This issue of NanoNews-Now covers Investing In Nanotechnology. Editor Rocky Rawstern interviews nanotech investment guru Jack Uldrich.

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Rocky Rawstern - Editor Nanotechnology Now - www.nanotech-now.com
Rocky Rawstern
Editor, Nanotechnology Now
Jack Uldrich, President The NanoVeritas Group
Jack Uldrich, President, The NanoVeritas Group
Author of the award-winning, bestseller,
The Next Big Thing is Really Small:
How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business

Investing In Nanotechnology

NN: What have you learned since writing The Next Big Thing that helped with Investing in Nanotechnology?

I wrote Investing in Nanotechnology because I am now more convinced than ever that not only do executives need to understand how nanotechnology will affect the future of their business but now so must investors.

The advances that have been made in the field of nanotechnology since I wrote The Next Big Thing in 2003 have been absolutely startling. The pace of change is almost exponential and there is scarcely a day that goes by without some major development being announced. Those people who are unaware of these advances -- and who aren't making it a point to track these developments -- will be at a distinct disadvantage and could end up losing a sizeable amount of money. This will happen either because they miss opportunities to invest in new companies or they don't understand how some of their current investments may be rendered obsolete by new advances in nanotechnology.

NN: Please tell our readers about the focus of Investing in Nanotechnology, and why you wrote it.

When I wrote my first book, there were very few publicly-traded companies actively engaged in nanotechnology. That has changed considerably since 2003. My book profiles over 120 companies that are engaged in nanotechnology to some degree. Almost half are publicly-traded.

The other half are privately-held. It is my opinion, however, that investors still need to know about these companies either because their technology is so disruptive that it can have an adverse affect on the long-term financial health of certain publicly-traded companies.

I also feel these privately-held companies are worth knowing about because they might also end up being purchased by a publicly-traded company and thus give that company a distinct competitive advantage. For instance, I believe Invitrogen's recent acquisition of Quantum Dot Corporation is a perfect example of this point. (The possible acquisition of SkyePharma by a major pharmaceutical firm - announced in late November - may be another example if a deal can be struck).

NN: There has been a lot of hype pumped into nanotechnology by many companies. How do you go about cutting through the spin; what constitutes a good nanotech investment?

There is a great deal of hype and I suspect there will be more. In my book, I am quite candid about which companies I believe are more interested in "talking the talk" instead of "walking the walk." From an investor's perspective I think the smartest thing you can do is first strip off the "nanotechnology" label and ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Does the company have a strong and experienced management team?
  2. Does the company have a real product that it can manufacture in sizeable and reliable quantities?
  3. Does the company know what market it is going to go after first?
  4. Does the company have an alliance or a partnership with any larger corporations?

If these questions can be satisfactorily answered, the company is worth investigating in further detail.

NN: What do you say to potential investors about companies that are raking in tens of millions of dollars in VC funding without having a near-term product?

First off, neither VC's nor individual investors should invest in "science projects." If a company doesn't have a real product (or at least a plan to develop a real product) - stay away! Having said that, I am comfortable if a VC chooses to invest in a company that may not have a viable product for 3 to 7 years - after all it is their (or their investors) money they are using.

The greater threat I think is that many of nanotechnology companies don't know which market they are going to attack first. I am always nervous when a company states that it has "exciting" or "promising" nanotech applications in a variety of markets, including the material sciences, semiconductors, energy, pharmaceuticals, etc. A good company understands which market offers its investors the best opportunity and then pursues that market. If it is successful in that area then it can move on to other areas.

NN: In my daily posting of nanotech-news I read about the nanotech investments by DFJ, H&H, and others. When making these investments, what are some of the things they consider?

To begin, they start by looking at management. Does the team have the experience to succeed? If the answer is yes, they move on to the technology itself. They are typically interested only in those products they believe can capture a sizeable portion of a larger market. And by large market, I am speaking a minimum of $300 million - and, more likely -- $1 billion or more.

Individual investors must also understand that VCs have a much higher penchant for risk than your typical investors. It is not uncommon for 9 out of 10 investments to result in a complete loss. Of course, the philosophy is that that one winner will more than compensate for those losses.

NN: Please talk a bit about exchange traded funds (ETFs) and how they differ from nanotech portfolios.

This past October, PowerShares announced the creation of the first Exchange Traded Nanotech fund here in the U.S. It trades under the symbol AMEX: PXN. Essentially, the fund tracks an index or a basket of nanotechnology-related stocks. PowerShare uses Lux Research's Nanotechnology Portfolio. In this sense, an ETF is not really any different from a mutual fund. For an investor with a limited amount of time or money, investing in such a fund may make sense, although I believe stronger returns are possible by taking a more active and discerning approach to individual nanotech stocks.

If you think that investing in nanotechnology is a quick, easy road to riches, this book is not for you. Nanotechnology will create a lot of new wealth, and it will destroy a lot of old wealth. But it will not, as a general rule, do these things overnight. Rather, it will do so over a period of years, and accordingly, investors of nanotechnology will need to demonstrate some patience.

A few historical examples are worth bearing in mind. The first is the semiconductor industry. The first transistor - the basis of today's computer industry - was created in 1947. It was not until the creation of the integrated circuit, eleven years later, that the potential of the industry began to become evident to some very farsighted investors. Those investors did not see a return on their investment until the mid-1970s when integrated circuits began moving out of very specialized applications and were incorporated into some familiar commercial items. But those investors didn't really see a handsome return on their investment until manufacturing processes grew so efficient and cost-effective that integrated circuits started to drive the growth of entirely new markets in personal computers, cell phones, and a host of other popular consumer products. The time frame between the first transistor and the semiconductor industry's dominance was roughly forty years.


From the Preface to Investing In Nanotechnology

NN: Everything I have read about the steps a "value investor" must take prior to investing in a nanotech company reads the same as the steps you take before investing in a non-nanotech company. Would you bullet-point those steps please?

I agree. Investing in a nanotechnology is no different than investing in any other company. Here are some of the things I look for:

  • Is the company's management team experienced?
  • Does the company's product meet a real-world need?
  • Is the product ready for the marketplace and can it be produced consistently and reliability?
  • Does the company have strategic partners?
  • Is the company's intellectual property patented or has it secured the necessary licensing agreements on favorable terms (e.g. exclusivity, duration)?
  • Does the company's founder have a strong scientific and technical background?
  • Is the company's board of scientific advisors actively engaged in the company?

For nanotech companies about to go public, I would add these three questions:

  • Do the company's founders have their own money invested in the company-and that of their family and friends?
  • Has the company received any government grants to help fund its research and development?
  • Has the company received venture capital from a firm with established expertise in the area of nanotechnology?

NN: What do "momentum investors" look for in a company? Under which circumstances is one model preferable to the other? Which are you?

I am not a momentum investor. I am a long-term investor and am not swayed too much by day-to-day developments. I do, however, think that there are times have momentum investors either drive a stock too high in response to some favorable development or, alternatively, over-react to a negative development. In these cases, it is only common-sense to take advantage of these opportunities. However, because these situations are individual events, I can't offer any specific guidance.

I encourage readers to consider nanotechnology as a long-term secular trend and invest accordingly.

NN: My understanding is that within nanotech, the majority of funds are going into four main areas; Biotech & Health; Chemicals & Materials; Equipment & Instrumentation; and Electronics & Semiconductors. Which sector looks the most promising in the near term, which in the far term, and why?

To begin, I am not bullish on chemicals and materials. While I believe nanoscale materials, nanoparticles, quantum dots, etc can - and will -- lead to significant advancements, I am of the opinion that the producers of these materials will not be the ones to benefit. The end-users will be the winners. The suppliers will likely drive the prices to commodity levels. There will be winners in the area of nanomaterials to be sure, but I think the names will be familiar to most readers: Dow Chemical, BASF and DuPont.

I am more optimistic about the equipment sector at least in the short to mid-term. While it may not be fashionable among some nanotech analysts, I subscribe to the "pick and shovel" philosophy. That is, among the first winners in the field of nanotechnology will be those companies supplying many of the other nanotechnology companies with the equipment necessary to model, visualize and manipulate materials at the nanoscale. I like both Accelrys and FEI in this regard.

With regard to semiconductors and electronics, I don't think there is any doubt nanotechnology will play a significant role in the development of next generation chips - be it in the form of new materials, heat sinks, carbon nanotubes or, longer-term, molecular electronics or even self-assembly processes. But, again, the winners are likely to be some pretty familiar names: Intel, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM.

The area that I believe that offers the most excitement and greatest potential pay-off for individual investors is biotech/pharmaceuticals/health. The ability to detect, analyze, treat and, possibly even, cure disease through nanotechnology applications is going to be revolutionary. Unfortunately, this is also the area that will be the most difficult to predict the winners. The competition is going to be fierce. Good management, adequate funding, strategic partnerships and, even some luck, will be the keys to success.

In my book, I do make specific recommendations in this field, but I am always careful to outline reasons to be both "bullish" and "bearish" on a company. As I said, the field is moving so fast that a company can look promising one day and be on its death bed the next.

NN: I frequently get this question from our readers "I don't have millions to invest in nanotechnology, nor do I have sufficient enough understanding of the technical aspects, but I want to get in. What do I do?"

As I said earlier, I am not personally wild about the new nanotech ETF but it may well meet the needs of investors such as you described. Beyond that, I think Harris & Harris and Arrowhead Research offer interesting prospects. The two companies have different models but both are publicly-traded and offer the individual investor an easy - albeit slightly risky - way to invest in some potentially "disruptive" nanotechnology start-ups. (At the current time though I feel both are priced near their upper limits. Pending new developments, I would hold off for the time being.)

NN: In your opinion, does adding "nano" to a company's name add to or take away from it's value, and why?

All things being equal, I believe the term "nano" takes away from a company's value. As I said earlier, every investor should strip the term "nano" away from the company and investigate it from the perspective of whether or not it is creating an actual product that can succeed in the marketplace. I also believe that it is possible the term "nanotechnology" could come to have a negative connotation in the public's mind at some point in the future. This is especially the case if certain nanomaterials or nanoparticles are found to have adverse affects on either the environment or human health.

NN: Who do you like these days, who are you keeping an eye on, and why?

On the conservative side, I like a number of the Fortune 100 companies, including Intel, IBM, GE, IBM 3M and Dow. Granted, these aren't the sexiest companies and they are unlikely to yield sizeable returns but they do understand how nanotechnology can improve many of their existing business lines and they are working on those improvements today. Furthermore, they have the resources to invest in those nanotechnology-enabled products that can lead to entirely new business in the future. Lastly, because they have the resources, I think they are going to smash a number of their smaller competitors. I don't buy into the argument that these companies are "dinosaurs" who will be unable to adapt to today's hyper-competitive business environment. The executives at these companies are investing the resources necessary to ensure they are still in business in 10, 15 and 20 years.

On the more risky side, I like two Australian nanotech companies: pSivida and Starpharma. Finally, if the following private companies go public in 2006, I will seriously consider an investment: Molecular Imprints, Konarka, Kereos and Nantero.

NN: When does Investing in Nanotechnology go on sale?

Advances copies can be purchased through Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble now, but the book will not be in bookstores until late February or early March 2006.

Disclosure statement:
Jack Uldrich may own shares in any or all of the companies mentioned in this interview. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the nanotechnology, investors are strongly advised to conduct their own due diligence before acting on any advice in this interview. Neither Mr. Uldrich or Nanotechnology Now assumes any responsibility for individual's investment decisions.

Jack Uldrich is the author of the award-winning, bestseller, The Next Big Thing is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business (1), and President of The NanoVeritas Group - an international leadership and technology consultancy dedicated to helping business, government, and non-profit organizations prepare for and profit from the emerging field of nanotechnology. Clients include Fortune 100 companies, venture capital firms and state and regional governments.

Uldrich's forthcoming book, Investing In Nanotechnology: Think Small, Win Big will be published late February or early March 2006, and his written works have also appeared in The Motley Fool, The Futurist, The Scientist, CityBusiness, The Futures Research Quarterly, TechStation Central and scores of other newspapers around the country.

Uldrich is a frequent speaker on the nanotechnology lecture circuit and has addressed numerous businesses, trade associations and investment groups, including General Mills, Pfizer, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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The industries that nanotechnology will likely have a disruptive effect on in the near term include the following:
(Amounts are Billions of US Dollars)

$1,700

Healthcare

$600

Long Term Care

$550

Electronics

$550

Telecom

$480

Packaging

$450

U.S. Chemical

$460

Plastics

$182

Apparel

$180

Pharmaceutical

$165

Tobacco

$100

Semiconductor

$92

Hospitality / Restaurant

$90

US Insurance

$83

Printing

$80

Corrosion Removal

$57

US Steel

$43

Newspaper

$42

Diet Supplement

$40

Diet

$32

Publishing

$30

Catalysts

$27

Glass

$24

Advertising

$18

Cosmetics

$13

Chocolate

$10

Battery

$5

Blue Jeans

$4

Khakis

$2.8

Fluorescent Tagging

Figures are from:

The Next Big Thing Is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business. J Uldrich & D Newberry. March 2003
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Quotes

This is going to be the technology of the 21st century. It will impact everything we see or buy from computer chips to cars to batteries. —Meyya Meyyappan, Senior Scientist, NASA


Nanotechnology will change our lives in the 21st and 22nd century as profoundly as electricity and oil in the 20th century. —John Culberson, R-Houston


Investing in innovation is the key to a vibrant US manufacturing base and the continued generation of new jobs. Nanotechnology has the potential to create entirely new industries and radically transform the basis of competition in other fields. —U.S. Representative Mike Honda (D-San Jose)


The disruptive innovations that should arise from nanotechnology over the next decade could be as significant as electricity or the microchip. They could give rise to a whole new set of industries as well as transform current technologies in manufacturing, healthcare, electronics and communications. It has been estimated that the sales of products incorporating emerging nanotechnologies will rise from 0.1% of global manufacturing output in 2004 to 15% in 2014, totalling US$2.6 trillion. Nanotechnology: enabling technologies for Australian innovative industries


Demand for nanotechnology health care products in the US is projected to increase nearly 50 percent per year to $6.5 billion in 2009. By 2020, demand for nanotechnology health care products is projected to exceed $100 billion. —The Freedonia Group, Nanotechnology in Health Care


"Nanotechnology is the base technology of an industrial revolution in the 21st century," says Michiharu Nakamura, executive VP at Hitachi. "Those who control nanotechnology will lead the industry." link


"There is a difference between disruptive and transformational technologies," said Jaffe. He cited LCDs, lithium-ion batteries and solid-state lighting as disruptive technologies and the airplane, telephone and television as transformational. "In that sense, I see nanotechnologies affecting every industry we can think of. —Bell Laboratories President Jeff Jaffe


Nanotechnology will affect many industries in the near-term and most in the medium-term. Some of these will experience a multiple-whammy. The number of nanotechnologies rapidly converging on some industries, such as data storage, is staggering, and while it might sometimes be difficult to predict the winners and losers, there's one thing you can be sure of - massive disruption. —Paul Holister


I am increasingly convinced that U.S. economic competitiveness in the global marketplace depends on success in developing a vibrant and innovative nanotechnology community. —George Allen (R-VA)


Nanotechnology, the ability to inexpensively arrange atoms in most of the patterns permitted by physical law - often called the manufacturing technology of the 21st century - is expected to revolutionize essentially all manufactured products, from computers to medical instruments to solar cells to batteries to planes and rockets. —Ralph C. Merkle


Nanotechnology promises to become intrinsically important to so many aspects of our economy and our society. Whether directly or indirectly involved, everyone becomes a stakeholder. —Dr. Leslie Jarmon, Community Engagement Officer, STS Program , UT Austin.


If nanotechnology ... at maturity achieves even a fraction of its promise, it will force the reassessment of global markets and economies and industries on a scale never experienced before in human history. Imagine the emergence of a nanochip that tomorrow would deliver over 50 gigahertz of speed with the processing power of ten supercomputers for the price of a quartz watch and smaller than a key chain. What might the economic impact on the computer industry be overnight? Imagine a super strong and inexpensive material to be used for pipe insulation, construction and manufacturing that would eliminate the market for steel and plastic. How might that influence the economy? —Dr. James Canton, CEO & Chairman, Institute for Global Futures


Nanotechnology is already one of the most promising area of research and development of the 21st century. Its integration with biotechnology and focusing of our collective energies on the problem of cancer is almost sure to bring about new ways to diagnose and treat the disease. Nanodevices for the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer are very promising candidates to help eliminate cancer by the year 2015. —Rashid Bashir, a professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering link


"Let me be clear as possible: if the Internet improved our quality of life via the Information Superhighway, then nanotechnology should be considered the Express Lane for future technological breakthroughs to make our lives simpler, safer and more enjoyable," said Mr. O'Connor before the House Science Subcommitee. "Life-changing dreams are becoming reality in our nation's nanotechnology labs and we must press forward in a coordinated, collaborative fashion between Federal and State governments, businesses in the private sector, and our academic institutions to ensure America's competitiveness, boost our economy and improve our citizens' quality of life."


The major transformational power of nanotechnology will be amplified and delivered across our entire civilization via information technology. —Tom Theis, director of physical sciences, IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center.


Nanotechnology is nothing less than a revolution, and today Oregon is leading the nation in tools for nanotechnology. Today, nanotechnology accounts for less that one-tenth of 1 percent of the gross national product [under $12 billion], whereas by 2014, it will be 15 percent, or $2.6 trillion. And 50 percent of the microelectronics market will involve nanotechnology. As many as 10 million people will work in nanotech by then. —Carl Kohrt, chief executive at Battelle link


Building artificial molecular machines and getting them to operate is where airplanes were a century ago. —Fraser Stoddart, Director, California NanoSystems Institute


With instruments and tools, investors must identify those companies pursuing markets large enough to generate great returns - typically more than the research market. With bulk nanomaterials, it is all too easy to fall into the commodities trap. Investors must identify and bet on those companies in the value chain that are in a position to capture the lion's share of the value-added that their products and technology create. —Norm Wu, Managing Director of Alameda Capital link


One of the exciting yet challenging aspects of nanotechnology investing is the rich variety of opportunities -- from new tools that are essential to some aspect of getting a nanotechnology to market in the near term; to materials that disrupt the economics of a market that is large today; to the really cool science that may have a commercial application some day. —David Aslin, a West Coast partner at 3i link


What's confusing is that the nano knowledge explosion is a growing disruptive force through all kinds of diverse scientific disciplines. Thus while nano implications are running rampant through all the domains of science, corporate product developers are simply overwhelmed. They're confronting an epochal technology challenge their R&D strategies were never designed or equipped to handle. —Martha Collins, Technology Director, Air Products link


Although man's understanding of how to build and control molecular machines is still at an early stage, nanoscale science and engineering could have a life-enhancing impact on human society comparable in extent to that of electricity, the steam engine, the transistor and the Internet. —Professor David Leigh


Nano applications will undoubtedly provide enormous business opportunities, which will not only determine the course of the corporate sector, but the competitiveness of Taiwan as a whole over the next three decades. —Shyu Jyuo-min, Executive Director, Taiwan's National Nanotechnology Program


"The promise of nanotechnology is not a decade away, but now," says Larry Tamarkin, CytImmune president and CEO. "Things are really starting to take shape. It's very exciting."


Based on her research, Ms. Vela believes nanotechnology will change product development in many industries. "Nanotechnology promises to be an even bigger revolutionary technology than the Internet," she predicts. "It will fundamentally change how we build new technologies." link


The application of nanotechnology to cancer research could not come at a more opportune time given the recent exponential increase in our understanding of the process of how cancer develops. It is my belief that nanomaterials and nanodevices will play a critical and unique role in turning that knowledge into clinically useful advances that detect and interact with the cancer cell and its surroundings early in this process. By doing so, we will change for the better the way we diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent cancer. —Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., director of the National Cancer Institute.


"I'm very bullish on nanotechnology three to six years from now," says David Rejeski, director of the Foresight and Governance Project at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. "The benefits are spectacular. What worries me is getting there, the speedbumps. It's nice to have pants that repel stains but the stuff that really appeals to people is three to six years away. What happens in between is critical." link


It is possible that nanotechnology will become one of the fundamental drivers in oncology and cancer research, and we are extremely excited about focusing our research in this direction. —Chad A. Mirkin, Director International Institute for Nanotechnology


Nanotechnology isn't going to change the world overnight, but it's going to have a dramatic and defining impact on our nation's economy in the next 10 years. —Sean Murdock, Executive Director, NanoBusiness Alliance


Speaking about the recent DARPA Challenge race, in which four vehicles traveled a 132-mile course without human command: "... we were a long way, in terms of capabilities, from self-navigating cars not long ago, too. And being a long way from something in terms of capabilities isn't necessarily the same as being a long way from something in terms of time, when your capabilities are improving at an ever-increasing rate. The faster those signposts flash by, the less time it takes to reach your goal, however far away it is." —Glenn Harlan Reynolds link


Nanotechnology is among the fastest-growing fields of research. It has unlimited potential to change the way we live. The stronger, lighter and more efficient materials scientists are pursuing can revolutionize health care, transportation, defense and other sectors of our economy. —Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas)


Nanotechnology is creating opportunities that range from improving sports equipment to inventing life-saving medical applications. Its potential for changing our lives may be greater than that of the silicon chip, and we need to encourage practical research aimed at real world uses. —Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR)


"It's safe to say that technology today is more pervasive than we would ever have imagined possible 10 years ago. Similarly, 10 years from now things will continue in this general direction. That's what these new technologies are telling us." —Lara Srivastava, of the Strategy and Policy Unit at the ITU. link



News

"Investing" News - November 2005

Go directly to "Financial Reports" News

Accelrys to Coordinate Materials Design Project
businesswire November 30, 2005 Accelrys today announced that it will coordinate a GBP 1.8m (US$3.25m) project to deliver an innovative computational service that aims to speed research and development for organizations developing or applying novel materials. The UK Department of Trade and Industry's Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Sainsbury, has announced funding of GBP 930,000 (US$1.7m) in support of the project, which has been named 'the Materials Grid.'

Ener1 Subsidiary Enerstruct Receives Funding From Japan SBIC
prnewswire November 30, 2005 Ener1, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ENEI) announced today that its subsidiary Enerstruct, which is jointly held with ITOCHU Corporation, has received funding from SBIC (Tokyo Small and Medium Business Investment & Consultation Co. Ltd), Japan's oldest venture capital firm.

Nanoforce Enters Agreement to Acquire Refinery Science Corp.
primezone.com November 30, 2005 Refinery Science Corp. ("RSC") is engaged in utilizing nanotechnology in the extraction and refinement of oil reserves that are currently extremely difficult and expensive to process.

pSivida launches pSiNutria in the Food Industry
businesswire November 30, 2005 Global bio-nanotech company pSivida Limited (NASDAQ:PSDV, ASX:PSD, Xetra:PSI) today announced that it has created a new spinout company, pSiNutria Limited to develop applications of its silicon technology in the food industry.

National Science Foundation Awards Research Grant to Konarka
businesswire November 30, 2005 Konarka Technologies, Inc., an innovator in developing and commercializing Power Plastic(TM) that converts light to energy, today announced it was awarded a $100,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant, a second awarded to Konarka this year, will fund research to gain higher performance from novel nano-engineered and polymer materials that conduct electricity.

Nanoident to build organic sensor factory
EETimes November 30, 2005 Nanoident (Linz, Austria), which develops and manufactures polymer technology-based photodetectors, will invest double digit Euros in the new facility. The plant will be able to produce 100,000 square meters of wafer surface - twice the output of modern silicon wafer factories.

FEI Company to Present at Investor Conference
prnewswire November 30, 2005 FEI Company (Nasdaq: FEIC) today announced that its management will make a presentation to investors at the Credit Suisse First Boston Annual Technology Conference.

IBM: A Very Small Bright Light
fool.com November 30, 2005 Jack Uldrich: Last week, IBM researchers offered further evidence for my long-term bullishness, announcing that they had fabricated nanotube devices 1,000 times more efficient at emitting light than previous models.

Pilot line planned for lighting nanotubes
EETimes November 30, 2005 The world's first pilot line for carbon nanotube-based electron-emission lighting devices was announced recently by Applied Nanotech, Inc. in cooperation with Shimane Masuda Electronics Co., Ltd.

£5m boost for nanotechnology probe
dailymail.co.uk November 30, 2005 The new research priorities set out in the Government report pinpoint three key areas. These are: characterising and defining nanoparticles, investigating the impact of nanoparticles on humans and the environment, and understanding where the particles come from and how they travel through the environment and human body.

Raymor Industries Inc.: Private Financing of $1,000,000
ccnmatthews.com November 30, 2005 Raymor Industries Inc. (TSX VENTURE:RAR) is pleased to announce that it has completed a first tranche of a private placement for 1,666,667 units, representing proceeds of $1,000,000, subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the securities of the Company.

Harris & Harris Group Sells Its Shares of NeuroMetrix
businesswire November 30, 2005 Harris & Harris Group, Inc., announced today that it has sold in the open market its entire position, consisting of its 1,137,570 shares of common stock of NeuroMetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NURO).

$500,000 for Chippewa Valley Technical College
wisdems.org November 29, 2005 Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) will receive a $500,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to establish a nanotechnology incubator on their Gateway Manufacturing Technology Center in Eau Claire.

College Leaders Urge Support For Bond Program
nwaonline.net November 29, 2005 The University of Arkansas would use the $16 million received from the bond money to help pay for a nanotechnology and nanoscience building for its Fayetteville campus. Officials estimate the building would cost $38 million.

ASM International and Oxford Instruments Sign Agreement
marketwire November 29, 2005 ASM International N.V. (NASDAQ: ASMI) (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) and Oxford Instruments plc (LSE: OXIG) announced that they have signed an agreement granting Oxford Instruments a license on ASM's patent portfolio relating to Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) technology.

Adnavance Technologies Secures Series A Financing
prnewswire November 29, 2005 Adnavance Technologies Inc., a privately held nanobiotechnology company, announced today that it has completed a Series A round of financing totalling $3.85 million. Combining biotechnology and nanotechnology, Adnavance is developing product applications that use the electrical conductivity properties of both DNA and novel metallic forms of DNA ("M-DNA"), for the healthcare and nanotechnology industries.

South Korea Ranks 4th in Nanotechnology Arena
i-newswire.com November 29, 2005 South Korea has secured 4th rank in nanotechnology and has made it a part of university curriculum. The country invested $280 billion in nanotechnology in the year 2005.

Nano-Proprietary, Inc. Announces Investor Conference Call
marketwire November 29, 2005 Austin, Texas-based Nano-Proprietary, Inc. (OTC BB: NNPP) today announced that it will hold an investor conference call on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Agilent Technologies Acquires Molecular Imaging
businesswire November 29, 2005 Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced that it has acquired privately held Molecular Imaging Corp., a leading developer and manufacturer of nanotechnology measurement tools.

Carl Zeiss SMT, Calit2 Announce Nanotechnology Partnership
University of California, Irvine November 29, 2005 

Innovations find home in old mill
news-leader.com November 28, 2005 It's hard to fathom that an old, dilapidated mill in downtown Springfield will soon be home to the cutting-edge science of nanotechnology.

It's equally tough to get one's mind around both the new science and the products that will eventually come from the bowels of the 76-year-old MFA building at Boonville Avenue and Phelps Street, items the likes of which the world has never seen.

(Ed.'s note: "Nanotechnology is a fast-growing, multi-billion dollar global industry that develops carbon-based microscopic computers and machines for every day uses." - this is the first time I've seen this definition. Want to learn the actual definition? See our Introduction pages. Another interesting definition "... carbon nanotubes, microscopic, graphite-like structures composed of carbon that work like tiny machines." - unfortunately, nanotubes don't "work like tiny machines" - there is nothing machine-like to them; they are just another unique material that can be used in a variety of ways, and have vast potential.)

Nano-Proprietary and SME to Establish Joint Pilot Line
marketwire November 28, 2005 Nano-Proprietary, Inc. (OTC BB: NNPP) today announced that its subsidiary, Applied Nanotech, Inc. ("ANI"), has entered into an agreement with Shimane Masuda Electronics Co., Ltd. ("SME") to establish a joint pilot line for the development and production of carbon nanotube electron emission based lighting devices.

Livingston Nanotechnology Conference To Debut
businesswire November 28, 2005 The NanoBusiness Alliance today announced it will participate in the first annual Axiom Capital Management "Livingston Nanotechnology Conference," which will be held on December 7, 2005 at the Marriott Financial Center in Downtown New York City.

New Desciples of the Sun
insidebayarea.com November 27, 2005 A growing number of scientists in labs from Berkeley to Boulder to Rochester are working to plug into a source that delivers more energy in an hour than the world's population uses in a year — the sun.

For now, its energy is among the most expensive on the planet, more than four times the cost of electricity from coal, gas and nuclear sources.

But an eclectic bunch of physicists, biologists and materials scientists suggest they can deliver multiple breakthroughs in cost and technology for solar energy, if only the government would muster the will and the money to set them loose. This solar revolution, if it comes at all, would come from the microscopic world. Scientists say two advances — nanotechnology and genetic modification — make breakthroughs in harvesting energy from the sun likelier.

Unleashing nano power
financialexpress.com November 27, 2005 The past decade might have seen intense interest in developing technologies based on the unique behaviour of nanometer-scale (nanoscale) structures, devices and systems, leading to the rapidly expanding and highly diverse field of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is now a rapidly growing field of research and development that is cutting across many traditional boundaries.

Innovative technology gets £90 million DTI funding
publictechnology.net November 25, 2005 The funding was divided amongst eight technology areas: design, micro and nanotechnology, pervasive computing, waste management and minimisation, smart materials, bio-based industrial products resources, energy technologies, imaging technologies and opto-electronic and disruptive electronic technologies.

Nano-Biotechnology Training Will Help Create Hybrid Researchers
Johns Hopkins University November 25, 2005 A $1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, announced today, will help create a new graduate training program in Nanotechnology for Biology and Medicine at The Johns Hopkins University. The NBMed program will provide interdisciplinary training in nanotechnology and biology to a new generation of graduate students from three schools within Johns Hopkins. The goal is to provide a broader range of knowledge and skills to people embarking on careers in biology and medicine. Drawing from doctoral students in nine departments in the schools of Engineering, Arts and Sciences, and Medicine, the program is designed to help researchers acquire expertise in more than one academic area, giving them the tools needed to develop new biomaterials, drug delivery systems, biosensors and diagnostic devices.

DFG Approves Twelve New Collaborative Research Centres
innovations-report.de November 25, 2005 The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) will establish 12 new Collaborative Research Centres as of 1 January 2006. These will cover a wide variety of topics including intelligent safety systems for cars, non-governmental governance models, and methods of preventing kidney failure or heart attacks.

Nanosys Continues Its Private Affair
thestreet.com November 23, 2005 Kevin Kelleher: Is it OK to invest in nanotech again? With the Internet getting red-hot again and other emerging technologies, such as the next generation of robotics represented by iRobot (IRBT:Nasdaq), receiving warm welcomes in the markets, nanotech is technology's ugly duckling that is taking forever to mature into a big fat swan.

Nano Cluster Devices Announces Major Transaction
Nano Cluster Devices November 23, 2005 

HHMI Awards $10 Million for Interdisciplinary Graduate Education
hhmi.org November 22, 2005 The recipients of the HHMI awards were chosen from 132 applicants. Their proposed programs (include):

The Johns Hopkins University
Scientists are in the early stages of learning how to manipulate molecules and atoms to build incredibly tiny machines and revolutionary new materials. Once found only in the pages of science fiction, a new age of nanotechnology is coming to medical science. The Johns Hopkins University's new training program in nanotechnology for biology and medicine (NBMed) aims to produce researchers able to create new particles and materials to be used in the detection, treatment, prevention, and cure of human disease. The program will recruit students from biochemistry, chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering, while making a special effort to include minorities under-represented in science. NBMed students will take three new core courses and an interdisciplinary lab course, participate in a new professional development seminar series, and present their research results at an annual NBMed symposium. This diverse group of students will learn to reach across disciplines as they advance the field of medicine through the application of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology: Encouragement for small companies
electronics-europe.de November 22, 2005 The German BMBF intends to use the NanoChance program to encourage small and medium-sized companies in Germany in nanotechnology.

Raymor Receives Ti-6AL-4V Powder Contract
ccnmatthews.com November 22, 2005 Raymor Industries Inc. (TSX VENTURE:RAR) is proud to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, AP&C Advanced Powders and Coatings Inc. (AP&C) has received an order for its spherical Ti-6Al-4V (titanium alloy) powder from US-based Ktech Corporation for a defense application. Ktech identified AP&C as a powder supplier for cold spray applications, a new coating technique.

GreenShift Executes Agreement to Invest in Aerogel Composite
businesswire November 22, 2005 GreenShift Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: GSHF) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to invest $500,000 in Aerogel Composite, Inc. ("ACI"), a development stage materials science company with proprietary technologies involving meso-porous carbon aerogel composites.

Altair Nanotechnologies Awarded $250,000 Grant
marketwire November 22, 2005 Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTI), today announced that it has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Indiana Advanced Energy Technologies Program (AETP) initiative. The Indiana Energy Group, a division of the Office of Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, administers the program.

mPhase Technologies Chief Executive To Present
businesswire November 22, 2005 Ronald A. Durando, chief executive of mPhase Technologies (OTCBB:XDSL), will brief investment analysts at 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29 at the Wall Street Analyst Forum.

Lumera Awarded Contract
advancedimagingpro.com November 22, 2005 Lumera Corporation (NASDAQ:LMRA), an emerging leader in the field of nanotechnology, announced today that it had signed a contract with the Pennsylvania State University Electro-Optics Center for development of polymer based electro-optic modulators for the detection of terahertz radiation, that is, passive radiation ranging from 30Ghz to 10THz.

A Chinese Energy Bottle Rocket
fool.com November 22, 2005 W.D. Crotty: Here is where the story gets interesting. A research report that set a $13.75-per-share 12-month price target didn't lift the stock. Neither did the mid-October announcement that the company was going to distribute Emerson Electric's (NYSE: EMR) invertor products in China. The stock kept falling after a press release saying the company had a letter of intent to develop a patented "high-end nanotechnology" solar cell that has a "thermo-photovoltaic conversion rate of over 35%." Hmm. I thought some talk on nano and solar would've been worth a good bit more speculation.

Lumera Awarded Contract
businesswire November 21, 2005 Lumera Corporation (NASDAQ:LMRA), an emerging leader in the field of nanotechnology, announced today that it had signed a contract with the Pennsylvania State University Electro-Optics Center for development of polymer based electro-optic modulators for the detection of terahertz radiation.

$4 million in federal funding for UC Santa Cruz
University of California, Santa Cruz November 21, 2005 The bill includes about $2 million for each of the programs

Love Your Losers
fool.com November 21, 2005 Tom Gardner and Tim Hanson : ... only Flamel remains an active recommendation -- and that's because renowned money manager Oscar Schafer forced a CEO change through his shareholder activism. Even with those substantial losses weighing us down, our newsletter is ahead of the market by nearly 20 percentage points in our more than two years of existence.

EU nano-project revs up for commercial success
europa.eu.int November 21, 2005 Researchers in Nano-FIB, an EU-funded nanotechnology project, have moved almost as fast as their invention’s ion beams in getting their technology out of the lab and ready for commercial rollout. The official transfer of their technology was marked last month by a ceremony at France’s national research centre, the CNRS.

NNIX Announces Quarterly Rebalance
prweb November 20, 2005 Newbridge Securities Corporation today announced the quarterly rebalancing and reconstitution of its Newbridge Nanotechnology Index (NNIX). Among the index constituents, we have made one addition and one removal, leaving the total number of companies included at 24. The NNIX ended the quarter at 931.47, down 3.5% from the last rebalance on August 18, 2005.

H.P. firm plans nanotech 'accelerator'
ACBJ November 20, 2005 QuarTek International, a two-year-old High Point nanotechnology research firm backed by millions of dollars in funding, plans to launch a new "accelerator" program early next year aimed at entrepreneurs working in the science of atom-sized materials.

Education and regeneration
number-10.gov.uk November 18, 2005 Tony Blair: It is interesting to note that economic growth here exceeds that of London and the south east at the present time. The creative industries employ some 100,000 people and are growing faster than in any other region of the country. They now contribute 10% to the region's economy. Overseas investment has been extensive. £200 million is being invested in the region in new and emerging technologies, such as life and health sciences, new and renewable energy, and nanotechnology.

Engineering thinks 'small'
dailypennsylvanian.com November 18, 2005 The School of Engineering and Applied Science is entering the last stage of its plan for expansion, and the focus can be summed up in one word -- nanotechnology. On Nov. 10, the Engineering School celebrated the founding of the Penn Center for Molecular Discovery, which was made possible by a $9.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The center is the second nanotechnology research hub established at Penn in the past two years.

Nano World: More funds on nano risk needed
UPI November 18, 2005 Charles Q. Choi: Investigations of the environmental and health implications of nanotechnology are so important that industry and environmentalist groups, normally thought of as opposed toward each other, both told Congress they would support redirecting existing nanotechnology research funds toward such work.

State about to miss the nanotech bus
kfor.com November 18, 2005 Oklahoma simply cannot afford to miss out on the next big wave growing in research and industry – a teeny-tiny technology – state Secretary of Science and Technology Joe Alexander said Thursday at the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Initiative.

Gwinnett, British companies team up for nanotechnology partnership
gwinnettdailypost.com November 17, 2005 MVA Scientific Consultants, a private Duluth company, has joined forces with Micro Materials Ltd. of Wrexham, United Kingdom. Leaders with both companies, including Micro Materials CEO Paul Grasske and MVA Scientific CEO Tim Vander Wood.

Advanced microscope installed for materials analysis
manufacturing.net November 17, 2005 Ohio State University's Center for Accelerated Maturation of Materials (CAMM) has begun using the FEI Titan 80-300 microscope, reported to be the world's highest-resolution, commercially available, scanning/transmission electron microscope (S/TEM).

Bruker AXS Announces Closing of Acquisitions
chemie.de November 16, 2005 Bruker AXS Inc. today announced the closing of two complementary acquisitions in the $150 million per annum X-ray microanalysis market. Applications of microanalysis include nanotechnology and advanced materials research, as well as materials analysis and quality control, with customers in many industries, academia and government research facilities.

Nanoelectronic Start-Ups to Present at MicroVentures Conference
businesswire November 16, 2005 Eighty chief executives from the most promising semiconductor and nanoelectronic start-up companies have been invited to present their business plans to an audience of venture capitalists, analysts, chief technology officers and corporate development executives at this year's MicroVentures Conference, Dec. 13 and 14, 2005.

UAlbany getting $1.9M for high-tech research
ACBJ November 16, 2005 Nearly $1.9 million is headed to the state University at Albany and its affiliated nanotechnology center in state awards to encourage high-technology research and development.

The Next Big Little Market
fool.com November 16, 2005 Jack Uldrich: Six months ago, I explained why I was bullish on Accelrys (Nasdaq: ACCL). Since that time, its stock has appreciated nearly 40%, and I'm even more optimistic about the company's future today.

Brown University Scientists Testing Toxicity of Nanomaterials
Brown University November 15, 2005 Nanomaterials can be found in everything from cosmetics to concrete to car bumpers. But are these atomic-scale tubes, fibers, spheres, crystals and films safe? A multidisciplinary team of scientists at Brown University is testing nanomaterial toxicity with funding from the National Science Foundation.

Through a new four-year, $1.8-million National Science Foundation grant, Brown University scientists are testing a variety of nanomaterials to see how they interact with human and animal cells. The aim: Find out which sizes, shapes, compounds and coatings damage or kill cells. That information can be used to manufacture non-toxic types.

StarPharma Raises $15M
medadnews.com November 15, 2005 Starpharma Holdings Limited today announced a successful A$15 million capital raising, positioning the company for further significant growth.

Owlstone swoops to secure stockmarket float in US
businessweekly.co.uk November 15, 2005 Owlstone Nanotech, developer of an innovative gas sensor with a host of potentially lucrative applications, has filed an SB-2 form with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with the intention of listing on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB). If successful, the offering will value the company at $100m.

Nano-Network gets $50,000 grant
crainscleveland.com November 15, 2005 The Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition is drafting a roadmap for the region’s nanotechnology sector with a $50,000 grant from the Generation Foundation.

3M makes a $40 million Shanghai bet
smalltimes November 14, 2005 The $40 million new research-and-development center 3M Co. is building in Shanghai is a sign of the times. China isn't just the world's factory any longer. Laboratory by laboratory, China is fast becoming a significant research power -- and foreign companies are only too eager to tap into its talent.

Nanochallenge: The Winners
TNTlog November 14, 2005 Tim Harper: I just spent a fascinating (and busy) 48 hours as a judge for Veneto Nanotech’s Nanochallenge competition. For those not familiar with the event, it offers a prize of 200,000 euros plus 100,000 of ‘in kind’ benefits such as facilities, administrative and legal support for the winner. While this may not be much to a Nanosys, it is prizes of this order that can make all the difference to start ups, and allow them to further develop their product to the stage where it becomes attractive the venture capital, or give them the boost they need to start acquiring customers and getting sales under their belt.

New competence center for nanotechnology in Singapore
BASF November 14, 2005 This global expansion of research activities will involve an increase in BASF's scientific staff by more than 10 percent (compared to the baseline year 2004). Altogether 180 new posts will be created in the next few years. About 80 additional scientific experts will be working at the BASF technology platforms in Ludwigshafen and Limburgerhof.

Nanoscale college featured at SBIR conference
ACBJ November 14, 2005 Company representatives from around the country were given an overview of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering during a pre-conference session Monday on government funding opportunities.

Why the Democrats Are Happy Warriors
time.com November 13, 2005 Create a National Institute of Science and Engineering, like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funding for the nih has quadrupled since the 1980s, from $7 billion to $28 billion. "That's why we lead in pharmaceuticals and medical technology." Funding for science has been stagnant — about $5 billion—during that period. "I'd quadruple it and concentrate on nanotechnology, broadband and energy." Congressman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois

U of A Little Rock for Research into Hydrogen Technology
fuelcellsworks.com November 13, 2005 Senator Mark Pryor Thursday announced $1.4 million to support research at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock that could lead to new breakthroughs in alternative energy technology.

Pryor said he and other Arkansas delegation members were able to secure $900,000 to support research into hydrogen technology and $500,000 for solar energy technology at UALR’s Nanotechnology Center of Excellence.

Nano-research lab in Brossman receives grants
thesnapper.com November 11, 2005 Illuminex Corporation, a developer of nanowire sensors that have a variety of medical applications, is the recipient of several Small Business Initiative Research (SBIR) awards this year, three from the National Science Foundation (NSF), one from NASA and a fifth from the Department of Energy (DOE). Collectively these grants total $470,000.

Ag research funds appropriated to University
dailyillini.com November 10, 2005 The U.S. House of Representatives granted more than $3.7 million dollars to the University for agriculture and food science research. Bob Easter, dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, said the funding would help the University's research efforts.

"The idea is to use biotechnology and nanotechnology to reduce plant disease," he said. "There are some scientific problems that can be addressed by this technology, we'll be able to use that otherwise couldn't have been."

Friday Institute Opens
newsobserver.com November 10, 2005 Projects currently under way, for example, include programs that will allow students to study virtual viruses, programs that help students understand the basics of nanotechnology, and the opportunity for teaching candidates to observe classroom teaching in other parts of the state via video Internet connections.

Harris & Harris Group Invests in Kovio
businesswire November 10, 2005 Harris & Harris Group, Inc.(R), announced today that it has invested $3,000,000 in privately held Kovio, Inc., of Sunnyvale, CA. Kovio is developing semiconductor products using thin film technologies, printed electronics and nanoparticle inks.

Technology Campus breaks ground on a second building
madison.com November 09, 2005 The Fitchburg Technology Campus has broken ground on a second building to house early stage companies that will have Imago Scientific Instruments as its anchor tenant - the second local nanotechnology company to move onto the campus.

SUNYIT headquarters for high-tech research program
uticaod.com November 09, 2005 SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome has been named the headquarters for a seven-university effort to conduct pioneering research into molecular computer technology.

The center was announced in statements issued Tuesday by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford. The federal government will provide $750,000 for the SUNY Institute of Nano-Bio Molecular Information Technology Incubator, they said.

eMagin Team Wins Navy STTR
businesswire November 09, 2005 eMagin Corporation teamed with the University of Michigan's Solid-State Electronics Laboratory (SSEL), has won a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract from The Office of Naval Research with technical monitoring by NAVAIR to study novel approaches for thin-film encapsulation. This research will enable small, lightweight displays and, potentially, flexible displays.

Nanosys Raises $40 Million in a Private Equity Financing
marketwire November 09, 2005 Nanosys, Inc., a privately held company focused on developing nanotechnology-enabled products, today announced that the company has raised approximately $40 million in a private equity financing. This financing was led by El Dorado Ventures and includes new investors Masters Capital, Medtronic, Inc., Wasatch Advisors, and others.

Dr. Ulrich Stepski appointed to Advisory Board
NANOIDENT AG November 09, 2005 NANOIDENT AG strengthens its capital and management base for further growth

Nanosys raises $40 million after pulling IPO
EETimes November 09, 2005 Nanosys Inc., a nanotechnology startup which cancelled an initial public offering of shares in 2004, has raised approximately $40 million in a private equity financing round.

In a statement announcing the investment Nanosys did not discuss why it had opted for a venture capital round rather than a repeated attempt at an IPO, but said it would use the money raised to fund development and manufacturing scale-up of products that incorporate its proprietary, inorganic nanostructures.

Congress to Fund $2.5 Million in Energy and Water
marketwire November 09, 2005 Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. has been designated to receive an additional $2.5 million in Federal grant funding during 2006-2007 for the continued development of nanotechnology, nanosensors, and nanomaterials research, development and deployment.

Va. research sheds light on brain tumors
timesdispatch.com November 09, 2005 Virginia researchers are loading tiny, hollow carbon balls with metals and medicine they say could improve the ability to detect and destroy brain-cancer cells. The research is funded by a five-year, $3.7 million grant from the National Cancer Institute announced in October. It's part of a nanotechnology initiative by the institute.

NanoTech firm gets help on Capitol Hill
timesunion.com November 08, 2005 A new tenant at Albany NanoTech is closer to landing a $769 million contract with a Chinese semiconductor company, thanks to U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park. Sweeney added language into a federal foreign operations appropriations bill expected to be voted on by the House and Senate this week that urges the Export-Import Bank of the United States to review a loan application by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.

Samsung Promises Massive R&D Investment
chosun.com November 08, 2005 The Samsung Group says it will invest W47 trillion (about US$47 billion) in research and development over the next five years, the largest amount ever (including nanotechnology).

Extremely Small Is Beautiful
yorkshiretoday.co.uk November 08, 2005 Yorkshire scientists are producing minuscule devices that have everyday uses. They aren't an unfocused group, tucked away in a remote, cobweb-covered corner of a lab. Earlier, this year, Yorkshire Forward announced a £5m funding package for Yorkshire academics involved in nanotechnology.

(Ed.'s note: Clarification piece: UK Nanofactory -- NOT!!)

Nano World: National ranking in nanotech
upi.com November 07, 2005 Charles Q. Choi: The United States, Japan, Germany and South Korea dominate nanotechnology today, but in 2012 Taiwan should also leap into a leading role, with China making dramatic gains and France sliding into the minor leagues, experts told UPI's Nano World. Nanotechnology analyst firm Lux Research in New York investigated 14 nations spanning four continents that play significant roles in nanotechnology.

Work force in place for tech construction
ACBJ November 07, 2005 "We've got to be on the forefront of the nanotechnology field and the high-purity field," said Tony Potenza, business manager for Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 7 in Albany. "The training that's being offered by outfits like Total Facility Solutions and Zander in conjunction with our own in-house training has been a key to bringing our people up to speed with regard to meeting the challenges of the new technology. It's been a good thing for everybody."

Create a 'science cadre'
newkerala.com November 07, 2005 President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Monday urged public sector and private companies engaged in research to create at least 1,000 well paying jobs a year to attract youngsters to a career in science.

Kalam identified nanotechnology -- with its promise of early diagnosis and treatment of diseases like cancer, solar photovoltaic cells for cheaper and reliable energy, nuclear energy, bio-fuel energy -- among the areas that hold potential for India to emerge as a major research and development hub.

Stock Dividend to Advance Nanotech Shareholders
businesswire November 07, 2005 Advance Nanotech (OTCBB: AVNA) today announced that it intends to dividend to its stockholders approximately 6,000,000 shares of common stock of its subsidiary Owlstone Nanotech, a pioneer in the commercialization of nanotechnology-based chemical detection products in a registered distribution under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Nanoscience Technologies Wall Street Analytics Coverage
genengnews.com November 07, 2005 Nanoscience Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: NANS) has enrolled in the unique shareholder empowerment platform administered by Investrend Communications, Inc., a provider of financial intelligence programs.

Bought by Invitrogen, Hayward's Quantum Dot closes its doors
ACBJ November 07, 2005 Quantum Dot Corp., the once high-flying nanotechnology company, is shutting its doors after being bought by life sciences firm Invitrogen Corp. in October.

Nano-tech plan at UML takes big step
lowellsun.com November 05, 2005 A proposed $80 million nano-biology technology center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is a step closer to reality after the state Senate approved a plan for the state to chip in $35 million toward the project.

Nanotechnology program expands at Clarion University
Clarion University November 05, 2005 Clarion University, working in collaboration with its nanotechnology partners in the State System of Higher Education won a $200,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to implement four nanotechnology upper division laboratory modules. The Physics Department will test the modules this fall and integrate them into the new course on nanotechnology (PH 254) this spring

Toumaz Technology Secures Future Funding
Toumaz Technology November 04, 2005 Toumaz Technology becomes wholly-owned subsidiary of AIM-listed Nanoscience Inc.

Major new funding to create jobs in engineering and commercial teams

Global Crown Capital Launches Coverage of Nanotechnology
dbusinessnews.com November 03, 2005 Global Crown Capital, LLC (GCC), an independent, boutique investment firm, today announced the launch of the financial industry's most comprehensive research coverage of Nanotechnology and MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) equities worldwide to date.

iCurie to Enter New Strategic Partnership
prnewswire November 03, 2005 iCurie, Inc., a full solution provider in the field of thermal heat management for the PC, consumer electronics, lighting and display industries, announced today it has executed a letter of intent with Advanced Energy Technology, Inc., a leading producer of electronic thermal management solutions under the eGRAF (R) brand name.

Platypus Technologies closes third round
Platypus Technologies November 03, 2005 

Advance Nanotech Registration Statement Declared Effective
businesswire November 03, 2005 Advance Nanotech, Inc. announced today that its registration statement on Form SB-2 with respect to 19,431,182 shares previously issued to investors, and 6,874,192 shares underlying warrants previously issued to the investors and placement agents was declared effective at 3:00 p.m. today by the SEC.

Nanopoint gets financing for microscope
bizjournals.com November 03, 2005 Nanopoint closed its Series-A round of financing this week, raising $2.15 million. The company plans to use the cash infusion to build and test a working model of the high-resolution microscope it has been developing -- also called Nanopoint -- within the next year.

Nanotech grant to educate public
purdueexponent.org November 02, 2005 A grant has Purdue attempting to teach the public about the small science of nanotechnology. The grant, which totals $280,000, is part of a $20 million National Science Foundation project, titled Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network.

Senate plan boosts investment in sciences
boston.com November 02, 2005 Senate leaders, worried that Massachusetts is lagging in science and technology, will unveil plans today for a $50 million life sciences program.

A key component of the initiative is a $35 million investment in a proposed facility at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell for nanotechnology and biotechnology, where university researchers and private companies would work toward commercializing and manufacturing various technologies.

Basque foundation inaugurates new facilities
eitb24.com November 02, 2005 Research into nanotechnology, hydrogen piles and biosensors is to receive a major boost thanks to Cidetec, the new electrochemical technology centre inaugurated at the Miramon technology park just outside San Sebastian. Requiring an investment of nearly six million Euro.

Battery Pumps Up Power Tools
redherring.com November 02, 2005 A123Systems launched a lithium-ion battery for a new line of Black & Decker power tools Wednesday that the battery startup says will last 10 times longer than traditional lithium-ions and provide five times as much power.

A123 uses a nanotech material called doped nano-phosphate, and the Watertown, Massachusetts-based company says its battery will recharge 90 percent of its capacity in five minutes. The battery is also lightweight, weighing in at less than 1 kilogram for a battery that provides 1.5 kilowatts of power, according to A123.

AMD Expands Technology Alliance with IBM
businesswire November 01, 2005 AMD today announced it has broadened the scope of its technology alliance with IBM. The expanded alliance now includes early exploratory research of new transistor, interconnect, lithography, and die-to-package connection technologies through 2011.

Pacific Fuel Cell Corp. Announces Agreement with Bourns
businesswire November 01, 2005 Pacific Fuel Cell Corp. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Bourns, Inc. to work together to attempt to scale-up PFCE's new process for making electro-catalyst and nanoMEA products to commercial scale.

Life Itself is 'Applied Nanotechnology'
futurebrief.com November 01, 2005 Jeffrey R. Harrow: Today, we almost exclusively 'tear things down' (such as from a tree trunk or a block of metal) rather than 'building things up' from their nano-sized atomic and molecular constituent parts. The thing is, our 'tear it down' manufacturing is highly wasteful of energy and of raw materials, and it dramatically limits what we can build. As we get better at working with things at the nano scale, especially considering that the structures that build "us" also fall in this size range(!), working in the nanosphere promises to turn just about everything around us, including "us," on our (figurative) ears.

(Ed.'s note: recommended reading!)

Syscan Imaging acquires display company
EETimes November 01, 2005 Portable image scanner supplier Syscan Imaging Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Nanodisplay Inc., a provider of carbon nanotube display technology.

Intel Eyes 'Human-like' Computer
thenanotechnologygroup.org November 01, 2005 Intel recently agreed with South Korea's Ministry of Education on calls for training more than 400,000 teachers in Korea over the next five years, co-developing curricula, as well as leadership development programs for teachers and science and engineering courses for students.

(Ed.'s note: Did you miss the nanotech-connection? It is widely agreed that nanoscale sciences and materials will be the drivers of growth in the coming decades. Accordingly, spending on education is the key to realizing that growth in any given country. The country(ies) that spends now will reap the harvest later. Perhaps more to the point is Judith Light Feather's comment at the bottom: "Education in the United States will take another step down in global ratings as our large corporations move their education support and training to other countries due to our complex issues regarding education in our schools. As U.S. Science and Math scores from our public schools continue to remain at the bottom internationally, our government is setting the stage for failure of the next seven generations. When will 'we the people' wake up and ask Congress to address the basic structural defects of our educational system and the content we provide to our teachers in the United States?")

Applied Thin Films Announces New Government Contracts
businesswire November 01, 2005 Applied Thin Films Inc. (ATFI), a privately held company developing nanoscale-designed ceramic materials and thin films, announced today at NanoCommerce & SEMI NanoForum that it has received government contracts valued over $3M over a period of three years with Department of Defense being the primary sponsor.

Alternative Energy Consortium Receive $2.5M From DOE
marketwire November 01, 2005 Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc., in collaboration with the University of Nevada Las Vegas Research Foundation (UNLVRF), today announced the consortium has received a $2.5 million Phase III grant award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the joint development of solar hydrogen generation cells.

Physics professor part of $1.3 million grant
California State University, Northridge November 01, 2005 CSUN physics professor Nicholas Kioussis, along with three UCLA professors, recently received a $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to further explore nanoscale technology.



"Financial Reports" News - November 2005

Harris & Harris Group Sells Its Shares of NeuroMetrix
businesswire November 30, 2005 Harris & Harris Group, Inc., announced today that it has sold in the open market its entire position, consisting of its 1,137,570 shares of common stock of NeuroMetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NURO).

Nano-Proprietary, Inc. Announces Investor Conference Call
marketwire November 29, 2005 Austin, Texas-based Nano-Proprietary, Inc. (OTC BB: NNPP) today announced that it will hold an investor conference call on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Nanosys Continues Its Private Affair
thestreet.com November 23, 2005 Kevin Kelleher: Is it OK to invest in nanotech again? With the Internet getting red-hot again and other emerging technologies, such as the next generation of robotics represented by iRobot (IRBT:Nasdaq), receiving warm welcomes in the markets, nanotech is technology's ugly duckling that is taking forever to mature into a big fat swan.

A Chinese Energy Bottle Rocket
fool.com November 22, 2005 W.D. Crotty: Here is where the story gets interesting. A research report that set a $13.75-per-share 12-month price target didn't lift the stock. Neither did the mid-October announcement that the company was going to distribute Emerson Electric's (NYSE: EMR) invertor products in China. The stock kept falling after a press release saying the company had a letter of intent to develop a patented "high-end nanotechnology" solar cell that has a "thermo-photovoltaic conversion rate of over 35%." Hmm. I thought some talk on nano and solar would've been worth a good bit more speculation.

NNIX Announces Quarterly Rebalance
prweb November 20, 2005 Newbridge Securities Corporation today announced the quarterly rebalancing and reconstitution of its Newbridge Nanotechnology Index (NNIX). Among the index constituents, we have made one addition and one removal, leaving the total number of companies included at 24. The NNIX ended the quarter at 931.47, down 3.5% from the last rebalance on August 18, 2005.

Applied Materials Announces Fourth Fiscal Quarter 2005
businesswire November 16, 2005 Applied Materials, Inc., (Nasdaq:AMAT) the world's largest supplier of wafer fabrication solutions to the global semiconductor industry, reported results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended October 30, 2005. Net sales were $1.72 billion, up 5 percent from $1.63 billion for the third fiscal quarter of 2005, and down 22 percent from $2.20 billion for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2004.

The Next Big Little Market
fool.com November 16, 2005 Jack Uldrich: Six months ago, I explained why I was bullish on Accelrys (Nasdaq: ACCL). Since that time, its stock has appreciated nearly 40%, and I'm even more optimistic about the company's future today.

Applied Materials posts weaker fourth-quarter profit
sfgate.com November 16, 2005 Applied Materials Inc.'s profit fell 46 percent in its fiscal fourth-quarter, but the world's largest maker of semiconductor-making gear said Wednesday that chip makers are beginning to invest in new equipment.

Advance Nanotech To Conduct Conference Call
genengnews.com November 15, 2005 Advance Nanotech, Inc. announced today that it will conduct a conference call to update the investment community on its business activities on Wednesday, November 16.

Owlstone swoops to secure stockmarket float in US
businessweekly.co.uk November 15, 2005 Owlstone Nanotech, developer of an innovative gas sensor with a host of potentially lucrative applications, has filed an SB-2 form with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with the intention of listing on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB). If successful, the offering will value the company at $100m.

Precision Optics Corporation Announces First Quarter Results
prnewswire November 14, 2005 Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (Nasdaq: POCI) today announced operating results on an unaudited basis for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 ended September 30, 2005.

CVD Equipment Corporation Announces Third Quarter Results
prnewswire November 14, 2005 Revenue for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2005 was $2,851,000 and $8,258,000 respectively compared to $1,629,000 and $5,548,000 for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2004 representing an increase of 75.2% and 48.8% for the respective periods.

Altair Nanotechnologies Reports Third Quarter Results
marketwire November 11, 2005 Altair reported revenue of approximately $585,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2005, a 68 percent increase, compared to revenue of approximately $347,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2004. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, the company reported revenue of approximately $2.1 million, an increase of 230 percent, compared to revenue of approximately $641,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004.

Tegal Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2006 Results
businesswire November 10, 2005 Tegal Corporation (Nasdaq:TGAL), a leading designer and manufacturer of plasma etch and deposition systems used in the production of integrated circuits and nanotechnology devices, today announced financial results for the Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2006, which ended September 30, 2005.

BioSante Reports Product Development Highlights
businesswire November 10, 2005 "We achieved milestones across our key clinical programs this quarter. We presented positive Phase III data for Bio-E-Gel(TM), licensed three patents that cover the use of testosterone (LibiGel(TM)) to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women on hormone contraception, and entered into an allergy licensing option agreement for our CaP nanotechnology," said Stephen M. Simes, BioSante's president and chief executive officer.

JMAR to Host Conference Call
businesswire November 08, 2005 JMAR Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: JMAR) will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial and operating performance for its third quarter 2005 and the status of the Company's product development and marketing activities.

Stock Dividend to Advance Nanotech Shareholders
businesswire November 07, 2005 Advance Nanotech (OTCBB: AVNA) today announced that it intends to dividend to its stockholders approximately 6,000,000 shares of common stock of its subsidiary Owlstone Nanotech, a pioneer in the commercialization of nanotechnology-based chemical detection products in a registered distribution under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Nanoscience Technologies Wall Street Analytics Coverage
genengnews.com November 07, 2005 Nanoscience Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: NANS) has enrolled in the unique shareholder empowerment platform administered by Investrend Communications, Inc., a provider of financial intelligence programs.

Harris & Harris Reports Balance Sheet
smalltimes November 07, 2005 Harris & Harris Group, Inc., announced that, as of September 30, 2005, its net assets and net asset value per outstanding share (NAV) were $123,376,692 and $5.94, respectively.

Biophan Completes Phase II and III of Development Agreement
businesswire November 05, 2005 Biophan Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: BIPH; FWB: BTN), a developer of next-generation medical technology, today reported the completion of phase II and phase III of its development agreement with Boston Scientific. The satisfactory completion of these milestones allows the Company to recognize $225,000 of previously received development payments as current quarter revenues.

Global Crown Capital Launches Coverage of Nanotechnology
dbusinessnews.com November 03, 2005 Global Crown Capital, LLC (GCC), an independent, boutique investment firm, today announced the launch of the financial industry's most comprehensive research coverage of Nanotechnology and MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) equities worldwide to date.

Advance Nanotech Registration Statement Declared Effective
businesswire November 03, 2005 Advance Nanotech, Inc. announced today that its registration statement on Form SB-2 with respect to 19,431,182 shares previously issued to investors, and 6,874,192 shares underlying warrants previously issued to the investors and placement agents was declared effective at 3:00 p.m. today by the SEC.

Accelrys Announces Fiscal 2006 Second Quarter Financial Results
businesswire November 03, 2005 Revenue increased 30% to $18.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, up from $14.3 million in the same quarter of last year. The increase in revenue is due to the impact of deferred revenue arising from the company's transition to subscription accounting.

Polaron says trading in line
sharecast.com November 02, 2005 Upbeat broker comment on the back of today’s AGM statement had nanotechnology firm Polaron leaping higher, as the group confirmed trading is in line in both divisions.

Nanogen Reports 2005 Third Quarter Financial Results
prnewswire November 02, 2005 Total revenues for the third quarter of this year increased by 191 percent to $3.2 million from $1.1 million in the same period in 2004, and remained steady compared to $3.1 million in the second quarter of 2005. Product revenues for the third quarter of 2005 were $1.1 million compared to $671,000 for the third quarter of 2004 and $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2005.

Lumera Reports Third Quarter 2005 Results
businesswire November 02, 2005 Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2005, increased by $389,000 to $681,000 compared to $292,000 for the same period in 2004. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, revenues increased by $373,000 to $1,269,000 compared to $896,000 for the same period in 2004. Lumera's net loss was $2,034,000 or $0.12 per share for the third quarter of 2005 compared to a net loss of $3,176,000 or $0.24 per share in the same period in 2004. For the nine month period, Lumera's net loss was $7,838,000 or $0.47 per share compared to a net loss of $6,500,000 or $0.75 per share in the same period in 2004.



From Our Molecular Future: How Nanotechnology, Robotics, Genetics, and Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Our World, by Douglas Mulhall:

  • What happens to the monetary system when everyone is able to satisfy his own basic material needs at very low cost?
  • How would we use cash when digital manufacturing makes it impossible to differentiate a counterfeit bill or coin from the real thing?
  • What happens to fiscal policy when digital information, moving at light speed, is the major commodity?
  • How fast will monetary cycles move compared to, say, the ten- or twenty-year cycles of the late twentieth century, when products and patents go out of date in a matter of months instead of years?
  • What happens when we don't have to worry about trade or social services for our basic needs, because most of what we need is provided locally with digital manufacturing, and the biggest trade is in information?
  • How do we control the excesses of the ultrarich, the overabundance of the molecular assembler economy, and the challenge to intellectual property laws created by intelligent, inventive machines?
  • What happens if half of all jobs are made redundant every decade?
  • What happens to the War on Drugs when there's no import, export, or transport of contraband because drugs can be manufactured in a desktop machine using pirated software downloaded from the Internet?
  • What happens to democratic controls when individuals can get as rich as small governments in a year or so?
  • What's the relevance of insurance if many things are replaceable at very low capital cost, but liabilities from software are potentially unlimited?
  • How should organized labor react when molecular assemblers and intelligent robots eliminate most manufacturing jobs?
  • What is the nature of work going to be?
  • What happens to land prices when an individual can build a tropical farm under a bubble in North Dakota, and get there from New York in an hour?
  • What happens when everyone can go everywhere, whenever they want, and work from wherever they want?


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Useful Links

NanoNovus

Investing in Nanotechnology (Our Dec. '04 Report)

The Next Big Thing is Really Small:
How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business


Investing Nanotechnology: Think Small, Win Big

The Investor's Guide to Nanotechnology and Micromachines



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IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Issue #31 will cover Patents . It will land in your mailbox January 2nd, 2006.



Infamous Quotes:

"This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." Western Union internal memo, 1876
"Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible." - Physicist and mathematician Lord Kelvin, President of the British Royal Society, 1895
"Everything that can be invented has been invented." - Charles H. Duell, Director of U.S. Patent Office, 1899
"There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom." - Robert Milikan, Nobel Laureate in Physics, 1923
"Theoretically, television may be feasible, but I consider it an impossibility-a development which we should waste little time dreaming about." - Lee de Forest, inventor of the cathode ray tube, 1926
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." IBM's Thomas Watson, 1943
"Landing and moving around on the moon offer so many serious problems for human beings that it may take science another 200 years to lick them." - Science Digest, August 1948
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." Popular Mechanics, 1949
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." Ken Olsen, Digital Equipment Corp, 1977

And the lesson is? It's a tough game to call.

Need advice? Check out NanoStrategies

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