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M.I.T. researchers say that frost buildup can be better controlled by creating a surface with nanoscale texturing.
NYT > Nanotechnology

A new PEN report provides the first ever analysis of voluntary initiatives to regulate nanotechnology. As nanotechnologies move forward, along with other emerging technologies, voluntary programs will play an important role in the governance portfolio available to the federal government as well as states and municipalities.
Nanotechnology RSS Feed from the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies

French researchers have succeeded in creating a conductive layer on the surface of strontium titanate (SrTiO3), a transparent insulating material considered to be very promising for the development of future microelectronics applications. Two nanometers thick, this conductive layer is a two-dimensional metallic electron gas (2DEG) that is part of the insulating material. Easy to produce, it opens new possibilities for electronics based on transition metal oxides (the SrTiO3 family), taking advantage of these materials’ vast range of physical properties (superconductivity, magnetism, thermoelectricity, etc.) to integrate a number of different functions in a single microelectronic device. A paper explaining this unexpected discovery, arising from research at the SOLEIL synchrotron, was published in the January 13, 2011 issue of Nature magazine.
PHYSorg.com: Nanomaterials News

The Nano Graphene Platelets (NGP) material discovered in 2004 has been studied for a number of years.  It has many of the same characteristics as Carbon Nano Tubes (CNT) and other carbon particles; NGPs overall performance equals or exceeds most application performances when compared with any other Nano particles. Nano Graphene Platelets are also known as Graphene Nanoplatelets. Carbon Nano Tubes are also known as Carbon Nanotubes.

According to some studies, composites when infused with NGP are stiffer and less prone to failure than composites infused with carbon nano tubes or other nanoparticles.  These gains are in the area of 1 order of magnitude.
When added to polymers, NGPs mechanical strength exceeds that of Carbon Nano Tubes (CNT).  NGP and CNT can have similar functionalization or surface treatments to improve mechanical bonding and electrical characteristics.  NGPs superior shape (grid like or fence shape) gives a better mechanical attachment than the CNT tubular shape, this unique shape gives NGP significantly higher strength, puncture and crack resistances, as well as excellent permeability barrier properties.  These improved properties can be seen in a host of different materials.
Super capacitors can perform better when made with NGP.   NGP based nanocomposite materials exhibit high levels of capacitance and electrical conductivity as well as demonstrating chemical stability and low mass density.  The conductive film is superior because of the unique molecular shape of the particles, which can store more electrons than other known materials.
When adding 1% to 2 % NGP by volume to aluminum the electrical conductivity and strength are improved significantly.

By David Graber in association with Nano Enhanced Wholesale Technologies, LLC    http://www.nano-enhanced-wholesale-technologies.com/

References and Additional Resources
Graphene Outperforms Carbon Nanotubes for Creating Stronger, More Crack-Resistant Materials by Professor Nikhil Koratkar    April 26, 2010    http://news.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=2715
Angstron Materials Inc.     http://angstronmaterials.com/

The process, though not efficient, is a step toward the development of hybrid biological and micromechanical machines.
NYT > Nanotechnology