costs.

The new findings have almost tripled the speed of prototype nano-biosensors, and should find applications not only in medicine but in toxicology, environmental monitoring, new drug development and other fields.

The research was just reported in Lab on a Chip, a professional journal. More refinements are necessary before the systems are ready for commercial production, scientists say, but they hold great potential.

With these types of sensors, it should be possible to do many medical lab tests in minutes, allowing the doctor to make a diagnosis during a single office visit, said Ethan Minot, an OSU assistant professor of physics. Many existing tests take days, cost quite a bit and require trained laboratory technicians.

This approach should accomplish the same thing with a hand-held sensor, and might cut the cost of an existing $50 lab test to about $1, he said.

The key to the new technology, the researchers say, is the unusual capability of carbon nanotubes. An outgrowth of nanotechnology, which deals with extraordinarily small particles near the molecular level, these nanotubes are long, hollow structures that have unique mechanical, optical and electronic properties, and are finding many applications.

In this case, carbon nanotubes can be used to detect a protein on the surface of a sensor. The nanotubes change their electrical resistance when a protein lands on them, and the extent of this change can be measured to determine the presence of a particular protein such as serum and ductal protein biomarkers that may be indicators of breast cancer.

The newest advance was the creation of a way to keep proteins from sticking to other surfaces, like fluid sticking to the wall of a pipe. By finding a way to essentially grease the pipe, OSU researchers were able to speed the sensing process by 2.5 times.

Further work is needed to improve the selective binding of proteins, the scientists said, before it is ready to develop into commercial biosensors.

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Nanotube Tech Leading To Faster, Lower-cost Medical Diagnostics

ScienceDaily (Mar. 12, 2012) Printing three-dimensional objects with incredibly fine details is now possible using "two-photon lithography." With this technology, tiny structures on a nanometer scale can be fabricated. Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna) have now made a major breakthrough in speeding up this printing technique: The high-precision-3D-printer at TU Vienna is orders of magnitude faster than similar devices. This opens up completely new areas of application, such as in medicine.

Setting a New World Record

The 3D printer uses a liquid resin, which is hardened at precisely the correct spots by a focused laser beam. The focal point of the laser beam is guided through the resin by movable mirrors and leaves behind a hardened line of solid polymer, just a few hundred nanometers wide. This fine resolution enables the creation of intricately structured sculptures as tiny as a grain of sand. "Until now, this technique used to be quite slow," says Professor Jrgen Stampfl from the Institute of Materials Science and Technology at the TU Vienna. "The printing speed used to be measured in millimeters per second -- our device can do five meters in one second." In two-photon lithography, this is a world record.

This amazing progress was made possible by combining several new ideas. "It was crucial to improve the steering mechanism of the mirrors," says Jan Torgersen (TU Vienna). The mirrors are continuously in motion during the printing process. The acceleration and deceleration-periods have to be tuned very precisely to achieve high-resolution results at a record-breaking speed.

Photoactive Molecules Harden the Resin

3D-printing is not all about mechanics -- chemists had a crucial role to play in this project too. "The resin contains molecules, which are activated by the laser light. They induce a chain reaction in other components of the resin, so-called monomers, and turn them into a solid," says Jan Torgersen. These initiator molecules are only activated if they absorb two photons of the laser beam at once -- and this only happens in the very center of the laser beam, where the intensity is highest. In contrast to conventional 3D-printing techniques, solid material can be created anywhere within the liquid resin rather than on top of the previously created layer only. Therefore, the working surface does not have to be specially prepared before the next layer can be produced, which saves a lot of time. A team of chemists led by Professor Robert Liska (TU Vienna) developed the suitable ingredients for this special resin.

Researchers all over the world are working on 3D printers today -- at universities as well as in industry. Because of the dramatically increased speed, much larger objects can now be created in a given period of time. This makes two-photon-lithography an interesting technique for industry.

At the TU Vienna, scientists are now developing bio-compatible resins for medical applications. They can be used to create scaffolds to which living cells can attach themselves facilitating the systematic creation of biological tissues. The 3d printer could also be used to create tailor made construction parts for biomedical technology or nanotechnology.

Video: http://amt.tuwien.ac.at/fileadmin/t/amt/research/High_Speed_2PP.mpg

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3-D Printer with Nano-Precision

22-02-2012 18:02 Iran ranks 12th in the world in Nanotechnology. Students, prominent professors and government officials came together at the 11th Nanotechnology Seminar for Students in Iran's reputable, AmirKabir University, to discuss advances and challenges in nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is a science that was considered science fiction just a few years ago at the. Imagine creating new products by manipulating the molecules any way that you please. Various nanotechnology fields were discussed at this seminar, including Nanomaterial, nano-chemistry, nanophysics, nano-biotechnology, nano-environment, nano-medicine and nano-electronics. Iran has made advances in all fields of nanotechnology. Scientific researches enjoy the financial backup of the Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council affiliated to the Presidential office.

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Nanotechnology Seminar for Students kicks off for 11th time in Tehran - Video