Lock one or more molecules up within a cage of nanometer dimensions. Take this ‘nanocontainer’ to the desired spot and free the molecules. Or keep them locked up for a while and introduce other molecules into the container, for chemical reactions inside. By using polymers containing iron, it is possible to make intelligent containers of which the access of molecules can be regulated in a chemical way. A research team led by prof Julius Vancso of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology has succeeded in fabricating these nanocontainers. The scientists foresee exciting applications in e.g. medicine, in adding additives to food or in ultrafast reactions in nano chemistry. They present their results in the September issue of Nature Materials.

The Berlin Capsulution NanoScience AG completed the first half of 2006 by doubling the previous year’s turnover in the same period, while at the same time Capsulution’s EBIT increased to more than TEUR 200. Capsulution was able to enter a positive overall result in the ledger and is looking forward to an auspicious future. By the end of 2006 sales revenues of well over 1 million EUR are expected.

One of the main objectives of the Trends in Nanotechnology conference is to provide a platform where young researchers can present their latest works and also interact with high-level scientists. For this purpose, 76 grants (travel bursaries) were available in 2005. In addition 28 prices (around 8000 Euros) to best student posters were awarded. More than 60 senior scientists were involved in the selection process. Grants and awards were funded by the TNT Organisation in collaboration with an increasing number of Research Institutions and Industrials involved in Nanotechnology.

UNESCO has published a report that assesses the ethical, legal and political aspects of nanotechnology. It attempts to separate the realistic potential of nanotechnology from some of the more fanciful headline-grabbing claims. It outlines what the science of nanotechnology is, and presents some of the issues facing the international community in the near future.

Nanotechnology is developing at an astonishing rate, with an increasing number of products coming to market that take advantage of modified material properties. Nevertheless, concerns persist over the risks associated with nanotechnology.

NanoHorizons announced that Dennis Schneider, Director of Marketing and Sales, will present "Nanotechnology Applications in Fibers and Fabrics" at this year's Techtextil North America Symposium, on March 29th.

BioForce Nanosciences, manufacturer of the NanoArrayer(TM) System for enabling new nanotechnology applications, has announced the placement of a NanoArrayer in Paris at the Universite Pierre & Marie Curie (UPMC) for technology evaluation by CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), the French National Center for Scientific Research.

Seminar on the recent developments in small angle X-ray scattering (Saxs) analysis of proteins, nano-particles and nano-structures.

Scientists in Mexico have found a way to reduce the toxicity of carbon nanotubes, paving the way for the use of the technology in food packaging.

IM FLASH TECHNOLOGIES, a joint venture between Micron and Intel, said they've produced the first NAND flash memory using 50 nanometre process technology.

UNESCO’s Division of Ethics of Science and Technology has taken a shot at writing about The Ethics and Politics of Nanotechnology.

Iran does not fear any embargo that might be imposed on it over its nuclear program, Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Afshar Suleymani has said.

Dublin's Trinity College and University College Cork (UCC) have announced they intend to work together to research neuroscience, food science and nanotechnology.

The US government should act fast, and invest significantly, to make sure that nanotechnology and its related products are safe. The call comes from the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, a think-tank that advises on ways to develop policy alongside this burgeoning science.

Thanks to a quantum physics breakthrough, European and American physicists are, electron-by-electron, pushing back the resistance barriers stifling current generation computers and high-speed, high-powered electronics. But as fundamental researchers, they say their work is not about end products, but the thrill of discovery.