By Porter Wright on Chemical and Engineering News recently published an article "Challenge of Risk-Based Nanotech Research" which provides some insightful quotes from Kristen Kulinowski, Director of the International Council on Nanotechnology at Rice University. Dr. Kulinowski pointed out "There are just too many types of nanoparticles all under the broad umbrella of nanotechnology to make any blanket statements … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on The Chief Science Advisor for the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars published an article last week arguing the physics of Brownian motion predict that highly dispersed nanoscale particles in aerosols are unlikely to agglomerate, thus fueling ongoing nano-EHS inhalation concerns. On the other hand, some scientists say it is extremely … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Andrew Maynard is chief scientist at the Project for Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. While many disagree with some of the approaches and policy positions advocated by PEN, few can argue that PEN has been a key driver in the nano-EHS debate over the past couple of years. One … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on On Tuesday what was perhaps the largest environmental case in American history came to an apparent conclusion with the entry of a consent decree in the United States District Court in Columbus, Ohio. The case pitted Porter Wright Morris & Arthur (PWMA) client American Electric Power (AEP) against (1) the United States, (2) eight states (New … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Just a quick reminder to our readers that Nano-App Summit 2007 will be happening at the Ritz Carlton hotel in downtown Cleveland, Ohio on October 22 through 25. This year’s conference features three separate days devoted to nanotechnology applications in automotive, cleantech, and defense industries. Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP is sponsoring a reception on Wednesday … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on With fall, and college football (sorry, couldn’t resist), firmly upon us, it seemed appropriate to tell you about two developments at the collegiate level regarding nanotechnology regulation. The developments are on opposite sides of the country, further showing the widespread interest in nanotechnology.… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Who knew this story could gain so much interest? As you may recall (or see the posts, here and here), there was to be an announcement of a new Nobel Prize at nanoTX’07, which was then retracted in the face of (reported) opposition from the Nobel Family Society and Nobel Prize Foundation. Well, last night, … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on SmallTimes’s September/October print edition just recently hit newsstands. Featured in that magazine is our own John Monica’s article entitled "Ramping up the EPA’s Nanoscale Material Stewardship Program." (Co-blogger Michael Heintz has previously blogged about this program here and here.) The issue also contains a great article by Lynn Bergeson — "The EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act: … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Back in December 2006, we first reported that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) planned to publish a guidance document recommending medical monitoring for workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoscale materials in the workplace. A NIOSH representative at nanoTX ’07 this week indicated NIOSH finally intends to publish a ten-page guidance document on … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Researchers from MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have identified pollutants and other "substances of concern" created during the production process for carbon nanotubes. This is an important discovery given that nanotubes are thought to be the building block of the future nanotech industry.… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on New chemical substances that are not on EPA’s existing Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)chemical inventory are subject to premanufacturing notice and approval requirements. Many NGOs have urged EPA to treat all nanoscale materials as new chemical substances under TSCA because of potential environmental, health, and safety concerns shown in laboratory settings. Such treatment would trigger … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on In the 1966 Oscar winning film "Fantastic Voyage" Raquel Welch, Donald Pleasence, James Brolin, and others are shrunken down to microscopic size along with their submarine and injected into a diplomat’s blood stream so they can save the diplomat’s life from an assassination attempt. The trick is that the crew must get in and out of … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on BT’s Pharma’s new white paper "Pharma Futurology" predicts that intelligent implantable microchips will be used to monitor patient compliance with medication regimes and will be able to release exact measures of medication needed to treat specific medical conditions as the body indicates they are necessary. The European pharmaceutical company also predicts that within the next decade these types … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on The Nanoethics Group recently released its report "Nanotechnology Bound: Evaluating the Case for More Regulation," to attempt to summarize the arguments for more regulations to control the development and use of nanotechnology. The report is found in the most recent issue of the journal NanoEthics. The article does a good job in presenting the arguments … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Our friends at the Innovation Valley Nano Alliance in Oak Ridge, Tennessee are holding their monthly meeting on October 11, 2007 at which Dr. Klaus Stark, Senior Solutions Scientist from Accelrys will speak regarding his company’s nanotechnology software that can enhance research and development in nanoelectronics, devices, displays, coatings, drug delivery and nanocomposite materials. You can learn … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Many of our readers are familiar with the controversy surrounding the use of nanoscale TiO2 particles in sunscreens and cosmetics. Several organizations claim that topically applied nanoscale TiO2 particles have the ability to penetrate into living skin, enter individual cells, and damage DNA. The debate eventually found its way to the Food and Drug Administration … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently announced its Global Venture Challenge which will be held on April 2 – 4, 2008. While the conference will still encompass nanotechnology, it has been broadened to embrace a broader range of technologies. This year’s focus in on the business of energy. Like last year’s Nano Nexus, this year’s event will also host … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on The International Trademark Association (INTA) and Porter Wright will host a Trademark Administrator’s Roundtable at Porter Wright’s offices in Washington, D.C, on October 23, 2007. The topic will be “Tips and Tricks for Managing the Global Trademark Portfolio.” You can register for the conference here, and you can see the conference brochure and agenda here.… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Power plants burning fossil fuels produce large quantities of CO2 unless their emissions are treated. State of the art "scrubbing" technology is an expensive process in which emissions pass through chemical baths that absorb CO2 limiting ultimate emissions to acceptable limits. The European Commission has funded a new research project — NANOGLOWA— involving 14 countries … Continue Reading
