MemeFlux

Three hundred layers of synthetic mother of pearl…

U-M research: New plastic is strong as steel, transparent

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—By mimicking a brick-and-mortar molecular structure found in seashells, University of Michigan researchers created a composite plastic that’s as strong as steel but lighter and transparent.

It’s made of layers of clay nanosheets and a water-soluble polymer that shares chemistry with white glue.

Engineering professor Nicholas Kotov almost dubbed it “plastic steel,” but the new material isn’t quite stretchy enough to earn that name. Nevertheless, he says its further development could lead to lighter, stronger armor for soldiers or police and their vehicles. It could also be used in microelectromechanical devices, microfluidics, biomedical sensors and valves and unmanned aircraft. (more…)

The scientists solved a problem that has confounded engineers and scientists for decades: Individual nano-size building blocks such as nanotubes, nanosheets and nanorods are ultrastrong. But larger materials made out of bonded nano-size building blocks were comparatively weak. Until now.

Via The Speculist

Two snippets from the world of cancer research

Amateur invention works as chemo therapy alternative - human tests in 3-4 years

John Kanzius–himself a cancer victim–has invented a device using radio waves instead of radiation to kill tumors, which has proved successful in clinical trials on rabbits. The device is a radio-wave generator which heats nanoparticles and destroys the cells.

The theory behind the therapy is that radio waves are, for the most part, harmless to living tissue, but that the waves do heat up certain metals. If, in theory, nanoparticles of carbon or gold were to bind to cancer cells, and only cancer cells, then radio wave exposure would heat the cancer cells to a desired temperature and destroy them, while ignoring and not affecting neighboring healthy cells. This process is being called in Kanzius’ patent applications “RF-induced hyperthermia“. The problem is targeting only the cancer cells. More specifically, the problem is finding a way for the nanoparticle targets to bind only to the cancer cells while ignoring healthy cells. The theory is that the nanoparticles would carried through the bloodstream by a targeting molecule, binding only to the cancer cells, the targeting molecule ignoring the healthy cells.

There is still some development left on guiding the particles to the cancerous cells only, but researchers are optimistic and human trials are estimated to begin in 3-4 years.

Diagnosed with leukemia in 2002, Kanzius (63) had no medical training, and describes the idea as a “pipe dream”, having created the first model during sleepless nights in his garage:

Using pie pans, spare parts from ham radios and know-how from his days as a radio engineer, he invented the first generation of what would become a machine that uses radio waves — not radioactivity — to fight cancer.

Top ten list

The World Cancer Research Fund has just released a comprehensive study on the causes of cancer, and has released a list of what to avoid. These lists - or bits and pieces of them - pop up from time to time, so take this one as a summary that has involved 200 cancer experts and taken 5 years to compile.

The list is ranked - body fat seems to be given more weight as a risk factor, and the intensity of physical exercise will be a challenge for many.

What we’re saying is that young adults should try not to put on weight throughout their adult life. They should stay as lean as possible,” measurement-wise this means having a BMI in the lower end of the 18.5-25 ‘healhty’ range.

Everyone should have at least half an hour of exercise a day - but the panel says it should be vigorous, not moderate exercise. If the exercise is moderate, it should last for an hour a day.

The harsh reality continues–

1. Stay as slim as possible
2. Take half an hour’s vigorous exercise a day
3. Avoid sugary drinks and fast food
4. Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day and cereals/grains/pulses with every meal
5. Eat no more than 500g of red meat a week and no processed meat
6. No more than one drink a day for a woman and two for a man
7. No more than 6g a day of salt
8. Dietary supplements (vitamin and mineral pills) not recommended
9. Breastfeed exclusively for six months
10. Cancer survivors also to follow these recommendations