ORNL solar advance

Research at Oak Ridge National lab has produced 80% gains in photovoltaic efficiency, Forbes reports.

VU Nanotech

Nanotech: Science writers with Vanderbilt University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory provide an update on nanotech lessons learned from Nature. Related: Our recent report on VU science writers.

Nanoday March 29

The UT Health Science Center in Memphis hosts Nanoday, March 29, to spread awareness of the importance of nanosciences. The MDN reports. Other VNC news.

Sheng Dai named ORNL distinguished scientist

Sheng Dai, a researcher in chemical sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, was cited for his outstanding achievements in science and technology, with focus on porous materials, nanomaterials and ionic liquids in the context of energy. The ORNL release.

VU nanoscience clean room upgraded

If you're working with nanoparticles, you want the air really, really clean and you want to be able to detect leaks of dangerous gases, quickly. The VUMC Reporter tells of an upgrade in the VINSE nanotech facility.

eSpin expands on $3MM grant

Chattanooga-based Jayesh Doshi's (at left) eSpin Technologies nanofibers company is expanding its high-tech workforce, in the wake of a $3MM Department of Commerce grant, matched by private funds. The TFP reports.

Revalida nanoventure

Revalida, a nanotech venture created by several Vanderbilt faculty members, is about to tap investors for its first outside capital, in a move to advance treatment of eye diseases, cancer and other problems. The story's here.

Fate of Compliant license uncertain

We reported on Compliant Therapeutics hopes for a license for Vanderbilt nanotechnology, but by midday that had clearly been threatened. Entrepreneur Eric Elmquist has other plans, but none perhaps so immediately compelling as this starter idea. There may've been a miscue, somewhere along the road. Read about it here.

TTDC grant announcements

Six grants totaling $502K have been made by Tennessee Technology Development Corp. to a half-dozen research and commercialization teams around the state, for projects ranging from cancer research to new auto engines. The story's here.

e-Spin buying Raytheon property

Chattanoogan.com reports Nanoscience player eSpin Technologies Inc. is paying $1.4MM for property previously owned in the Chattanooga area by Raytheon.

ORNL: Nano breakthrough in computer switching, memory

Scientists at the Oak Ridge NL Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, one of five interrelated DOE nanoscience centers, used an instrumented developed at ORNL to discovery a new approach to using ferroelectric nanomaterials to switch, read, write and otherwise manipulate data, using much lower power than current technology. One scientist said, "Harnessing this functionality will ultimately enable smart and ultra-dense memory technology" and open a new era in electronics. The ORNL release is here. KNS Science Writer Frank Munger's take on it is here.

VU researcher tells of nanofilms breakthrough

Those nanotechnology films we hear about in conversations about everything from electronics and energy to environmental innovation have been notoriously fragile. Now, Vanderbilt University Asst. Prof. James Dickerson (at left, with student Saad Hasan, photo by Daniel Dubois) reports a breakthrough that could improve computer chips, TV screens and other products and applications. VU's release is here.

Eastate: ORNL influence spreads

Georgetown University Medical Center cites its alliance with Oak Ridge NL as key to pursuit of NIH grants and study of molecular data... Near by, dozens of top grad students from around the nation toured Blount County's Alcoa and Smiths Detection facilities, through a program organized by the Oak Ridge, Argonne labs and others... Reports cites nanotechnology initiatives at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and in Louisville.

Bio-LifeSci celebrated in The Noog

UT College of Medicine Dean David Seaberg tells of new education research health science center envisioned for Chattanooga, as Chamber members celebrate bio, life sciences and nano ventures in the region -- all of which are seen as a foundation upon which to build. The Times Free Press reports.

ORNL targets expansion

DOE has given initial approval to doubling the research capacity of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Spallation Neutron Source facility (illustrated, with expansion highlighted). The potentially $1B project could be completed by 2020. The center advances materials sciences, nanotech, energy generation, pharma and other fields. The ORNL release; the Knoxville News Sentinel.