Nanopreme™ by Yonex, has been shown to dramatically improve the performance of racquets and golf club

Yonex to Introduce Next Generation Golf Clubs and Racquets using Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. Technology

New Carbon Nanotube Composite Jointly Developed with Japanese Sporting Goods Giant, Yonex, to be Used in New Line of Sporting Goods Products

Austin, TX, January 18, 2011 – Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. (OTC BB: APNT) is pleased to announce that it has developed a new nanotechnology carbon composite material in partnership with Japanese sporting goods giant, Yonex. The new material, called Nanopreme™ by Yonex, has been shown to dramatically improve the performance of racquets and golf clubs and will be used in the next generation of golf clubs and badminton racquets to be introduced by Yonex in the first quarter of 2011.

CNT Solar Cell Rectenna

United States Patent Application 20100133513
Kind Code A1
Schmidt; Howard K. June 3, 2010

NANOPARTICLE / NANOTUBE-BASED NANOELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CHEMICALLY-DIRECTED ASSEMBLY THEREOF

Abstract
According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a nanoelectronic device based on a nanostructure that may include a nanotube with first and second ends, a metallic nanoparticle attached to the first end, and an insulating nanoparticle attached to the second end. The nanoelectronic device may include additional nanostructures so a to form a plurality of nanostructures comprising the first nanostructure and the additional nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures may arranged in a network comprising a plurality of edges and a plurality of vertices, wherein each edge comprises a nanotube and each vertex comprises at least one insulating nanoparticle and at least one metallic nanoparticle adjacent the insulating nanoparticle. The combination of at least one edge and at least one vertex comprises a diode. The device may be an optical rectenna.

Inventors: Schmidt; Howard K.; (Cypress, TX)
Correspondence Name and Address:
WINSTEAD PC
P.O. BOX 50784
DALLAS
TX
75201
US
Assignee Name and Adress: William Marsh Rice University
Houston
TX

Serial No.: 910521
Series Code: 11
Filed: February 2, 2007
PCT Filed: February 2, 2007
PCT NO: PCT/US07/61563
371 Date: October 2, 2007
U.S. Current Class: 257/25; 257/E21.04; 257/E31.033; 438/57
U.S. Class at Publication: 257/25; 438/57; 257/E31.033; 257/E21.04
Intern'l Class: H01L 31/0352 20060101 H01L031/0352; H01L 31/18 20060101 H01L031/18

Goverment Interests
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SPONSORSHIP

[0002]The present invention was made in part with United States Government support under a grant awarded by the Office of Naval Research, Grant No. N00014-04-1-0765 and the Department of Energy, Grant No. DE-FC36-050015073. The U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention.

Claims

1. A nanoelectronic device, comprising:a first nanostructure, comprising:a nanotube having first and second opposing ends;a metallic nanoparticle attached to the first end; and an insulating nanoparticle attached to the second end.

2. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the nanotube is conducting.

3. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the nanotube absorbs light.

4. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 3, wherein the nanotube comprises an antenna.

5. The nanoelectronic device according to claim 4, wherein the length between the first and second ends is about half a wavelength of the light.

[0046]The nanoelectronic device may be arranged so as operate as an optical rectenna. The optical rectenna may display frequency response some 10,000 times higher than achieved with prior optical rectennae and deliver useful power conversion well into the optical regime at 30,000 TH. The optical rectenna may find application in photovoltaics for conversion of light to electricity.

Source

Amazing - and as from ANI's grandfather, of interest here. Will ANI participate????

CNT-TFTs, flexible displays, ANI, University of Stuttgart

Alternative Displays

August 26, 2008

Single-wall carbon nanotube (CNT) thin-film transistors (TFTs) are now possible for flexible displays and electronics, thanks to breakthroughs from the collaboration between the University of Stuttgart, Germany, and Applied Nanotech, Inc (ANI). Dr Paul Beatty an expert in the displays industry now follows up with some additional details and insights.

The team announced June 26 it had obtained improved yield from its proprietary printing method, which avoids expensive photolithography. Furthermore, high mobility (100 cm2/Vs) and high on/off ratio (105) were achieved, which is far better than printed TFTs using organic semiconductors.

Such high mobility means these TFTs can be made small enough to avoid obscuring too much light, and therefore do not need to be transparent or hidden on the other side of substrates or display layers. The on/off ratio compares with a value of under 10 for previous attempts at the University of Maryland in 2005, in which printing of CNTs also was used.

No details were given of the precise yield, pending more data, or the particular printing method used, but ANI said ink-jet and microcontact printing methods may work. Dr. Zvi Yaniv, president and CEO of ANI, said yield is likely to be more a function of CNT purity, particularly semiconducting versus metallic types. Improvements in preparing purer CNTs has enabled monolayer CNTs to form the TFT semiconducting channels, which avoids the tremendous variations in mobility and threshold voltages found earlier. ANI considers the additional costs of higher purity to be inconsequential because so little of the material is needed in a display.

In the past, the significant proportion of metallic rather than semiconducting CNTs led to lower on/off ratios, and this can short-circuit the transistor. In fact, a previously reported method of removing the metallic type was by attacking with nitronium ions (NO2+) in a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids (e.g. Cheol-Min Yang at Sungkyunkwan University, Republic of Korea, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2005, 109). ANI has its own methods, but also buys CNTs from other suppliers, and some of the latest separation methods are said to be more commercially viable and also allow selection of CNTs having the same "chirality."

Dr.Yaniv said, "Chirality relates to the skew of the rolled-up graphitic sheet of carbon atoms. This determines the semiconducting energy band gap affecting the mobility and threshold voltage." So, having CNTs with all the same chirality allows a smaller variation in the mobility and threshold voltage.

Of particular interest for flexible displays, electronic circuits and sensors is the ability to deposit at low temperature compatible with flexible plastic substrates. For more information about ANI's thin-film transistor approach see Solution-deposited carbon nanotube layers for flexible display applications, published in Physica E 37, Issue 1-2 (March 2007). There, researchers obtained a mobility of 1cm2/Vs, but not yet the homogeneity and reproducibility that has been addressed in this latest work.

Interestingly, Dr.Yaniv agreed that any adsorbent from the atmosphere on the CNTs can change the TFT characteristics, and that encapsulation by passivation will be necessary. But he said effects of gas and water vapor on the gate part of the TFT is less severe than for TFTs made with a-Si. (See also plastic vs. metal foil substrates as mentioned in the FlexTech Alliance contract searching for other metal foils besides stainless steel.) Overall, Dr. Yaniv did not see a problem with lifetime for these CNTs.

"The collaboration with the University of Stuttgart is very productive," he said. "Their expertise and facilities for microelectronic processes are well known and are very suitable for our need to transition from an idea to a proof of concept." The university's emphasis was on the deposition of CNTs in flexible displays, while ANI concentrated on the CNT material.

Dr. Yaniv maintains that there will be no problem going up in substrate size for larger displays or lower-cost volume production as the equivalent to large mother glass. Compared to organic TFTs, the numbers of addressed pixels should be greater, although any need for very short channel lengths may limit conductivity as the "percolation" mechanism for the fishnet monolayer of CNTs may not work. Ultimately, this might limit the pixel density, but the specific number has yet to be determined, and depends also on the final levels of the metallic CNT impurities. Furthermore, it appears the CNT-TFTs are compatible with the electrical requirements of all the applicable flexible display technologies, although the initial development work is with LCDs.

An attribute for use in displays is the transparency of electrodes. In related work on use of transparent CNTs as replacement for the usual thin-film transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) pixel electrodes, Prof. Dr. Ing Norbert Fruehauf at the University of Stuttgart presented a paper in May at SID '08 revealing a working demonstration of a 4-inch diagonal 320 x RGB x 240 a-Si TFT-LCD made in this way. Prepared entirely at the university's facilities, CNTs were deposited by a low-cost spray method. Sheet resistance for electrodes does not need to be so low, but high transmittance is more important. The researchers found purified CNTs prepared by the HiPCO process gave a transmittance up to about 94% for a sheet resistance of 2,000 to 3,000 Ohms/square. Using conventional a-Si TFTs with such electrodes resulted in an on/off ratio of 106 and mobility of 0.4 -0.6 cm2/Vs.

APNT is a holding company with wholly owned operating subsidiaries Applied Nanotech and Electronic Billboard Technology Inc. (EBT). ANI's business model is to license its technology to partners that will manufacture and distribute products using the technology. Dr. Yaniv said, "Ideally for us would be to find a strategic partner that would want to take this to a pilot line."nTogether, the companies have more than 250 patents or patents pending, with at least one on this development, and one held by the University of Stuttgart.

by Dr Paul Beatty

Source

The Sensor Network Design Tool (SNDT), developed by Applied Nanotech, Inc.

By Donald R. Schropp, Jr.
July/August 2008

Software for predictive modeling of toxin migration and lethality within building structures to optimize the placement of CB sensors in buildings, transportation hubs, and other public venues

A software tool for designing and implementing an optimized sensor network is needed to monitor and respond to unsafe environmental conditions within buildings. The Sensor Network Design Tool (SNDT), developed by Applied Nanotech, Inc., incorporates building-air transport models and selectable probability distribution models integrated with databases of gas sensors and their properties, as well as detects a broad spectrum of hazardous contaminants including toxic chemicals and chemical and biological (CB) attack agents.

This SNDT was originally developed with funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which was seeking a system to designate where to install CB sensors in buildings, transportation hubs, and public venues with the goal of obtaining the shortest time to detection and the most comprehensive coverage for a given number of sensors. Deciding where to place a network of sensors in a sizable structure is a daunting task compounded by a current lack of standardization on methodology for evaluating system performance. Despite the DHS requirement that the SNDT provide for rapid and verifiable deployment in a wide spectrum of CB threat scenarios, it has to be accessible to non-expert users.

These inherent capabilities of SNDT make it directly applicable to the design of sensor networks for industrial and commercial settings, where toxic chemicals are handled and leaks or spills can occur, such as: semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, chemical, petroleum, building construction, nuclear, or defense facilities. In additional to accidental release scenarios, SNDT can be applied in indoor air quality, contaminant migration, or ventilation system performance assessment to provide automated capability for the quantitative evaluation of airflow and contaminant movement in complex situations.

Figure 1 shows the operational structure of the SNDT. Through a series of design steps and menus, a system operator is guided through the design and verification protocol. Beneath its graphical interface the SNDT contains a processing algorithm combining a multi-zonal air transport engine with constrained non-linear optimization. This software generates and analyzes a multitude of possible sensor networks and toxin release scenarios and searches for optimal sensor placement. The output is a visual representation where the sensors should be located, along with numerical data comparing the networks and scenarios analyzed.

The major software components comprise:

1. Front end interface where the operator is interrogated and inputs desired agents for the network to sense along with a building model.
2. Multi-zone building airflow and contaminant migration engine to calculate agent transportation yielding concentration densities as a function of time and space.
3. Sensor network design module that generates candidate sensor networks by selecting appropriate sensors from the database and distributes them about the building, then evaluates possible release scenarios using the multi-zone building airflow and contaminant migration engine to determine time to fi rst detection, or if detection occurs at all.
4. Sensor database is a database of sensors for various threat agents or toxic industrial compounds and includes agent properties (molecular weight, spore size, lethal dose, incapacitating dose, etc.), and sensor sensitivity, response time, cost and associated engineering data.

Multi-Zone Building Airflow and Contaminant Migration Engine
ANI collaborated with Lagus Applied Technology, Inc. (LAT, http://www.tracergas.com) on the predictive modeling of toxin migration and lethality effects within building structures. Prior to SNDT development the company had extensive expertise in CB sensor technologies; LAT performs modeling and measurement of contaminant migration and building air transport, and had already developed CB-Protect, a software tool that became the foundation of the SNDT.

CB-Protect is a multi-zone building airflow and contaminant migration engine. Zonal models treat the building as a set of volume zones, typically being rooms, hallways, stairwells and HVAC ducting, and employ coefficients linking each zone to all others, which physically represent air flow rates. The flow rate matrix has discreet variants representing for example, HVAC blowers being on or off , doors open or closed, etc., and can have continuously variable time dependent matrix coefficients. Each unique matrix defines a building state. The coupled rate equations are then solved using standard numerical integration and matrix techniques to provide the temporal and zonal evolution of the agent concentration throughout the building.

Zonal models require an initial building description to be input. Though the actual flow rate matrix can be established experimentally by tracer gas studies, the SNDT employs CAD style building models to minimize equipment requirements, using tabulated ASHRE data of leakage rates through the various construction materials (sheet-rock, cinder-block, concrete, etc.) and HVAC blower/ducting throughputs. The flow rate matrix values and volume zone description completely specifies the building and its air flow properties. Then, with the building and fl ow rate values established, the airflow and contaminant migration engine is used to analyze simulated toxin release within the building.

Sensor Network Design Module
The SNDT and CB sensor database software modules are integrated with CB-Protect. The Sensor Network Design Module (SNDM) is the core of the SNDT. It generates candidate networks by selecting sensors from the database responding to the desired agents. The permutations of m unique sensors distributed throughout the n building zones are then successively examined for detection performance. The number of sensors m ranges from 1 to a maximum generally determined by budget constraints. The definition of optimal network is objectively cast in terms of a time score. Initial development has focused on the averaged least time to detection T_d squared as the criteria to minimize,

where the index i runs over all possible unique sets of conditions and P_i is the probability that those specific set of conditions will exist. Specific facts must be speculated regarding an agent release: the type of agent employed, the quantity and duration of release and the release zone. The probability P_i can be considered as the product of the probabilities for each variable:

With this the full expression for the value of the minimization functional is:

The value of the functional f using equation (3) is now evaluated for all the candidate sensor networks. The sensor network with the minimum value of f is then considered the optimal network.

Choices for the probability distributions for the elements comprising equation (2) must be made, and each has unique considerations. In practical implementations, identifying all building states is infeasible and fortunately unnecessary; using a small number of representative building states yield results comparable to very detailed methods. The distribution for agent type should include all known agents in order to be comprehensive, but is simplifi ed because all gases are transported equivalently in the zone model. Therefore the distribution need only incorporate a single gas calculation weighted over the agent type and sensor properties.

The distribution for agent quantity is unknown but reasonable maximum quantities for terrorist attacks are what an individual or a vehicle, depending on release zone, can carry. In practice, an optimal sensor network for one specific quantity of an agent release will also be the optimal sensor network for a larger quantity of the same agent because the spatial and temporal transport profiles scale with the quantity, so the particular sensor that fi rst detects in one situation will also be the first to detect in the second situation, only with a shorter time to detection. What is required to be confirmed by the optimization algorithm is what the minimum release quantity that can be detected by the network under evaluation is, and does that minimum detectable quantity allow concentration levels above the lethal or incapacitating concentration.

The probability distribution for agent release duration is also unknown, but reasonable values are in the minutes to tens of- minutes time scales. The issue for this particular probability distribution is that a very short release duration can lead to lethal concentration levels unless the first to-detect sensor is in the release zone. On the other hand, a very long release duration will keep concentration levels low, but they could still be above lethal thresholds unless the detection sensor is in the release zone and has a sensitivity threshold above the ambient concentration level. The release zone distribution has several models to choose from. Candidates considered and evaluated include:

• Flat Distribution: where each zone is equally likely for a release with probability inversely proportional to the number of zones, or n-¹.
• Area Weighted Distribution: where the probability for release in a zone is equal to that zone’s area divided by the sum of all zone areas.
• Security Weighted Distribution: where zones that are secure or have limited accessibility can be assigned a small to zero probability for a release.
• Casualty Weighted Distribution: where the probability for release in a zone is proportional to the likely resulting casualties.

Probability distributions that incorporate compound strategies can also be considered; an easily accessible zone and likely large amount of casualties is a more desirable target.

Chemical and Biological Sensor Database
Reliably sensing the presence of a CB or toxic industrial agent with unattended sensors requires a diverse array of devices, as no single sensor can detect all possible chemical and biological entities. Sensors range from the simple, inexpensive metal-oxide devices used for gas detection to expensive analytical instruments such as gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers. Inexpensive sensors tend to have poor selectivity, low sensitivity and correspondingly high limits-of-detection. Instruments that will unequivocally identify the substance present will be sophisticated and expensive, and may require technicians to operate, monitor and interpret the data.

The Chemical and Biological Sensor Database (CBSD) database contains existing and available sensors and their properties. The database holds fields for the sensor type, manufacturer, detectable analytes, limits-of detection, sensitivity to cross-contaminants, maintenance requirements/lifetimes, and cost per unit. The CBSD is accessible from the SNDM software module and completes the input information required to allow design of the permanent sensor network.

Figure 3. The probability-weighted time
score value for networks of 1 to 5 sensors.

Typical Program Output and Sensor Network Evaluation
Figure 2 shows example results from the SNDT. The icons indicate where the network of four sensors should be placed for optimal detection of a release. Figure 3 shows the probability weighted time score value for networks of 1 to 5 sensors. Increasing the number of sensors decreases the average detection time until a point of diminishing returns is reached. Ancillary data produced by the SNDT include the time score, the number of scenarios evaluated where no detection occurs, the total probability of no detection occurring, and maximum time to detection.

The SNDT has been evaluated in experimental trials. Gas concentration levels throughout each zone of a building were accurately calculated as a function of time. Probability distributions were devised for which zone the release would occur in, which CB agent was released, and its quantity. The algorithm then generated a subset of all possible sensor networks, ran the building modeling program to calculate concentrations for CB releases based on the probability distributions, then calculated the time to first detection. The network configuration with the probability-weighted least time to first detection was selected as the optimal network. The candidate networks were generated from sensors chosen from a database containing the sensor parameters (analyte sensitivity, time response, cost, etc.).

Conclusion
A new software tool is being developed to assist in the design of optimized sensor networks. ANI’s SNDT can greatly facilitate optimal sensor network design implementation via open and verifiable optimization algorithms, and is useful for commercial facilities where toxic gases and chemicals are handled.

Fitted with appropriate sensors, “smart buildings” have the ability to detect a release, determine where it originated and predict where and how it will travel, taking into account HVAC and building status. “Smart buildings” can even be fitted with actuators to close off ventilation or direct personnel to the safest escape routes. With a priori planning and the required infrastructure in place, SNDT offers the potential for reduced exposure hazard.

DONALD R. SCHROPP, JR. IS A SENIOR SCIENTIST AT APPLIED NANOTECH, INC., 3006 LONGHORN BLVD., SUITE 107, AUSTIN, TX 78758. HE PERFORMS PHYSICAL MODELING, AND DEVELOPS MEASUREMENT METHODS AND APPLICATION SPECIFIC DATA ANALYSIS ALGORITHMS ESPECIALLY TARGETED TOWARD THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT OF CUSTOMIZED EXPERIMENTAL SETUPS AND INSTRUMENTATION. HE HAS WORKED IN THE FIELDS OF ATOMIC PHYSICS, SPACE SCIENCE, AND MOST RECENTLY AS SENIOR SCIENTIST AT CANDESCENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A LARGE SILICON VALLEY VENTURE TO PRODUCE FIELD EMISSION DISPLAYS. HE RECEIVED HIS PH.D. IN PHYSICS FROM YALE UNIVERSITY. HE CAN BE CONTACTED AT 512-339-5020 X129 OR DSCHROPP@ APPLIEDNANOTECH.NET.

Source

Nano-Proprietary, Inc. and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. to Solidify Their Relationship

Marketwire
May 19, 2008: 09:15 AM EST

Nano-Proprietary, Inc. (OTCBB: NNPP) announced that its subsidiary, Applied Nanotech, Inc. ("ANI"), has agreed to solidify its relationship with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. The parties agreed to extend the option agreement and continue negotiations toward the framework of a master practical relationship and agreement. This represents the next step in the development of ANI's relationship with Mitsui. See press releases dated March 6, 2007 and July 27, 2007.

Under the proposed structure, Mitsui will hold a contingent license, locking in the terms under which Mitsui will be able to extend sublicenses to its prospects. Mitsui has paid a fee to protect their position as the exclusive master license holder by continuing the current option agreement until July 31, 2008. At that time, the existing option agreement will terminate. During the next three months the companies intend to jointly expedite the discussions with potential sublicensees already identified by Mitsui. The proposed master practical agreement may include an exclusive agency agreement and/or an exclusive license agreement. The parties intend to continuously monitor the sublicensing process and adjust their understanding and activities accordingly.

"I am pleased that this relationship is moving in the direction of Mitsui becoming our exclusive licensee for lighting products with several sublicense relationships," said Thomas F. Bijou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nano-Proprietary, Inc.

ABOUT NANO-PROPRIETARY, INC.

Nano-Proprietary, Inc. is a holding company consisting of two wholly owned operating subsidiaries. Applied Nanotech, Inc. is a premier research and commercialization organization dedicated to developing applications for nanotechnology with an extremely strong position in the fields of electron emission applications from carbon film/nanotubes, sensors, functionalized nanomaterials, and nanoelectronics. Electronic Billboard Technology, Inc. (EBT) possesses technology related to electronic digitized sign technology. The Companies have over 250 patents or patents pending. Nano-Proprietary's business model is to license its technology to partners that will manufacture and distribute products using the technology. Nano-Proprietary's website is www.nano-proprietary.com.

COMPANY CONTACT
Doug Baker
Chief Financial Officer
Nano-Proprietary, Inc.
248.391.0612
Email Contact
MEDIA CONTACT
William J. Spina
781.378.2000
Email Contact

Source

Nano-Proprietary, Inc. and NanoReady Ltd. Announce Strategic Alliance to Commercialize Metallic Nanoparticles

Marketwire
May 15, 2008: 09:05 AM EST

Nano-Proprietary, Inc. (OTCBB: NNPP), through its subsidiary, Applied Nanotech, Inc. (ANI), and NanoReady Ltd. of Israel announced a strategic alliance for the manufacturing in volume metallic nanoparticles using NanoReady's wet chemistry process.

The initial focus of the strategic alliance will be volume production of copper nanoparticles to be utilized on a worldwide exclusive basis by ANI and its partner in Japan (a leading industrial chemical products company, see the press release of October 1, 2007) for producing inkjettable copper inks for the flexible electronics, solar cell, digital printed circuit board (PCB) and many other industries.

The current agreement with NanoReady is highly important due to ANI's fast progress in developing inkjettable copper inks. Based on this progress ANI and its partner in Japan decided that it would be important to secure volume production of copper nanoparticles and, in the future, other metallic nanoparticles for their metallic ink products.

"We are very pleased to cooperate with NanoReady and develop our products based on their proprietary wet chemistry process that is inducible to high volume production of copper nanoparticles required for our ink products," said Dr. Zvi Yaniv, president and CEO of ANI.

Ronen Frish, NanoReady's CEO, adds: "The cooperation of our two companies opens a broad range of new opportunities within the ink industry and will lead to opportunities in additional industries."

ABOUT NANO-PROPRIETARY, INC.

Nano-Proprietary, Inc. is a holding company consisting of two wholly owned operating subsidiaries. Applied Nanotech, Inc. is a premier research and commercialization organization dedicated to developing applications for nanotechnology with an extremely strong position in the fields of electron emission applications from carbon film/nanotubes, sensors, functionalized nanomaterials, and nanoelectronics. Electronic Billboard Technology, Inc. (EBT) possesses technology related to electronic digitized sign technology. The Companies have over 250 patents or patents pending. Nano-Proprietary's business model is to license its technology to partners that will manufacture and distribute products using the technology. Nano-Proprietary's website is www.nano-proprietary.com.

COMPANY CONTACT
Doug Baker
Chief Financial Officer
Nano-Proprietary, Inc.
248.391.0612
Email Contact
MEDIA CONTACT
William J. Spina
781.378.2000
Email Contact

Source

NanoReady Collaborative, Fast-track Improvement of Products

NanoReady is dedicated to enhancing specific characteristics of a selected element while maintaining its physical dimensions, thus enabling manufacturers to improve products and save process time and costs.

NanoReady Service is designed for manufacturers and product developers who have not yet explored the capabilities of Nanotechnology and wish to improve their products, as well as those who have nanotechnology know-how, and wish to further improve the characteristics of their products. A Nanotechnology project with NanoReady scientist will commonly be completed in the time range of 2-6 months.

Business Model

We have established a proven, effective working process for implementing a nanotechnology project with NanoReady’s scientists and industrial production experts:

1. NanoReady works with you to discuss which critical elements of your product may be improved with nanoparticle additives.
2. Together the expected material or product improvement will be defined and technical specifications for the given element/materials agreed.
3. NanoReady defines the detailed project roadmap.
4. NanoReady produces the enhanced element/materials prototype
5. Joint performance testing at your production site (stress or other tests, as appropriate)
6. If all tests are successfully performed, NanoReady works with you to set logistics for the implementation process.
   

Typically, the above process can be completed in 2- 6 months, enabling a fast time to market.

NanoReady Service can be implemented several times, including the exploration of further improvements to products that have already gone through the NanoReady Service process, enabling the improvement of additional parameters or changes to the physical dimensions without compromising performance.

Contact us to learn more about how NanoReady Service can improve your products.

Source

nano tech 2008 - Tokyo Bigsight - Feb 13-15

APPLIED NANOTECH

3006 Longhorn Blvd., #107, Austin, TX , USA
Dept.:
Telephone No.: +1-512-339-5020 Fax No.: +1-512-339-5021
Email: dfink@appliednanotech.net
Website: http://www.nano-proprietary.com

Highlights
Applied Nanotech Inc. will exhibit novel technologies from its five major nanotechnology divisions.

1) The electron emission division includes next generation carbon nanotube field emission displays, lighting devices, miniaturized x-ray tubes, microwave sources, gas ionization sources and related technologies.

2) High strength, lightweight polymer nanocomposites is represented in the second division on functionalized nanomaterials.

3) A third division includes a wide array of gas sensors including palladium nanoparticle hydrogen sensors, enzyme based carbon nanotube biosensors, gated metal oxide sensors, and sono-photonic sensors will be exhibited.

4) The nanoelectronic division includes carbon nanotube transistors and materials for nanoelectronics including nanotube dispersions, pastes, and conductive inks.

5) Finally novel nanomaterial photo catalyst for air cleaning and food preservation will be discussed in the nanoecology division.

Exhibiting Product / Technology
CNT electron sources for displays, lighting and gas ionization sources
Nanocomposite materials
Sensors for hazardous chemicals and health monitoring
Conductive inks
Photocatalyst and applications
Link

nano tech 2008 site

Applied Nanotech Inc - ANI - enters the DNA scaffolding self-assembly picture

Biophysicist / Biochemist

Applied Nanotech, Inc., (Austin TX) is looking for a Biophysicist / Biochemist to help start a project in DNA electronics, sensors or similar applications. This could include using DNA scaffolding for self-assembly of devices or systems. Will require building a team, which may include collaborative efforts with university or other organizations or companies. Require writing proposals to help acquire funding support.

Education: PhD or equivalent required. Candidate should demonstrate good verbal and written command of the English language. US citizen or Green Card desired. Please send resumes to Jsoptick@appliednanotech.net

http://www.nano-proprietary.com/ANI/EmploymentANI.asp

The next frontier for information processing may lie at the interface of nanoelectronics and biotechnology.

DNA scaffolding
Special report: Minnesota's Digital Dynasty

An interdisciplinary team led by electrical and computer engineering professor Richard Kiehl is exploring the use of DNA as a programmable scaffolding for the self-assembly of nanoscale electronic components. As a model for fabricating and designing semiconductor devices and circuits, DNA offers two key advantages: size scale and programmability.

Most industry experts believe that within the next 10 to 15 years the ability to scale down conventional technologies will reach its limit. At that point, the operating principles of conventional devices—and the techniques used to fabricate them—will break down. The basic elements of the DNA molecule are at just the right scale, says Kiehl.

Self-assembly uses bio-recognition, a natural process in which one molecule is attracted to and binds with another to form small structures. In the case of DNA, the attraction can be programmed so that the molecules will spontaneously assemble in solution to achieve a desired result.

“It's possible to synthesize small versions of DNA molecules in the laboratory and program in whatever code you want,” says Kiehl. “And because the two strands of DNA have complementary codes that match up, you can design one strand of DNA in a certain way so it will match another strand and assemble a nanoscale structure this way."

The matched segments form a scaffolding on which nanoparticles are affixed at highly selective attachment points. It's an approach that offers the programmability and precision needed for assembling electronic circuitry on the nanoscale.

“We have to make a real paradigm shift,” Kiehl says. “Not only do we have to keep improving performance, but we also must look at the kinds of devices we can make at those scales and how we want to use them to process information."

To that end, the researchers are turning to the human brain for inspiration. They envision devices whose electrical characteristics resemble those of neuron-like electrical waveforms in the brain. Like certain regions of the brain, the devices would process information based on pattern recognition rather than on individual bits of information. It's a more sophisticated level of information processing than can be achieved using conventional computers.

Kiehl predicts there will be a wide range of applications for this technology, including signal processing, communications systems, and computer systems. “The higher end of this [work] will be things that computers can't do very well today because the operations they use are too restrictive. One is the ability to recognize a pattern, such as identifying a letter as being an 'A' or a 'B', or being able to identify a face.

“It won't be just making things faster and faster in the conventional way,” he says. “It will really be opening up new ways to process information in machines."

http://www.it.umn.edu/news/inventing/2000_Fall/nano_dnascaffold.html

3/26/2007 7:10:17 AM
US Department of Defense grant gives $6M to team of 9 scholars for the study of quantum electronic arrays

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a team of nine scholars from six universities a grant of $6 million over five years to exploit precise biological assembly techniques for the study of quantum physics in nanoparticle arrays. This research will produce a fundamental understanding of quantum electronic systems that could impact future electronics.

Leading the effort is electrical and computer engineering professor Richard Kiehl of the University of Minnesota, who has wide experience in investigating the potential of novel fabrication techniques, physical structures and architectures for electronics. Kiehl has brought together a multidisciplinary team to develop biological strategies combining DNA, proteins and peptides with chemical synthesis techniques to construct arrays of nanoparticles and to systematically characterize the resulting quantum electronic systems.

Interactions between precisely arranged nanoparticles could lead to exotic quantum physics, as well as to new mechanisms for computing, signal processing and sensing. But even basic studies of such nanoparticle arrays have been hampered by the need to fabricate test structures with extreme control and precision. "By exploiting biology to precisely control size, spacing and composition in the arrays, we will be able to examine electronic, magnetic and optical interactions at much smaller scales than before," said Kiehl. "Our project blends some really fascinating science at the edges of biology, chemistry, materials science and physics. And, I'm excited about the chance to impact how electronic circuits could be engineered in the future."

The team members are UCLA professors Yu Huang (materials science), Kang Wang (electrical engineering) and Todd Yeates (biochemistry); New York University professors Andrew Kent (physics) and Nadrian Seeman (chemistry); University of Texas at Austin professor Allan MacDonald (physics); University of Pennsylvania professor Christopher Murray (chemistry & materials science); and Columbia University professor Colin Nuckolls (chemistry).

Kiehl and Seeman have previously collaborated in the first demonstrations of metallic nanoparticle self-assembly by DNA scaffolding, which will be central to this project. Seeman will exploit DNA nanotechnology to construct 2-D and 3-D scaffolding, while Huang and Yeates will use peptides and proteins to make nanoparticle clusters for assembly onto the scaffolding. Murray and Nuckolls will synthesize metallic and magnetic nanoparticles with organic shells that will self-assemble onto the scaffolding and control the interparticle coupling. Kent, Kiehl and Wang will carry out experiments to characterize the electronic, magnetic and optical properties of the arrays. MacDonald will provide theoretical guidance for the studies and analysis of the experimental results.

The award was made by the Army Research Office (Marc Ulrich, research topic chief) and is one of 36 recently made under the highly competitive DoD Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI).

http://nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=4466&ntid=&pg=51

Re Seeman - NANS - his company was ~$1 then - it is now a shell and sits at $0.012
http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=NANS.OB

NANS Annual Report - 8-Jan-2008

ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION

The following information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-KSB. We have determined on December 1, 2007 to cease operations immediately and, at the request of our principal creditor appointed a director designated by such creditor to our Board of Directors. Immediately following such appointment, our existing directors resigned effective immediately and terminated their association with us. Accordingly, such creditor may be deemed to control us at the date of the filing of this Report. As a result of our cessation of operations and the termination of the License Agreement, we became a "blank check" or "shell company" whose sole purpose at this time is to locate and consummate a merger or acquisition with a private entity.
***

Certainly not greatly encouraging! Looks like the future is in the hands of the DOD grants and perhaps ANI - who knows!! I'm looking forward to my first DNA scaffold assembled....whatever - TV? ;-)

Nanotechnology: The Rubber (Finally) Meets the Road

Editorial: Nanotechnology: The Rubber (Finally) Meets the Road

By Paul Nesdore
January/February 2008

Starting from less than front-page applications like non-absorbent clothing (spill red wine on your necktie and it runs right off ), water-free auto windshields (no need for wipers), and airbag sensors, nanotechnology is beginning to fulfill its promises in many areas; and the world of gases is no exception.

An excellent example of the nano-gas connection is the work being done by Applied Nanotech (ANI)*, a company I have been talking with for a number of years about their cutting-edge research and products. My initial conversation, over a year ago, with Dr. Zvi Yaniv, President and COO of ANI, was concerning CO2 and O2 sensors used inside of shipping containers to detect whether a human was concealed. Recently, ANI released information on their ongoing foray into the nanoworld [See News, this issue, page 6] where a further development is taking place with their PhotoScrub® product, a thin film coating on a flexible fiberglass cloth that decomposes organic pollutants at the molecular level in gases and liquids.

The principle of PhotoScrub is based on the catalytic effect of UV light on titanium oxide, TiO2. While this phenomenon was known earlier, by introducing nanophase material as ANI did and creating crystalline columns of TiO2 , the surface area is significantly increased making the catalytic effect much stronger. Because of this, Dr. Yaniv explains, “We will be able to destroy larger organisms.”

The principle is that when UV light impinges on the surface, a disassociation occurs with organic molecules consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, resulting in water and carbon dioxide. “Also, it should be noted, that if you can monitor the water and the amount of CO2 created, it becomes a good sensor,” explains Yaniv.

The application to homeland security is important. Among other pathogens, this process can also destroy anthrax. PhotoScrub was tested with actual anthrax (not a surrogate) with excellent results. Tests showed a 99.4% reduction of anthrax spores in less than 20 minutes in a laboratory HVAC setup. Phase II of ANI’s work on PhotoScrub will involve the creation of a unit that can be installed in air ducts of HVAC systems.

Another interesting project that ANI is involved in relates to the ionization process based on electron emission from carbon nanotubes (CNT). “Several years ago we were the first in the world to provide an electron source based on CNT,” relays Yaniv. The history of CNT and ionization goes back about 10 years ago, when as Yaniv explains, advancement was stymied because everyone believed you needed a very high vacuum to produce the emissions. Now ANI has shown, that is not necessary.

Sionex Corporation is partnering with ANI to replace a radioactive ion source in a particular Sionex detection device using electron emission from CNT. Chief Scientist at Sionex, Dr. Erkinjon Nazarov explains, “The project is the result of applying sound fundamental scientific principles to very sound high technology. The result is the stable production of ions, both positive and negative, at atmospheric pressure without the need for a radioactive source, conventional plasma, or corona discharge technologies.”The elimination of the radioactive source is especially important to Homeland Security, reducing the potential proliferation of radioactive materials that could be used in “dirty bombs.”

Future applications are many, perhaps most importantly, detectors. “With the ionized particles, you can attract them, differentiate by mass; you can differentiate by electrical charge—and suddenly you have a beautiful nano-mechanism for sensing,” quotes Yaniv.

So where is nanotechnology headed now? Yaniv looks at the development of nano-science as “enormous.” “It will be in facilitating products, not pure ‘nano-products.’ Yaniv even expands this further. “Is there a product that does not use natural science (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics) on the market?” Nanotechnology he explains, is just natural science

Paul Nesdore

*ANI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nano-Proprietary Inc. ANI contact: Lauren Johnson at 512-339-5020 or ljohnson@appliednanotech.net

http://www.gasesmag.com/articles.asp?pid=22

Now we're cooking!