August 4th, 2008 Dr. Aubrey de Grey is a pioneering theoretical scientist in the field of human aging (biogerontology). He is well known in many scientific and Transhumanist circles, and has attracted many supporters and critics because of his claims that aging can be eliminated as a cause of death in our lifetimes, pushing human ...

In a “major step” toward a practical energy source for powering tomorrow’s nanomachines, researchers at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute report the development of a new generation of tiny nanomotors that are up to 10 times more powerful than existing motors. Just like weekend hot-rodders who tinker with ...

The May/June Technology Review (free reg. req’d) features an essay by philosopher Roger Scruton attempting to examine the ethical issues of highly advanced technologies. While the focus is on biotech, nanotech is hinted at: …why cannot machines be produced as humans are now produced, by self-reproduction? Why not indeed. They ...

Engineering News tells of a study by Frost & Sullivan on how nanotechnology can make a difference in addressing the issue of climate change: The report looked at five areas where nanotechnology could be helpful, which included the areas of fuel additives, solar cells, the hydrogen economy, batteries and supercapacitors, and insulation. In ...

Small Times brings word of advances in making longer carbon nanotubes. The company involved, Nanocomp Technologies, reminds us why these materials are so intriguing: Individual nanotubes have extraordinary properties as they are: Strong - 100 times stronger than steel. Lightweight – 30 percent lighter than aluminum. Conductive - conduct ...

Nanotechwire.com reports on clever work at UCSD on detecting cancer using today’s early nanotechnology-based particles: There is a growing recognition among cancer researchers that the most accurate methods for detecting early-stage cancer will require the development of sensitive assays that can identify simultaneously multiple biomarkers ...

Here at Foresight we have members with paraplegia and at least one with quadraplegia — it would be great if nanotechnology could help. Advanced nanotech should have cell repair abilities, but what can be done sooner? Medical News Today reports on promising current research: The ability to regenerate nerve cells in the body could [...]

Keith Powers brings to our attention a claim that the German government has started collecting the chemical profiles of individuals, to be used for political purposes. From The Register in the UK: German police are compiling a Stasi-style “scent bank” database of potentially violent crusty protesters against global capitalism, ...

Since it was the potential environmental benefits of nanotechnology that first drew me (and many others) to an interest in the field, it’s good to see some official notice of that aspect. From Cordis via Nanowerk News: Much has been said about the potential of nanotechnologies to revolutionise the way we live, with the biggest [...]

Ian Hoffman reports in InsideBayArea.com: Cal scientist heralds era of nanotechnology Chemistry professor wins prestigious award, $500,000 grant Experts said last week that the early days of nanotechnology, when scientists created new materials at the scale of billionths of a meter, is starting to evolve into a new era of tiny yet complex ...