Daily Popular
- Four-letter codons: A new synthetic biology playground
- Guanfacine: A possible drug to improve memory in old age
- Fascinating: Many of us have genes from Neanderthals
- Nanotech spiders: On track with molecular robotics
- First human trials: Nanoparticles deliver anti-cancer siRNA
- Histones: DNA packaging and much more
Popular Posts
- .
-
RSS - Subscribe to SciTechStory
- .
Log In
-
SciTech Birth Day: February 11
SciTech Impact Areas
01. Climate Change
02. Alternative Energy
03. Computer Power
04. Nanotechnology
05. Stem Cells
06. Communications
07. Hydrocarbon Use
08. Clean Transportation
09. Online Information
10. DNA Decoding
11. Cell Biology
12. Photonics
13. Proteomics
14. Quantum Physics
15. Genetic Modification
16. Degrading Oceans
17. Robotics
18. Nanomedicine
19. Neuroscience
20. Extending Lifespan
21. Overpopulation
22. Scientific Instruments
23. Synthetic Biology
24. Nuclear Physics
25. Artificial Intelligence
26. Body Implants
27. Major Disease Cures
28. Water Shortage
29. Species Loss
30. Brain Enhancement
31. Origin of Life
32. Sensor Technology
33. Pandemics
34. Exogenous Life
35. Dark Matters
36. Cosmology
37. Energy Storage
38. Virtual/Augmented Reality
39. Space Exploration
40. Impact Event
02. Alternative Energy
03. Computer Power
04. Nanotechnology
05. Stem Cells
06. Communications
07. Hydrocarbon Use
08. Clean Transportation
09. Online Information
10. DNA Decoding
11. Cell Biology
12. Photonics
13. Proteomics
14. Quantum Physics
15. Genetic Modification
16. Degrading Oceans
17. Robotics
18. Nanomedicine
19. Neuroscience
20. Extending Lifespan
21. Overpopulation
22. Scientific Instruments
23. Synthetic Biology
24. Nuclear Physics
25. Artificial Intelligence
26. Body Implants
27. Major Disease Cures
28. Water Shortage
29. Species Loss
30. Brain Enhancement
31. Origin of Life
32. Sensor Technology
33. Pandemics
34. Exogenous Life
35. Dark Matters
36. Cosmology
37. Energy Storage
38. Virtual/Augmented Reality
39. Space Exploration
40. Impact Event
Impact Areas listed in order of ranking

A self assembling forest of peptides
Granted, for most people the words in a ‘self assembling forest of peptides’ may not strike a chord of recognition. Researchers at Tel Aviv University (Israel) hope recognition will come. The phrase describes a preliminary technology, proof of concept really, involving a certain kind of nanotechnology using nanotubes. Like many uses of nanotubes, there is a promise of future applications. The press release announcing the research work, as many are, is full of back-slapping and superlatives. Is this one among many, or a standout achievement?
The ‘success’ of any new technology has many aspects: The soundness of the underlying science; the practicality of manufacturing, the utility of applications – among other things. In this case, years of research primarily aimed at finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease developed techniques for mass producing nanotubes (or nanotubules) from organic material (peptides). As frequently happens, the techniques and materials suggested other applications – and a new line of research was born. This research led to some key points: The nanotubes are self-assembling, which makes manufacturing potentially much simpler. They are constructed from organic peptides, like those in artificial sugars, which are inexpensive and readily available. The nanotubes are created in a vacuum at high temperature, which means they can withstand applications with high temperatures. They are also water resistant and can store an electrical charge.
As research is showing, nanotubes can be (and are) made of many different things. (Graphene is another very promising material.) Will this one attract commercial attention? The answer to that question is already a yes. Applications in battery technology and thin-film properties (…a dust and water resistant windshield coating) are being tested.
Perhaps the marketplace will determine if ‘a forest of peptides’ nanotubes can compete against all the other nanotubes out there. As is often the case, it’s a technology in search of a niche, with perhaps a few more options than most.