Abstract: The UK’s Green Construction Board recently announced only a “heroic effort” would allow the built environment sector to realise its carbon emission targets of 2050. Such a wan declaration heralds a downward spiral to carbon austerity if the UK’s Carbon Budget is to be balanced. Policies are now required to support the development of a range of low-carbon and high-efficiency technologies within a pressing timescale. Greater focus is required on what the OECD labels “Green Growth” policies, including developing innovative solutions to environmental challenges. One such enabler is nanoscale technology, where structuring very small-scale novel materials can provide technical solutions across a spectrum of carbon abatement measures from the CO2 sequestration and storage to energy efficiency. Nanotechnology is used in a range of sustainable energy applications such as energy harvesting and recycling, energy storage and improving energy generation. One report by Lux Research calculated that if the US, Germany and Japan were to fully adopt six nanotechnologies (low-friction coatings in automotive engines, nanofibre air filters, nano-enabled insulation, lightweight nanocomposite automotive parts, thermochromic windows, and quantum dot light sources) then the energy saved would be enough to close down all the coal plants in the US. To put that in perspective, coal accounts for over 40% of US electricity generation.

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MEDLINK: The unrelenting pace in the development of nanotechnology means it has transformed into
a truly wide-ranging field of research. It is no longer adequate to simply use
“nanotechnology” for the various applications of nanotechnology and the huge amount of
accompanying research – this paper will focus on the medical applications drawing on the
basic principles underpinning most research into nanotechnology. In the past, references to
research in this field have always been made in the belief that advances made in
nanotechnology will have a huge impact on our lives- with many branches now showing
progress, this assumption is no less correct than before. However, most analysis of the
impact of nanotechnology on our world looks at the short-term feasibility, costeffectiveness,
and impact on the environment- I intend to look at long-term effects on
society, and highlight potential pitfalls for healthcare governing bodies to consider, as
nanotechnology is introduced as a potential method of treatment, whether publicly or
privately.

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Andrew Maynard, Director, Risk Innovation Lab, Arizona State University comments on the distinction between nanoscience and “Nanotechnology”

Abstract:

In case you missed it, Elon Musk called BS on the field of nanotechnology last week. The ensuing Twitter spat was admittedly rather small on the grand scale of things.

But it did throw up an important question: just what is nanotech, and where does the BS end and the science begin?

I have a sneaky suspicion that Musk was trolling with his initial nano-comment. After all, much of the tech in his cars, solar cells and rockets relies on nanoscale science and engineering. But having worked in nanoscale science for nearly 30 years, I must confess that my BS monitor also gets a little twitchy sometimes around talk of nanotechnology.

Full story link: http://2020science.org/2018/05/29/the-bs-and-the-science-of-nanotechnology/

SAFENANO – The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published a document entitled “Developments in Delegations on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials — Tour de Table”. The document compiles information provided by delegations for the February 2018 OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) meeting on current developments on the safety of manufactured nanomaterials.

Full story link: http://www.safenano.org/news/news-articles/oecd-tour-de-table-reports-on-developments-on-safety-of-manufactured-nanomaterials/

The relevance to the global shale oil/gas industry of the application of nanotechnology in drilling in areas specifically, hydraulic fracturing fluids, oilwell cementing, water purification and enhanced oil recovery is such to offer nanoproducers the opportunity to deliver to the oil/gas industry a volume option, a research circular issued by INSCX has suggested. In the coming months, with particular emphasis on the emerging shale industry in Europe, the Exchange intends to reach out to a number of its members to discuss existing industry interest.

Delegates from INSCX exchange and India’s leading nanotechnology company, Intelligent Materials Pvt Limited (Nanoshel/IMPL) have identified Stoke-on-Trent as it’s preferred location for future expansion. Preliminary talks have been held the City Council of Stoke-on-Trent for IMPL to collaborate with INSCX to house for an industrial-scale dispersion/charactersation facility in the city. A number of sites have been earmarked for appraisal.

Producers of CNTs would be justified in assuming the material will finally deliver on it’s promise of a decade ago according to the increased level of industrial end-user interest shown to INSCX during 2017-18.  In particular focus are applications using CNTs in high throughput sectors. With bulk pricing of MWCNT’s breaking below the $100/kg benchmark, interest in bespoke CNT formulations are now finding actual uptake into the polymer, construction and automotive sectors primarily. Hitherto, as with many engineered nanomaterials, promise has lagged industrial uptake for a variety of reasons, most predominant, the fact nanomaterial pricing and lack of capacity across the producer supply chain acted to inhibit industrial engagement. These inhibiting factors in particular regard to Carbon Nanotubes have diminished considerably and INSCX expects annual demand for MWCNTs to exceed 5KT by 2019-20. Current global producer capacity is assessed 50% below projection.

INSCX exchange has agreed to act as a distribution point for China’s leading Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) producer, Pangang Titanium for deliveries to approved end user customers. The agreement which will see the Exchange add Pangang grades for trade is to commence May 2018. INSCX commenced formal listing of Chinese producer TiO2 grades in 2011, offering a delivered, duty paid service to end users. With the addition of Pangang, the Exchange can offer customers the full spectrum of Chinese producer TiO2 grades. End users seeking to purchase Pangang Grades for EU/USA delivery can register their interest by contacting the Exchange via mail @ Registrar@inscx.com or on  44 203 137 5187 during UK business hours.

INSCX exchange will unveil its upgraded TORS (Trade Order Routing System) specific to physical trade in polymers, base oils and TiO2 by May-June, 2018. The upgraded system will further enhance the existing trade portal which enables real-time price discovery, and permits Spot and forward trade types and will prove relevant to the polymer market in particular. Commenting on the upgraded version of TORS, an Exchange spokesperson added:

“The upgraded platform will be more user friendly and offer the Polymer sector their first truly auditable, real-time price discovery mechanism and the ability to trade real-time on a Spot or Forward basis. Additional features on the platform will include technical analysis, a producer reporting mechanism and the ability to trade on margin. Going forward this will provide the physical polymer industry with a more credible pricing mechanism and greater trade flexibility including practical hedging tools. Going forward, TORS will offer cost benefit to the physical polymer industry, but also permit INSCX to engage with other Exchanges who have sought physical industry benchmarks to develop more liquidity and open interest in more relevant polymer futures contracts within a defined timeframe.”

The upgraded version of the TORS platform is estimated to go live May/June 2018.