TechBlog

The same nanotech approaches being explored to deliver drugs exactly to the cells where they are needed also provide a technology base that might lead to permanent enhancements of human metabolism. Excerpts from “Cell ‘organs’ get plastic upgrades“, by Tamsin Osborne at NewScientist.com news service:

Human cells could have their metabolisms upgraded without altering their genes by inserting tiny plastic packages of enzymes, Swiss researchers have shown. They hope the technique could allow advanced cancer therapies, or even upgrade a person’s metabolism.

Continue reading ‘Artificial organelles: nanotechnology beyond simple drug delivery’ »

CRYSTEX Composites

Mykroy/Mycalex (MM) Glass bonded mica material is a trade name of CRYSTEX Composites LLC. Since 1921, Mykroy/Mycalex composite remains the most versatile and efficient electrical and thermal-insulating materials refined to meet the exacting demands of technical markets. MM material is the only mineral, fully inorganic material, to bridge the performance gap between organic plastics and mineral ceramics. Mykroy/Mycalex material is a union, under simultaneous pressure and heat, of finely powdered electrical quality glass and precisely defined and classified mica. The resulting stone-like, dense ceramic, inherits all the insulating advantages of both constituents. It can be easily machined to close tolerances or transfer molded into intricate shapes with or without metal inserts. MM material is impervious to moisture, and does not outgas under high temperature or in vacuum environments. It manifests exceptional dimensional stability even at high temperature. It does not burn or carbonize and has an unlimited shelf life.

Unique in the United States, CRYSTEX Composites LLC has produced its own Synthetic Mica since 1955.

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It is used by the auto industry as the networking medium within the vehicles themselves. Cars and car makers are a tough environment. If it is good enough for them,why does it not find a more ready acceptance in other challenging places? Plastic Optical Fibre, or POF as it is commonly referred to, has emerged as a low cost alternative to traditional copper cabling. The economists predict a market value of $1bn/year+ by the end of 2008. It cannot be ignored and the technical building blocks are all in place to make it happen says Mike Jones

POF offers many benefits to the user. It is lightweight, robust, cheap and easy to install. A simple sharp blade can be used to cut the fibre without need for polishing or expensive termination equipment afterwards. The use of red LED 650nm light makes it completely safe. This safety feature brings additional benefits to the installer, as red light can be easily seen by the human eye to diagnose if the link is good. Traditional glass fibre 850nm laser solutions are neither visible to the naked eye nor classified as ‘eye safe’.

Perhaps though one of the biggest advantages in today’s complex and congested world of networking is the fact that being fibre it is totally immune to electro-magnetic noise and, just as important, itself emits no radiation. Just think of all the wireless networks that are present today in the home, office or factory. This is extremely important for real time streaming of factory machine control data where such noise can affect the quality of service. Installation is simplified further as existing mains cable ducting can be used to route the fibre without any impact from noise interference or safety issues.

Continue reading ‘Could plastic optical fibre for Ethernet make it big’ »