3 / 58
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