Wednesday 26 June 2013

"nanofuture" is live in the Kindle Store and has been enrolled in KDP Select. It is available* for readers to purchase http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMIVYHK

Thursday 8 November 2012

Nanofuture - the small things in life

This is my latest book, which is published through Feed-a-Read and is sponsored through the British Arts Council.


This book is available on Amazon and Feed-a-Read.com

(for Amazon books in Australia)

"Nano-science will play a big part in our future. It has the potential to solve many of the problems facing humankind. But it also has the potential to destroy us all. Stan Grant, a retired Billionaire, and the NEW group (New Ethical World) set out to promote ethical science 'for the good of all'. But there are powerful forces at work who want to make and use nano-weapons that make nuclear bombs pale by comparison."

This is an excerpt from my book:
Isaac Rance secured himself a position with ‘Quanano', an American company, in Silicon valley, California, where he researched into nanometer tolerances, to find out why, at nano level, gravity becomes less of an issue, whereas material strength became a greater one.

Peering through an electronic microscope with 50 nanometre resolution, Isaac checked the layers of thin metal films. Much thinner than a human hair the layers worked together to store vast amounts of magnetic memory, which could be written to and read by recording heads. Isaac was constantly amazed at the technological advances that had doubled the amount of data that was stored, per square centimetre in just the previous 12 months. His team was currently working on the 'red heads' of current hard disk drives, implanting metallic strips less than 2 nanometres thick, which were extremely sensitive to changes in magnetic fields.

He looked up from his microscope. Turning to Angela, his lab assistant, he said, “Make sure you concentrate on the spacing. It is
critically important.”

“Sure, Dr Rance. I have it covered.”

He was about to adjust his microscope, when his intercom beeped. “Yes,” he said, into the mouth-piece.

“Dr Rance, there is a Stan Grant to see you.”


Isaac’s diligence and dedication got him noticed by management and he soon found himself being promoted, first to head of nano gravitics research, then overall head of research and finally to assume the role of Quanano’s managing director.

It was in this function that Isaac Rance welcomed Stan Grant into his office. GCE had extended credit to Quanano in the early days and still did so when the need arose. Over the years the two had become firm friends but this was the first time Stan had visited the research facility. In fact it was Stan’s first visit to Santa Clara Valley, better known as Silicon Valley, named after the material used in computer microchips.

Following a warm up chat and coffee, Stan said, “Whenever I hear the word nano I can't help but think of that old television comedy, Mork and Mindy.”

It's a cross we have to bear, I'm afraid.”

Stan looked at the plastic molecular model on his friend’s glass-topped desk. “I guess we both sell things that people can't see.”

Thankfully we don’t need a crystal ball. Now, we have powerful enough electron microscopes, we can see molecules.”

Any chance of me having a look through one?”

Sure, but I'm curious as to why are you really here?”
We’ve been extending credit to Quanano for many years now and I've never been to see what we are actually investing in.”

The scientist was not convinced. “Come on Stan, I know there's more to it than that.”

Stan studied his friend. “You have kids, don’t you?”

Yes. Why?”

You and me have seen better days - right. I mean I’m giving up the reins of GCE and you must be thinking about retirement yourself.”

It comes to everybody in time,” Isaac answered, philosophically.

You love your kids like I love mine. And, of course, we want the best for them.”

Sure. And I believe that the research work we are doing here, at
Quanano, will help give them a better future.”

Stan looked his friend in the eye. “Do you know why GCE invested in your company?”

Isaac grinned, “It certainly wasn’t so you could turn a quick profit.”

I wanted to do something I could feel good about. Every business GCE has invested in is in the business of using up resources. Now I'm not saying we don't have to use up resources but I figure the planet can only let us take so much. Either the resource is going to run out or its depletion is going to cause some other negative reaction. You guys are different. You are virtually manufacturing something from nothing and that's a positive step in my book.”

Thanks Stan. I appreciate that. So how can we help you?”
Actually, I was thinking more in terms of us helping each other. But first I need you to convince me that all this nano stuff is real and useful.”

Isaac nodded thoughtfully. “My father often told me about how hard it was for Jewish immigrants in the early days when they had to slave all the hours God gave them, for a mere pittance. People shouldn’t have to exist like that. I believe that nano-technology, if used in the right way, will help alleviate such global problems. So I’m happy to explain how useful our work can be. So how do you want to approach this?”

I was thinking of basing it on a number of simple questions like: what is nano-technology? How does it work? When do you figure it will start making a difference? Who decides on what research
goes ahead or not and according to what criteria?”

Isaac rubbed his bearded chin. “Email me those questions and I will get back to you.”

Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Isaac said, “So you are really giving it up. It must feel very strange after all these years.”

More scary than strange. But I am working on an idea that will keep me busy.”

Oh! What idea is that?”

Stan Grinned, “If I told you that I would have to kill you.” seeing the blank look on the scientist's face, he said, “Actually, it is about creating a new ethical mindset, to help ensure that nano-technology takes a safe and sustainable path.”

“Amen to that.” Isaac agreed.


2



Captain Samuel Berry reckoned if humanity was good at anything it was it's ability to come up with bigger and better weapons with which to destroy itself. But now science was going for smaller and better – very small. Nano scale to be precise. Nano-weapons were soon to supersede the 'smart' weapons of the Gulf War era, and Sam's company was well-placed to take advantage of the new trend . As the CEO of Ephemess Industries, he turned to the General he was showing round the facility. “We are engaged in some ground-breaking projects, quite literally when it comes to smart explosives.”

General Munter was old school. He didn't know much about how smart weapons worked. He left that stuff to the boffins and geeks. “So what's this latest weapon you hinted at, Sam?”

Sam needed Government funding and General Munter was influential when it came to the military budget. He announced, proudly, “We are working on an anti personnel weapon, capable of seeking and injecting toxin into unprotected humans. The human lethal dose of botulism toxin is about 100 nanograms. As many as 50 billion of this toxin carrying device could be packed into a suitcase.”

“Hmm, war in a briefcase. How close are you to making this baby?”

Sam scratched his chin. “Well this is a very expensive project and funds are running dry. To keep afloat we may have to divert our attention to other commercial products.” It was actually nearly ready for production, but he wasn't about to say that.

“Sam, leave it with me. I'll get some funding application forms to
you and we'll take it from there. But I am very impressed with your ideas.”
Sam smiled. He was now much closer to receiving orders for his super weapon, from the US military, with which he was closely aligned. And he was almost ready to service a growing and demanding world arms market. Then Ephemess would really make its mark.

Captain Sam Berry fought for his country under both Bushes. He figured the next war would be totally different, being fought with totally different weapons - nano-weapons. His company, Ephemess Industries' needed lucrative contracts with the US government, as well as with other nations who wanted state of the art weapons systems. Originally called Future Military Systems, it became shortened to FMS, which phonetically became Ephemess. Sam had a number of other projects on the table, including: nano scouts, nano force-fields, nano mind erasers, nano needles, water bullets, desynchronised energy fields, nano heart stoppers and stroke inducers. To Sam Berry all was fair in love and war.

Over dinner, at the 'Local Smoke', in Cookstown, New Jersey, with General Munter as his guest, Sam said, “In a way, General, I see myself as a pioneer, just like my great, great granddaddy, who went West by wagon train, to set up in sunny California.”

Munter stopped digging into his steak, “Hell, they were certainly brave, intrepid souls.”

“They sure were. My ancestors did it really hard. Their journeys were beset by all kinds of danger and hardship. But just because I'm not being attacked by wild natives, doesn't mean I don't have to guard my 'wagon train' against enemies.”

“What enemies are they Sam?” Munter spluttered, moving a big chunk of mushroom steak around in his mouth.“

My firm, and other pioneering companies like it, are being hassled by the newly founded FDA regulatory body for nano-technology industries. So far they had only produced a draft copy of proposed regulations for the industry, but that's the thin end of the wedge.” He handed his copy to the General.

Munter put down his cutlery, fitted his reading glasses and looked at the report. At length to turned to Sam, “It's got no bite.”

Sam took it back. “Yeah, I know that. But it's important to keep abreast of such things, if I am to be one step ahead of the enemy.”

Munter snarled, “Those God-dam liberal, pinko do-gooders, who do no good at all, are the scourge of this earth.”

Sam smiled, waving the report, “To be forearmed is to be in control.”

“I'll drink to that,” Munter said raising the dregs left in his wine glass.


All-in-all it had been a successful networking day, Sam mused, as he snuggled up to his wife that night. Just because he manufactured weapons of mass destruction, did not, by Sam’s reckoning, make him an evil man. There were rogue nations and bad guys in the world who wished to do America harm. His job was to see that it did not happen. Most people, he reasoned, may well find his line of work unsavoury but someone had to do it.

No, Sam was not evil. But, by his reckoning, the world he lived in, was. People did evil things to each other and his job was to provide clients with the means by which they could defend themselves with the best and most efficient weapons available. In medieval times, he reasoned, swords and shields were state of the art weaponry. When guns were first used, military architecture was completely re-designed. High-walled castles gave way to lower more sturdy forts that were better defended against cannon fire. Now it was nano-weapons, or would be once they became a practical alternative to the conventional type weapons currently used. Nano-science, being brand new research territory, made it hard enough coming up with the goods without bleeding heart liberals crying foul because they didn't understand the technology. Having mentally justified his actions, Sam smiled and drifted into sleep.

3


Marty Diamond was a gawk. As the limousine transported him towards the entrance of the huge house, the comedian thought he was approaching a palace. Maison de Liberte, the Palm Beach mansion and home of Stan Grant, often had that effect on first time visitors. Marty’s Hollywood home was by no means a hovel but Stan’s home looked like a royal residence, by comparison. With servants attending to his luggage and being greeted by a maid, holding a silver tray, upon which was perched a glass of bubbly, Marty felt a bit like royalty himself. Then he saw his host, tanned and attired in Bermuda shorts and Hawaiian shirt, approaching him.

Hey, Stan the Man, you have got yourself a beautiful pad,” Marty stated, delivering a high five.

Marty, it’s great to see you. Welcome to Maison De Liberte, which I can enjoy much more, now I am retired.”

Retired! Get way,”

No, seriously. Joshua gets to run the show now.”

Marty raised his glass. “The king has retired. Long live the king.”

So how’s your career going?”

Marty took an instant trip down memory lane, serving burgers in frantic, fast-food joints while waiting for the agent’s call. That was after any agents showed interest in him. His wild red hair and sallow complexion didn’t immediately have movie directors reaching for their cheque books. “Oh I’m playing in Las Vegas at present.”

I’m pleased for you.”
Man, I’ll never forget how you believed in me when I was trying to get a leg up.”

I saw something in you that I don't see in many people.”

What? My rugged handsomeness; my genius; my outstanding talent; my humility? Marty grinned.

Stan laughed, “No, your bullshit.”

They both laughed at that.

Marty let’s go down on the beach.”

It’s okay for you. You’re dressed for it. I’m still in my airline creased clothes.”

The word beach alerted Chaser from his nap. His ears pricked and his tail began wagging furiously.”

He understands English!” Marty said, surprised.

He understands beach.”

Chasers tail went up a gear.

Wednesday 31 October 2012

"Water is precious" is the title of this, my anti-fracking painting, which has a simple but direct message "Don't frack with us Gas Companies". This is the title of a song, written and performed by the Wollumbin Wacky Warblers. It is sung to the tune of "Don't cry for me Argentina" (Watch out for it on you tube).

 http://www.mydailynews.com.au/news/no-fracking-way-wollumbin-duo-pen-anti-csg-ditty/1577470/

This is a link to a video of the Wollumbin Wacky Warblers singing their anti-fracking song.

ENJOY!