Garry Golden

…organic compounds for optical devices, Zinc oxide nanowires, CMR (UK) ready to ‘inkjet’ print fuel cell membranes, DMFCs, biological energy solutions, bio-encapsulation

Materials

• New class of organic compounds could enable next generation optical devices
  The pressures to increase bandwidth are growing – more optical backbone for the internet will help move us along… This research is far from commercialization – but it’s nice to see that researchers are finding room to explore.
  Link from: Intute (UK)

• Here comes ZnO nanowires…
  Zinc oxide alternative to gallium nitride could someday drop cost of LEDs – and maybe transistors…. It seems like every material has amazing electrical properties at the nanoscale… Zinc oxide was first on the nano news circuit around sunscreen—it’s nice to see efforts around electronics. Link from: Intute (UK)

Energy

• CMR joining with Xaar and Solvay to develop ‘inkjet printing’ fuel cell stacks…
  My long term faith in fuel cells changed several years ago after listening to an interview with CMR’s Michael Priestnal (Chief Technology Officer) – he set me on a path to understanding the disruptive potential of new membrane architecture (and to also focus on micro power applications for fuel cells instead of automotive) CMR knows that it is all about the membrane! It is the one company that I believe could re-write the fuel cell game – and launch a new era of competition that could change the way we look at power… I wish them the best! Link from BusinessWeekly (UK)

• Viaspace’s DMFCC Subsidiary – This company and set of patents is still a bit confusing. Regardless, I suspect that there will be five or six competing brands for methanol fuel cells in the next two years. Many of them might end up using patents/licenses from DMFCC’s bank… Link

• ‘NanoLogix to hold meeting in Florida’ - another company involved in hydrogen production… Not very familiar with their patents but if ethanol does end up as new source of energy – their bio conversion processes might work out nicely for electrochemical conversion?! (I wouldn’t put my bet on H2 for combustion engines…) Link from Yahoo.Business

Slightly old news- but worth exploring..

• “Planet is hard wired with electricity producing bacteria…
  Nice introduction for those interested in learning about potential of biologically based energy solutions
  Link from Pacific National Laboratory (PNL)

• Bacteria survives toxic environments and produces metal compounds…! - Secret is in the protein coating…I don’t have time to write a real comment here— just to say that biological systems could play an enormous role in manufacturing, energy production, pollution control, waste management, etc. Link from: Nanotechnology Group (and various sources)