Green Options » nanotech

VeruTEK’s Got the Green Nano-Clean for Toxic Dumps

Tina Casey — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:06:46 +0000

Cleaning up a toxic dump the conventional way is a messy business, and VeruTEK Technologies, Inc. is one company that offers a more sustainable path to remediation. Instead of excavating and trucking the contaminated soil to landfills, Connecticut-based VeruTEK has developed plant extracts, nanometals produced from plant extracts, and other natural substances that dissolve and oxidize contaminants in place.

Last summer VeruTEK announced the latest in a string of successful remediation projects. The site was contaminated with up to an inch of toxic chemicals such as volatile organic compounds and petroleum hydrocarbons. Three months after completion of the project, the contamination was reduced to non-detectable limits. With an estimated 294,000 more toxic sites in the U.S. waiting for remediation, alterna-clean companies like VeruTEK have their work cut out for them.

Scientists Discover Method to Mass Produce Graphene, Major Boost for Renewable Energy

Andrew Williams — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:24:55 +0000

US Scientists have figured out a way to mass produce the nanomaterial graphene, opening the door to significant advances in the storage of hydrogen, as well as the electricity produced by solar and wind energy.

Graphene, produced by reducing graphite down to a sheet only one atom thick, is one of the strongest materials known to man. It has been shown to have huge potential for hydrogen and renewable energy storage, but up until now has been held back by a lack of supply. Now the team, based at the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at UCLA, have discovered a method of producing graphene sheets in large quantities.

Obama Wins The Nano Vote Too

Susan Kraemer — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:21:04 +0000

We know that 76 Nobel Laureates endorsed Obama.

So much for Big Science.

But what about little science? Very teeny? Elections do have consequences for every interested party in science, from the greatest Nobel Laureates to the humblest specks of nano stuff.

Looks like they went heavily Obama, too.

And no wonder, with the war on science we just survived.

The kind assistant Professor John Hart of the University of Michigan helped these tiny nanovoters in his care add their voice to the science vote for Nanobama.

Via Nanobot
Photo credit: Nanobot

Carbon Nanotubes Might Be Used in Future Water Filters

Ariel Schwartz — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:06:09 +0000

Nanotechnology seems to be invading all facets of modern life, from the pills you take to the batteries that power your iPod. Pretty soon, carbon nanotubes may even filter your water.

Researchers at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center in India are investigating the hollow carbon fibers as a potential water filter. They believe the unique chemical properties of nanotubes mean that only water molecules can pass through their interiors, while toxic metal ions, viruses, and bacteria cannot.