On the cutting edge
AHS?grad takes part in nanotechnology developmentSean Harkins
An Alpena native recently participated in groundbreaking research that could eventually be used to fight terrorism.
Melburne LeMieux, a 1996 Alpena High School graduate who is currently a Stanford University research scientist, helped develop nanotechnology that can detect TNT or other toxins in water supplies.
Nanotechnology, LeMieux said, is breaking down a material to its most basic form, which can make it react differently from its bulk form.
"We're trying to build functional devices from the ground up, a molecule at a time," he said.
The challenge with nanotechnology is arranging and assembling the molecules. He said the molecules were placed on a carbon nanotube. When the nanotube is placed underwater it acts as a sensor, and reacts to any disturbance in the environment.
Creating an underwater sensor wasn't the initial goal of the project - assembling the molecules on the nanotube was - but it was discovered the nanotubes were sensitive to toxins in water.
LeMieux has done an interview with the Department of Homeland Security to talk about potential applications of the technology. He said the nanotechnology could monitor a water supply and transmit information electronically, therefore emergency responders or soldiers would not be put in danger because they would have to do on-site testing. The nanotubes are about one nanometer thick and could go unnoticed for long periods of time.
Nanotechonolgy is used in high-strength composites for vehicles, airplanes and some sports equipment. It also is used in shampoos, cosmetics, sunscreen and display technology - such as LCD televisions and cell phone screens.
LeMieux said Marquette-based Pioneer Surgical has used nanomaterials in materials for synthetic bone, and cites the company as being one of the most successful in the world at what it does.
Two obstacles are obstructing the growth of nanotechnology, he said.
First, the technology is very difficult and expensive to create.
"There's no assembly line yet for nanomaterials," LeMieux said.
The second obstacle is public opinion. Some fear the technology could lead to a variety of problems, including health and privacy issues - but LeMieux has no reservations about the technology.
"A lot of the public is kind of reserved about nanotechnology, I feel, because they aren't informed about it," he said.
LeMieux received his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and his Ph.D. from Iowa State University. He became a research scientist at Stanford three years ago.
Sean Harkins can be reached via e-mail at sharkins@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.
