Nanobase - Spnsored by the US National Science Foundation, this website run by Loyola College, Maryland, aims to provide up to date information on who's doing what in nanotechnology. The information presented doesn't cover the basics for the curious beginner (the are other sites which will attempt to convince you that nanotechnology will end world hunger, cure the common cold and get your false teeth really clean), people interested in science and technology might enjoy visiting the various links for further information. If you are interested in which academic labs are working on NT-related research, which companies are offering NT products or services, you'll find quite a large selection of links. Also covered are Government research labs and agencies, professional societies and non-profit organisations. For your education, the books and journals links may be of use, and there is a list of upcoming conferences dealing with NT. The listings on Nanobase are self-submitted, so NT researchers are encouraged to list their centres or publications. As long as contributors keep their information up to date, this site should be a valuable resource. The website is laid-out very straightforwardly, with plain graphics and no uneccessary attempts to spice it up with extra colours or graphics. Another key feature is that the links pages open within the website, instead of opening each link in a new page, thereby potentially reducing the number of open pages on your desktop. Rating: 7 out of 10 (6 September 2002) AW
http://itri.loyola.edu/nanobase/
Metahead - At first glance, it's difficult to see where Metahead is going. Although there are some impressive graphics at the beginning, there's little clue as to who's behind it and what their agenda is. But persevere with the introduction, and you'll find that the idea is to discuss the issues and ethics behind the concepts of biotechnology, nanotechnology, and machine intelligence. For instance, the idea of using gene therapy to eradicate human disease is a noble one, but taken too far, it could fall into the controversial area of eugenics, trying to 'improve' a person or a race, or eliminate a perceived 'inferior' race. Or the manufacture, atom by atom, of armies of tiny robots which will cater to our every whim, maintain our (genetically perfect) bodies, leading to endless lifespan (what will we do with ourselves Š?) Metahead doesn't offer opinions on what's right and wrong, but discusses the alternative points of view. This site would appeal to anyone who has ever wondered what human life will be like in a few decades - will we live forever, or will the machines take over, Terminator-style? Each of the three sections has a list of web links and recommended reading, which are useful if you are interested in exploring these topics further. Obviously a work in progress, Metahead will hopefully be fully operational in the near future, with the small irritations taken care of (such as the difficulty at times in knowing where to point and click your mouse, and the large amount of unused space on-screen). (6 March 2001) AW
http://www.metahead.com/
NanoTechnology Magazine - This is the site of Nanotechnology magazine. Unlike what its URL seems to imply, it is not a zine or on line magazine, but a new print magazine that deals with nanotechnology. The site is updated frequently, but many of the articles verge on nanotechnology evangelism, despite the fact that no one seems to yet have found a practical application for it yet. The real reason to look at this site, however, is their absolutely spectacular "Nano gear gallery" which has some of the best renderings of nano gears, down to molecular level, gathered in one spot on the web. The gallery seems to go on forever, and links to many other nanotechnology sites, with both stunning graphics and often useful articles. Although this site may not be able to stand completely on its own, the graphics are sufficient to fascinate anyone looking into nanotechnology or MEM on the web. (26 January 2001) WTS
http://www.nanozine.com/
Asian Technology Information Program - An absolutely must view site for anyone curious about the current state of nanotechnology and MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) in Asia. It has reports in English, extensive translations of articles from Japanese and Chinese on nanotechnology and MEM research, as well as other news on nanotechnology and MEMS in Asia that simply will not be found elsewhere. All Asia is covered, but the strongest concentration is on Japanese and Chinese research. They even let you peek under the covers at Japanese Defense Initiative projects on MEMS. (Though it is worth noting that they are not affiliated with it and are funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)). There are some parts of this site, however, that are best skipped, such as their section on Akihabara, a big retail electronics area in Tokyo. The information is out of date, and they let their prejudices show by excluding foreign made electronics. None the less, a three Banzai site. (13 January 2001) WTS
http://www.atip.or.jp/
Nanocomputer Dream Team Homepage - Through the power of the Internet, talent from all over the World in every scientific field, amateur and professional, will rise together to create the World's first Nano-Meter SuperComputer. Allegedly. This site professes to be the coordination centre for the future of computing and aims at persuading amateur and professional scientists to donate a few moments of their CPU's time to the development of a molecular supercomputer. Nanotechnology, some say, is set to be the technology of the new millennium, given the right resources and the primary focus is likely to be the building of computers based on molecular units rather than clumsy, bulky and slow silicon chips. We'll see, like the site's title says, it's a 'dream'. (26 August 1999) DB
http://nanocomputer.org/
