An international research group based in
Tel Aviv University have reported in the journal NANOletters (paywalled: SemiconductorNanorod–Carbon Nanotube Biomimetic Films for Wire-Free Photostimulation ofBlind Retinas) a material (semiconductor nanorods and carbon nanotubes)
that can create a wireless, light-sensitive, flexible film that could
potentially help those with age related macular degeneration
The New Yorker ran a nice article on
Graphene last month. See it here
Rice University published results of a
bioaccumulation food chain study. They looked at uptake and accumulation of
quantum dots from water to plants to caterpillars. They found that accumulation
did occur up the chain but that nanoparticle accumulation in both plants and
animals varied significantly depending upon the type of surface coating applied
to the particles. The research is available online in
the American Chemical Society’s journal Environmental Science & Technology.
In other news the EU
commission published guidance for employers and workers on the safe use of nano in the workplace See
it here.