Nanotechnology Standards News
EC FAQ on Nanotechnologies Jun 18, 2008
This document answers frequently asked questions about nanotechnologies, a rapidly growing field for which the European Commission (EC) announced plans to start a public consultation (see press release IP/08/947).
EC Calls for Public Dialogue on Nanotechnologies Jun 18, 2008
The European Commission (EC) plans to start a public consultation on nanotechnologies to increase knowledge and awareness about this field's potential, as well as to ensure adequate protection of the environment and human health from this growing technology.
NRC: Public-Private Partnerships Work to Commercialize Green Energy Technologies in Canada Jun 4, 2008
Canada's government announced a $13.6 million investment in the National Research Council (NRC)'s Vancouver-based fuel cell and hydrogen industry and officially opened the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Gateway - a technology demonstration and exhibit center.
ASTM Int'l Incorporates NCL Nanotech Standards to Aid Cancer Research May 6, 2008
ASTM International Committee E56 on Nanotechnology incorporated three Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL) methods into ASTM International standards, whose use could pave the way for commercially available nanoscale cancer drugs.
ASTM Int'l Issues Ceramics Test Method Standard - ASTM C 1684 Mar 27, 2008
ASTM International published ASTM C 1684 - Test Method for Flexural Strength of Advanced Ceramics at Ambient Temperature-Cylindrical Rod Strength.
EC Launches ENIAC to Fund Industrial Research in Nanoelectronics Feb 22, 2008
The European Commission (EC) formally launched ENIAC, a major joint technology initiative (JTI) on nanoelectronics, on Feb. 22. An unprecedented €3 billion will be invested in nanoelectronics with its launch.
EPA, ISO, OECD Team to Develop Nanotechnology Standards; EPA Seeks Data about Nanoscale Materials Feb 13, 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to address nanoscale materials, to identify and address nanotechnology research needs and to develop international standards for nanotechnology.
BSI British Standards Publishes Nanotech Guidance for U.K. Industry Feb 8, 2008
BSI British Standards published nine documents featuring nanotechnology terminology and guidance for the U.K. industry that the company said will support worker, public and environmental safety and underpin commercialization and procurement.
EC Adopts Code of Conduct for Nanotechnologies Research Feb 8, 2008
The European Commission (EC) recommended that the European Union (EU) adopt a code of conduct to govern responsible research in the nanosciences and nanotechnologies (N&N) field.
ASME Co-Sponsors Nanotechnology Conference in Hong Kong Feb 1, 2008
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Micro and Nanotechnology Commercialization and Education Foundation (MANCEF) will host the second Integration and Commercialization of Micro and Nano-systems International Conference and Exhibition, June 3-5, 2008 at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
NIST: Reference Materials 'Gold Standard' for Bio-Nanotech Research Jan 28, 2008
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued its first reference standards for nanoscale particles targeted for the biomedical research community studying the biological effects of nanoparticles.
DOE Issues Solicitation for Vehicular Hydrogen Storage R&D Jan 21, 2008
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) issued a solicitation for applied R&D projects addressing viable hydrogen storage technologies for onboard vehicular applications to complement the existing National Hydrogen Storage Project portfolio.
NIST, EC Partner for Better Measurements, Standards Jan 21, 2008
Advancing the development and availability of international measurement standards between the U.S. and the nations of the European Union (EU) in the fields of chemistry, life sciences and emerging technologies, while helping ensure the safety and quality of goods sold in both markets, is the goal of an agreement between the European Commission (EC) Joint Research Center's (JRC's) Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
ASTM Int'l Publishes Guide to Friction, Wear, Erosion Testing Jan 15, 2008
ASTM International published Manual 56, Guide to Friction, Wear and Erosion Testing.
NIOSH Releases Interim Guidance on Medical Screening of Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles Dec 24, 2007
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued interim guidance concerning the medical screening of workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles in the manufacture and industrial use of nanomaterials.
Europe Aims for Nanotechnology Development Edge Nov 21, 2007
As part of its commitment to nanotechnology research, the European Commission (EC) is sending representatives to the High-Level Conference on Nanotechnologies, to be held in Braga, Portugal from Nov. 21-23, and attended by top policy makers, scientists and industrialists interested in nanotechnology research in Europe.
NIST Silicon Nanowires Upgrade Data Storage Technology Oct 29, 2007
Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), along with colleagues at Virginia's George Mason University and Kwangwoon University in Korea, fabricated a memory device that combines silicon nanowires with a more traditional type of data storage.
NIST Quantum Key System Combines Speed, Distance Oct 23, 2007
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) built a prototype high-speed quantum key distribution (QKD) system based on a new detector system that achieves dramatically lower noise levels than similar systems.
EPA to Regulate Ion Generators as Pesticides Oct 22, 2007
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will regulate as pesticides machines that generate silver ions or other substances for pesticidal purposes.
ASTM Int'l Cosponsors Workshop for Strength, Fracture Standards at Micro, Nanoscales Oct 1, 2007
ASTM International Committee C28 on Advanced Ceramics and the American Ceramic Society are cosponsoring a workshop, Needs and Opportunities for Strength and Fracture Standards at Micro and Nanoscales, on Jan. 27, 2008.
EC Report Underlines Financial Commitment to Nanotechnology Sep 14, 2007
e European Commission (EC) recently released its first implementation report, covering the 2005 to 2007 period, for Europe's 2005 Action Plan for Nanotechnology.
EPA to Hold Public Meeting to Discuss Nanotechnology Aug 20, 2007
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public meeting Sept. 6 and Sept. 7, 2007 to continue its effort to better understand the potential risks and benefits of nanotechnology.
FDA Nanotechnology Report Outlines Scientific, Regulatory Challenges Aug 1, 2007
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Nanotechnology Task Force released a report that recommends the agency consider developing guidance and taking other steps to address the benefits and risks of drugs and medical devices using nanotechnology.
EPA Seeks Comment on Design of Nanotechnology Stewardship Program Jul 23, 2007
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting the public to comment on the agency's proposed approach to developing a Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP).
NIST Nanoscale Science, Technology Center Accepting Proposals Jul 10, 2007
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and its Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) are now accepting proposals for nanotechnology-related research projects.
Conference on U.S. Standards Leadership Fosters Collaboration Jul 3, 2007
Leaders representing the U.S. in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) gathered in Chicago, Ill. for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Conference on U.S. Leadership in ISO and IEC.
Nanotechnology Report Urges EPA Oversight May 29, 2007
Regulatory oversight of nanotechnology is urgently needed and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should act now, reports a new study.
IEEE Completes Standards Roadmap for Emerging Nanoelectronic Applications May 4, 2007
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) completed its Nanoelectronics Standards Roadmap (NESR), which establishes a framework for creating standards to help industry transition electronic applications based on nanotechnology from the laboratory to commercial use.
NIST's JILA Apparatus Measures Fast Nanoscale Motions Apr 17, 2007
A new nanoscale apparatus - a tiny gold beam that has its 40 million vibrations per second measured by hopping electrons - offers the potential for a 500-fold increase in the speed of scanning tunneling microscopes (STM), perhaps paving the way for scientists to watch atoms vibrate in high definition in real time.
Frost: Power Surge Requirements in Mobile Devices Drive Power, Battery Systems Apr 13, 2007
With increasing demand for higher energy densities, major fuel cell system manufacturers are working on developing hybrid systems of fuel cells and batteries to satisfy growing power requirements of mobile devices.
NIST Demonstrates New Nanoelectronic Switch Apr 9, 2007
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) demonstrated a prototype nanoscale electronic switch built from self-assembled layers of organic molecules on silver wires.
Project on Emerging Nanotech: Lifecycle Assessment Essential to Nanotech Commercial Development Mar 29, 2007
Lifecycle assessment (LCA) - a cradle-to-grave look at the health and environmental impact of a material, chemical or product - is an essential tool for ensuring the safe, responsible and sustainable commercialization of nanotechnology, according to U.S. and European experts from the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies and the European Commission (EC), respectively.
Samsung Electronics Begins DRAM Mass Production Using 60 nm-Class Technology Mar 7, 2007
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. began mass producing the industry's first 1 gigabit (Gb) DDR2 dynamic random access memory (DRAM) using 60 nanometer (nm)-class process technology.
NIST Develops Rapid Method for Judging Nanotube Purity Mar 5, 2007
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed a sensitive method for rapidly assessing the quality of carbon nanotubes.
NIOSH Releases Nanotechnology Research Progress Report Feb 28, 2007
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released a new progress report, Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace.
Frost: Despite Early Stages, Nanodevice Technology Shows Promise Feb 23, 2007
Ongoing R&D efforts on nanodevice technologies continue at research institutions, with major commercial electronic companies participating in applied research and technology development.
NIST Laser-Based Method Cleans Up 'Grubby' Nanotubes Jan 11, 2007
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) took a step toward purifying raw nanotube materials when they discovered how to clean them with carefully calibrated laser pulses.
ISO Nanotechnologies TC 229 Advances Work in Seoul Jan 5, 2007
At the third plenary meeting in late 2006 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 229 - Nanotechnologies, the U.S.-convened working group on health, safety and the environment furthered its draft document - Health and Safety Practices in Occupational Settings Relative to Nanotechnologies.
ASTM Int'l Approves Terminology for Nanotechnology Standard - ASTM E 2456 Dec 11, 2006
ASTM International Committee E56 on Nanotechnology approved ASTM E 2456 - Terminology for Nanotechnology.
NIST's New Hybrid Microscope Probes Nanoelectronics Nov 30, 2006
A new form of scanning microscopy that simultaneously reveals physical and electronic profiles of metal nanostructures was demonstrated at JILA, a joint institute of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and University of Colorado at Boulder.
Frost: Nanomaterials, Cost-effective Manufacturing Key to Photovoltaic Technologies Nov 3, 2006
There has been much concern over the emanation of harmful greenhouse gases from the use of fossil fuels, putting a heightened focus on developing renewable sources of energy and photovoltaics (PVs), which draw their energy from the sun and represent clean, easily renewable sources of energy.