Nanotechnology, the use of "super tiny" materials as microscopic building blocks for thousands of consumer products from cosmetics to detergents, has turned into a big business. For instance, nanosilver is widely used to kill germs in shoe liners, food-storage containers, air fresheners, washing machines and other products. [1]
NASA has also developed something called nanotube. It is a tiny, hollow, long, thin and strong tube with an outside diameter of a nanometer that is formed from atoms such as carbon. It can conduct (allow movement of) electricity as well as copper does. It also can work as a semiconductor. Earlier this year, NASA licensed its patented technique for manufacturing these high-quality "single-walled carbon nanotubes" to Idaho Space Materials (ISM) in Boise, Idaho. [2]
In November, the Environmental Protection Agency said it was changing federal policy to require that nanotechnology manufacturers provide scientific evidence that their products and side-products won't have negative effects on health and the environment. [1]
Berkeley steps into the breach and attempt to regulate the nascent but fast-growing industry [1]
[1] Berkeley to regulate nanotechnology AP December 12, 2006 2 hours, 32 minutes ago. [2] NASA Nanotechnology Comes to Market NASA PUBLICATION 2006
