Quantum dots' significance in nanotechnology: An explanation :
A quantum dot is a very tiny, typically a few thousand atoms arranged in a circle a few nanometers in width. The crystal as a whole exhibits the peculiar effects of quantum physics, features that would be difficult to "see" without more advanced gear. The word "quantum" in its name originates from the fact that the electrons in these atoms have very little area to move around. Because a quantum dot can act like an atom in certain situations, they are sometimes known as "artificial atoms."
The future lies in nanotechnology: Kalam:
The "knowledge society" of the twenty-first century would be characterized by the convergence of numerous scientific and technological fields as well as the creation of sustainable systems, according to remarks made here on Sunday by former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
At the Indian Institute of Technology (Patna)'s inaugural convocation ceremony, he was speaking to students.
Using nanotechnology to identify bioterrorism:
Research in nanotechnology has paved the way for detecting bioterrorism in an expedited manner, according to Wayne D.Frasch, a biomolecular nanotechnology scientist working at the Arizona State University, USA. He told The Hindu on the sidelines of a conference on nanotechnology here that his research in molecular science had been able to develop a few important methods for detecting bioterrorism.
His research focused on movement of molecules. Molecular motion, guided by application of nano rods, could be compared to that of a motor, providing a lot of energy. The findings would be able to detect bioterrorism as well as genetic diseases, he said. The application of nano rods made of gold had been tested, providing good results.
Thanks to nanotechnology, the life of temperate fruits in orchards is extended:
Hexanal Technology (nano-technology), which was developed to extend life of temperate fruits in the orchards and in storage, has been extended to scale down post-harvest loss in horticulture crops.
The TNAU has also been planning to commercialise this technology with private participation to take it to all horticulturists, said K.S. Subramanian, Professor, Department of Nano Science and Technology, TNAU, Coimbatore.
Molecular robots are programmed by researchers:
One step closer to the goal of creating molecular robots capable of repairing cells or assembling nanotechnology products is the creation and programming of robots the size of individual molecules that can move autonomously around a nano-scale track.
Milan N. Stojanovic, a faculty member in Columbia University's experimental therapeutics division, oversaw the project in collaboration with Erik Winfree, an associate professor of computer science at California Institute of Technology, Hao Yan, an expert in DNA nanotechnology and professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Arizona State University, and other experts...
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