This weeks month-end review for November is a little late, as Ive been away for a couple of weeks enjoying some late season sun.

I seem to have dodged a nasty spell of wet weather up here in the north, but unfortunately one of the stocks in my rules-based SIF portfolio did take a bath.

Pawnbroker H&T Group fell by about 15% while I was away, after the company said the FCA had carried out a review of its high-cost short term credit (HCSTC) business - often known as payday lending.

The review followed the introduction of new FCA rules in November 2018. This is particularly disappointing as in August the company said that minimal changes would be required to achieve compliance. It now seems this is no longer the case.

If you havent seen it already, Id recommend a look at Graham Nearys excellent analysis of this situation in SCVR on 18 November. I agree with his conclusion that the impact should be manageable.

I dont intend to take any portfolio action as a result of this news and continue to hold HAT stock. Aside from this issue, HAT appears to be trading well. Indeed, broker forecasts for 2019 and 2020 have risen over the last month:

Brokers (including the companys house broker) appear to remain confident of a big step up in earnings next year:

(Original coverage: 12/02/2019)

Back in February, I added nanotechnology firm Oxford Instruments (LON:OXIG) to the SIF folio. The holding is now nine months old, so its time to review it to see if it continues to satisfy my screening criteria, or if it should be sold.

This nanotechnology firm designs and manufactures equipment that can fabricate, analyse and manipulate matter at the atomic and molecular level. Sales are split almost equally between academic and industrial customers. Although I dont understand much about the firms technology, I can tell you that its customers operate in most major industrial and scientific sectors (you can find out more here).

Nine months ago, Oxford Instruments had a market cap of 530m and was a member of the FTSE SmallCap index.

Read more:

SIF November Review: Oxford Instruments' Tiny Tech Measures A 65% Gain | Roland Head - Stockopedia

FREDERICK, Md. Big things really do come in small packages, even ones as small as a sunflower seed. But the potential solution to our exercise and fitness woes comes from a very common issue.

"When we got married, we had great body shape," Dr. Xiaonao Liu exclaimed. "But after we gave birth to our son, both of us gained 20 pounds."

Dr. Lius touts her experience as a former nanomaterial fabrication specialist at California Institute of Technology and a research assistant professor at Zhejiang University in China. She co-founded Nanobiofab with Dr. Ruoting Yang, an expert in biomarker research and artificial intelligence.

The goal for Nanobiofab is to innovate beyond whats already available on the market. Sure, Apple Watches and Fitbit devices already do something similar. But they cant provide that extra personal, physical information in real-time.

What makes this nanotechnology unique is that its calibrated to your body while embedded in your clothes. According to Dr. Liu, the patented material is then used to track fat-burning in real-time.

RELATED: Google buys Fitbit for $2.1B, stepping back into wearables

RELATED: Can this $35 fitness tracker compare to a Fitbit or Apple Watch?

Users would follow all the sensors data on an app downloaded onto your phone.

"This will keep track of your heart rate, steps, but then also track how your body is operating," Dr. Liu said. "If you wear it on different parts of your body you can even know which kind of exercises can increase certain parts."

Nanobiofab plans to officially start launching products next year, with a wearable band as the first thing available.

Gio Insignares

Nanobiofab plans to officially start launching products next year, with a wearable band as the first thing available.

Eventually, the company hopes to progress to shirts, shorts, and other fabrics.

RELATED: 'Blessing from God' | Apple Watch may have saved Florida teen's life

RELATED: Sleep and fitness trackers drop to $50 for mom

Download the brand new WUSA9 app here.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.

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Forget Fitbit or Apple Watch. This technology hopes to take personal fitness to the next level. - WUSA9.com

ByHub staff report

Four Johns Hopkins faculty members have been elected as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a lifetime distinction that recognizes their outstanding contributions to science and technology.

Image caption: The Johns Hopkins faculty named 2019 AAAS fellows are (top row, from left) Mary Aramanios, David Gracias, (bottom row, from left) Colin Norman, and Elizabeth Platz.

Fellows are elected each year by the member-run governing body of AAAS. The 2019 group, which includes 443 fellows, will receive official certificates and rosette pins during a ceremony in February.

The distinction is unrelated to the annual list of fellows announced each spring by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The AAAS fellows from Johns Hopkins University and their areas of expertise are:

Aramanios is a professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Her research focuses on dysfunction of telomeres, the protective ends of chromosomes. When telomeres are abnormally short, it prevents cells from dividing effectively and contributes to the development of cancers and other syndromes such as dyskeratosis congenita, a premature aging syndrome. She is the clinical director of the Telomere Clinic at Johns Hopkins.

Gracias is a professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Whiting School of Engineering. His research focuses on the design, development, and characterization of miniaturized devices and intelligent materials and systems. At Johns Hopkins, he has collaborated extensively with clinicians to apply the capabilities of micro and nanotechnology to modern medicine. He was elected fellow for distinguished research contributions to three-dimensional micro and nanoscale assembly.

Norman is an astrophysicist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and an astronomer in the Space Telescope Science Institute. He is the founding co-director of the Institute for Planets and Life, which combines the interdisciplinary expertise of scientists from Johns Hopkins University, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and the Space Telescope Science Institute. He specializes in the study of molecular clouds, star formation, plasma astrophysics, and the formation and structure of galaxies, among other fields.

Platz is a cancer epidemiologist and deputy chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. She specializes in research on prostate and colon cancers and studies the association of genetic, epigenetic, and lifestyle factors that affect the incidence and recurrence of these cancers. She has co-led the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins since 2008.

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Four from Johns Hopkins named to American Association for the Advancement of Science - The Hub at Johns Hopkins

MRInsights.biz, in its latest business intelligence study titled Global Nanotechnology in Medical Market Growth (Status and Outlook) 2019-2024, gives an all-inclusive, professional, and profound analysis of the Nanotechnology in Medical market from the year 2014 to 2019. The report delivers a detailed analysis of the main challenges detailed information regarding the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and trends, growth prospects, and market forecast from 2019 to 2024. This research study is projected to help the new and existing key players in the market that will help in giving current market decisions and to sustain in the tough competition of the global market. Further, the report elaborates on the market behavior of each vendor operating in the market.

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The report then details in the next chapter detailed information and statistics about the market share of major players: Amgen, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, Smith and Nephew,

On the basis of types, the market study consists of: Nano Medicine, Nano Diagnosis

On the basis of application, the market study incorporates: Hospitals, Clinics, Others

On the basis of region, the market study contains: Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain), Middle East & Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries)

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Moreover, the report explores reasons contributing to the continuous rise of the Nanotechnology in Medical industry and works as a source of guidance to readers regarding the variability required for businesses to properly function in this market space. Facts and figures about the economic growth of the global competitors have been also added in the statistical report.

Customization of the Report:This report can be customized to meet the clients requirements. Please connect with our sales team (sales@mrinsights.biz), who will ensure that you get a report that suits your needs. You can also get in touch with our executives on +1-201-465-4211 to share your research requirements.

Sunil is an SEO and attentive market research analyst. Expertise in leadership, public speaking, marketing, SEO, and teamwork. Skilled in performing competitive analysis to stay ahead of the others in the market. He always tries to establish and revamp existing business strategies and produce worthwhile lessons from each project.

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Global Nanotechnology in Medical Market 2019 report offers Analysis of Driving Factors, and Challenges for Gaining the Key Insight of the Market -...

By Hardayal Singh

John Maynard Keynes did a great disservice to future generations when he said that in the long run, we are all dead. Inadvertently, he may have shifted the discourse in public policy towards ad hocism at the expense of long-term outcomes. The consequence of this shift, particularly in India, has been disastrous.

The recent health emergency in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) is one manifestation of such systemic myopia. One of the origins of this crisis springs from surplus rice produced in Haryana and Punjab during the kharif (autumn) season.

Currently, the buffer stock is 27.2 million tonnes against a national requirement of 10.25 million tonnes. Rice is a water guzzler. Production of one tonne of rice requires nearly 7,000 tonnes of water. So, if GoI is compelled to export 12 million tonnesof rice out of its current surplus, it is actually exporting 84 billion tonnes of water. The only reason farmers produce this crop is because they are supplied free water and electricity, and are assured of a minimum support price (MSP).

To conserve scarce groundwater resources, farmers in these two states are statutorily prevented from planting paddy till mid-June every year. So, they can harvest rice only in late October-early November.

The only way they can prepare their fields for the next rabi planting in November is to burn the stubble emanating from the earlier crop.

When wind speeds are low, this creates a poisonous smog. Beyond band-aid solutions, the only way out is to create incentives to nudge farmers away from rice towards crops such as fruit, vegetables and maize. Besides saving scarce water, this would reduce air pollution in Delhi-NCR by about 30%. Augmenting maize production would also help India cope with its ethanol scarcity for fuel purposes.

In the 1980s, GoI resorted to reckless borrowing to finance development. As a result, the combined fiscal deficit of the central and state governments climbed from 6.3% of GDP in FY1982 to 9.4% of GDP in FY1991. By that time, a full-fledged forex crisis broke out, since shortterm external commercial borrowings rose to 146.5% of forex reserves. Timely loans of about $3.4 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and friendly governments like Japan and Germany, prevented the economy from plunging into chaos.

Called upon to carry out economic reforms by IMF, GoI did the barest minimum required of it. It reformed the consumer markets. But out of fear of a popular backlash, it failed to reform the public sector, education sector and product (land, labour and capital) markets. The consequences of this are being felt even today.

Internationally, too, most governments often do what is expedient at the cost of what is right. In the future, the economic and social costs of such failures are likely to be much greater. As new advances in molecular biology, artificial intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, IT and Internet of Things (IoT) shape our lives, the rate of technological and social change will be much faster. As a result, considerable expertise will be required to anticipate and deal with the problems thrown up by a new world. Unemployment will assume anew dimension with increasingautomation. Growth alone will not be able to create jobs. People will have to update their skills through their lives to remain relevant.

Would it not be better if we frame policies that anticipate long-term developments, rather than react to crises when they descend on us? In the case of north Indian cities and towns, seasonally each year.

The writer was chief commissioner, income-tax

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

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In the long run, we must live - Economic Times

(Photo : pexels)

The researchers from the City of Hope may have found a way to sharpen the cheapest, fastest, and most accurate gene-editing tool called the CRISPR-Cas9 so that it can successfully cut out undesirable genetic information. This cutting ability was improved so that one day, experts can fast-trackpotential therapiesfor sickle cell disease, HIV, and other immune conditions.

What is the CRISPR-Cas9 design

Tristan Scott, Ph.D., lead author of the study and a staff research scientist at City of Hope's Center for Gene Therapy, said that the CRISPR-Cas9 design might be the difference between trying to cut a rib eye steak with a butter knife versus cutting it with a steak knife. Other scientists have tried to improve CRISPR cutting through chemical modifications, but that is an expensive process, and it is like diamond-coating a blade. Scientists have designed a better pair of scissors that people can buy easily anywhere.

Thestudythat was done by Dr. Scott and his team was published in Scientific Reports, and it is the first time scientists have systematically gone through the guide RNA sequence to change it and to improve CRISPR-Cas9 technology. A patent application was filed at The Kevin Morris Lab at City of Hope, claiming this improved CRISPR-Cas9 design, which could result in a doubling of activity, but the exact amount was dependent on the target site.

Theeffects of this CRISPR-Cas9 designis downstream as it has more "clean" results in mouse model and cell experiments aimed at making new therapies because the target that was knocked out was more successfully removed. More results could quicken new therapies from the laboratory to patients' bedsides. The therapeutic product should have successful cuts, which could mean that an improved therapy is on the way, but further research is still needed. The exact ways and process of why this change to the CRISPR system improves gene editing still needs to be determined.

Experiments through nanotechnology

The researchers of the study experimented on cells by making certain changes to the tracrRNA or trans-activatingCRISPR RNAwhich they got from Streptococcuspyogenesbacteria, and it is a part of the components that are used to guide the genetic scissors, also known as Cas 9, to the right gene sequence. StreptococcuspyogenesCas9 is the most widely used genetic scissor. Dr. Scott and his team used an RNA protein system because it gives an increase of activity that disappears about 12 hours after being introduced into the cell, which means that there is a decreased chance of accidentally editing the human genelater after the fix has been made.

Scientists found that the modified tracrRNA improved the overall silencing of certain genes by increasing desirable mutations in the genetic material. In this study, the target was an essential component of HIV's lifecycle, the protein CCR5 on immune CD4+ T-cellsa current target in clinical trials seeking to re-create a person's immune system so they can be resistant to HIV. The modified tracrRNA had improved the overall cutting at this site and inactivation of CCR5, and hopefully, that will translate into better protection for the immune system.

The new tracrRNA design is better at improving the activity at the HBB gene and the BCL11A site. The HBB gene, which is responsible for producing beta-globin that is located inside red blood cells, and BCL11A, which may function as a leukemia disease gene, are targeted by the tracrRNA in order to make different therapies for HIV, which is known as a blood disease that does not have any known cure yet.

Dr. Scott stated that if the line of research remains consistent, and they can dependably sharpen the genetic scissor, the result could eventually be new or improved genetic therapies. He also said that his team is at the beginning of a long scientific process.

Read the rest here:

Gene Editing Tool was Modified to Improve Therapies for HIV - Science Times

Carbon Fibre Application to Biomaterials Market with Key Business Factors and Insights

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TheMajor Manufacturers Covered in this Report:ACS Material, eSpin Technologies, Grupo Antolin, Litmus Nanotechnology, Carbon Nanomaterial Technology, Graphenano, Nanographite Matericals, Pyrograpg Prosucts, AIXTRON, Pyrograf Products, Applied Sciences, EMFUTUR Technologies and more.

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Carbon Fibre Application to Biomaterials Market size with Global Investment and analysis of Leading business players : ACS Material, eSpin...

Summary

Dassault Systmes typically holds its annual Science in The Age of Experience in the Boston area. This is both because the companys North American headquarters is in Waltham, Mass. and because Boston is a major global center of education, technology, and science. This years conference was held at the Harvard Medical School, a very appropriate forum for an event that would feature how science affects so many aspects of our lives.

The focus of this years event focused on three areas: science for medical, life sciences, and bionics; science for mitigating climate change; and scientific innovation for the future. The latter included some forecasts and predictions on what we can expect to make significant impacts on society at large.

The speakers included a very distinguished list of scientists whose fields included theoretical physics, human body bionics, computer science (quantum computing), carbon-capture technologies, advanced molecular chemistry for batteries, and material science for new product innovation.

Bernard Charles, Vice Chairman and CEO of Dassault Systmes introduced the event. Mr. Charles said that the company has been transforming from being primarily a product lifecycle management (PLM)-focused company to a science-focused company for some time now. Today, Dassault Systmes multiple 3DS brands are dedicated to scientific research and product development. The companys advanced 3D simulation tools like SIMULIA, BIOVIA, and GEOVIA were all represented in the various areas of scientific research presented at the event. Clearly, Bernard is saying that simulation is at the heart of everything 3DS is doing: simulation across multiple spectrums of the physical world is the implementation of the 3DEXPERIENCE.

The keynote speaker for the first day was Lisa Randall, Professor of Theoretical Physics at Harvard University. Dr. Randall is an expert on the origins of the universe, gravitational waves, and dark matter. She focused on how 3D simulation tools help physicists simulate cosmological events on the far edges of the known universe to better understand how the universe was formed. She has made ground-breaking discoveries in gravitational waves and dark matter formed from the collision of gigantic black holes in the very beginning of the universe billions of years ago.

Dr. Randall presented an interesting take on how theoretical physicists make discoveries about the known universe. She noted that scale matters when probing the origins of the universe and that humans can lose the perspective of just how enormous the ever-expanding universe is from our tiny island earth. As a physicist, Dr. Randall maintains that what one observes depends on where you are and intuition is guided by what we can observe. She points out that humans have only discovered a very rudimentary part of the laws of physics and what we have yet to discover will change humankind.

Hugh Herr, Professor of Robotics and Human Bionics from MIT research labs, presented the second keynote on The New Era of Extreme Bionics. Dr. Herr, who as a young man had both legs amputated below the knee due to severe frostbite suffered in high altitude climbing, walked briskly onto the stage on his bionic legs. These were his own invention and development based on advanced robotics and direct feedback from surrounding muscles using computerized sensors. His movements were completely natural and human like without any sign of a mechanized effect while walking, jumping, or other natural movements.

Using SOLIDWORKS, Dr. Herr developed a new robotic, computerized prosthesis. This is attached to living muscle that works from direct brain commands. This enables the wearer to use his or her own natural brain sensory reactions to control movements in the foot and leg protheses. He prototyped the first prosthesis on a friend that lost a leg in a climbing accident. This person was able to return to the actual wall where he fell and finish the climb with his bionic leg. Dr. Herr received a standing ovation from the audience at the conclusion of his presentation.

There were presentations from researchers from the pharma and life sciences industries demonstrating how they use 3DS BIOVIA molecular compounding simulation to develop new drugs in a matter of months, rather than years.

Dr. Jennifer Wilcox, Professor of Physical Chemistry at Worchester Polytech presented on the latest technology used to capture CO2 from the air and from industries. She illustrated a very quantified view of the technology of CO2 capture, multiple forms of storing and using the CO2, and the cost of the various processes.

Dr. Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist, co-founder of string theory, renowned futurist, and author of many books on the subject presented on the future of science and made several scientific forecasts. Dr. Kaku presented a look beyond the current third wave of technology (age of digitalization) and looked at the fourth and fifth waves of the future. The fourth wave will be the molecular wave spawned by pervasive use of AI, nanotechnology, and simulation at the molecular level. The fifth wave will be the physical world (physics) at the atomic level where we will finally realize fusion-powered energy and move to pervasive quantum computing. Also in the fifth wave, the Internet as we know it will be replaced by the Brain Net, where humans will be connected at the level of thought and emotions.

At the conclusion of the presentations, the attendees were bused to the MIT research and development labs for a tour of current projects and technologies being developed. Neil Gershfeld, MIT director of the labs, conducted our group through the Atoms and Bits labs where MIT graduate research fellows are conducting some very fascinating and interesting projects. The labs are referred to as the "maker labs" because projects reflect research focused on real-world applications. The labs are funded by a combination of industry, academia, and government.

We saw several nanotechnology projects. One focused on using origami mathematics to develop ultra-lightweight and super-strong folded structures for the aerospace industry. These experimental structures enabled the design of new aerodynamically adaptable wings that could change shape in flight to optimize aerodynamics. Other projects were around 3D printing for cellular-level nanostructures. Another was the development of small builder-bots that were a part of the structures that they built autonomously, piece by piece.

The Science in The Age of Experience event by Dassault Systmes has become an annual gathering of some of the best and brightest scientists and researchers in their respective fields. They present their discoveries, inventions and scientific breakthroughs and an examination of some of the latest scientific achievements that impact industry, business, and society at large. This conference showcases several of the 3DS brands that enable scientists and researchers to simulate, discover, and develop cutting edge processes, products, and technologies, and brings together some of the best scientists in their fields, enabling Dassault Systmes to acknowledge and applaud their singular achievements.

ARC Advisory Group clients can view the complete report at ARC Client Portal

If you would like to buy this report or obtain information about how to become a client, please Contact Us

Keywords: Scientific Innovation, SIMULIA, SOLIDWORKS, BIOVIA, GEOVIA, Simulation, Bionics, Life Sciences, Future of Science, Climate Change, ARC Advisory Group.

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Dassault Systmes' Science in The Age of Experience Event Brings Together Some of the Best and - ARC Viewpoints

Fred Miller, Division of Agriculture

Jin-Woo Kim uses an atomic force microscope to examine the structures of nano materials.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Really tiny things are a big deal to Jin-Woo Kim. For his work in nanotechnology, he has been named the 2019 Arkansas Biosciences Institute Established Investigator of the Year.

Kim, a professor of biological and agricultural engineering for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the University of Arkansas College of Engineering, has spent years developing methods for turning nanoparticles into practical tools for medical, agricultural and manufacturing uses.

Nanoparticles are between 1 and 100 nanometers long, a nanometer being equal to one billionth of a meter.

Kim's research, funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health, combines multiple nanoscale materials into single, multifunctional structures with defined physical, chemical or biological characteristics that hold promise for advanced materials and devices. Engineering the shape, size and material compositions influences the useful properties of those materials.

Such materials offer valuable applications for biosensing, biosecurity or nanomedicine, as well as advanced uses in optoelectronics and nanophotonics, Kim said.

"The potential applications of these technologies is wide open," Kim said.

To produce these materials, Kim has been developing nano-building-block technology to guide self-assembly of nanoparticles into specific shapes for specific purposes. He calls it nBlock technology, and it induces nanoparticles to arrange themselves into designed structures.

Now, he is working to expand nBlock technology into more general techniques that can be applied to many different manufacturing designs. He aims to develop a nanotoolbox of assembly methods that are not limited to a single, specific material, but that can be used to produce an unlimited number of different materials.

One of the challenges, Kim said, is scaling up production for manufacturing bulk materials. Self-assembly is a powerful strategy, he said, but the accurate, scalable and high-rate assembly of nanoparticles into specifically designed shapes and sizes is difficult to accomplish.

"Nanotoolbox technology addresses the urgent need for functional, reliable and scalable techniques to fabricate customizable nanostructures for a wide range of uses," Kim said.

In another project, funded by NSF's Center for Advanced Surface Engineering, Kim is developing efficient and sustainable technologies to produce cellulosic nanomaterials from woody biomass.

The raw material is essentially waste from timber industries, Kim said. "A report from the Department of Energy indicates that U.S. forestry operations generate 97 million dry tons of waste annually," he said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Arkansas produces 4 million dry tons of waste each year.

"If that abundant and cheap raw material can be sustainably and economically converted into value-added products," Kim said, "it could provide a significant boost to the state's economy."

To investigate the potential of waste biomass for nanomaterial uses, Kim is investigating the impact of genetic and environmental influences on the quantity and quality of nanocellulose. These factors can help identify the most suitable cellulose resources in Arkansas for nanoparticle production, he said.

Kim is combining multiple production processes to identify the most efficient and sustainable methods to fabricate nanocellulose.

In his study of manufacturing processes, Kim said he is targeting both low-cost, high-volume and high-cost, low-volume markets by developing processes with options to synthesize cellulose nanomaterials to different degrees of purity.

Materials with high purity are costly to produce and are suitable for medical or electronic industries. Such products might include drug delivery systems or medical diagnosis agents, smart fabrics, sensing or imaging nanomaterials and other high-end technical uses.

Nanomaterials produced with lower purity at lower cost are suitable for such products as packing materials, filters, some construction materials, microbeads and other uses where high purity is not required.

"USDA estimates that the market size of nanocellulose-enabled products will reach 35 million metric tons per year by 2050," Kim said.

"Developing a viable way to fabricate value-added products from cellulosic nanomaterials could propel Arkansas into a new era of forest bio-based production industries," Kim said. "There's high potential to advance the state's manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and healthcare industries."

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website:https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow us on Twitter at@ArkAgResearchand Instagram atArkAgResearch.

About the Division of Agriculture:The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation's historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Division Biological Engineer Recognized for Research in Nanotechnology - University of Arkansas Newswire

When it comes to squeezing maximum amounts of energy out of the daylight hours, plants have a head start thanks to evolution.

Now, engineers have designed solar panels that mimic the sunflower's sun-chasing talent, through clever use of nanotechnology.

By moulding temperature-sensitive materials into thin, supportive structures, scientists have come up with tiny 'stems' that bend towards a bright light source, providing a moving platform that could dramatically improve the efficiency of a range of solar technologies.

Researchers from the University of California Los Angeles and Arizona State University refer to their system as a sunflower-like biomimetic omnidirectional tracker. Or 'SunBOT', if you like your acronyms.

In biological terms, any general movement in response to specific changes in the environment is described as a nastic behaviour. Flowers that open at dawn and close at dusk are a good example of this.

Chemists have had little trouble making synthetic nastic materials and structures that open and close, or bend and twist in response to changes in light intensity or fluctuating temperatures.

But nature has another, slightly more complicated behaviour that directs the movements of organisms towards good things and away from threats.

Thesetropic behaviours are what we see when sunflowers tilt their flowers to face the Sun, warming their reproductive bits in order to attract pollinators.

Sun-chasing actions, or heliotropism, would be mighty handy for things like photovoltaics, which are most efficient when bathed in a dense glow of radiation hitting their surface straight-on, rather than from a more shallow angle.

In practical terms, compared to rays from an overhead illumination source, light coming in at an angle of around 75 degrees carries as much as 75 percent less energy.

To solve this problem of oblique-incidence energy-density loss, the research team looked to gels and polymers that respond predictably to light or heat.

A handful of different materials were selected as candidates worth closer investigation, including a hydrogel containing gold nanoparticles, a tangle of light-sensitive polymers, and a type of liquid crystalline elastomer embedded with a light-absorbing dye.

Each arrangement was shaped into a millimetre-wide thread several centimetres in length.When targeted by a laser, the tiny artificial stalks responded rapidly to the light's warmth, shrinking on one side and expanding on the other to cause the thread to kink and lean towards the laser.

To put their synthetic sunflowers to the test, the researchers assembled an array of SunBOTs and submerged them in water, letting them sit right at the water-air boundary.

To detect the harvesting capabilities of their invention, the team then determined how much light was converted to heat by measuring the water vapour their setup generated.

Changes in the amount of vapour indicated that the SunBOTs were up to four times better at harvesting energy at steep angles than a boring old flat, static surface.

By demonstrating that a variety of materials could serve as a synthetic tropic material, the researchers argue their devices could potentially be a solution for just about any system that experiences a loss of efficiency due to a moving energy source.

For example, lawns of these miniature sun-worshippers could theoretically be used to tilt just about any solar process towards the light, from itty-bitty solar cells to evaporation devices that can purify water.

According to the SunBOTs' designers, the sky (if not beyond!) seems to be the limit for this kind of technology.

"This work may be useful for enhanced solar harvesters, adaptive signal receivers, smart windows, self-contained robotics, solar sails for spaceships, guided surgery, self-regulating optical devices, and intelligent energy generation (for example, solar cells and biofuels), as well as energetic emission detection and tracking with telescopes, radars and hydrophones," they write in their report.

Even if just a handful of those predictions eventuates into real-world use, the future of synthetic tropic materials is certainly looking brighter.

This research was published in Nature Nanotechnology.

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Engineers Create Tiny 'Artificial Sunflowers' That Bend Towards The Light - ScienceAlert

Many people take their access to water for granted. They turn on the faucet and get clean water in seconds, usually not thinking about the people who do not have such resources.

In many parts of the world, individuals have access to water, but its unclean. Then, as people consume that water for hydration, the consequences could be illness or death.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that unsafe drinking water, inadequate access to water for hygiene purposes and a lack of sanitation access collectively account for about 88% of diarrheal disease fatalities.

Even the less-severe cases of diarrhea or related issues can require kids to take time off from school or for adults to miss days of work, both of which could cause substantial disruptions.

Moreover, the CDC reports that 780 million people globally dont have so-called improved water sources available to them. Those should provide access to clean, safe water but dont in every case.

Addressing the lack of clean water will not be easy. Sometimes, the issue is an infrastructural matter at heart, with communities lacking the infrastructure upgrades necessary for maintaining clean water. This problem prevails despite a poll finding that 85% of Americans support increasing federal investments to rebuild the water infrastructure.

Nanotechnology is increasingly a feasible option for dealing with water purification needs. It involves controlling matter on the atomic and molecular scale.

Lets look at some current and potential opportunities for applying nanotechnology to water purification and investigate how those possibilities could impact societies.

People have treated water with coagulants for centuries. The conventional process involves adding a substance such as aluminum sulfate to water, which causes large contaminants to group together and settle. However, this kind of coagulant-based purification does not get rid of smaller contaminants, and it requires going through multiple treatment processes to make the water safe.

Scientists improved on the traditional method of using coagulants through getting inspiration from the Actinia sea creature, which grabs prey with tentacles. They designed a nanocoagulant that captures both large and small contaminants in water, including many not taken away by other methods.

Since this is a single-step process, researchers believe it could be a cost-effective way to bring clean water to more people. Moreover, the researchers confirmed that the nancoagulant takes out nitrate, a cause of the often-fatal disease called blue baby syndrome.

Practical water purification requires getting the job done quickly, but not so fast that quality control goes down. Scientists developed a new nanofilter that they say cleans water more than 100 times more efficiently than current methods. The team demonstrated how the filter tackles lead and oil-contaminated water in the lab.

However, they feel confident that the possible applications span far beyond those. For example, some of the components of the filter effectively purified water from things like phosphates and mercury in previous studies.

The technology utilizes nanostructures that grow on liquid metals. The group involved in its development says their achievement is scalable. In addition to the benefit of extreme efficiently, this possibility could be cheap to produce.

If all those characteristics remain once the filter becomes commercialized, the product will give new, low-cost ways to make water drinkable, potentially bringing them to underserved populations.

Making water potable is exceptionally challenging without consistent access to electricity. However, scientists may have overcome that barrier with a solar-based nanotechnology method that depends on nanocellulose and graphene oxide to make a double-layered biofoam.

The researchers say the graphene oxide conducts heat and electricity during a process that evaporates dirty water and allows collecting purified water in exchange.

The scientists envisioned eventually creating huge sheets of their biofoam and bringing it to areas that require clean water and have ample sunlight.

In that instance, this purification method could work well in rural areas that do not have a reliable electrical infrastructure, or when such infrastructure gets damaged, such as after a storm.

Microplastics are a category of all types of plastic fragments less than five millimeters across. They can harm the environment by getting into waterways, and scientists are concerned that microplastics may harm humans who unknowingly eat them.

Scientists devised a way to one day apply nanotechnology to wastewater treatment and stop microplastics from getting into hydration sources.

The group mixed manganese with carbon used to make nanotubes. This approach broke down the microplastics, eventually turning them into water and carbon dioxide. The scientists eliminated about half of the microplastics this way, and think they could get rid of them all if they allowed the associated chemical reaction to happen for a more extended period.

Scientists are not yet sure of the long-term effects of microplastics on humans and the environment. But, this proactive method could avoid any catastrophes they might cause and make microplastic pollution less prevalent.

Water purification methods that use nanotechnology seem poised for growth throughout the foreseeable future.

They could address known challenges and promote the greater good by improving access to clean and trustworthy water sources.

Although some of the efforts are in the early stages, any progress could facilitate valuable research.

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How nanotechnology can improve access to cleaner, safer water - The Sociable

Non-antibacterial nanoparticles can cause resistance in bacteria

Chemist Erin Carlson led research showing that nanoparticles can cause resistance in bacteria.

October 15, 2019

Over the last two decades, nanotechnology has improved many everyday products, from microelectronics to sunscreens. Nanoparticles (particles just a few hundred atoms in size) are ending up in the environment by the ton, but scientists are still unclear about the long-term effects of these super-small particles.

In a first-of-its-kind study, published in Chemical Science, researchers have shown that nanoparticles may have a bigger impact on the environment than previously thought.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota, through the National Science Foundation Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, found that a common, non-disease-causing bacterium in the environment, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, developed rapid resistance when repeatedly exposed to nanoparticles used in making lithium ion batteries, the rechargeable batteries used in portable electronics and electric vehicles. The resistance means that the fundamental biochemistry and biology of the bacteria are changing.

The results of the study are unusual, the researchers say. Bacterial resistance usually occurs because bacteria become resistant to attempts to kill them. In this case, the nanoparticles used in lithium ion batteries were not intended to kill bacteria. This is the first report of non-antibacterial nanoparticles causing resistance in bacteria.

Bacteria are prevalent in lakes and soil where there is a delicate balance of organisms. Other organisms feed on the microbes, and the resistant bacteria could have effects scientists can't yet predict.

"Research that advances technology and sustains our environment is a priority for the Division of Chemistry," said Michelle Bushey, program director for the NSF Chemical Centers for Innovation Program. "This work reveals the unexplored and long-term impacts some nanoparticles have on the living organisms around us. This discovery at the chemistry-biology interface is a first step toward developing new sustainable materials and practices and providing the groundwork for possible remediation approaches."

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Nanoparticles may have bigger impact on the environment than previously thought - National Science Foundation

Verified Market Research has recently published a report, titled [Nanotechnology Market Size, Trends and Forecast to 2026]. The research report provides an in-depth explanation of the various factors that are likely to drive the market. It discusses the longer term of the market by learning the historical details. Analysts have studied the ever-changing market dynamics to evaluate their impact on the overall market. In addition, the report also discusses the segments present in the market. Primary and secondary research methodologies have been used to provide the readers with an accurate and precise understanding of the overall Nanotechnology market. Analysts have also given readers an unbiased opinion about the direction companies will take during the forecast period.

The research report also includes the global market figures that provide historical data as well as estimated figures. It gives a clear picture of the growth rate of the market during the forecast period. The report aims to give the readers quantifiable data that is collected from verified data. The report attempts to answer all the difficult questions such as market sizes and company strategies.

Global Nanotechnology Market was valued at USD 1.03 Billion in 2018 and is projected to reachUSD 2.29 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of10.40 % from 2019 to 2026.

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Key Players Mentioned in the Nanotechnology Market Research Report:Nanosys, QD Vision, Arkema, 10Angstroms, 10x MicroStructures, 10x Technology Inc, 3M 3rd Millennium Inc, 3rdTech Inc, Bayer Material Science and Cortex

Nanotechnology Market: Drivers and Restraints

The report explains the drivers shaping the future of the Nanotechnology market. It evaluates the various forces that are expected to create a positive influence on the overall market. Analysts have studied the investments in research and development of products and technologies that are expected to give the players a definite boost. Furthermore, researchers have also included an analysis of the changing consumer behaviour that is projected to impact the supply and demand cycles present in the Nanotechnology market. Evolving per capita earnings, improving economic statuses, and emerging trends have all been studied in this research report.

The research report also explains the potential restraints present in the global Nanotechnology market. It evaluates the aspects that are likely to hamper the market growth in the near future. In addition to this assessment, it also provides a list of opportunities that could prove lucrative to the overall market. Analysts provide solutions for turning threats and restraints into successful opportunities in the coming years.

Nanotechnology Market: Regional Segmentation

In the successive chapters, analysts have studied the regional segments present in the Nanotechnology market. This gives the readers a narrowed-view of the global market enabling a closer look at the elements that could define its progress. It highlights myriad regional aspects such as the impact of culture, environment, and government policies that influence the regional markets.

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Table of Content

1 Introduction of Nanotechnology Market

1.1 Overview of the Market 1.2 Scope of Report 1.3 Assumptions

2 Executive Summary

3 Research Methodology of Verified Market Research

3.1 Data Mining3.2 Validation3.3 Primary Interviews3.4 List of Data Sources

4 Nanotechnology Market Outlook

4.1 Overview4.2 Market Dynamics4.2.1 Drivers4.2.2 Restraints4.2.3 Opportunities4.3 Porters Five Force Model4.4 Value Chain Analysis

5 Nanotechnology Market, By Deployment Model

5.1 Overview

6 Nanotechnology Market, By Solution6.1 Overview

7 Nanotechnology Market, By Vertical

7.1 Overview

8 Nanotechnology Market, By Geography8.1 Overview8.2 North America8.2.1 U.S.8.2.2 Canada8.2.3 Mexico8.3 Europe8.3.1 Germany8.3.2 U.K.8.3.3 France 8.3.4 Rest of Europe 8.4 Asia Pacific 8.4.1 China 8.4.2 Japan 8.4.3 India 8.4.4 Rest of Asia Pacific 8.5 Rest of the World 8.5.1 Latin America 8.5.2 Middle East

9 Nanotechnology Market Competitive Landscape

9.1 Overview 9.2 Company Market Ranking 9.3 Key Development Strategies

10 Company Profiles

10.1.1 Overview 10.1.2 Financial Performance 10.1.3 Product Outlook 10.1.4 Key Developments

11 Appendix

11.1 Related Research

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Nanotechnology Market 2019| Global Industry Overview, Latest Trends, Business Boosting Strategies, CAGR Status, Growth Opportunities and Forecast 2026...

Over the last two decades, nanotechnology has improved many of the products we use every day from microelectronics to sunscreens. Nanoparticles (particles that are just a few hundred atoms in size) are ending up in the environment by the ton, but scientists are still unclear about the long-term effects of these super-small nanoparticles.

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers have shown that nanoparticles may have a bigger impact on the environment than previously thought. The research is published in Chemical Science, a peer-reviewed journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Researchers from the National Science Foundation Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, led by scientists at the University of Minnesota, found that a common, non-disease-causing bacteria found in the environment, called Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, developed rapid resistance when repeatedly exposed to nanoparticles used in making lithium ion batteries, the rechargeable batteries used in portable electronics and electric vehicles. Resistance is when the bacteria can survive at higher and higher quantities of the materials, which means that the fundamental biochemistry and biology of the bacteria is changing.

At many times throughout history, materials and chemicals like asbestos or DDT have not been tested thoroughly and have caused big problems in our environment, said Erin Carlson, a University of Minnesota chemistry associate professor in the Universitys College of Science and Engineering and the lead author of the study. We dont know that these results are that dire, but this study is a warning sign that we need to be careful with all of these new materials, and that they could dramatically change whats happening in our environment.

Carlson said the results of this study are unusual because typically when we talk about bacterial resistance it is because weve been treating the bacteria with antibiotics. The bacteria become resistant because we are trying to kill them, she said. In this case, the nanoparticles used in lithium ion batteries were never made to kill bacteria.

This is the first report of non-antibacterial nanoparticles causing resistance in bacteria.

In the past, many studies in the field exposed bacteria to a large dose of nanoparticles and observed if the bacteria died. This study was different because it looked at what happens over a more extended period of time to test how the bacteria might adapt over multiple generations when continually exposed to the nanoparticles. The bacteria were clearly able to take higher and higher doses of these materials over time without dying.

Even though a nanoparticle may not be toxic to a microbe, it can still be dangerous, said Stephanie Mitchell, a University of Minnesota chemistry graduate student and lead graduate student on this study.

Carlson warns that the results of this study go far beyond just bacteria.

This research is very important to humans because bacteria are prevalent in our lakes and soil where there is a delicate balance of organisms. Other organisms feed on these microbes and there could be a major effect up the food chain or these resistant bacteria could have other effects we cant even predict right now.

Carlson said the researchers will continue follow-up studies to determine the effects of other human-made nanomaterials on other organisms in the environment and the long-term effects.

Research that both advances technology and sustains our environment is a priority for the Division of Chemistry, said Michelle Bushey, program director for the Chemical Centers for Innovation Program at the National Science Foundation. This work reveals unexplored and long-term impacts that some nanoparticles have on the living organisms around us. This discovery at the chemistry-biology interface is a first step toward developing new sustainable materials and practices, as well as providing the groundwork for possible remediation approaches.

In addition to Carlson and Mitchell, other lead researchers on the study include University of Minnesota Chemistry Professor Christy Haynes, Augsburg University Chemistry Associate Professor Z. Vivian Feng, and University of Wisconsin-Madison Chemistry Professor Robert Hamers, the director of the Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology. Others on the research team include University of Minnesota researchers Natalie Hudson-Smith, Meghan Cahill, and Benjamin Reynolds; Augsburg University researchers Seth Frand and Rodrigo Tapia Hernandez; and University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers Curtis Green and Chenyu Wang.

This research was funded by the National Science Foundation through the Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, an NSF Center for Chemical Innovation.

To read the full research paper, visit the Chemical Science website.

Originally posted here:

Research Brief: Nanoparticles may have bigger impact on the environment than previously thought - UMN News

PNNL scientists Chongmin Wang, Wu Xu and Yang He with the specially modified environmental transmission electron microscope they used to capture images and video of growing whiskers inside a lithium battery. Credit: Photo by Andrea Starr/PNNL

Scientists have uncovered a root cause of the growth of needle-like structuresknown as dendrites and whiskersthat plague lithium batteries, sometimes causing a short circuit, failure, or even a fire.

The team, led by Chongmin Wang at the Department of Energys Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has shown that the presence of certain compounds in the electrolytethe liquid material that makes a batterys critical chemistry possibleprompts the growth of dendrites and whiskers. The team hopes the discovery will lead to new ways to prevent their growth by manipulating the batterys ingredients. The results were published online October 14, 2019, in Nature Nanotechnology.

Researchers at PNNL have captured on video the growth of a harmful structure known as a whisker inside a nanosized lithium metal battery. Lithium ions begun to clump together, forming a particle; the structure grows slowly as more and more lithium atoms glom on, growing the same way that a stalagmite grows from the floor of a cave. Then, suddenly, a whisker shoots forth.

Video courtesy of He et. al., Nature Nanotechnology

Dendrites are tiny, rigid tree-like structures that can grow inside a lithium battery; their needle-like projections are called whiskers. Both cause tremendous harm; notably, they can pierce a structure known as the separator inside a battery, much like a weed can poke through a concrete patio or a paved road. They also increase unwanted reactions between the electrolyte and the lithium, speeding up battery failure. Dendrites and whiskers are holding back the widespread use of lithium metal batteries, which have higher energy density than their commonly used lithium-ion counterparts.

The PNNL team found that the origin of whiskers in a lithium metal battery lies in a structure known as the SEI or solid-electrolyte interphase, a film where the solid lithium surface of the anode meets the liquid electrolyte. Further, the scientists pinpointed a culprit in the growth process: ethylene carbonate, an indispensable solvent added to electrolyte to enhance battery performance.

It turns out that ethylene carbonate leaves the battery vulnerable to damage.

The teams findings include videos that show the step-by-step growth of a whisker inside a nanosized lithium metal battery specially designed for the study.

A dendrite begins when lithium ions start to clump, or nucleate, on the surface of the anode, forming a particle that signifies the birth of a dendrite. The structure grows slowly as more and more lithium atoms glom on, growing the same way that a stalagmite grows from the floor of a cave. The team found that the energy dynamics on the surface of the SEI push more lithium ions into the slowly growing column. Then, suddenly, a whisker shoots forth.

It wasnt easy for the team to capture the action. To do so, scientists integrated an atomic force microscope (AFM) and an environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM), a highly prized instrument that allows scientists to study an operating battery under real conditions.

Researcher Yang He adds a sample to the environmental transmission electron microscope. Credit: Photo by Andrea Starr/PNNL

The team used the AFM to measure the tiny force of the whisker as it grew. Much like a physician measures a patients hand strength by asking the patient to push upward against the doctors outstretched hands, the PNNL team measured the force of the growing whisker by pushing down on its tip with the cantilever of the AFM and measuring the force the dendrite exerted during its growth.

The team found that the level of ethylene carbonate directly correlates with dendrite and whisker growth. The more of the material the team put in the electrolyte, the more the whiskers grew. The scientists experimented with the electrolyte mix, changing ingredients in an effort to reduce dendrites. Some changes, such as the addition of cyclohexanone, prevented the growth of dendrites and whiskers.

We dont want to simply suppress the growth of dendrites; we want to get to the root cause and eliminate them, said Wang, a corresponding author of the paper along with Wu Xu. We drew upon the expertise of our colleagues who have expertise in electrochemistry. My hope is that our findings will spur the community to look at this problem in new ways. Clearly, more research is needed.

Understanding what causes whiskers to start and grow will lead to new ideas for eliminating them or at least controlling them to minimize damage, added first author Yang He. He and the team tracked how whiskers respond to an obstacle, either buckling, yielding, kinking, or stopping. A greater understanding could help clear the path for the broad use of lithium metal batteries in electric cars, laptops, mobile phones, and other areas.

###

Authors of the paper, from PNNL and EMSL, include Wang, Xu, and He, as well as Xiaodi Ren, Yaobin Xu, Mark Engelhard, Xiaolin Li, Jie Xiao, Jun Liu, and Ji-Guang (Jason) Zhang. The work was funded by DOEs Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energys Vehicle Technologies Office. The work was made possible thanks to the unique combination of capabilities available at EMSL, the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a DOE Office of Science user facility located at PNNL.

Reference: Origin of lithium whisker formation and growth under stress by Yang He, Xiaodi Ren, Yaobin Xu, Mark H. Engelhard, Xiaolin Li, Jie Xiao, Jun Liu, Ji-Guang Zhang, Wu Xu and Chongmin Wang, 14 October 2019, Nature Nanotechnology.DOI: 10.1038/s41565-019-0558-z

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on signature capabilities in chemistry, Earth sciences, and data analytics to advance scientific discovery and create solutions to the nations toughest challenges in energy resiliency and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Science. DOEs Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

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Cause of Harmful Dendrites and Whiskers in Lithium Batteries Uncovered [Video] - SciTechDaily

Michigan State University scientists have invented a new way to monitor chemotherapy concentrations, which is more effective in keeping patients treatments within the crucial therapeutic window.

With new advances in medicine happening daily, theres still plenty of guesswork when it comes to administering chemotherapy to cancer patients. Too high a dose can result in killing healthy tissue and cells, triggering more side effects or even death; too low a dose may stun, rather than kill, cancer cells, allowing them to come back, in many cases, much stronger and deadlier.

Bryan Smith, associate professor of biomedical engineering, created a process based around magnetic particle imaging (MPI) that employs superparamagnetic nanoparticles as the contrast agent and the sole signal source to monitor drug release in the body at the site of the tumor.

Its noninvasive and could give doctors an immediate quantitative visualization of how the drug is being distributed anywhere in the body, Smith said. With MPI, doctors in the future could see how much drug is going directly to the tumor and then adjust amounts given on the fly; conversely, if toxicity is a concern, it can provide a view of the liver, spleen or kidneys as well to minimize side effects. That way, they could precisely ensure each patient remains within the therapeutic window.

Smiths team, which included scientists from Stanford University, used mice models to pair its superparamagnetic nanoparticle system with Doxorubicin, a commonly used chemotherapy drug. The results, published in the current issue of the journal NanoLetters, show that the nanocomposite combination serves as a drug delivery system as well as an MPI tracer.

MPI is a new imaging technology that is faster than traditional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and has near-infinite contrast. When combined with the nanocomposite, it can illuminate drug delivery rates within tumors hidden deep within the body.

As the nanocomposite degrades, it begins to release Doxorubicin in the tumor. Simultaneously, the iron oxide nanocluster begins to disassemble, which triggers the MPI signal changes. It will allow doctors to see more precisely how much medicine is reaching the tumor at any depth, Smith said.

We showed that the MPI signal changes are linearly correlated with the release of Doxorubicin with near 100-percent accuracy, he said. This key concept enabled our MPI innovation to monitor drug release. Our translational strategy of using a biocompatible polymer-coated iron oxide nanocomposite will be promising in future clinical use.

Smith has filed a provisional patent for his innovative process. In addition, the individual components of the nanocomposite Smiths team created have already earned FDA approval for use in human medicine. This should help speed FDA approval for the new monitoring method.

As the process moves toward clinical trials, which could potentially begin within seven years, Smiths team will begin testing multicolor MPI to further enhance the processs quantitative capabilities, as well as drugs other than Doxorubicin, he said.

(Note for media: Please include a link to the original paper in online coverage: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01202)

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Nanotechnology improves chemotherapy delivery - MSUToday

DUBLIN, Sept. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Nanotechnology Market Outlook 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global nanotechnology market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 17% during the forecasted period of 2018-2024

Global Nanotechnology Market Outlook 2024, analysts have conducted a segmented research on the nanotechnology industry, and have interpreted the key market trends & developments that clearly highlight the areas offering promising possibilities for industries to boost their growth.

In 2017, the global nanotechnology market has shown impressive growth owing to factors, like increase in government and private sector funding for R&D, partnerships & strategic alliances between countries, and increased in demand for smaller and more powerful devices at affordable prices. At present, the healthcare industry is one of the largest sectors where nanotechnology has made major breakthrough with its application for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases like cancer, heart ailments, etc. Further, significant developments are also being done in other sectors like electronics, agriculture, and energy.

In this report, the analysts have studied the current nanotechnology market on segment basis (by application, by component and by region), so as to provide an insight on the current market scenario as well as forecasts of the aforementioned segments till 2024. The report provides an in-depth analysis of all the major segments, taking into account the major developments taking place at global level in the respective segments that will further boost the growth of nanotechnology market.

Further, the application section covers the use of nanotechnology in electronics, energy, cosmetics, medical, defence, and food and agriculture sectors; while the component section covers the segregation of nanotechnology market into nanomaterials, nanotools, and nanodevices.

Additionally, the report covers the country-level analysis of 13 major countries like the US, France, UK, Germany, and Russia among others in terms of R&D, nanotechnology patent analysis, funding and regulations, to provide an in-depth understanding about the investments and recent research & developments done in the field of nanotechnology.

Besides, the report covers the profiles of key players like Altair, Nanophase Tech, Nanosys, etc. with the key financials, strength & weakness analyses, and recent activities, providing a comprehensive outlook of global nanotechnology industry. Overall, the report provides all the pre-requisite information for clients looking to venture in this industry, and facilitate them to formulate schemes while going for an investment/partnership in the industry.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Analyst View

2. Research Methodology

3. Nanotechnology - An Introduction

4. Key Market Trends and Developments4.1 Nanotech Tools Open Market for more Miniature Electronics4.2 Nanotechnology Accelerating Healthcare and Medical Device Industry4.3 International Collaborations for Nanotechnology Research4.4 Nanotechnology Playing a Vital Role in the Growth of Energy Industry4.5 Nanotechnology Playing a Key Role in the Growth of Food & Agriculture Industry

5. Nanotechnology Market Outlook to 20245.1 By Components5.1.1 Nanomaterials5.1.2 Nanotools5.1.3 Nanodevices5.2 By Major Applications5.2.1 Electronics5.2.2 Energy5.2.3 Cosmetics5.2.4 Biomedical5.2.5 Defense5.2.6 Food and Agriculture

6. Country-Level Analysis6.1 US6.1.1 Funding6.1.2 Research & Developments6.1.3 Regulations6.2 Brazil6.3 Germany6.4 France6.5 UK6.6 Ireland6.7 Russia6.8 Japan6.9 South Korea6.10 Taiwan6.11 China6.12 India6.13 Australia

7. Patents Analysis

8. Competitive Landscape8.1 Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.8.2 Nanophase Technologies Corporation8.3 Nanosys, Inc.8.4 Unidym, Inc. (subsidiary of WisePower Co.)8.5 Ablynx8.6 ZyvexCorporation8.7 Acusphere, Inc.8.8 Chasm Technologies, Inc.8.9 PEN, Inc8.10 Bruker Nano GmbH8.11 Advanced Diamond Technologies, Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ncizre

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com

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Global Nanotechnology Market Outlook 2024 - PRNewswire

TORONTO, ON, Sept. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Tree of Knowledge International Corp. (CSE: TOKI; OTCBB: TOKIF) (the Company or TOKI) is pleased to announce that TOKI and Ryerson University (Toronto, Canada) are expanding their current research project to develop a new nanotechnology-enhanced delivery method for medical cannabis and cannabinoid molecules. Added to the initial goal of creating targeted treatments for pain conditions is a pioneering application to combat cancerous tumours.

The two-year research project sponsored by TOKI and led by Ryerson professors Jahan Tavakkoli PhD (principal investigator) and Michael Kolios PhD (co-principal investigator), with the support of new post-doctoral fellow hire Anshuman Jakhmola PhD, leverages the clinical expertise of TOKIs medical advisor, Dr. Kevin Rod. It also extends a long-standing collaboration between Ryerson and TOKIs wholly owned subsidiary, Toronto Poly Clinic, in developing new medical devices and technologies with applications for various medical conditions.

In this project, the nanocarriers we are developing, which will be coated with two different types of cannabinoid molecules, will be employed in targeted drug delivery applications using our proprietary therapeutic ultrasound technology to achieve a novel and effective method in treating cancerous tumours as well as pain, explained Professor Tavakkoli. The main R&D activities in this project will be conducted in the iBEST research lab, a state-of-the-art facility located at and affiliated to St. Michaels Hospital, Toronto, Canada.

It is novel to use ultrasound-assisted cannabis-loaded nanotechnology to precisely target a variety of cancerous tumours and, as a result, also reduce harmful or unwanted side effects in other parts of the body, added Dr. Rod. This work is at the cutting edge of science and technology.

With over a decade of successful collaboration between Toronto Poly Clinic and Ryerson University, the team is well-positioned to take its current research project one step further to develop applications for cancer treatment.

Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide, and our team is well suited to fight it through this new technology, said Dr. Rod. And TOKI couldnt have a better partner than Ryerson University. Ryersons expertise in medical physics and technology and its long-standing strategy of supporting applied research in this field, up to the point of product development and commercialization, make this ground-breaking work possible.

For more details about this partnership research project, clickherefor the July 15, 2019 media release.

ABOUT RYERSON UNIVERSITY

Ryerson University is Canadas leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, it is home to more than 45,300 students, including 2,600 Masters and PhD students, 3,800 faculty and staff, and nearly 198,000 alumni worldwide.

ABOUT TREE OF KNOWLEDGE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

With its head office in Toronto, and operations in North York, Ontario and Spokane, Washington, TOKI currently has three primary business segments: (1) Multidisciplinary specialty pain clinics with a focus on the treatment of chronic pain, including controlled applications of medical cannabis in Canada, (2) Development of formulated products for therapeutic purposes and natural health product alternatives at its manufacturing facility in Spokane, which provides formulations for the Companys products and for third parties equivalent to GMP standards, and (3) Distribution and sale of hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) products in the United States, Canada, Europe, Brazil and Australia. Through its Toronto Poly Clinic, the Company has gleaned extensive expertise from being involved in one of the largest observational clinical trials on medical cannabis and from its ongoing direct patient experience. The Company has developed and implemented MCERP (Medical Cannabis Education, Research and Best Practice Platform) and MCORP (Medical Cannabis Opioid Reduction Program) with great success. Currently, the Company has research agreements with multiple universities for medical cannabis research and new medical grade products development. TOKIs CBD product line contains EVR Premium Hemp Oil, which is an organically grown and handled, gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, synergistic compound that is derived from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved industrial hemp grown in the United States. TOKI currently offers several CBD products, which may be used in connection with the treatment of a number of ailments and for general wellness purposes.

For further information please visit:www.tok.ca

Or contact:Tree of Knowledge International Corp.

Michael Caridi, ChairmanTel: +1 (917) 295-1374Michael@tok.ca

THE CSE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the benefits to be received from entering into a collaboration with Ryerson University and the timing thereof, the future operations of TOKI and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the collaboration with Ryerson University and the future plans and objectives of TOK, are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from TOKI's expectations are risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by TOKI with securities regulations.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of TOKI. As a result, TOKI cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and TOKI will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

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Tree of Knowledge International and Ryerson University's Nanotechnology Research Project Expands to Include the Development of Targeted Treatments for...

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Pharmaceutical Packaging Market: Global Industry Analysis, Trends, Market Size, and Forecasts up to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report predicts the global pharmaceutical packaging market to grow with a CAGR of 6.21% over the forecast period from 2019-2025.

The report on the global pharmaceutical packaging market provides qualitative and quantitative analysis for the period from 2017 to 2025. The study on pharmaceutical packaging market covers the analysis of the leading geographies such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW for the period of 2017 to 2025.

The report on pharmaceutical packaging market is a comprehensive study and presentation of drivers, restraints, opportunities, demand factors, market size, forecasts, and trends in the global pharmaceutical packaging market over the period of 2017 to 2025. Moreover, the report is a collective presentation of primary and secondary research findings.

Porter's five forces model in the report provides insights into the competitive rivalry, supplier and buyer positions in the market and opportunities for the new entrants in the global pharmaceutical packaging market over the period of 2017 to 2025. Further, Growth Matrix gave in the report brings an insight into the investment areas that existing or new market players can consider.

Report Findings

1) Drivers

2) Restraints

3) Opportunities

What does this report deliver?

1. Comprehensive analysis of the global as well as regional markets of the pharmaceutical packaging market.

2. Complete coverage of all the segments in the pharmaceutical packaging market to analyze the trends, developments in the global market and forecast of market size up to 2025.

3. Comprehensive analysis of the companies operating in the global pharmaceutical packaging market. The company profile includes analysis of product portfolio, revenue, SWOT analysis and latest developments of the company.

4. Growth Matrix presents an analysis of the product segments and geographies that market players should focus to invest, consolidate, expand and/or diversify.

Key Topics Covered

1. Preface

1.1. Report Description

1.2. Research Methods

1.3. Research Approaches

2. Executive Summary

2.1. Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Highlights

2.2. Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Projection

2.3. Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Regional Highlights

3. Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Overview

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Market Dynamics

3.2.1. Drivers

3.2.2. Restraints

3.2.3. Opportunities

3.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

3.4. Growth Matrix Analysis

3.4.1. Growth Matrix Analysis by Type

3.4.2. Growth Matrix Analysis by Material

3.4.3. Growth Matrix Analysis by Region

3.5. Value Chain Analysis of Pharmaceutical Packaging Market

4. Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Macro Indicator Analysis

5. Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Market by Type

5.1. Bottles

5.2. Blister Packaging

5.3. Pre-fillable Syringes

5.4. Vials & Ampules

5.5. Labels & Accessories

5.6. Caps & Closures

5.7. Jars & Canisters

5.8. Other Types

6. Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Market by Material

6.1. Plastics & Resins

6.2. Paper & Paperboard

6.3. Glass

6.4. Metal Foils

6.5. Other Materials

7. Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Market by Region

7.1. North America

7.2. Europe

7.3. Asia-Pacific

7.4. RoW

8. Company Profiles and Competitive Landscape

8.1. Competitive Landscape in the Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Market

8.2. Companies Profiled

8.2.1. Amcor PLC

8.2.2. 3M Company

8.2.3. Becton, Dickinson and Company

8.2.4. CCL Industries Inc.

8.2.5. Constantia Flexibles Group

8.2.6. Gerresheimer AG

8.2.7. West Pharmaceutical Service Inc.

8.2.8. Schott AG

8.2.9. AptarGroup Inc.

8.2.10. WestRock Company

8.2.11. Other Companies

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fdde4

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Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Report 2019-2025 - Integration of Nanotechnology in Packaging Spurs Opportunities - ResearchAndMarkets.com -...

Nanoparticles made from the corn protein zein may provide the next generation of carriers for agricultural pesticides.

A research team led by scientists in the LSU AgCenter has been awarded a four-year grant of $489,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study the environmental fate and effects of engineered nanoparticles particles that are 1,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair developed to deliver agricultural chemicals.

The study, led by AgCenter researcherCristina Sabliovin the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, focuses on the interactions between thezein nanoparticles, called ZNPs, and the environment, including plants and insects.

As pesticide carriers, the particles entrap the chemicals and provide more-targeted application with less runoff or improper exposure. The ZNPs are biodegradable.

We want to know their impacts on plants and insects, Sabliov said. Were taking an integrated approach to see what happens with the ZNPs in the environment.

Most pesticides are not water soluble, so they must be formulated with surfactants or solvents before spraying on a plants surface. The ZNPs, on the other hand, are water soluble and can be used as carriers for the pesticides.

The project will assess the ZNPs as a chemical delivery system and evaluate how they adhere to a plants leaves and roots and move through them.

To get the material to adhere to a plant, the ZNPs must carry a positive electrical charge because the leaf surface has a negative charge. Surface properties of nanoparticles make a difference on how they move in the environment, degrade and affect the entrapped pesticide.

To test the environmental effects of the ZNPs, Sabliov and researcherCarlos Asteteare developing nanoparticles with three electrical charges positive, negative and neutral. To assure the environmental safety of the ZNPs, Sabliovs team includes two scientists who will evaluate the environmental effects of the particles that have a positive, negative or neutral charge.

Melanie Kahat the University of Auckland in New Zealand will evaluate the environmental fate of the particles, including their persistence in nature.Jason White,chief analytical chemist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, will test how the particles affect plant health.

In both cases, the particles will be empty, containing no pesticides.

This will ensure the effects of the carrier itself are measured, and the hope is that the particles will not be harmful to plants or the environment, Sabliov said. They will be field tested and not be restricted to a laboratory.

The scientists know the ZNPs will degrade. The question they want to answer is how long it will take and what will happen in the meantime. Because the materials are biodegradable, we know they are safe by design, Sabliov said.

In addition to environmental activity, AgCenter entomologistJeff Daviswill test ZNPs with an entrapped insecticide to determine their effectiveness as a pesticide carrier for treating for soybean loopers, an important soybean defoliator; fall armyworms; and corn earworms.

We want to use ZNPs to improve the efficiency of pesticides without impacting the environment, Sabliov said. Early indications are that the pesticide has longer efficacy in the plant when its applied in ZNPs.

Sabliov began her work with nanoparticles and pharmaceuticals and moved on to expand her research to improve the environmental safety of agricultural chemicals.

Sabliovs early work with ZNPs and soybean looper pesticides was funded with grants from the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Promotion Board. She also has had support from the Louisiana Farm Bureau.

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AgCenter researcher applies nanotechnology to pesticides | Local/State Headlines - The Franklin Sun