Nano Institute of Utah
The Nano Institute of Utah provides an organization wherein scientists, engineers and clinicians from across the University, the State and elsewhere work together to attain global recognition by conquering interdisciplinary challenges in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The Institute enables Utah researchers from disciplines such as chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, medicine, and pharmacy to create synergistic alliances to drive higher levels of collaborative research, education and commercialization.
Aqua-yield Joins Nano Institute – Eyes Product Expansion
This university/corporate partnership is located at the university’s Nano Institute, which is overseen by co-director Dr.Hamid Ghandehari. (Aqua-Yield)(AGPRO) Five years after introducing its crop fertility products with nanotechnology, Aqua-Yield is eyeing further product development while expanding its footprint.“Today, 75% of our revenue comes from our ag products, and the balance is from the turf business,” says Aqua-Yield Clark Bell. “We currently have 30 distributors in the U.S, but we are looking to double that be the end of 2019.”Bells says this includes expanding beyond its farmer network of distributors to include traditional ag retail and dealers, with that coming on-board in the first or second quarters of 2019. Another development for the company is forming a first of its kind collaboration between the company and University of Utah’s Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization. This university/corporate partnership is located at the university’s Nano Institute, which is overseen by co-director Dr.Hamid Ghandehari. Aqua-Yield Chief Science Officer Landon Bunderson will lead the company’s efforts to “building”/inventing nano-particles that will specifically focus on agriculture and combine these new findings with the “nanogronomy” advancements already instituted and in practice at Aqua-Yield. “Nano isn’t the cure-all, but it does help a plant express its full genetic potential,” Bell says. “And we’ve made great waves with corn, soy, potatoes, wheat and cotton.” The company also recently reported trials with Utah State University in alfalfa. The trials were performed over the growing season (three cuttings) of 2018, Aqua-Yield liquid fertilizer enhancer, NanoStress, was added to the traditional dry fertilizer protocol. Tons per acre increased as well as relative feed value. The trial showed increased per acre returns on overall product investment by more than $107. Bell also says the company is looking to expand beyond fertilizer products and is pursuing partners for a pesticide product in the next 18 to 24 months. While the company has product in 47 U.S. state, it’s also expanded internationally. “For example, our export partners have realized the benefit of nanotechnology. What pre full article: Exclusive: Aqua-Yield Joins Nano Institute; Eyes Product Expansion
June 2014 Cover Feature
Jonathan J. Schaefer, Alexis C. Crawford, Marc D. Porter, and Joel M. Harris (Department of Chemistry and the Nano Institute) were honored to have their article “Confocal Raman Microscopy for Investigating Synthesis and Characterization of Individual Optically Trapped Vinyl-Polymerized Surfactant Particles” featured on the cover of Applied Spectroscopy’s June Issue.
Optical trapping confocal Raman microscopy is a spectroscopic method capable of acquiring information at several stages of development of dispersed particulate materials. For this research, the scientists developed an adsorbent material, and employed confocal Raman microscopy to characterize each stage of the process. As shown in the false color SEM image on the cover, vinyl polymerization of extruded dispersions of sodium 11-acrylamidoundecanoate, under experimental conditions, produces stable spherical particles.
ChemistryWorld recently published "Catching viruses associated with cervical cancer"
Ross Stevenson and co-workers at the University of Strathclyde and Renishaw Diagnostics
have developed a quick and efficient bioassay that uses surface-enhanced Raman scattering
spectroscopy (SERS) to differentiate between different HPV genotypes. Bringing this
promising technology closer to the clinic is of vital importance for the development
of high throughput diagnostics and in principle it will be possible to create individualized
patient management strategies according to what type of HPV is present. Analytical
chemistry expert Marc Porter, USTAR Professor from the University of Utah commented
in the article that ‘SERS is poised to move from the research laboratory into the
realm of clinical diagnostics’. PHOTO LEGEND: The SERS bioassay can distinguish between
different human papilloma virus genotypes © Ross Stevenson
Fast test classifies meningitis bacteria
Karen Faulds’ group at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, have developed a new
method that uses surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to quickly identify which
meningitis causing bacteria is responsible f for an infection. Combining the SERS
technique with chemometrics means the amount of bacteria in a sample can be measured
whilst simultaneously identifying the bacteria. This would be particularly useful
where co-infection of multiple species is common. Identifying the dominant pathogen
present would allow targeted treatment.Marc Porter, USTAR Professor, whose group at the University of Utah uses SERS to examine biomarkers,
says the ability to identify and concurrently quantify three common meningitis bacterial
pathogens is impressive. According to Dr. Porter, ‘The work takes an important step
in moving SERS and nanoparticle-based signalling much closer to meeting a critical
need in pathogen detection’.
