SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Monday, February 15, 2010

NEWSWORTHY

Nano materials to cause cancer “cell suicide”
Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago Medical Center have created microdiscs of nanomagnetic materials to destroy cancer cells. These gold plated iron-nickel microdiscs place themselves on cancer cells and begin to oscillate when an alternating magnetic field is applied to them. The energy developed from these oscillations creates apoptosis or “cell suicide.” See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nature Materials.

Nano boost for hydrogen production
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz used nanotechnology to improve hydrogen production in water-splitting solar cells (cells that use sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen and use hydrogen for fuel-cell vehicles). They tested the performance of nanostructured composite materials for photoanodes in photoelectrochemical cells. They found improvements in hydrogen production in comparison to the conventional methods of hydrogen produced through solar energy. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.

Nanophotocathode
Researchers at the University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK) developed a nanophotocathode capable of producing hydrogen with an efficiency of 60 percent. The system consists of a gold electrode covered in layers of Indium phosphide (InP) nanoparticles. Iron–sulfur complex, [Fe2S2(CO)6] is then introduced to this combination and is submerged in water followed by light radiation. A small current is generated and hydrogen with 60 percent efficiency is produced. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Angewandte Chemie.

“e-Textile” storage
Researchers from the Stanford University have devised a conductive textile called e-Textile that is capable of energy storage. By dipping the textile in nanoparticle ink different energy storage devises could be developed. Batteries can be developed using lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) ink and supercapacitors can be created through dipping the textile in ink containing conductive carbon molecules (single walled carbon nanotubes). See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.


HONORABLE MENTIONS

Cement component simulations
Atomic simulations of cement components were performed at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). They found that colloidal nanoparticle arrangement in C-S-H gel (calcium silicate hydrate – a major component in cement) was a factor responsible for mechanical properties of cement. They concluded that close arrangement of these particles makes the gel denser which improves mechanical properties of cement. See AtoZNano and Nanowerk.

Silver nanoparticles for ICDs
Research is being conducted at the University at Buffalo to develop batteries used in implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) with longer lifetimes. Current lifespan of these batteries runs from 5 to 7 years, but they are working on improving their material through making it 15000 times more conductive upon initial battery use through insitu generation of silver nanoparticles. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

Tracking nanoparticles in the “wild”
Research at Rice University has lead to new developments in tracking methods of nanoparticles. Researchers found photothermal techniques useful in tracking nanoparticles not only isolated on a surface, but also in the wild, amongst other particles under the microscope. They developed a method to use gold nanorods to sense nanoparticle orientation using plasmonic properties with polarization imaging techniques. See Nanowerk and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Microscope with nano precision
A research group at the University of Tübingen developed a near-field microscope with a nanometer precision that can be used to study microscopic structures in organic semiconductors. The microscope consists of a gold tip illuminated by a high-focus laser which when placed one-three nanometers above a semiconductor surface generates an optical field. Measurements of a semiconductor made of diindenoperylene (DIP) molecules indicated that edges of these molecules were one-three molecular layers high with17nm bright stripes. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Tuesday, February 02, 2010

NEWSWORTHY

NOMFETs
Researchers from CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and CEA (Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique) have devised an organic transistor called the Nanoparticle Organic Memory Field Effect Transistor (NOMFET). In this device gold nanoparticles are placed in the channel of the transistor and then coated with pentacene. This gives the system a memory element similar to the one that exists between two neurons while transmitting information. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire,Nanotechweb, Nanovip, Nanowerk,and Advanced Functional Materials.

Nano pattern transfer
Researcher at Rice University developed a method to transfer pattern of single walled carbon nanotube (SWNTs) from a substrate to any surface within minutes. The nanotubes are grown and then etched with hydrogen gas and water vapor to weaken the bonds between catalyst and metal. When “stamped” the nanotubes are attached to the surface through van der waals force with no trace of catalyst. If the substrate and catalyst remain intact, then they can be used to grow more nanotubes. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and ACS Nano.

Magnetic nanoparticles for cancer
Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology in collaboration with the Ovarian Cancer Institute developed and tested magnetic nanoparticles on samples of human cancer cells. Images of brown nanoparticles being attached to violet cancer cells in the human abdominal cavity were disclosed. They claim the next step in their research will be to test the magnetic nanoparticles on live animals followed by human beings. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nanomedicine.

Nanocorals to report status
Scientists from the University of California, Berkley developed nanoprobes called “nanocorals” capable of attaching themselves to cancer cells, delivering drugs, and reporting status of the local molecular environment. One side is designed to detect cancer cells whereas the other side is intended to access the surrounding chemical particles in the environment and report status back to researchers. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.


HONORABLE MENTION

Nanorods for faulty valves
Scientists from University of Southern California in collaboration with other researchers are developing a method to use gold nanorods to treat faulty cardiac valves that otherwise would need surgical treatment. Researchers plan on learning the positive effects these nanorods have on the affected valves by measuring the mechanical properties of the collagen-fibroblast-nanoparticle. See Nanotech Wire.

Solder magnetic nanocomposites
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University in collaboration with Intel Corporation developed new material called solder magnetic nanocomposites. The magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) composites heat solders and causes reflow; this in a regular oven is performed by a computer chip. The time taken to heat the solder can be controlled through manipulating the concentration and composition of the composites. See Nanotech Wire and Nanowerk.

Early detection of cancer
Biofunctionalized nanoparticles, developed by the researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg, can detect cancer using a single molecule of tumor maker (substance found in blood, urine, or in body tissues that can be increased in cancer) in blood. They placed antibody-occupied nanoparticles on the sensor electrode and allowed blood to flow across it. An electrical distribution shift was picked up by the electrode every time there was a tumor maker or a relevant protein passing through it. The researchers called it the “nanoparticle fishing rod” for cancer. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

Power generating rubber films
Researchers from the Princeton University developed power-generating rubber films consisting of nanoribbons capable of converting mechanical power to electrical power. They combined nanoribbons with silicone and placed them in a piezoelectric (generates electric voltage when pressure is applied on it) ceramic material. These nanoribbons generated electricity when a mechanical action such as flexing the film was performed. See Nanowerk and ACS Nano.