Nanotechnology News and Discussions

[Yuli Ban]

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

Ah my favorite topic! The advances here will definitely help towards the predictions on the timeline of synthetic humans. Between this and other cool aspects like nanotech clothing predictions it should be fun to see how it progresses as time goes on here.

[caltrek]

Tiny Robots Inspired by Starfish Larva Move Courtesy of Ultrasound
by Brian Heater
November 9, 2021

https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/09/these ... ltrasound/

Introduction:

(TechCrunch) Microrobots have been a longtime fascination for many in the industry. Such technologies could ultimately provide a slew of applications, including a handful of useful features in healthcare. Things like targeted delivery of medication and microsurgical procedures are frequently mentioned.

Mobility is among the biggest questions that arise from the tech. Specifically, how can roboticists get them to move without batteries and other technologies on board. Magnets are a fairly common suggestion, but a team at ETH Zurich is exploring an altogether different solution: ultrasound.

The robots, which measure smaller than the diameter of a human hair, were created using photolithography. They’re covered with synthetic versions of the sort of cilia that cover starfish larva. In the biological example, these ultra-fine hair-like structures beat the surrounding water in patterns that create small vortexes, propelling the young echinoderms through the fluid. Effectively, the system either pushes water or pulls it in.

The team says it was able to create similar propulsion in its tiny robots by applying ultrasound waves, allowing them to swim in a straight line. The objects you see around the robot in the photos and video are plastic microbeads added to the water to demonstrate how it moves in circular patterns around the robot.

Drug delivery is the most broadly discussed application here — specifically, the ability to deliver medication directly to the site of something like a stomach tumor. Doing so could ensure that it’s used more efficiently, while reducing potential side effects.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

The use of Nanotechnology in Face Masks Against Airborne Pathogens
By David J. Cross
November 9, 2021

https://www.azom.com/news.aspx?newsID=57257

A team of researchers from Saudi Arabia has presented their study in the journal Nanotechnology on nanotechnology-enabled techniques for use in face masks to protect better against SARS-Cov-2 and other airborne pathogens. The team also compared the effective use of nanotechnology-enabled facemasks with those currently available on the commercial market.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

Shining a Light on Nanotechnology & Quantum Dots
By Anne Corning from Radiant Vision Systems and sponsored on AZO Materials
October 22, 2021

https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=20875

It was in the 1960s that the field of nanotechnology first emerged and in the last two decades it has grown significantly and is poised to take on an increasingly important role in the future of numerous industries.

At present, 70 % of nanotechnology activity is in energy, electronics, and biomedicine,1 but the field is having a growing effect in industries as varied as environmental tech, automotive, defense, cosmetics, agriculture and textiles. It is predicted that in 2024 the global market for nanotechnology will reach US $ 125 Billion.2

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is a new scientific field focused on manipulating the molecular structure of materials to alter the intrinsic properties of the materials or to create new materials. It describes the creation of materials and devices “with novel functions and properties based either on geometrical or on material-specific peculiarities of nanostructure.”3

For example, graphene is an alteration of carbon molecules to create cylindrical sheets which are just one atom thick. Graphene has the highest electron mobility of any known material, is stronger than a diamond, harder than steel, lighter than aluminum and is over 97 % transparent to wavelengths of light from ultraviolet to far infrared.4

Graphene is also extremely flexible, a property that researchers have leveraged for the development of “smart tattoos” or “electronic skin”. These are graphene patches that can act as wireless sensors to monitor human pulse, hydration, breathing and body movement.5
[...]

Snippets from the sponsored article. What a great article let me tell you... wow... 1960's they discovered nanotechnology!

[wjfox]

I've edited your post. Please try to limit article extracts to around 5 paragraphs. Thanks.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

NANO-LLPO: Using Nanomaterials to Heal Wounds
By Megan Craig interviewing Dr. Dominik Rejman
November 4, 2021

https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5854

AZoNano speak to Dr. Dominik Rejman about the innovative wound treatment, NANO-LLPO. This nanofibrous dressing can not only help to prevent bacterial infection but can promote wound healing as well. Read more about the research behind this exciting development, and how it is helping to advance the integration of nanotechnology in biomedicine.

[weatheriscool]

Lithography-free carbon nanotube arrays: The simple way to grow an army of tiny superheroes
https://phys.org/news/2021-11-lithograp ... imple.html
by ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science

Carbon nanotubes are one of science's best kept secrets.

These tiny, man-made materials boast extraordinary properties—they are the darkest material humans can create, they absorb light so well they can produce thermal energy, and they're able to mimic nature to help the body fight bacteria.

Researchers in Australia and China have found a cheaper, easier way to organize large groups of carbon nanotubes, potentially opening up many new avenues for their use by more scientists around the world.

Carbon nanotubes are usually grown on the surface of a material using a chemical process involving a carbon source and nanoscale metal catalysts, such as iron, nickel, and cobalt.

A glow-discharge plasma is used to grow the nanotubes vertically and free-standing to form a nanoscopic forest.

[weatheriscool]

A nanoantenna for long-distance, ultra-secure communication
https://phys.org/news/2021-11-nanoanten ... ecure.html
by Osaka University

Information storage and transfer in the manner of simple ones and zeros—as in today's classical computer technologies—is insufficient for quantum technologies under development. Now, researchers from Japan have fabricated a nanoantenna that will help bring quantum information networks closer to practical use.

In a study recently published in Applied Physics Express, researchers from Osaka University and collaborating partners have substantially enhanced photon-to-electron conversion through a metal nanostructure, which is an important step forward in the development of advanced technologies for sharing and processing data.

Classical computer information is based on simple on/off readouts. It's straightforward to use a technology known as a repeater to amplify and retransmit this information over long distances. Quantum information is based on comparatively more complex and secure readouts, such as photon polarization and electron spin. Semiconductor nanoboxes known as quantum dots are materials that researchers have proposed for storing and transferring quantum information. However, quantum repeater technologies have some limitations—for example, current ways to convert photon-based information to electron-based information are highly inefficient. Overcoming this information conversion and transfer challenge is what the researchers at Osaka University aimed to address.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles in Biodegradable Lubricant Synthesis
By Cvetelin Vasilev, Ph.D.
November 24, 2021

https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5890

Graphene-based nanoparticles have gained substantial interest as lubricant additives due to their remarkable physical and chemical properties. With the increased use of vegetable oils as biodegradable lubricants, especially in sectors with a strong environmental impact, much research has focused on using graphene-based nanoplatelets as additives in biodegradable lubricants, thus enabling a superior performance over the commercial mineral oils.

[Yuli Ban]

Micro-sized cameras have great potential to spot problems in the human body and enable sensing for super-small robots, but past approaches captured fuzzy, distorted images with limited fields of view.

Now, researchers at Princeton University and the University of Washington have overcome these obstacles with an ultracompact camera the size of a coarse grain of salt. The new system can produce crisp, full-color images on par with a conventional compound camera lens 500,000 times larger in volume, the researchers reported in a paper published Nov. 29 in Nature Communications.

Enabled by a joint design of the camera's hardware and computational processing, the system could enable minimally invasive endoscopy with medical robots to diagnose and treat diseases, and improve imaging for other robots with size and weight constraints. Arrays of thousands of such cameras could be used for full-scene sensing, turning surfaces into cameras.

Researchers at Princeton University and the University of Washington have developed an ultracompact camera the size of a coarse grain of salt. The system relies on a technology called a metasurface, which is studded with 1.6 million cylindrical posts and can be produced much like a computer chip. Credit: Princeton University

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

Antimicrobial Cotton Fabric Made from Silver Nanoparticle Nanogel
By Shaheer Rehan & reviewed by Megan Craig
November 29, 2021

https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?NewsID=38253

An article published in the journal Carbohydrate Polymers presented a novel approach of utilizing nanogels for antibacterial fabric. Due to the recent upsurge of drug-resistant infections, it has become increasingly important to utilize potent antimicrobial agents.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

Progressing Pulmonary Drug Delivery with Nanoparticles
By Ben Pilkington
November 24, 2021

https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5889

In recent years, nanotechnology solutions have gained traction in the pharmaceutical research industry, particularly in terms of new drug delivery methods. Now, scientists are using nanoparticles to deliver life-saving and life-changing medications on patients’ inhaling breath.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

New Virus-Mimicking Nanoparticles for Efficient mRNA Delivery into Cells
Reviewed by Laura Thomson
December 1, 2021

https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=38280

Nanoengineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new and potentially more effective way to deliver messenger RNA (mRNA) into cells. Their approach involves packing mRNA inside nanoparticles that mimic the flu virus-;a naturally efficient vehicle for delivering genetic material such as RNA inside cells.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

New Insights into the Development of Flourescent Nanomaterials
By Ibtisam Abbasi & Reviewed by Megan Craig
December 1, 2021

https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=38281

A recent review published in the journal Nanoscale Research Letters explores the biomedical applications of fluorescent nanoparticles, including semiconductor quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and nanoparticles.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

Metal Oxide Nanomaterials in Engineering Flexible and Wearable Sensors
By Ibtisam Abbasi & Reviewed by Megan Craig
December 2, 2021

https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=38292

The novel research published in the journal ACS Nanoscience focuses on a thorough examination of parameters that might increase the responsiveness of MON-based detectors in environmental aspects and detection systems.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

How Nanometrology could be the Key to Next-Generation X-Ray Mirrors
By Marzia Khan
December 3, 2021

https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5899

X-ray mirrors which can be made of polished glass ceramics, are given a coat of metal to produce an X-ray reflection. Smooth metallic surfaces like this can reflect X-rays at shallow angles, which may be efficient for high-density metals such as gold, platinum, and iridium.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

Lower Emissions Reported in Diesel Engine with Nanoparticle Biodiesel Additives
By Shaheer Rehan & Reviewed by Megan Craig
December 6, 2021

https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=38317

In an article published in the journal Materials Today: Proceedings, the use of waste cooking oil (WCO) as biofuel combined with zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and graphene nanoparticles with clean diesel is investigated to increase engine efficiency while lowering the diesel motor emissions.

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

Nano-based Textiles and Fabrics: An Overview
By Gopika G, Ph.D
December 6, 2021

https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5897

The concept of clothing is under constant transformation through innovations in wearable technologies. A new revolution in this sector is in nano-engineered functional textiles, opening up vast possibilities for nano-based textiles, attracting researchers from different fields.

[weatheriscool]

Nanotechnology for genome editing in multiple muscles simultaneously

by Kyoto University
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-nanotechn ... ously.html

Many intractable diseases are the result of a genetic mutation. Genome editing technology promises to correct the mutation and thus new treatments for patients. However, getting the technology to the cells that need the correction remains a major challenge. A new study led by CiRA Junior Associate Professor Akitsu Hotta and in collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited as part of the T-CiRA Joint Research Program reports how lipid nanoparticles provide an effective means for the delivery to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in mice.

Last year's Nobel Prize for Chemistry to the discoverers of CRISPR-Cas9 cemented the impact of genome editing technology. While CRISPR-Cas9 can be applied to agriculture and livestock for more nutritious food and robust crops, most media attention is on its medical potential. DMD is just one of the many diseases that researchers foresee a treatment using CRISPR-Cas9.