NanoWiki


Fullerenes, Nanotubes and Nanotechnology 

This is a place to share something interesting you have learned about nanotubes in particular or nanotechnology in general.  Click on the "Edit" tab and scroll to the bottom of the list.  Give your entry a title, add your name, and summarize your findings IN YOUR OWN WORDS a few sentences.  Don't forget to cite your source so we can follow up to learn more (click on Add Link). Click on "save" at the bottom and you're done!

 

"Nanotechnology's Big Impact" ChemMatters article

 

Buckyball Film Cameo (Dr. Starkey): When I was in grad school, NOVA came to UCLA when they were working on a documentary on the discovery of buckminsterfullerene (C60 aka buckyball).  They wanted some "SoCal-looking" people for an opening scene, so they found three blond-haired, blue-eyed chemistry grad students.  (We all know that's what everyone looks like in southern California, right?  The real joke is that ALL THREE of us are originally from Connecticut - ha!)  Anyway, we all put on some buckyball t-shirts and jogged across campus as they filmed their intro to "Race to Catch a Buckyball" which aired in 1995.

 

Researchers use nanoparticles to send chemotherapy drug directly to the tumor site- Patricia Picazo

Scientists from the California Nanosystems and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, have developed a system that sends one particular chemotherapy drug directly to the tumor, which greatly reduces the side effects of the drug and increases its effectiveness. They use mesoporous silica nanoparticles to deliver the drug to the tumor instead the drug circulating through the blood stream. The drug is located inside particles that are wrapped with lipids and once the particles reach the site, they release the drug, based on the acidity of the cancer cells. Although it is still in mice trials, they hope that soon the technology will be used in humans.

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-nanoparticles-chemotherapy-drug-tumor-site.html

 

Nanotech and health---Andrew Tadros

A team in China developed a biodegradable generator that can run for a lifetime on energy that it creates. This can be used in devices such as pacemakers or other surgically implanted devices that need to run on an energy source. The device would work by using heat from the body or energy created from the flow of blood. The nanotech would prevent multiple surgeries to replace devices that are running low on energy; if the device is no longer needed, it can be programmed to self destruct.

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-bioegradable-nanogenerator-body-external-power.html 

 

Nanotubes in healthcare -- Yi-Chun Lin 

Nanotubes technology is already applied on many healthcare in human's lives, such as dental implants. Nanotube can also bond with antibody in order to cure cancer or tumor. The researchers also found that the nanotube can also make artificial muscles which muscles can afford 200 times heavier than normal muscles. http://www.understandingnano.com/nanotubes-carbon.html

 

Nanotechnology Weapons : The "Bionic Hornet"-Israel's Insect Sized Drone--Rosalynn Manophinives

Israel has created this insect sized killing machine, called the Bionic Hornet. This is a drone which looks like and is the size of a hornet is capable of navigating through narrow alleyways to target oNanoWiki therwise unreachable enemies such as rocket launchers. It is one of several weapons being developed by scientists to combat militants. Other nanotechnology weapons include super gloves that would give the user the strength of a "bionic man" and miniature sensors to detect suicide bombers.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/bionic-hornets-israel-looks-at-the-next-generation-of-warfare-a-449171.html

 

Nanotubes In Medicine -- Ashley Deuschle

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical in shape and composed of carbon atoms which in return makes them at least 100x more stronger than steel with much less than half the weight. The most desirable aspect about CNTs is the ability to use them to transport drugs to targeted cells and tissues as they can also assume pathogenic bacteria. http://www.esciencecentral.org/journals/the-use-of-carbon-nanotubes-in-medical-applications-is-it-a-success-story-2329-6879.1000147.php?aid=23345

 

Carbon Nanotube "Cupcakes"--Silvana Alson

Chunks of carbon nanotube arrays that are grown on silicone are placed on a laser power detector that can detect terahertz radiation. Terahertz radiation can penetrate skin, paper, plastic, etc. By utilizing the terahertz radiation, it can allow science to image skin tumors, package inspection, and concealed weapons detection. http://www.zdnet.com/article/5-surprising-uses-for-carbon-nanotubes/ 

 

Nanotechnology in Food and the Food Industry - Nicole Tellez

Nanotechnology impacts the food industry in many different areas. Everything from food packaging, altering a product's characteristics (taste, texture, nutrients), to the impacts on agriculture (pesticides). In food packaging, nano-enhanced barriers keep oxygen-sensitive foods fresher for longer periods of time. For food enhancement, nano-encapsulating improves the solubility of vitamins, antioxidants, and other 'nutraceuticals'. In terms of agriculture, researchers are currently aiming for pesticides encapsulated in nanoparticles that will only release pesticides in an insect's stomach further minimizing the contamination in soil and plants.

http://www.understandingnano.com/column-food.html

 

Scaffold Function of Nanotubes for Regenerative Medicine- Derek S. Dinson 

In the recent decades, stem cell research has contributed to the field of regenerative medicine. One of the major discoveries within stem cell research is iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells), which are a pluripotent (potential to differentiate into any cell type) stem cells generated from adult cells via the process of reprogramming. iPSCs can be easily procured from any cell of the patient, for example skin cells. Since they come from the patient, there is no need to worry about immune-rejection when they are implanted back into the patient as differentiated cells, or even an organ. These cells can be reprogrammed into a pluripotent like state, in which the cells can be differentiated into any specific cell type. This process is done “in vitro,” or out of the body on a cell plate through the process of cell culturing. With recent studies, these iPSC cells are utilized to make real organs to be transferred back into the patient. One essential component to this process is a scaffold, or frame for the organ. Most times, the scaffolds are donor organs that are utilized as a skeleton to grow the specific cells to create a brand new organ. But, with donor organs in short supply, that leaves those who may need transplants in a bind. To solve this issue, nanotubes can be utilized as a synthetic scaffold to mimic the structure and surface of the organ of interest. This can reduce the waiting duration for a donor scaffold and potentially help those who need transplants receive essentially an organ made from their very own cell with the help of nanotubes.

http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/growing-stem-cells-on-carbon-nanotubes/81249473/

 

 

Applications of Nanotechnology in Water and Wastewater Treatment - Erickson Galero

One of the many fields of nanotechnology application is in the purification of unconventional sources of water for human needs. Recent discoveries and ongoing research in nanotechnology show a more promising, sustainable, and efficient alternative to the current methods of water purification. Applications of nanotechnology in the field range from detection of harmful substances to disinfecting the water itself. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135413001772

 

Production of Nanotubes -- Ivonne Garrido
Single-walled carbon nanotubes can be produced in close-packed bundles by laser ablation of carbon targets. These are produced in higher yields than the cheaper and easier to implement multi-walled nanotubes. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v388/n6644/abs/388756a0.html

 

Utilizing nanotechnology for desalination---Su Yeon Kim
Researchers have created a one-atom-thick porous membrane using graphene. This graphene membrane is filled with nanopores that are just large enough to allow the passage of water molecules. This membrane allows the water to pass while leaving larger particles like salt molecules behind.
http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v10/n5/full/nnano.2015.37.html

 

Ten things you should know about nanotechnology -- Ashley Chapple
The newest member of the carbon nanomaterial club is graphene. Discovered only in 2004, graphene is a flat one-atom thick sheet of carbon. Existing forms of carbon basically consist of sheets of graphene, either bonded on top of each other to form a solid material like the graphite in your pencil, or rolled up into carbon nanotubes (think of a single-walled carbon nanotube as a graphene cylinder) or folded into fullerenes.http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology/ten_things_you_should_know_4.php

 

Creation of Ultracapacitors---Alexander Murphy
Nanotubules reveal great potential for worldwide use and application-their properties include a thermal conductivity higher than diamond, greater mechanical strength than steel, orders of magnitude by weight, and better electrical conductivity than copper. With a higher electrical conductivity than most typical capacitors and greater stability, make them a perfect candidate car batteries, utilizing a newer improved method of delivering power through an ultracapacitor. FastCAP is bringing this technology to the forefront claiming longer life-spans, durability, and greater power. It can be equated to a regular capacitor on steroids, maintaining and storing power up to 3 times as much as the highest-performing capacitor on the market. Read more about here:
*http://www.spe.org/news/article/the-promise-of-power-fastcaps-new-capacitor-looks-to-the-future
*http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/electronics-technology/carbon-nanotubes-find-real-world-applications/58278/

 

Ecological Effects of Nanotubes on Marine Algae -- Austin Estores-Pacheco

Since the use of nanotubes has increased in popularity, people have studied the effects of nanotubes on live organisms. It has been found that the presence of multi-walled nanotubes affects the concentration and activity of microalgae, including chloroplasts and diatoms.  When algae was placed in the presence of nanotubes, the organisms significantly decreased in size and concentration over time. Since microalgae is at the base of the trophic system, any pollutant that significantly affects organisms at this level could cause major ecological shifts at higher trophic levels. http://ac.els-cdn.com/S2212667814000690/1-s2.0-S2212667814000690-main.pdf?_tid=4cc4c39c-d5c2-11e5-b6f2-00000aacb360&acdnat=1455746799_6ae24fd9a7ba888c9ca9fe8c0f76e0a2

 

Nanotechnology and Nuclear Power- Grace Montgome

Nuclear power provides approximately 19% of United States power. They are large and complex facilities that end up using a lot of water to produce the energy output from the Uranium-235. Most Western nuclear power plants contain pressurized water reactors, PBRs for short, that pump water through the system. However, these PBRs allow for a lot of energy to be lost when the steam created by the fission of Uranium-235 is cooled back down into water. New nanotechnology called core-shell phase change nanoparticles are being used in order to prevent this water and energy loss from being created. A core-shell nanoparticle is when the cores is made out of one material and the outer shell is created by a different material. It is considered a phase changing particle because it allows for a phase change between liquid and solid under certain conditions. These nanoparticles would be mixed in with the water in order to capture the thermal energy. The cool part is, the material on the inside of the nanoparticle will become a liquid and capture the thermal energy from the nuclear reaction and the shell remains a solid and captures the heat within the system. As the particles and the water travel, the nanoparticle would dissipate and release the energy into the water when it gets close to the turbine. This allows for more energy to be able to be released and a better improvement in the nuclear power industry. https://fas.org/pir-pubs/nuclear-power-nanomaterials-big-potential-small-particle

 

Nanotubes and the Environment- Drewe Walker

It seems as though that there has not been a successful method of cleaning up oils spills without great cost in the time and money field. Now, there has been some sparks of great improvements in oil spill clean up with in depth research of nanotubes. Researchers have discovered that when boron is added in situ to nanotube creation, there is a push for nanotube to become a sponge like material that can absorb much more than its own body weight in oil. The method of implementation would be using reverse osmosis in desalination facilities as the sponge material becomes a magnet for oil. 

http://www.understandingnano.com/nanotubes-carbon.html 

 

Nanotechnology in Monitoring Air Polution- Susan Karakira

The rate that sources of pollution have been increasing are not matched with the rate of developing tools to monitor it. Nanotechnology has been applied to gal monitoring systems, leak detectors, breath alcohol, etc. This article examines air quality monitoring with nanotechnology sensors.  

https://xerxes.calstate.edu/pomona/articles/record?id=FETCH-LOGICAL-c2478-1819ac3913de08ee48554fb161ec711b158990c4db0c0cc90c13a43123cb24f73

 

Nanotechnology Discovering Diseases - Greg Chung

Nucleic acids are made of specific sequences of bases that represent different functions. Because of this correlation, they can be used to understand what is going on on the cellular level. A family of these nucleic acids, called microRNAs, are linked to various diseases, including cancer. This new method can identify and quantify these microRNAs in an environment with other nucleic acids floating around. The next step is to up-scale this method to work on clinical samples of blood and tissue.

http://phys.org/news/2016-02-nanotechnology-biomarkers-cancer.html

 


"Nanotechnology and Health Risks" -- Ani Nazari

Nanomaterials are considered to be toxic to human body due to their small sized particles. These particles have more reactive surface areas compare to the larger particles. Additionally, they are more chemically reactive, and have the ability to produce more reactive oxygen species which can cause oxidative stress, inflammation and frequent damages to cells, tissues and DNA.The article explains about the risks of nanotechnology to human health and explains how it could be managed in some cases. 

http://www.env-health.org/IMG/pdf/17-_NANOTECHNOLOGY_AND_HEALTH_RISKS.pdf

 

"Gold Nanoshells Used for Cancer Treatment" - Julie Beauchamp

The main goal of using gold nanoshells in cancer treatment is to improve the selectivity of attacking cancer cells and to reduce destruction of normal, healthy cells. These nanoshells are able to act as carriers for anticancer drugs and the way they are improving target ability is with specific peptides that are attached to the nanoshells on their surface. The A54 peptide has been found to be making the most strides towards success as it resulted in liver cancer cells accepting three times more of the nanoshells with this peptide than the nanoshells without the peptide. The gold in the nanoshells has been discussed as an option to absorb near infrared light in order to generate heat and act as a beneficial hyperthermia treatment. Further research is being conducted to determine the applicability of this in living organisms.

http://www.iop.org/news/14/feb/page_62542.htm

 

Nanotechnology in Sports - Erick Santiago

The application of nanotechnology is very broad and ranges to all fields in which sports is no exception. Throughout the years sports equipment companies have been using the latest technology in order to improve athletic performance. Most sports equipment such as shoes, cleats, sportswear, balls,  rackets, golf clubs, jerseys, etc. have begun to be improved through the use of nanotechnology. For example in shoes and cleats require a material that is soft and comfortable but also be able to retain their shape through harsh impact forces and nano-tubules have proved to the the most efficient. Most recently in the mid 2000s and on we have seen the introduction of nanotechnology in sportswear and has showed great results. The biggest improvement that nanotechnology offers is that nano-silver can be used in making towels, socks and other sportswear that will greatly reduce the smell and improve cleanliness of equipment by restricting the growth of bacteria in the equipment once sweat is being absorbed.  http://nanotechnology.unlv.edu/ee453_fall2008_projects/ee453_project7.pdf

 

Boron Nitride Nanotubes Successful Delivery of Fluorescent Drugs and Probes - Wesley Leung

This research tested the use of Boron Nitride Nantotubes (BNNTs) to see if they would be successful in carrying a fluorescent drug into a cell. The drug in question and tested in this research was curcumin. The research results showed that the cells with the BNNTs showed signs of anti-inflammatory effects which is what was suppose to happen with the drug. The successful results show that BNNTs can be used to successfully administer drugs to specific targets if needed.  http://www.futuremedicine.com.proxy.library.cpp.edu/doi/abs/10.2217/nnm.15.214?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed

 

Polychiral Semiconducting Carbon Nanotube-Fullerene Solar Cells – (Miguel Reyes) 

 

This research focuses on the enhancement dye-sensitized solar cells through the usage of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs.) The usage of these carbon nanotubes provide a a higher absortion band in the near-infrared portion, which regular PVs cannot achieve. These solar cells achieved record high average efficiency of 3.1 %, where cells of these types normally range from 1-1.9%. The nnotubes maximizes photocurrent while maintaining high photovoltage. 

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/nl5027452

 

Nanotechnology in Enzymes and Cosmetics - Jacqueline Kang

Nanotechnology has given a cheaper and efficient method for producing electrically conducting compounds based on electrostatic adsorption of carbon nano-tubes onto resin and ceramic particles, which can be used for enzymes and cosmetics. By controlling the amount of electrolyte added and the concentration of carbon nano-tubes adsorption onto resin particles, a broad variety of materials like metals, ceramics, and polymers can be utilized. 

http://phys.org/news/2011-09-carbon-nanotube-composites-enzymes-cosmetics.html

 

Nanotechnology in fishing - Kevin Shim

Nanotechnology has given new grounds to fish lovers all around the world with the integration of nanotechnology in not only lures/baits but also the main instrument used in fishing, the rod! Due to the nature of fly fishing, where you are constantly casting a line, a lighter more mobile rod means more efficiency in casting and ultimately catching fish. Nanocomposite rods also serve as a better replacement in comparison to conventional rods due to its ability to resist more pull and drag exerted from the catch. 
http://www.nanotech-now.com/columns/?article=070 

 

Nanotubes in Dentistry - Matthew Meneses

Research has shown that nanotubes adhere better and last longer than the artificial bone material currently being used for implants. Studies show that nanotubes may actually be stronger than normal bone structure. Nanotubes can also be loaded with anti-inflammatory drugs, making this method a two-in-one knock out! Long term effects are still being observed, but if approved, nanotubes can provide a faster and healthier method of dental implants. 

http://www.understandingnano.com/nanotubes-carbon.html

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2013/296727/

 

Nanotechnology in Fabrics (Resilient Fabrics) - Jessie Lin

The most common example of nanotechnology in fabrics is the waterproof clothing. The idea of waterproof fabrics came from the observation on the plant leafs. For example, observation was made on the lotus leaf and it was found that there are tiny spikes on the lotus leaves that are waxy. Those spikes help to gather up the water beads and make them slide off the leaf easily. Therefore, the Schoeller Technologies of Sevelen, Switzerland, developed the NanoSphere to apply on the fabrics by adding nanoparticles, which act like the tiny spikes on the lotus leaf, on the surface of the fabric. This treatment makes the fabric to easily shed off water like plant leaves. Furthermore, nanotextiles are also used on clothing and carpets. Therefore, next time when you spill coffee or wine on the carpet or the kids are being playful and spill liquid on any fabrics, those beads of liquid can be easily wiped off! 

http://theinstitute.ieee.org/technology-focus/technology-topic/everyday-nanotechnology 

 

Nanotechnology possibilities in Agriculture-- Sarayu Ramnath

The EU supports nanotechnology as one of its "Six Key enabling Technologies" that contribute to sustainable competitiveness and growth in several fields of industrial application. Nanotechnology is used for crop protection in plant protection products as it uses nanocapsules as smart delivery systems of active ingredients for disease and pest control in plants. Nanomaterials are used in soil improvement for water agrochemical retention in the soil for their soil release to plants, essentially retaining water. Nanosensors and nanoparticles are used as well in water purification, plant breeding and diagnostic health. Although there are a lot of potential advantages, these application in the agricultural sector have not made to the market in a large extent. 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1748013214001340

 

Nanotechnology and Bio-nanotechnology- Maret Geragosian

One of the most interesting areas of nano technology is Bio-nanotechnology, such as tissue re-engineering, DNA execution and manoeuvre, peptide analysis, and protein-tissue manipulation. Bio-nanotechnology seeks to create “living machinery” or devices capable of being interfaced with live tissue. Bio-nanotechnology studies existing elements of living organism and nature to make new nano devices. Hence we could see artificial limbs working in harmony with the living body, or insects mated with mechanical parts to control pollution, infestation or other environmental or military needs. It furthers the goals of biotechnology. One thing for sure is that once nano engineers manipulate natures building blocks of life, there may be no limits to what we can create and achieve positively and negatively.

http://nanolandglobal.com/nanotechnology

 

Carbon Nanotube Sensors for Gas Detection - Nhung Bui

Carbon nanotube sensors (CNTs) for gas detection is a chemical sensing platform-based nanotechnology using nanostructures: single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), combined with a silicon-based microfabrication and micromachining process. This platform provides an array of sensing elements for chemical detection. Each sensor in the array consists of a nanostructure- chosen from many different categories of sensing material-and an interdigitated electrode as a transducer. The electron configuration is changed in the nanostructured sensing device due to the interaction between CNTs and gas molecule. Changes in electron configuration affect the changes in electronic signal. Therefore, before and during the exposure of gas species, the changes in the electronic signal such as current or voltage were observed. By measuring the conductivity change of the CNT device, the concentration of the chemical species, such as gas molecules, can be measured. 

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/technology-onepagers/gas_detection.html

 

Nanotechnology-Nanostructured Glass-Mandy Lin

nanostructured glass can be used to store digital data up to five dimensional (5D) data storage--360 TB/disc data capcity. The disk has high heat tolance up to 1000 degree Celsius and long shelf life (13.8 billion years at 190 degree Celsius). Important documents from human histroy have been saved as gidital copies. Through short and intense light, file is recorded in three layers of nanostructured dots, and each is separated by five micrometres. The nanstructures within the disc is self-assembled which would alter when hit by light ,and therefore, enable the data recording process.

http://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2016/02/5d-data-storage-update.page

 

How to prevent Heart Attacks with Nanosenors -- Claire Southerland

Cheif academic officer, Eric Topol of Scripps Health in San Diego is working to create an injectable sensor that will help prevent heart attacks.  The nanosensor is injected into the blood stream and makes its way down through your veins until it reaches a capillary in the finger tip that is so small that the nanosensor cannot pass any further thus preventing an embolism.The goal of the hardware nanosensor is to measure different aspects of the blood such as unusual glucose levels or sloughed endothelial cells that are precursors to a heart attack. Ideally the nanosensor will have the ability to relay this information via a smart phone app so you can track your health and get treatment fast.

http://www.qmed.com/mpmn/medtechpulse/eric-topol-how-prevent-heart-attacks-nanosensors

 

Removal of Toxis Gases from Life Support Systems Using Carbon Nanotubes - Michelle Seers

Reliable life support systems are crucial for space exploration. NASA is implementing a new technology called crosscutting using single walled carbon nanotubes. These allow for new thermal processes for waste management and resource recovery by greatly increasing the catalytic efficiency, decreasing the mass and energy requirements of life support systems on future space missions. Thermal processes release acid gases and other toxic contaminants that must be removed to protect the crew. Metal or metal oxide catalysts supported on alumina or activated carbon are currently being used. Nanotube technology can be applied to cabin environmental control and waste processing in advanced regenerative life support systems. In addition, this technology reduces re-supply and furthers self sufficiency, emphasizing development of systems to maintain acceptable atmosphere and adequately process solid waste. There is also potential for nanotube technology to be used to purify water and detect and destroy potentially pathogenic organisms. 

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/technology-onepagers/carbon_nanotubes.html

 

Lightweight, Multifunctional Nanostructured MaterialsChristian Moreno

MIT, the Army, and industry are working together to advance soldier protection. There are five areas of research that the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN) is currently interested in. One of those is the SRA 1: Lightweight, Multifunctional Nanostructured Materials (S.R.A. meaning Strategic Research Area). Under this SRA 1 is a project ran by Professor Marin Soljacic and Professor Tomas Palacios. This project aims to develop the next generation of night vision systems. Not only is graphene is an ideal material for advanced infrared detectors, graphene devices can be coupled with a variety optical devices. Soljacic and Palacios expect these graphene devices to have record detectivity, fast time response, and lost cost. For more information about this topic and more related materials visit the ISN website using the link below.

http://isnweb.mit.edu/lightweight,-multifunctional-nanostructured-materials.html

 

Free Electricity from Nano-generators - William Chen

Many body movements can generate electricity, such as walking, moving fingers, or even breathing. By converting a fraction of the mechanical energy to electric energy, power can be generated to power a device. Zinc Oxide nano-wires is capable of generating electricity in response to mechanical stress, also known as the piezoelectric effect. The Zinc and Oxygen ions are displaced when the nano-wires are bend in response to a vibration, which creates an imbalance in charges, thus creates an electric field that produces a current due to nano-wire's connection to a circuit. With many nano-wires, enough powers can be generated to run a small medical implant, despite the fact that each nano-wire produces small amount of power. Once researchers find ways to connect all the nano-wires to the circuit, this kind of technology can be developed and, for example, put into our shoes so we can generate electricity while walking.

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/405714/free-electricity-from-nano-generators/

 

Nanotechnology in animal reproduction--Ariel Gonzalez

Nanotechnology is beginning to expand in the field of animal reproduction in order to observe and control hormone levels, antibiotics, vitamins, gametes, etc.. Nanobiosensors are starting to be used in order to detect diseases, pathogens, an oestrus to make to make the breeding process easier and more accurate. Although nanotechnology has potential in reproduction management, more research needs to be conducted due to the possibility of them being toxic to the animal.

http://www.cbra.org.br/pages/publicacoes/animalreproduction/issues/download/v11n3/pag278-280%20(AR678).pdf

 

Carbon Nanotubes and Heart Health- Nicole Lynn

Recently at Rice University (the place where  C60 was first discovered) bio-engineers have made progress in using carbon nanotubes for scaffolding in heart patches. The carbon nano tube scaffolding they are experimenting with (as of 2014) is called cardiac putty. The purpose is to make heart bio-patches stronger. The reason in using this goes back to fetal development, where there is a hole in our heart between the two atria which allows for the fetus to get oxygen from the placenta rather than using its lungs. After birth, the hole is supposed to close as the lungs allow for intake of oxygen. According to this article, up to 25% of people have heart problems following development due to lack of completion of the heart between the atria. Other applications include a multitude of heart defects which can be fixed by using bio patches. Other types of materials have been tested in the past but issues arose when the materials weren't conductive enough to work with the heart. Carbon nanotubes seem to fit the criteria in order to work with this issue as they are organic molecules. The article also includes a pretty interesting video of what it looks like inside the heart as well as what the tissue looks like when they synthetically made it.

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/190939-carbon-nanotube-patches-can-keep-your-heart-pumping-longer-better-stronger

 

Nanotechnology In Textiles - June Wu

Nanoparticles are being used more often to coat our clothes due to the many benefits they provide. Silver nanoparticles can kill bacteria and fungi, which prevent nasty odor. Silica nanoparticles make our clothes water and stain proof, and titanium oxide and zinc oxide can prevent sunburn through our clothes. Many of our clothes tend to gather static, but nanoparticles are able to conduct electricity, which can help disperse the charge. However, integrating nanotechnology into our clothes is still under research, as though it is benefit to humans, it may be harmful to other forms of life. 

https://www.theguardian.com/science/small-world/2014/feb/14/nanotechnology-clothes-nanoparticles 

 

Nanotechnology and Inhalants - W. Jacob Kavanaugh

Applications of carbon nanotube inhalants are being explored. Instead of injection. scientists are exploring the possibilities of using nanotube loaded gases to distribute drugs and genes through the nasal passageways. In some studies involving rats, nanotubes were inhaled in order to reduce allergic reactions. The nanotubes take place in the sinuses of the rats nose and absorb irritants. Theoretically, nanotubes could be inhaled into the lungs where they would latch on to the infected area. Their antibacterial capabilities could be fine tuned to various types of infections. 

http://ajplung.physiology.org/content/295/3/L400.short

Also, watch this video and check out second 2:26.... Blonde "Californian"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woeo0PcuquI

 

Nanotechnology in Medicine: Drug Delivery to Specific Cells – Gisselle Alvarado

There is currently research for the development of nanoparticles that will be able to deliver drugs, heat, light, or other substances to target specific cells such as cancer cells in this specific example. They want to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to the cancer cells so they do not damage the healthy cells. This development may also help with an earlier detection of cancer. http://www.understandingnano.com/medicine.html

 

Yonex, Nanoray Z-Speed, The worlds fastest racquet - Nuriel Yedidsion

 

The Nanoray Z-Speed is the worlds fastest racquet holding the Guinness world record set by Malaysia badminton world champion Tan Boon Heong with a smash speed of 493km/hr.  The racquet was released in September 2013 and has been designed to increase swing speed by 10%. The “ultra slim long shaft” uses H.M graphite Nanometric, x-fullerene that makes the Nanoray Z-Speed the most aerodynamic racquet ever produced.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpD2QKpcJvc

http://www.yonex.com/nanoray/

 

 

Nanotechnology in Health: Device to Diagnose Cancer Rapidly - Kathy Phan

The best way to fight against cancer is to have an early detection at a cellular level. University of Texas at Arlington electrical engineer had developed a new tool to detect cancer. There are many layers of tissue in the human body and the team decided to find a way to create layers that mimic those in our body. By using nanotextured walls to mimic the tissue layers in our body, they were able to make a tool that can track cellular behavior. Cancer cells that come into contact with these nanotextured walls would behave differently. The cancer cells would "dance" and the doctors would be able to detect the cancer and treat patients at an earlier stage.

http://phys.org/news/2016-02-electrical-device-cancer-rapidly-cellular.html

 

Buckyball Being Banned as Magnets 

-Ashley Dixon

Buckyball on its own is a magnet that used to be sold to the public, but now that it is seen as harmful, the Consumer Product Saftey Commission tried to ban buckyball from being sold as a magnet product. The CPSC views buckyball as a hazardous material for anyone that uses it because the shape of it is tiny balls that stick together. So this goes for kids that are still at the age of swallowing small items. But there are still some retailers that sell magnetic buckyball. 

 

http://gizmodo.com/5929064/buckyballs-have-been-banned-by-the-feds

 

Nanotechnology in Medicine: Cell Repair Nanorobots for Chromosome Replacement Therapy - Katherine Tam

The purpose of using nanorobots is to be able to work at the cellular level by trying to repair damaged DNA. In this journal, the use of nanorobots is applied to chromosome replacement therapy which can be used due to many diseases being linked to the molecular malfunction of the chromosomes. These defects may lead to consequential gene expression so this technology will use manufactured chromosomes to replace the faulty chromosomes leading to the possibility of eradicating genetic diseases.   

http://jetpress.org/v16/freitas.pdf

Nanotechnology in Veterinary Medicine-Amika Yamamoto
Recently, nanotechnology is spreading not only in human medicine but also in veterinary medicine and it is a key to new techniques to study and create from nanocapsule vaccines to improving molecular breeding. By inputting nanotechnology in the veterinary world, scientists and veterinarians are able to make even accurate disease diagnosis and treatment delivery systems, and also create new tools for molecular and celluar animal breeding. Some nanotechnology-related research that has already been taken place includes introducing nanoshells and nanotubes into animals to help identify and eliminate targeted cells which can reduce the chance for the disease to worsen.
http://www.scopemed.org/?mno=1783#references

 

Nanotechnology and Medicine-Melissa Schwartz

Nanotechnology allows us to build tools smaller than a human cell. There are two components needed to make these tools: a universal computer and a universal constructor. These tools have high accuracy and can provide great advances in the medical field. Some applications could include identifying and killing cancer cells, providing oxygen, and could be used as artificial mitochondria. 

http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/nanotechAndMedicine.html

 

Nanotechnology for Water Filter- Maryam Akram 

Nanotubes have a high affinity for pollutants. They also, assumedly, have a high capacity to retain pollutants because of their large surface area. If used commercially, nanotubes will be a great choice because  they will require little maintenance to clean up a lot of water. With this being said, in actuality, not much is known about how the pollutants interact with the nanotubes, or how the nanotubes will behave in the environment. This needs to be understood before  using them. Experiments known ahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-lvsIMtEVo s the “passive sampling method” are being done to test the affinity of certain carcinogenic compounds to the nanotubes. Another factor being tested is the competition factor. If there is a competing interaction between two pollutants for a spot on the nanotube, will one not bind, and if so, what are the factors that determine this and what is the saturation capacity of the nanotube.  

http://medienportal.univie.ac.at/presse/aktuelle-pressemeldungen/detailansicht/artikel/nanotechnology-for-water-filter/

 

Nanotechnology in the Military - Jonathan Garcia Sanchez

The military is currently exploring new ways of making armor stronger and lighter using new polymers as well as designs of nanocomposites.  As deadlier projectiles are being developed, tungsten carbide core bullets and tungsten fragmentation rounds to increase penetrating power, the military is faced with the daunting task of developing stronger armor for soldiers while maintaining mobility.   The ultimate goal for the military is to design, synthesize, and fabricate stronger materials via nanotechnology.  Scientists are aiming to make a garment with novel microtruss materials, nanoscale versions of the truss structures of bridges and buildings, in hopes of applying this technology in the battlefield.  Other nanomaterials being explored are those that would allow garments to not only act as an armor-like material that would absorb impacts, but that would contract and stabilize a soldier’s broken bone or apply pressure to a gunshot wound.

http://web.a.ebscohost.com.proxy.library.cpp.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=5dce1998-5a8c-47d9-87e1-4f35fb1c7788%40sessionmgr4003&vid=1&hid=4206

 

Nanotechnology in Medicine (Cardiovascular) - Priscilla Kim

Nanotechnology is making huge strides in medicine. At Brown University, researchers have shown to have regenerated heart muscle that has died due to a heart attack. When patients suffer from a heart attack, the tissue in that particular area of the heart dies. Surgeons, rather than fix the affected area, will find a route around the necrotic area and surpass that area that has died. With nanotechnology, it has been shown that those areas can regenerate. What researchers did was create a mesh of black nanotubes and put it into a petri dish with cardiomyocytes. What they found was that with the addition of the mesh, the cells would regenerate and grow new cells. They also saw that these nanotubes also have the potential for electrical impulse, much like the impulses present in the body that make the heart beat normally. 

http://www.nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=12087&ntid=130&pg=1

 

Future Impact of Nanotechnology on Medicine and Dentistry - Brittney Crawford

A variety of present day nanomedicine exploits such as dendrimers, carbon fullerenes, and nanoshells may be used to target specific tissues and organs in the very new futures. Within the next two decades it should become possible to construct machines on the micrometer scale made up of these nanoparticles to serve as diagnostic and therapeutic antiviral, antitumor, or anticancer agents. The future of this technology though ultimately rests in the hands of new scientists going into these fields of research.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2813556/

 

Nanotechnology in different fields - Sophie Ly

Nanotechnology, in general, is the technology used for making stuff smaller. It has been developed rapidly and is applied in several fields - such as healthcare, military, and so on. In healthcare, for example, a tiny pill with camera attached is used for the purpose of identifying diseases and health issues deep inside human body. In military, nanotechnology is used in creating nano drones and invisible combat suits. They, as scientists believe, are going to make advantage effects on warfare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-lvsIMtEVo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xEuOVjhWbs

 

Researchers Observe Light-Induced Lossless Electricity Transmission in Fullerenes -Courtney Sobek 

Researchers at MAX Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter at the Center for Free-Electron Laser Science (CFEL) in Hamburg are challenging the general belief that superconductors can only be used in a few applications and lose their resistance at -70°C. The material they were testing was composed of carbon and potassium atoms arranged in bucky ball structures. Their main goal was to gain understanding about material and its conductivity of electricity at room temperature without any loss, and without optical excitation. Their tested material was observed to become superconducting for less than a second at 100°K. A possible explanation to this occurrence is the crystalline structure the material posses. By extending the lifetime of superconductivity it could be useful for many applications in a world growing and so dependent on it’s electricity.

http://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=34344

 

How Nanotechnology Can Make Your Vitamin Supplements Better - Stephanie Nieves

Scientists have discovered, within the area of nanotechnology, the creation of a lypo-sphereic capsule that can be used in supplements. It's a liposome designed to assist scientists to specifically select specific phospholipids, from the wall of the sphere, to target the exact cells they want the vitamins/nutrients to be delivered in the body.

https://www.multivitaminguide.org/blog/how-nanotechnology-can-make-your-vitamin-supplements-better/ 

 

This research focuses on the enhancement of lithium ion batteries, using carbon nano tubes. Aligned nano tubes provide a structure and pattern for the deposition of silicon( in a particular the anode portion.) This structure also allows for an increase in volumetric deposition. 

 

Nanotechnology in the targeted drug delivery for bone diseases and bone regeneration-Maha Mehdi

Nanoparticles are often used  to deliver deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid molecules to specific bone sites for gene therapies. Bone diseases are difficult to treat because they cause major mobility hindrance. Targeted delivery is the goal for nano medicine because the drugs can go directly to the site. it reduces side effects and it would also require a lesser dose as opposed to conventional treatments for bone disorders. Currently, targeted delivery is mainly achieved by using special drugs called bisphosphonates (BPs), which have been used for treating bone diseases.Using nanotechnology in bone regeneration is also a hope.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3699134/ 

 

Nanodrip Builds Better Electrodes for Touch-Scheens - (Carlos Pacheco)

 

Gold or silver nanoparticles are used to produce electrodes on touch-screens. They are created using 3-D printing techniques but with a special printer dubbed the Nanodrip. The nanodrip works like an ink-jet printer but instead of ink it uses the nanoparticles. With this technology the touch-screens have better conductivity and transparency. However there are of few challenges related to scalability.

http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/materials/3-d-printer-builds-better-electrodes-for-displays

 

Rocking Out With Carbon Nanotubes - Thao Hua

Carbon nanotubes have outstanding thermal and electrical conductivity, which translates to a highly efficient thermoacoustic effect. When a current runs through the nanotube, nearby air is heated; by controlling the current, a sound wave is produced. A yarn-like array design is used to dissipate the heat more efficiently from the nanotubes and is tested by Tsinghua researchers to play a whole year with no significant sign of wear. Making it more durable than conventional speakers.
http://cen.acs.org/articles/91/web/2013/09/Rocking-Carbon-Nanotubes.html

 

Nanotechnology in Livestock Feeds – Julia Wiemeyer

Cereal grains used to feed livestock in the meat production industry must often be stored for extended periods of time due to seasonal harvests. Because of this the cereal grains accumulate aflatoxins, which are very dangerous for animals. However, using nanotechnology the Food and Agriculture Organization has developed a nanocomposite of MgO-SiO2 to absorb the aflatoxins present in order to make the food safe for animal consumption. - http://www.pagepress.org/journals/index.php/nd/article/viewFile/nd.2012.e4/pdf