An interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has now developed a method of computationally selecting the best of these blocks, drawing inspiration from the similar behavior of proteins in making biological structures. The team set out to design proteins that could wrap around single-walled carbon nanotubes. Consisting of a cylindrical pattern of carbon atoms tens of thousands of times thinner than a human hair, nanotubes are enticing to nanoengineers as they are extraordinarily strong and could be useful as platform for other nano-structures.

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An advance in renewable energy which promises a revolution in the ease and cost of using solar cells, has been announced. A new study shows that even when using very simple and inexpensive manufacturing methods - where flexible layers of material are deposited over large areas like cling-film - efficient solar cell structures can be made.

The study, published in the Journal Advanced Energy Materials, paves the way for new solar cell manufacturing techniques and the promise of developments in renewable solar energy. Plastic (polymer) solar cells are much cheaper to produce than conventional silicon solar cells and have the potential to be produced in large quantities. The study showed that when complex mixtures of molecules in solution are spread onto a surface, like varnishing a table-top, the different molecules separate to the top and bottom of the layer in a way that maximises the efficiency of the resulting solar cell.

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The proposed 2012 research priorities for nanotechnologies - EC working document has been published. visit the following site for full details:

http://ec.europa.eu/research/industrial_technologies/pdf/nmp-2012-orientation-paper_en.pdf

Formulation Mission USA was a five day programme in which InForm participated during May 2011. Organised by Chemistry Innovation, the aim was to deliver a business-led knowledge exchange mission to connect a world class knowledge base and promote broader collaboration in formulation science and technology to benefit UKbusinesses. Over the course of the week, the delegation of UK leaders in formulation science and innovation engaged with their counterparts from across industry, academia and Government via a series of seminars, workshops and centre visits.

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