Without access to easy to use analysis tools, patents are becoming an expensive hindrance to many small companies, says Mick McLean, Head of Economics and Public Policy at Scientific Generics.

A team of Danish researchers has devised a method for developing faster silicon computer chips, and is now seeking investment to develop the technique.

Swiss researchers have devised a way to make X-ray imaging much more sensitive – and capable of being incorporated into current medical imaging equipment.

This week, from May 22 to May 27, the World Health Organisation (WHO) holds its Annual Assembly meeting in Geneva, which brings together representatives from all 192 member countries. As usual for such an august gathering, it will cover a wide variety of topics, including the controversial issue of intellectual property.

A new report from Lux Research investigates the value of industry/university partnerships for research in nanotechnology.

Researchers usually don't complain about their working conditions, but they aren't keen on working in run-down labs. Trouble is, it is getting more expensive to build new facilities.

Durham Scientific Crystals is looking for funding to commercialise cadmium telluride, a semiconductor used in medical and security imaging.

I had an interesting meeting with a senior executive in charge of strategy and business development at one of the major European media groups last Friday.

On May 12, it was announced that that an "innovative", "homegrown" digital signal processor (DSP) chip, to be designed and manufactured in China, was a fraud. Even more interesting is that the announcement was made by not by a Western agency or international body, but by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).

Nanochips will mess up the physics of electronics, so a bunch of universities will research ways to keep chips on the shrinking bandwagon.