Nanotechnology Now

From NNI Agencies Announce New Nanotechnology Signature Initiative

On May 14, 2012, the agencies participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) announced the fourth Nanotechnology Signature Initiative, "Nanotechnology Knowledge Infrastructure: Enabling National Leadership in Sustainable Design" (NKI). Read the Whole Article

— Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Director, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

From SAICM Will Publish Comments on Adding Nanotechnology Activities to Global Plan of Action

The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Secretariat is expected to publish this month comments on Switzerland's proposal that activities relating to nanotechnology be added to the SAICM Global Plan of Action. Read the Whole Article

— Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Director, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

From CRS Publishes Nanotechnology Policy Primer

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) published an April 13, 2012, document entitled Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer that provides an overview of federal research and development (R&D) in nanotechnology, U.S. competitiveness, environmental, health, and safety (EHS) concerns, nanomanufacturing, and public understanding of and attitudes toward nanotechnology. Read the Whole Article

— Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Director, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

From Targeted Patch Clamping by Ion Conductance Microscopy

Targeted patch clamping (TPC) combines patch clamping with ion conductance microscopy (ICM) to guide the pipette to a specific patch clamping position. Patch clamping is vital to the study of excitable cells such as neurons, cardiomyocites, and muscle fiber in electrophysiology because the technique allows the researcher to examine single or multiple ion channels in those cells. But patch clamping cannot be applied to small cells or submicron-size structures on the cell surface, due to the resolution limit of the incorporated optical microscope, which is used to maneuver the patch clamp's pipette near the cell surface. Because ICM can identify the cell surface at the submicron scale using the same patch clamping pipette, TPC overcomes the optical resolution hurdle, and greatly improves the applicability of the patch clamp and its accuracy beyond the classical technique. In this paper, live rat ventricular cardiomyocyte cells were examined with targeted patch clamping using a Park ICM. Ion channel signals were successfully recorded at a chosen Z groove location on the ventricular cardiomyocyte. Read the Whole Article

— Sue. J. Kim, Marketing Manager, Park Systems Corp.

From PCAST Releases Fourth Assessment of the NNI

On April 27, 2012, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released the Report to the President and Congress on the Fourth Assessment of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, which is a Congressionally mandated biennial review of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). Read the Whole Article

— Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Director, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

From ECHA Announces Updated Guidance for Registering Nanomaterials

On April 30, 2012, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the availability of three appendices, updating Chapters R.7a, R.7b, and R.7c of the Guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment (IR & CSA). Read the Whole Article

— Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Director, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

From IS IT SEMI OR IS IT BIO?

There is a growing overlap between semiconductor technologies and biotechnologies when dealing with nanometer-scale applications. The complexity that arises from this overlap can present challenges in the procurement of intellectual property rights. Read the Whole Article

— Francisco Castro, Attorney, McAndrews, Held & Malloy