Nanotechnology *

Recently we have been hearing the term “nanotechnology” a lot, but only a few people know what it really means. Actually, it’s been a part of people’s lives for a long time, mainly in electronic components, and it can include everything from computers to medical devices as well as numerous other hightech items. The term nanotechnology comes from a simple term referring to measurements, a measure like any other, such as a meter or centimeter. However, a “nanometer” is the smallest measurement imaginable -- it’s equivalent to one billionth of a meter.

The field of nanotechnology started with Richard P. Feynman, a 20th century American physicist, who first introduced the term in a lecture he gave in 1959. The term was translated into a concept in 1974, when it was used to describe technologies that would require the construction of materials on the scale of a nanometer. Nanotechnology is based on the potential ability to create things in the smallest possible size, using techniques and tools that try to put every atom and molecule in its desired place, which, if successful, results in technology components so small no humans can see them.

Currently, nanotechnology is being applied to hundreds of products and is a major element used in computer processors. There are applications of nanotechnology in medicine, chemistry, quantum physics, and the industries that create aerospace prototypes, oil refineries, etc. Some examples of nanotechnology products in use today are: automobile paint to reduce scratches and dirt; stain-resistant fabrics that don’t wrinkle; “nano-glue” that can stick any material to another; and products that clean toxic residue. In medicine, nanotechnology is now being used to make catheters, heart valves, pacemakers, orthopedic implants, etc.

It is believed nanotechnology will lead to further developments and perhaps even an unprecedented revolution in areas such as detection and treatment of diseases, production and transport of electricity, radiation emission detection, information technology, production, storage and energy consumption, and treatment of pollutants. It’s even possible the basic component of computer chips, called silicon, could be replaced by this new technology.

Much more remains to be discovered in nanotechnology. For example, more research is necessary into this promising new field to combat some of its potential problems such as nano-pollution from nano-materials or nano-particles, released during the formation process ,which can be very dangerous, as they float easily in the air due to their small size and lightness and can enter the cells of humans, animals, and plants. Since most of these nano-pollutants do not exist in nature, living tissue cells are unlikely to have the appropriate resistance, which might cause as yet unknown types of damage. Nevertheless, this is just the beginning of nanotechnology, and it holds great promise as one of the major discoveries of the modern world.

* Article published on Curitiba in English.

Focus on Social Networks

The connection allows that people have voice and be heard. Tools like webinars, webcasts, galleries, podcasts, whitepaper  news, interviews and many others, all are connected. Share of information with friends and family is a universal wish, and goes much far from the physical limits imposed by the paper.

The people start to share their values, after the companies share their ideal, and this become accessible and change the relation among people and companies. You were a reader, now you are a publisher, and this changes the way the way we are used to.

So thinking this way, we see in the last few years a revolution the way we get novelties, look for something and and it all comes down to connection, be connected. Recently what we have heard more is about Social Networks, and thinking about this, Deloitte published a study showing more than 70% of companies in the research use or monitor these environments. More than this, the study points interaction more than only marketing that still domains the scenario.

These are the most initiatives explored by companies using social networks. Questions with multiple choices.

The main obstacles hindering the success of social media.










The tools more used by companies that use social medias.

Trend of investment in social media for the next 12 months.

Some weeks ago, it was launched by Google the new social network called Google Plus (or Google+). Below we can have the real visibility how fast are getting the adoption of new players.

Number of Internet users in Brazil reached almost 60 million

According to numbers from the Institute of research Ibope Nielsen Online, more than 55 million of Brazilians accessed the internet from home. But the total of people with access on the internet from at work or household reached the 58.6 million people in May 2011.

Of those with access at work or in households, were 45.7 million active users, an increase of 6.8% over the previous month and 23% compared with 37.3 million in May 2010. The growth of Internet use in households is even greater, of the 55.5 million people, the number of active users in May 2011 reached 37.2 million, or 30% more than the 28.5 million in May 2010. In two years, the total monthly active users grew 46% in residences.

The access to the internet in any environment (households, workplaces, schools, internet cafes or other places) reached 73.9 million people according to the research in the forth quarter of 2010.