NEWS

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Improving lithium ion energy storage systems is the thrust of research projects in Europe and in the US, and nanotechnology is the great white hope of both. Certainly, breakthroughs are needed in this area if lithium batteries are to have a future.
The EU-funded Allstore initiative is exploring the use of nano-powders and nano-composite electrodes and electrolytes.  Targeted at rechargeable lithium systems for a range of applications from laptops to cars, the project aims to tackle the challenges of increasing capacity and lifespan, and overcoming technical problems such as thermal runaway.
In the US, GM researchers have announced some success in expanding the energy storage capacity of lithium ion batteries destined for use in the extended range electric car.  Silicon nanowires have been used to replace carbon on the anode to deliver a tenfold increase in storage capacity, with the potential of a thousandfold increase. The silicon nanowires have been found to expand and contract during charging and discharging cycles without cracking.

Thermo Fisher Scientific
New X-ray Spectrometer with first completely integrated EDS/WDS system 

Royston - lab on a chip
Intelligent pump system will advance microfluidic applications 

STMicroelectronics - MEMS gyroscope
Ultra-compact MEMS gyroscope provides analog and digital outputs for design flexibility and system partitioning 

electronics.ca publications - report
Thin films in energy applications emerging its market, reaching $3.9 Billion in 5 years 

iSuppli - Microelectromechanical Systems
Sensors take the growth baton in the global MEMS market 

micronano-systems
Multiple MEMS potential will provoke market explosion 

Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry - Nano-Photonics
Terahertz goes Nano 

micronano-systems
Nanowires with large scale ambitions 

University of Southampton (ECS) - Single-electron transistors
New high performance, low power sensor at nanoscale 

Thurs 19th March 2008, The Royal Society, London
3rd International Conference on Nanotechnology and Smart Textiles for Industry, Healthcare and Fashion