Nanosprings Offer Improved Performance In Biomedicine

Researchers at Oregon State University have reported the successful loading of biological molecules onto "nanosprings" - a type of nanostructure that has gained significant interest in recent years for its ability to maximize surface area in microreactors.

The findings, announced in the journal Biotechnology Progress, may open the door to important new nanotech applications in production of pharmaceuticals, biological sensors, biomedicine or other areas.

"Nanosprings are a fairly new concept in nanotechnology because they create a lot of surface area at the same time they allow easy movement of fluids," said Christine Kelly, an associate professor in the School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering at OSU.

"They're a little like a miniature version of an old-fashioned, curled-up phone cord," Kelly said. "They make a great support on which to place reactive catalysts, and there are a variety of potential applications."

Artificial Skin Out of Nanowires

Engineers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a pressure-sensitive electronic material from semiconductor nanowires that could one day give new meaning to the term "thin-skinned."

The artificial skin, dubbed "e-skin" by the UC Berkeley researchers, is described in a Sept. 12 paper in the advanced online publication of the journal Nature Materials. It is the first such material made out of inorganic single crystalline semiconductors.

A touch-sensitive artificial skin would help overcome a key challenge in robotics: adapting the amount of force needed to hold and manipulate a wide range of objects.

For the e-skin, the engineers printed the nanowires onto an 18-by-19 pixel square matrix measuring 7 centimeters on each side. Each pixel contained a transistor made up of hundreds of semiconductor nanowires. Nanowire transistors were then integrated with a pressure sensitive rubber on top to provide the sensing functionality. The matrix required less than 5 volts of power to operate and maintained its robustness after being subjected to more than 2,000 bending cycles.

The researchers demonstrated the ability of the e-skin to detect pressure from 0 to 15 kilopascals, a range comparable to the force used for such daily activities as typing on a keyboard or holding an object. In a nod to their home institution, the researchers successfully mapped out the letter C in Cal.

Nanoribbons for Graphene Transistors

In the recent issue of Nature, scientists from Empa and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research report how they have managed for the first time to grow graphene ribbons that are just a few nanometers wide using a simple surface-based chemical method. Graphene ribbons are considered to be «hot candidates» for future electronics applications as their properties can be adjusted through width and edge shape.

Transistors on the basis of graphene are considered to be potential successors for the silicon components currently in use. Graphene consists of two-dimensional carbon layers and possesses a number of outstanding properties: it is not only harder than diamond, extremely tear-resistant and impermeable to gases, but it is also an excellent electrical and thermal conductor. However, as graphene is a semi-metal it lacks, in contrast to silicon, an electronic band gap and therefore has no switching capability which is essential for electronics applications. Scientists from Empa, the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz (Germany), ETH Zürich and the Universities of Zürich und Bern have now developed a new method for creating graphene ribbons with band gaps.

Leather and Textile

  NANO for textile and leather is a product based on nano-science. This product forms an intelligent anti-stain protection.
It penetrate every single fiber with an invisible, UV -stable and vapor permeable layer. Look, touch and color is maintained.
This coating protects from water, soiling and stains caused by drinks or food.
In result dry and moist dirt will no longer be absorbed by the fiber.
Aqueous substances pearl on the protected material.
NANO for textile and leather was designed to protect all synthetic and natural fibers from the finest silk to sorbent cotton, Alcantara, non varnished leather, coconut fibers, jute, sisal and suede.
Lasting period varies due to level of abrasion from ca. 2 months (in case of clothes) to ca. 2 years (awnings or umbrellas not exposed to abrasive factors).
This product does not contain polymers, was, Teflon and silicone.

Benefits:

• Quick and easy to use
• Suitable for all textiles
• Dry washing available
• Simply wipe off contaminants
• Prevents stains and soil
• Long lasting protection for textiles and leather against water, dirt and grease

Possible uses:

• jackets, ties, carpets, raincoats, shoes, pants, skiing dresses, motorcycle clothes etc.
• mattresses, child's seats, upholstery, convertible tops, blinds, lamellas, umbrella fabrics, curtains, sofas and other textile surfaces
• animal leather and fur

Nanowood

NANOWOOD is a multifunctional water based saline system for unvarnished wooden surfaces. It adds hydrophobic and oleo phobic properties for plain wood or stained colored wood. Contrary to alkoxysilanes based coatings NANOWOOD doesn't release alcohols or VOCs during application due to hydrolysis. NANOWOOD creates highly dense cross-linked networks bonded chemically to the substrate. It provides efficient and strong protection against weathering, microorganisms, soil and moisture. Low energy surface is achieved. Protection lasts up to 4 years. NANOWOOD can be painted, sprayed, rolled or in case of smaller objects they can be sunk into solution. Product is environmentally friendly.

Benefits:

• wood becomes soil- and water-repellent
• substrate remains vapor permeable/breathable
• beading effect of aqueous substances
• almost invisible, color of wood stays unchanged
• easy-to-clean properties of treated wood
• long-lasting up to 4 years
• UV and temperatures changes resistant
• significantly reduced contamination with algae, mould and moss

Suitable uses:

• Wooden surfaces like: fences, facades, garden constructions, garden furniture, saunas, flower pots etc.

Nanomaterials Changing Food Characteristics

Nanoparticles are being used to deliver vitamins or other nutrients in food and beverages without affecting the taste or appearance. These nanoparticles actually encapsulate the nutrients and carry them through the stomach into the bloodstream. For many vitamins this delivery method also allows a higher percentage of the nutrients to be used by the body because, when not encapsulated by the nanoparticles, some nutrients would be lost in the stomach.

Research is also being conducted to develop nanocapsules containing nutrients that would be released when nanosensors detect a deficiency in your body.  Basically this research could result in a super vitamin storage system in your body that gives you just what you need, when you need it.

Nanomaterials are being developed to improve the taste, color, and texture of foods. For example “interactive” foods are being developed that would allow you to choose which flavor and color a piece of food has. The idea is that nanocapsules that contain flavor or color enhancers sit in the food waiting until a hungry consumer triggers them. The method hasn’t been published, so it will be interesting to see how this particular trick is accomplished.

Finally, nanoparticle emulsions are being used in ice cream and various spreads to improve the texture and uniformity.

Nanotechnology in Agriculture

In Food

 

 Nanotechnology in Agriculture

Researchers are working on pesticides encapsulated in nanoparticles; these only release pesticide in an insect’s stomach, which minimizes the contamination of plants themselves.

Another development being looked at is a network of nanosensors and dispensers throughout a food crop. The sensors recognize when a plant needs nutrients or water, before you could see any sign that the plant is deficient. The dispensers then release fertilizer, nutrients, or water as needed, optimizing the growth of each plant in the field one by one.