WiredInUSA September 2016

INDEX

Imagine working on a wire 60,000 times thinner than a human hair. Well that is exactly what microbiologists at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, are making. The microbial nanowires are produced by genetically modified soil bacteria, and researchers manipulated the bacteria to spin out very fine, highly conductive wires composed of amino acids. “We are very excited about the possibilities for synthetic biological wires,” Dr Derek R Lovley wrote in an email statement. “It is expected that the biowire will be incorporated into various polymer materials to make new types of biocompatabile flexible electronics and even new types of devices for harvesting solar energy.” You can read the full story on page 9. From one eye-watering figure to another. ArcelorMittal South Africa has been fined approximately $100 million, believed to be the largest fine for anti-competitive behavior imposed on a single company in South Africa’s history, by the competition commission. The commission said Arcelor had admitted to its involvement in long steel and scrap metals cartels, but denied allegations of collusion in the flat steel and wire rod markets. The commission confirmed that the imposition of the fine brings all proceedings against the company to an end. Full details can be found on page 35. #63 EDITOR

David Bell Editor

wiredInUSA - September 2016

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