General company news
• NASA has announced the successful testing of its Nano ChemSensor unit in space aboard the US Naval Academy's MidSTAR-1 satellite. The carbon- nanotube-based sensor is designed to monitor trace gases inside a spaceship and managed to survive the extreme vibrations and gravity change that occur during launch.
• Industrial Nanotech, makers of Nansulate, has revealed that Aktarus S.r.l. is to be its exclusive distributor in Italy. Aktarus, an Italian insulation company, has placed an initial order with Industrial Nanotech worth $100,000.
• Unidym, a manufacturer of carbon nanotubes has appointed Arthur Swift as its CEO and president. Swift joins the Arrowhead Research Corporation subsidiary from Transmeta, a Silicon Valley semiconductor firm. At Transmeta he transformed the company strategy from selling computer chips to developing and licensing IP, a move that nearly doubled revenue in two years.
Frameworks
• The Canadian Institute of Environmental Law and Policy (CIELAP) is offering guidelines for putting together a successful nanotechnology framework. "The policy challenges for nanotechnology are enormous and are currently dominated by a lack of scientific information and basic policy tools including definitions and metrology; a legal and regulatory framework; and structures and resources for public engagement," said Susan Holtz, author of CIELAP's corresponding report on the topic.
• DuPont and Environmental Defense, a US non-profit organization representing more than 500,000 members, have released what they describe as a "comprehensive framework to assist with the responsible development and use of nanotechnology." The Nano Risk framework is intended for use around the world by small and large companies, regulatory agencies, universities and others with an interest in commercializing nanoscale materials.
Surveys and analysis
• Nanostrand, the European nanometrology and standards foresighting project, is conducting a pan-European survey of industrial, academic and public sector experts in nanotechnology to identify the real needs of the community. If you think you can help and would like to express your views then please visit www.nanostrand.net.
• The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics, both UK, have released a briefing report that highlights the progress made by chemists and physicists in the field of nanotechnology. Dubbed "The future for nanoscience and nanotechnology", the report reviews the development and evolution of the field and looks at the opportunities for improving the quality of life and wealth creation.