Metrology is the science of measurements, and nanometrology is that part of metrology that relates to measurements at the nanoscale. Many governments worldwide have existing nanotechnology policies and are taking the preliminary steps towards nanometrology strategies, for example in support of pre-normative R+D and standardization work. In this Nanowerk Spotlight, we look at the European Commission funded project Co-Nanomet as an example of the importance of nanometrology as a key enabling technology for quality control at the nanoscale. While a first and obvious benefit of metrology is its potential to improve scientific understanding, a second, equally important, but less obvious benefit of metrology is closely linked to the concepts of quality control or conformity assessment, which means making a decision about whether a product or service conforms to specifications.

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and PJI Contract Pte Ltd announced today the opening of a production facility to manufacture Titanium Dioxide solution, an eco-friendly nano-coating material.

Revelation of the crystallization mechanism that enables fast writing of data to DVDs shows potential for quicker data storage in the future.

A research team at the University of Pennsylvania's schools of Engineering and Applied Science and Arts and Sciences has shown how to control the characteristics of semiconductor nanowires made of a promising material: lead selenide.

DARPA's Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics (SyNAPSE) program aims to fundamentally alter conventional designs by developing biological-scale neuromorphic electronic systems that mimic important functions of a human brain. Applications for neuromorphic electronics include robotic and manned systems, and sensory and integration applications such as image processing.

Recently, new achievements were made in the integrated optics by the Creative Research Group of Femtosecond Photophysics and Integrated Optics at Peking University. The group realized a novel nanoscale integrated all-optical diode having ultralow power and ultrahigh transmission contrast after the realization of the all-optical switch device with ultralow power and high-speed photonic crystal.

Director General of NT-MDT Co. Victor Bykov has been awarded by the UNESCO medal and the diploma for "Contribution to development of nanoscience and nanotechnologies".

To address occupational risks of nanomaterials, WHO is developing Guidelines to "Protecting Workers from Potential Risks of Manufactured Nanomaterials" (WHO/NANOH). These Guidelines aim to facilitate improvements in occupational health and safety of workers potentially exposed to nanomaterials in a broad range of manufacturing and social environments.

Wissenschaftlern an der Goethe-Universitaet ist es gelungen, zwei nur 18 Nanometer grosse Ringe aus DNA herzustellen und sie wie zwei Kettenglieder ineinander greifen zu lassen.

A total of more than 1000 researchers coming from more than 70 major European research institutes in the field of energy are involved in the different EERA Joint Programmes. These scientists are working to accelerate the delivery to industry of a new generation of energy technologies to contribute to achieving the 20-20-20 targets.

Using a simple glass capillary, atomic physicists at RIKEN are developing an ultra-narrow ion beam that pinpoints a part of organelles in a living cell, enabling biologists to visualize how the damage affects cell activities.

Scientists package HDL with gene-silencing siRNA to target tumors, spare normal tissue.

NanoDays is a nationwide festival of educational programs about nanoscale science and engineering and its potential impact on the future. It features exhibits and educational programs at more than 200 locations throughout the nation through April 3rd, at science museums, research centers, and universities.

A microchip fabricated with femtosecond lasers at RIKEN allows the rare observation of microalgae behavior.

Scientists from Oxford University have mapped a state of matter called 'quantum spin liquid', whose existence was proposed in the 1970s but which has only been observed recently.

Quantum physicists from the University of Innsbruck have set another world record: They have achieved controlled entanglement of 14 quantum bits (qubits) and, thus, realized the largest quantum register that has ever been produced. With this experiment the scientists have not only come closer to the realization of a quantum computer but they also show surprising results for the quantum mechanical phenomenon of entanglement.

Eight British companies are set to receive a total of nearly GBP 200,000 in government investment for feasibility studies aimed at helping to stimulate innovation with technologies that will be able to address potential environmental health and safety (EHS) aspects of the development of nanoscale technologies.

It started innocently enough with isolated instances of smoke coming out of computers. Then networks crashed. Now, programs are malfunctioning on a large scale, shutting down the Vatican's huge computer infrastructure which it depends on to manage its billions upon billions of investment dollars, real estate portfolios, and art collections. It is difficult to obtain all the details, but it appears that some form of nanotechnology got out of control. Surprisingly, and against its deeply ingrained reflexes of total openness and transparency, the Vatican initially tried to cover the whole thing up. Until a tabloid reporter got wind of what had happened and the whole thing became public with an article today (April 1) in an Italian tabloid that had this sensation-seeking headline splashed all over the front page: "Gay nanobots ballano Bunga-Bunga in Vaticano" - Gay nanobots dance Bunga-Bunga in the Vatican.

Playing the Nanorama-Loft quiz, you can discover numerous everyday nano products. Every product comes up with a question. Take the nano challenge and test your knowledge!

Nanoco Group plc, a world leader in the development and manufacture of cadmium-free quantum dots, announces that it has successfully produced the 1kg batch of red cadmium-free quantum dots specified by a major Japanese corporation, which triggers a US$2 million payment to Nanoco by the corporation.