nanonews

Ganesh asked:


When nanotechnology was first described, it was considered to be an over-hyped term straight out of a science fiction novel. But over the years, as technology advanced, microscopic machines and even factories became a reality and soon nanotechnology investing was the in thing for corporate ventures.

However, in the last few years, individual investors have realized that there is very little money to be made in nanotechnology investing. Even the existing firms have not performed according to expectations and newer IPO’s haven’t really flooded the market either.

The advances made by nanotechnology has been limited to improving the quality and lifetime of existing materials like batteries, cells etc. There have been very few breakthrough products in nanotechnology.

Whether to invest or not

Here is the big question. Do you invest in nanotechnology or not?

• There are many start up ventures out there that seem to be promising enough but most of these will take years to get established.

• Hence from an investor’s point of view, it is extremely important that you gauge the landscape.

• You need to be well aware of the time frame and the constraints in the filed.

• If you are expecting to invest in some of the nanotechnology products that seem sci fi, then keep in mind that most of these products are almost 100 years away.

• Unless you have an extremely broad time frame for investing, there are better options at hand

For the corporate investor

On the other hand, nanotechnology investing might just prove to be the right thing for corporate investors.

However, keep yourself updated about the recent advances made in the filed like the classification of nanotechnology into active, passive and hybrid groups. This will help investors get a better grip on the time frame required for commercialization of the technology.

Tracy Hildreth asked:


Companies are often looking for opportunities to develop their business further. In the nanotechnology area it is important that you have the right staff and the right backing in the region you are moving into. North East England has the largest and best equipped public sector facilities in the UK.

The resources that are all ready located in the North East of England are already huge. INEX is the largest and best equipped public sector micro and nano device fabrication facility in the UK. It was founded in 2002 as the business arm of the Institute of Nanoscale Science and Technology at Newcastle University, but has been an independent organisation since 2004.

The facility has generated millions of pounds worth of new technology since its formation, so far spinning out 11 companies in the process.

The Centre of Excellence for Nanotechnology, Micro and Photonic Systems (Cenamps) is funding research and development programmes that will lead to further commercial opportunities and spin-outs in North East England.

Here are the top 5 reasons you should consider investing in North East England for nanotechnology expertise.

1. The University of Newcastle upon Tyne is the leading UK Higher Education Institute in government contract and the commercialisation of research undertaking work in laboratories including Inex: the largest public sector micro and nano device fabrication facility in the UK providing ample nanotechnology investment opportunities.

2. A cooperation agreement has been established between Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne and NTT Basic Research Laboratories, Nippon Telegraphy & Telephone Corporation conducting research in information technology, microelectronics, submicron technology and bionanotechnology.

3. Key new centres in the region include a Plastic Electronics Technology Centre (PETeC) that will draw expertise from Newcastle, Durham and Cambridge Universities, an open access Flexible Electronics Facility that will establish the region as a focal point for flexible electronics materials in the UK and a National Microfluidics Application Centre.

4. The UK Department of Trade’s University Innovation Centre (UIC) for nanotechnology is in North East England. Newcastle has a 5* Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) rating in biological and biomedical applications whilst the University of Durham was one of only three UK Chemistry departments to be awarded a 5* RAE and specialises in film and surface technologies.

5. Northumbria University’s strengths include advanced materials and surface technologies and the University of Sunderland works on biosensors. The University of Teesside Centre for Nanotechnology and Microfabrication carries out research into manufacturing techniques.

Expertise and support organisations place North East England in a unique position to support companies in the commercialisation of research and getting new products to market through nanotechnology research and development.

Ben Lardes asked:


Penny stocks are an attractive proposition for many investors because they cost a lot less to invest in. But while they can offer good returns if the company does well, they can also be risky and involve a higher risk of loss. As such, you’ll have plenty of penny stocks to watch and consider as time goes by.

With every week that passes there are fresh stocks to consider and new ones to watch, but a promising one at the moment is the Dynamotive Energy company. One of the reasons why this could be a good pick is the fact that the company is devoted to green issues. It produces fuels for cars and other vehicles that are kind to the environment, and it has plans to keep on producing better, cleaner fuels into the future as well.

Incidentally it is worth watching out for other young and upcoming companies whose stocks are worth pennies if they have some connection to the environmentally friendly brigade. This is a hot area to get involved in and it could reap some nice rewards in the future. There are lots of penny stocks to watch in this area

Another hot stock available on the NASDAQ at the moment is listed as being Arena Pharmaceuticals. This is a typical example of a company in the medical field whose shares are low enough to make the NASDAQ Penny Stocks list, but are equally holding plenty of promise for the future. The medical field is always a good one to watch for promising penny stocks, since the advance of medicine is always met with a lot of interest. They currently have a drug being tested which could help in the fight against obesity. If it works, their shares may well shoot up to reflect that success.

Some people focus on specific areas of penny stocks, such as green issues, medical and technology. Others however are content to focus on anything if it feels like the right deal to try.

Perhaps the key word in the title however is ‘watch’. If you are new to this type of trading, the best penny stocks to watch initially will be all of them. See how things develop and move over time, and work out if there is a particular area you would like to get involved in. Then you just need to decide which stocks to sink your money into.