ZnO tetrapod materials for functional applications

In the last 15?years, more than 50,000 papers with zinc oxide (ZnO) in the title are listed within ISI database. The outstanding popularity of ZnO has many reasons; the most important one appears to be its multi-functionality, resulting in applications in physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, material science, energy, textile, rubber, additive manufacturing, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical or medicine, as well as the ease to grow all kinds of nano- and microstructures. A key structure is the tetrapod-shaped ZnO (T-ZnO), which we want to focus on in this mini-review to demonstrate the remarkable properties and multifunctionality of ZnO and motivate why even much more research and applications are likely to come in near future. As T-ZnO came into focus again mainly during the last 10?years, the big data problem in T-ZnO is not as severe as in ZnO; nevertheless, a complete overview is impossible. However, this brief T-ZnO overview attempts to cover the scopes toward advanced technologies; nanoelectronics/optoelectronics sensing devices; multifunctional composites/coatings; novel biomedical engineering materials; versatile energy harvesting candidates; and unique structures for applications in chemistry, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, agriculture, engineering technologies, and many others. The 3D nanotechnology is a current mainstream in materials science/nanotechnology research, and T-ZnO contributes to this field by its simple synthesis of porous networks as sacrificial templates for any desired new cellular materials.     

Nanomaterials and the environment: a review for the biennium 2008-2010

Applications of nanotechnology are touching almost every aspect of modern life. The increased use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in consumer products, chemical and medical equipment, information technology, and energy, among others, has increased the number of publications (informative and scientific) on ENMs. By the 1950s, very few papers were committed to nanomaterials (NMs), but in 2009, more than 80,000 journal articles included the concept nanotechnology. The objective of this review is to compile and analyze publications on NMs in the biennium 2008-2010. This review includes the most recent publications in risk assessment/toxicity, characterization and stability, toxicity, fate and transport of NMs in terrestrial ecosystems, and new ENMs. Carbon nanotubes, metallic, metal oxides and hydroxides nanoparticles, quantum dots, and polystyrene NPs are included.     

Public benefit and risk perceptions of nanotechnology development: Psychological and sociological aspects

Nanotechnology enables the development of new and improved products. However, the public is also concerned about uncertain risks associated with nanotechnology-enabled products. To address this concern, the study aims to expand the understanding about public benefit and risk perceptions as a basis for the effective formulation of policy that addresses public interests. The study investigates public benefit and risk perceptions of nanotechnology development from the psychological and sociological aspects through a questionnaire survey conducted on Klang Valley, Malaysia. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) illustrates that demographics indeed influences public benefit and risk perceptions of nanotechnology development. However, public knowledge about nanotechnology exerts no effect on public benefit and risk perceptions of nanotechnology development based on independent t-tests. Simple linear regression reveals that the lack of public trust in government increases risk perception. Public attitude perceives nanotechnology to be more beneficial than risky, thus influencing benefit perception rather than risk perception. Public lifestyle, such as culture, religious beliefs and social group influence benefit perception but not risk perception. Result is expected to deliver better communication of benefit and risk of nanotechnology to the public as well as ensure an ethical policy regarding nanotechnology development.     

可生物降解的化妆品包装材料研究进展

目的 综述可生物降解的包装材料在化妆品应用方面的研究进展,为生物降解材料的广泛使用提供参考。方法 通过对国内外聚乳酸、聚羟基链烷酸酯、纤维素、壳聚糖等可生物降解包装材料在化妆品中的研究与应用,分析各种材料的性能特点,提出可生物降解的包装材料在化妆品应用方面的未来展望。结果 不同类型的化妆品应根据产品特性选择适宜的可生物降解的包装材料,可生物降解包装材料在化妆品中的应用有待进一步研究和推广。结论 可生物降解材料应用于化妆品包装是未来发展趋势之一,应用纳米技术对材料性能提升具有重要意义。     

Nanotechnological medical devices and nanopharmaceuticals: the European regulatory framework and research needs

The European regulatory framework is examined in relation to nanotechnology based medical devices and medicinal products. Medical applications of nanotechnology will have to comply with the requirement for a high level of public health, safety, consumer, and environmental protection. An evaluation of the possible health or environmental risks of nanoparticles must therefore be carried out and it is important to ensure that particle size and chemistry are taken into account when investigating possible adverse effects. Further research is needed on the toxicological and ecotoxicological properties of nanoparticles, their uptake in the body, accumulation in tissues and organs, transport characteristics, exposure and dose-response data, and their distribution and persistence in the environment. The existing regulations appear adequate to manage the risks of nanotechnology at its current stage of development but continuous review of the regulatory regime will be needed to determine whether it is sufficient to protect human health and the environment. Modification of the legislation may prove necessary as new scientific evidence emerges regarding the effects of nanoparticles on living organisms and in the ecosystems.     

Research Progress of the Nanoscale RMs

Nanoscale RMs play important roles during the development of nanotechnology. Nations that have carried out the R&D of nanotechnology are extending a great amount of effort in this area and have already gained some significant achievements.At present, there has been more R&D in the development of RMs than that of the toxicity of nanomaterials. In this paper, the current research status of nanoscale RMs around the world is introduced.Finally, the research strategy and-suggestion for domestic nanoscale RMs are provided based on the recent research in nanotechnology.     

Nanotechnology and its Impact on the German Energy Sector

In regard to finite resources and in view of the global climate change sustainable development in energy supply gains importance. In addition to the improvement of conventional technologies and the use of renewable energies in this context new technologies and innovations get more important. The described work analyses innovative products and processes based on nanotechnology, with respect to the German energy industry.     

Nanotechnology and nanomaterials: toxicology, risk assessment, and regulations

Nanomaterials have very unique chemical and physical properties that suggest potential health hazards, but limited health and safety information exists for engineered nanomaterials. This review identifies a need for expanding efforts for addressing health and safety concerns in nanotechnology development and in nanotoxicology of engineered nanomaterials. The efforts include research to generate data for safety evaluation, toxicologic evaluation of potential human health effects, risk assessment to support risk-management decision-making, and regulations development to protect human health and the environment. The federal government's current understanding is that existing statutory authorities are adequate to address oversight of nanotechnology and its applications. On the other hand, the present review identifies weaknesses in the current research efforts and inadequacies in existing regulations. A collaborative effort involving multidisciplinary groups is a key element to address the related needs and issues. While federal agencies with regulatory responsibilities are looked upon to develop and implement sound policies and regulations to protect public health and the environment, state agencies may be required to initiate policies which rapidly incorporate new innovations and address public concerns. To address current and futures need related to nanotechnology, the responsible state agencies need to fill the information gaps and address the health and environmental issues. In California, activities have been initiated, but legislative authority and resources are required to provide risk assessment and health protection in an efficient and timely manner.     

Some questions in fractal nanotechnology

Some issues are studied, which are related to the state-of-the-art in nanotechnology in general and, in particular, to the development of methods for obtaining fractal nanostructures and to their possible applications. The results of experimental and theoretical investigations of the weak interactions of various physical fields with material objects are analyzed for the conditions, where the interaction magnitude can be considered as small or ultrasmall perturbation. Various types of resonance interactions related to such processes and prospects of their use in nanotechnology are considered. Results of experimental investigations in the field of fractal nanotechnology are summarized.     

Nanotechnology – Markets & Trends. Nanotechnologie – Märkte und Trends

The world of nanotechnology is gaining more and more interest from the scientific point of view as well as for industrial applications. Promising product and process innovations that are based on nanotechnology have stimulated the involvement of industry and the financial community. Rather than an evolutionary oriented top‐down approach pushing critical dimensions from microns down into the nanometre range, the real potential of nanotechnology lies in the creation of novel functional structures of superior performance by controlling structures on a scale between 1 and 100 nanometres with completely changed properties. Making use of these novel properties of known materials is highly attractive for applications in a variety of fields, underlining that nanotechnology is regarded as key technology of the 21st century a promising product and process innovations that are based on nanotechnology have stimulated the involvement of scientific community and the industry, because nanotechnology is not only scientific artwork but is currently used in a considerable number of products in a multibillion‐dollar marketplace.     

Understanding bioenergy production and optimisation at the nanoscale – a review

ABSTRACT

Nanotechnology has an increasingly large impact on a wide range of biotechnological, pharmacological and pure technological applications. Its current use in bioenergy production from biomass is very limited. This paper examines the potential interrelationships between nanotechnology and bioenergy production through a comprehensive literature review and analysis of data from biomass characterisation studies. The aim of this review is to indicate how nanotechnology can be applied in biomass-to-bioenergy conversion. This study shows currently nanotechnology has been applied in the production of only two types of biomass, i.e. sludge and algae. Hence, interaction of nanomaterials with active sludge and algal cells were examined. Our extensive literature review indicates that anaerobic digestion process in sludge can potentially be enhanced by using magnetite nanoparticles, which gives higher methane yields. On the other hand, nanosilver reduces growth and causes adverse effects on the morphology of green algae. This process for bioenergy generation has already been successfully applied to sludge and algae biomass. Our study confirms that the process can also be used in the production of bioenergy from the other biomasses, such as agricultural wastes and industrial residues. Outcomes of this work will be an important tool for implementing nanotechnology in bioenergy research.     

Public perception of nanotechnology: A contrast between developed and developing countries

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that has many proven applications and holds potential in many sectors. At the same time, the general public's lack of awareness about nanotechnology might polarize risk perception about this technology. Public discourse and upstream engagement are necessary for policymaking and responsible development of any emerging technology. While emerging countries have now joined the discussion on the public perception of emerging technologies just like the developed countries, yet there has been no review comparing the nanotechnology perception among developing and developed nations. This article presents a systematic review of factors influencing public perception and their attitude towards nanotechnology in developed and developing countries based on research papers published during 2001–2020. We have provided an in-depth comparative account of developed and developing countries in terms of factors affecting public perception of nanotechnology, namely –risk-benefit, knowledge, trust in science, religiosity, and demographics. In addition, we have also provided a contrast on how media representation of nanotechnology (newspaper coverage and social media) varies in developing countries compared to developed nations.     

Valuing patents and licenses from a business strategy perspective – Extending valuation considerations using the case of nanotechnology

Currently there is a debate in the field of nanotechnology about the evolving IP landscape and its impact on innovative progress based on technological discovery in the future. Nevertheless, nanotechnology patents will serve as an important securitization instrument for future financing and business strategic purposes. Valuation know-how of nanotechnology patents will therefore become critical in deal-making and in bringing about innovation. Like many innovative products today, nanotechnology enabled products also consist of a multitude of patented technological components from different stages in a value chain and belonging to a multitude of owners. Complex IP landscapes along entire value chains give rise to a tendency to over-value one’s own patented technology from an ex-ante and individual company’s perspective. Thus the sum of individually estimated values of patented technology can exceed the value that can be realized ex-post in a given value chain. We extend current valuation considerations of patented technology from a static perspective to include a dynamic view using nanotechnology as an example. Furthermore, in addition to single value chain stages as a level of analysis (level A) we also take into account the complex technology landscapes in entire value chains (level B) as well as patented technologies’ potential value in different current or future value chains (level C). We derive conclusions with respect to valuation approaches for the discussed levels of analysis from a static and dynamic perspective.     

Nanobiomaterials: State of the Art and Future Trends

In the past decade, it is clear that the development of biomaterials has entered the “nanotechnology era.” The interface between biomaterials and nanotechnology has created enormous opportunities to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of numerous diseases. Nanobiomaterials, a new term describing biomaterials with constituent or surface feature sizes less than 100 nm (10^?7 m), provide not only extraordinary materials with unique structures and properties to solve our most traditional biomedical puzzles, but also provide unprecedented knowledge and principles toward understanding biology, medicine, and materials science. At the commencement of the second decade of the new millennium, it is worthwhile to review the current state of the art for the use of nanobiomaterials in medicine as well as possible future trends. Therefore, this paper seeks to summarize the current advances in nanobiomaterials research, spanning a wide range of tissue engineering applications (both soft and hard tissues), drug delivery, disease detection, and disease treatment. In addition, emerging concerns on the safety of manufacturing and using nanobiomaterials (especially toxicological issues) with necessary future research directions from the design of intelligent nanobiomaterials to molecular mechanisms of cell–nanomaterial interactions are also discussed.     

Digital enterprise management in China: current status and future development

Digital management plays an important role in modern enterprise management. Supported by the Chinese National High-Tech R&D Program on CIMS, the techniques and software of enterprise information systems and digital management systems have been studied and applied in China for more than 20 years. The paper provides a comprehensive review on the development, current status, and future development of enterprise information systems and digital management systems in China, as well as the software products and the market for digital management.     

International collaboration development in nanotechnology: a perspective of patent network analysis

International collaboration has played an important role in the development of nanotechnology. Patents encompass valuable technological information and collaborative efforts. Thus, this paper examines international collaboration development in nanotechnology using patent network analysis. The results show that the number of international collaboration nanotechnology patents has increased steadily and the proportion of them of total nanotechnology patents has likewise exhibited an upward trend. USA has always been the most influential participant with largest number of international collaboration patents. Asian countries/regions have shown an obvious increase in the number of international collaboration patents. By contrast, there have shown a generally decline in European countries. More and more countries have become actively engaged in international collaboration in nanotechnology with increasingly closer relationships. Two styles of international collaboration exit: while USA, Germany, UK and Japan collaborate with a wide range of countries/regions; Spain, Israel, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan are more selective in their collaboration partners. Though International collaboration has yet to find global significance in terms of patent citation impacts, it has nevertheless been incremental in improving patent citation impacts for most of the top 20 countries/regions since 2004.     

Development and applications of nano-powder patents--a review in patents

A thorough review on the patents in the applications of nano-powder technology shows that research work in this technical field is growing stronger, as indicated by a rapid increase in the number of independent patents in relevant topics. This also indicates ever increasing and continuous interests on the nano-powder technology even after 15 years of dynamic global nanotechnology development. The review on the patents in the nano-powder area shows that the use of specialized databanks is recommendable and beneficial in providing the researchers in this technical community an updated, systematic and rapid reference in furthering new development and expansion of this vital nanotechnology field.     

Bioprospecting of organisms from the deep sea: scientific and environmental aspects

Accelerating technological development has made it possible for humans to reach to one of the most remote parts of the Earth, the deepest areas of the sea, also called the Earth’s last frontier. Rare, previously hidden ecosystems with vast biological diversity can be found here. These communities and their inhabitants are starting to feel the pressure of human impact, being regarded as having an enormous potential in the development of new products such as pharmaceuticals, molecular probes, enzymes, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and agrichemicals. However, compared to the bioprospecting activity of these areas, an increasing pressure on deep-sea fisheries is probably an even more serious threat for the deep-sea communities, and a recent publication reports that deep-sea fishes qualify as endangered. Sustainable use of the deep sea and the organisms that inhabit it should thus be aimed for.     

基于消费者心理的男性化妆品包装设计分析

目的从男性消费者心理的角度来分析化妆品包装设计。方法通过调研分析男性消费者选购化妆品品牌的关注因素,皮肤关注点和困扰,购买化妆品的原因,以及男性消费者偏爱的化妆品包装设计。结论男性化妆品包装应展现出更强劲的视觉冲击力,令消费者感到使用产品后可以精神饱满,更有男士魅力。男性消费者偏爱的化妆品包装设计中,包装造型偏向简洁大方和稳重有力的风格,包装材质以玻璃和塑料为主,包装色彩倾向以黑白灰为主,以少量鲜艳色彩搭配,或冷色系为主,装饰图形崇尚简洁风格。