By Porter Wright on Here’s a little math for your Monday morning. Late last week it was reported that total nanotechnology investment is expected to be worth $1 trillion by 2015. Yes, that’s "trillion." With a "T."… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on The November 22, 2007 issue of The Economist contains a story on nanotechnology safety entitled "A little risky business." The article focuses on Andrew Maynard’s presentation before the House Science Commitee in October, an event we covered here, and also covers the ongoing debate over the use of silver nanoparticles as an antimicrobial agent in consumer … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Professor Albert C. Lin at the University of California at Davis law school, recently published "Size Matters: Regulating Nanotechnology" in the Harvard Environmental Law Review. 31 Harv. Envtl. L. Rev. 349 (2007). Lin begins with broad overviews of (i) the potential benefits of nanotechnology, (ii) the theoretical environmental, health, and safety (“EHS”) concerns accompanying the … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on No, I’m not talking about the insurance policy that you may need for buying that big holiday gift. Rather, I’m talking about the conference that Lloyd’s of London has scheduled to discuss nanotechnology risks in the context of insurance.… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on On November 8, 2007, the Executive Office of the President issued a memorandum entitled "Principles of Nanotechnology Environmental, Health, and Safety Oversight." The memorandum was co-signed by the President’s Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Science and Technology Policy, and was directed to EPA, FDA, OSHA, NIOSH, and other federal agencies conducting nanotechnology research … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, each year the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Division of Toxicology (ATSDR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publishes in the federal register a list of priority substances for which it may create new toxicological profiles. This year’s list contains 73 proposed substances, … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on If there was any left who actually wondered if this "nanotech" thing was just a passing fad, check out Lux Research’s newest release: The Nanotech Report, 5th Edition. In this report, comprising 500+ pages over two volumes, Lux provides an overview of the status of nanotechnology as an industry.… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Beginning on December 2, 2007, 1310 KXAM in Phoenix, Arizona, will begin airing the Bourne Report each Sunday afternoon from 3 – 4 p.m. The radio show will explore emerging technologies, including nanotechnology, and will be hosted by Marlene Bourne. For those of us living outside the Phoenix area, the show will also be streamed … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on For readers following the Samsung washing machine controversy, marketing of Samsung’s Silver Nano washing machine was curtailed for a while last year in the US after EPA indicated it intended to regulate silver ion generators as pesticides under FIFRA. EPA officially announced its position on silver ion generators in the September 21, 2007 federal register. Samsung … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Environmental Science & Technology recently released an editorial discussing nanotechnology safety issues and, more importantly, the recent debate over whether EPA should regulate nanoscale materials as new chemicals under TSCA. The editorial succinctly sets forth EPA’s position, as expressed by Jim Willis, EPA’s Chemical Control Division Director, on the TSCA issue this way: In an EPA document, … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on By Helen Kim: On November 13, 2007, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted “Breaking the Barriers: The BIG Business of Nanotechnology” at 1615 H Street NW in Washington, D.C. The conference focused on issues of commercialization, regulatory concerns, and consumer education for the emerging field of nanotechnology. Events included speeches by Senator Ron Wyden; Dean … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on NorTech just announced the winners of its 2007 Innovation Award at its Summit in Westlake, Ohio. Crain’s Cleveland has the story here. Among the winners was one local nanotechnology company, NanoMimetics, Inc., which according to Crain’s develops and commercializes nanocoatings for medical and industrial applications. Congratulations to all!… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Andrew Maynard of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson Institute testified on October 31st before the House Science Committee. PEN’s press release is here and the full text of Maynard’s remarks are here. In his testimony, Maynard advocated six steps to improve nanotechnology safety and criticized what he believed was a lack … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on A new product is hitting the market, the SILVER SEAL(TM) Antibacterial, Washable Keyboard and Mouse by Seal Shield Corporation. What is unique about these products is that in addition to the nano silver ions embedded directly into the plastic for anti-bacterial impacts, the products are completely dishwasher safe.… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the latest organization to wade into the nanotechnology pool and host a forum to discuss issues of concern to members. With apologies for the late notice, the Chamber will host the symposium Breaking the Barriers: The BIG Business of Nanotechnology today (November 13, 2007) at its Headquarters to discuss … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on By John C. Monica, Jr. and Igor Linkov Cambridge is well known for its top research universities and cutting edge biotech businesses. The City is also well known for its proactive approach to regulatory and public health issues. Cambridge’s City Council recently asked its City Manager to evaluate whether the City needs a new ordinance … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Popular Mechanics is reporting that Chrysler is utilizing YES Essentials fabric in its new vehicles. The fabric utilizes titanium dioxide nanoparticles to repel odor and stains: The newest version of YES Essentials fabric has an innovative technology that basically rids odors and volatile chemicals from the interior. The fabric has a nano-sized photocatylist (titanium dioxide) that … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on E. Clayton Teague of the National Nanotechnology Initiative is scheduled to testify before the House subcommittee on Research and Science Education on October 31 to address the NNI’s development of its "risk research strategy." NNI has been criticized by several organizations including the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, the American Chemistry Council, and DuPont for its delayed development of … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Approximately 200 attendees descended on Cleveland, Ohio from October 22-25 for the Nano App Summit, help at the Ritz Carlton. The Summit, presented by NorTech, Nano Network, and the Nano Business Alliance was nothing short of a successful meeting between nanotechnology focused researchers, industry.… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on The Third International Nano Regulation Conference took place on September 12-13, 2007 in St. Gallen, Switzerland The conference was sponsored by The Innovation Society, and was focused on the "Regulation of Nanotechnology in Consumer Products." Several presentations at the conference are well-worth summarizing from the written post-conference materials published by The Innovation Society:… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on With all of the talk about new discoveries and advancements in nanotechnology, a new topic of discussion is coming to the surface. The idea of nanoethics, "understanding of the risks and benefits of nanotechnology among scientists, policy makers and the general public," is being more widely discussed as the field grows and progresses.… Continue Reading
