• The US National Cancer Institute is to set up seven Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNEs). The multi-institutional hubs will receive a total of $26.3 m and comprise: the Carolina CCNE, based at the University of North Carolina; the Center of Nanotechnology for Treatment, Understanding and Monitoring of Cancer at the University of California, San Diego; Emory-Georgia Tech Nanotechnology Center for Personalized and Predictive Oncology; MIT-Harvard CCNE; Nanomaterials for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics at Northwestern University; Nanosystems Biology Cancer Center at the California Institute of Technology; and The Siteman CCNE at Washington University.
• Nanoporous silicon specialist pSivida, Australia, is to acquire Control Delivery Systems (CDS), US, in exchange for shares worth an estimated $104 m. CDS specializes in sustained-release drug-delivery products for eye diseases. "The combination of CDS and pSivida will potentially create a leading global bionanotech company developing next-generation products and technologies in the areas of ophthalmology, oncology and drug delivery generally," said Paul Ashton, president of CDS. "We are particularly excited about the potential to integrate BioSilicon with our drug-delivery technology platform." pSivida has also secured additional funding of $15 m from a US investor.
• The US National Science Foundation has dedicated $20 m over the next five years to a Nanoscale Informal Science Education (NISE) Network. The Museum of Science, Boston will lead the programme, in partnership with San Francisco's Exploratorium and the Science Museum of Minnesota. "An increased understanding of nanoscale science and engineering is vital to create an informed citizenry and a competitive workforce for this broad-based technology," said Mihail Roco of the National Science Foundation. "We recognize the substantial role of science museums and other informal science-education institutions in pioneering innovative science learning experiences, supplementing school-based science education and engaging adult audiences."
• Aerospace manufacturer Boeing and car maker Ford intend to form an alliance with Northwestern University, US, to research nanotechnology in areas of mutual interest. The companies will provide funding for the scheme for three years. Ford says nanotechnology could help the company boost power in hybrid-vehicle batteries and develop higher capacity hydrogen storage tanks for cars. The agreement is expected to become final at the end of the month. Boeing and Ford have shared certain areas of research since 1995.
• Biotech business Invitrogen, US, has acquired Quantum Dot Corporation and the BioPixels business unit of BioCrystal. Quantum Dot provides semiconductor nanocrystals (or quantum dots) for biomolecular labelling and detection. BioPixels, meanwhile, makes coatings and metal alloys for semiconductor nanocrystals. Invitrogen says the combination of BioPixels technology with Quantum Dot's nanocrystals will allow the creation of smaller, brighter, lower toxicity particles that do not blink. Invitrogen has also licensed noble-metal nanocluster technology from the Georgia Institute of Technology. It claims the nanoclusters are exceptionally photostable and up to 10 times as fluorescent as semiconductor nanocrystals.
• US space agency NASA has awarded nanotech-related Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) phase 2 awards to US companies Adherent Technologies and Zyvex. Adherent receives $600,000 to work on the surface modification of exfoliated graphite nano-reinforcements while Zyvex will get a similar sum to develop advanced structural nanomaterials for astronaut radiation protection.