Table of Contents Table of Contents
Previous Page  3 / 58 Next Page
Information
Show Menu
Previous Page 3 / 58 Next Page
Page Background

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.

David Bell

Editor

#63

EDITOR

wiredInUSA - September 2016

3

INDEX