Nanotech measuring contest

Good news from Keithley Instruments. They're inviting researchers and test innovators to compete in a contest for the best new electrical measurement instruments to nanoscale materials and devices.

Given the incredible potential of nano-stuff--as well as the significant potential dangers--finding ways to measure aspects of such products is critical to being able to control behaviors and establish standards for working with this technology across the many industries that can benefit from it (bioscience, electronics, structural materials, etc.).

Interestingly, in England they've actually formed a club around measuring nano--the Micro & Nano Technology (MNT) Measurement Club--that addresses communicating the issues, sharing best practices and developing collaborative R&D projects.

When I spoke to Governor Taft at the recent BIO conference about the government's role in policing nano-work, he said they have to look to academia and business to tell them what to do. I'm really glad to see Keithley and others stepping up to the plate. I'm glad because I don't want to have to imagine my great grandchildren--like recent generations who were told that working around loose asbestos was no problem--dying off years later from insidious lung and skin diseases of "unknown" origin...