Nano News.
MIT, U.S. Army open nanotech center
By Michael Kanellos
CNET
globetechnology.com
The Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and the U.S. Army
formally unveiled the Institute
for Soldier Nanotechnologies,
which is geared toward
creating battlefield armour for
the 21st century.
MIT has cut the ribbon on the
nanotechnology institute, which
was funded by a $50-million
(U.S.) grant from the Army in
2002. Corporations including
Dow Corning, DuPont,
Raytheon and Carbon
Nanotechnologies are
participating in the center's
development. In all, private
companies have invested
$40-million in the centre.
The centre's research can
largely be characterized as
chemistry in action. During a
ceremony held at the university
on Thursday, researchers
showed off a technique for
applying new types of coatings
to fabrics to make them more
resistant to water or capable of killing bacteria.
Other projects involve developing fabrics that will contract or expand like an
accordion when exposed to electricity. These materials could potentially be used
for in-field medical devices such as tourniquets.
Nanotechnology refers to the science of developing products out of components
that measure 100 nanometers or less (a nanometer is a billionth of a meter). Some
of the more heralded breakthroughs in nanotechnology have revolved around
using carbon nanotubes and other structures to create transistors or electronic
storage devices.
Large segments of the growing industry, however, are focused on coming up with
new products for the life-sciences sector or chemical conglomerates.
Greensboro, N.C.-based Nano-Tex, for instance, has developed synthetic
materials that it says make garments stain-proof. Eddie Bauer and other retailers
are already selling pants that use the company's products.
"On a pound-for-pound basis, there seems to be more press about nanotubes
than actual nanotubes produced. The reality is that the majority of nanotech
products on market today are incremental improvements in unsexy industries,"
wrote Rob Paull, a partner in Lux Capital, a venture firm specializing in
nanotechnology investments. "The truth is, the majority of nanotech deal-flow in
the venture world is in materials."
The United States, Japan and Korea, among others, are funding nanotechnology
research.
The MIT center focuses its research on materials and equipment to protect
soldiers in the field or to provide them with medical assistance. The research falls
into seven categories: energy-absorbing materials, which attenuate directed
energy attacks; mechanically active materials such as artificial muscles; sensors
that warn of chemical or biological intrusions; medical devices; manufacturing
techniques for nanomaterials; nanomaterial integration; and modelling and
simulation.
"This lab opening offers the Army new assets in soldier survival, which is the most
powerful and patriotic objective any partnership can aspire to achieve for
America," said Michael Andrews, deputy assistant secretary for research and
technology in the U.S. Army's research division, in a statement.
MIT and the military go way back. The university came up with radar during
World War II and later developed missile guidance systems. |
