Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have found a better way to grow carbon nanotubes (CNTs).  The current process creates harmful chemicals and green house gases (GHGs).  The new process removes a step in the production process cutting the chemicals and  GHGs by a factor of 10 to 100.

A new equation that “describes the relationship of current to voltage at the junctions of organic semiconductors” has been developed at the University of Michigan.  That equation is sure to prove crucial to further research and development in the use of organic material, such as graphene, in such applications as solar cells.

Mix together gamma-cyclodextrin, an eight-membered sugar ring produced from biorenewable cornstarch, potassium chloride, a common salt substitute, or potassium benzoate and Everclear, aka grain alcohol and create an accidental discovery (see the full recipe below).  Sounding like a recipe  for a wino, a new edible metal-organic framework (MOF) has been developed by researchers at Northwestern University, UCLA, and University of St. Andrews in the UK.  The new edible MOFs are expected to replace those made from petroleum products.  These new nanostructures could be used for “gas storage and food and medical technologies.”

Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)  have developed a solar funnel that will focus solar energy 100 times more than current solar cells.  These funnels are composed of two layers of carbon nanotubes that work in concert to capture and focus solar energy.

Soladey toothbrushes were developed in Japan by Dr. Yoshinori Nakagawa in the 1980s.  By exposing titanium rods encased in his toothbrushes to light and water, negative ions form.  The negative ions are used to fight plaque.  Two versions are currently available, the Soladey –Eco and the Soladey –3.  According to studies in Japan and Canada, the toothbrushes really work.

Too bad Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) didn’t have its Seaswarm technology  available in time for use in the BP oil spill.  According to researchers at MIT, Seaswarm is a fleet of autonomous robot skimmers that soak up oil like paper towels soak up water. 

EnSol As, a Norwegian company, and the University of Leicester in England are collaborating on a nanoparticle thin film solar coating that can be sprayed onto windows and roofs.  The technology is still in development but is expected to be ready by 2016.

Oregon State U. is experimenting with nanotech coatings that could improve the amount of energy that can be generated from biowaste.  The use of a nanotech coating on the graphite anodes of microbial electrochemical cells changes the amount of energy that can be generated from sewage.  At the same time that energy is being produced the sewage is being cleaned up.

A team at MIT has developed a method for creating carbon nanotube electrodes.  The electrodes are currently created by dipping a basic layer into a solution of positively charged organically treated carbon nanotubes then into a negatively charged solution of organically treated carbon nanotubes.  The layers tightly bind together because of the opposite charges “creating a stable film”.

Researchers have developed a method of converting graphene insulation into a conductive material that is easy to “write” for making nanocircuits.  Using this new technique will produce smaller, faster circuits that require less power to run.