Regeneration of organs possible with nanotechnology

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A combo of nanotechnology and biology can be used for repairing damaged tissues and organs. Researchers have stated that nanotechnology can be used for mobilizing the healing abilities of the body. Experiments conducted on mice showed that a paralyzed mouse with spinal cord injuries was able to regain the ability of using its hind legs six weeks after being injected with customized nanomaterial injection. Nanofibers which are at least a thousand times thinner as compared to human hair have been found out to prevent harmful scar tissue formation which blocks the healing of spinal cord and at the same time stimulates the regeneration of damaged cells. The customized molecules self assembeled into nanofibers after being injected in the body and when they are immobilized in the affected area they can help in activation of some of the biological process. The same technique could also be applied in case of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. If it turns successful in humans then it could be a path breaking discovery for millions of people with damaged body parts. image Via sciencedaily

Nanoglue: The next generation computer microchips

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We would never believe the notion that glues could ever be fabricated in order to develop computer microchips some years back, but now it is not that hard to imagine with US scientists manufacturing a “Nanoglue” that is 100,000 times thinner than a human hair. Surprisingly this “Nanoglue” boasts of withstanding high temperatures and is extremely reliable. The binding energy of the molecules keeps the glue super tough. This super strong “Nanoglue” has been made from ultrathin materials. The “Nanoglue” is developed at the “Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute” in Troy, New York. Key developer and science researcher, Ganapathiraman Ramanath, threw some light on this stating that –“It is really mind-boggling to think about a single layer of molecules improving the adhesion of something, our work shows the possibility of having organic-based nanolayers that are about a 1000 times thinner than the thinnest organic-based glues.” This glue speaks of high receptivity and super strong characteristics that do not loose their adhesiveness even if the Nanoglue is cut into sheets as thin as one-millionth of a meter. So, how many types of glue you can think of that can withhold their characteristics with such perfection and longevity? During a telephonic interview, Ramanath said that -”This is a single layer of molecules that are organized like soldiers, this glue chain lines up in very orderly fashion all on its own. Nature does most of it for you. You just have to put the right thing on the top and the right thing on the bottom and it will work.” Looking into the chemical composition of this glue – it has a chain of carbon molecules consisting of silica-oxygen at one end and sulphur at the other. The intramolecular bonds make this Nanoglue strong and bondable. Another interesting fact about this glue is that it gets stronger and stronger when heated to temperatures around 400 degrees Celsius or more! At such extreme temperatures, the silica and copper configure to a stronger chemical bonds. He added -”When you heat it, it becomes a better glue, that was something we hadn’t bargained for.” Price: $US35 ($NZ48.04) per 100 grams Via: Stuff

Nanotechnology based dental filling stays longer

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Whenever you went for a tooth filling your dentist must have warmed you that the filling was not long life and it might crack due to stressful chewing or biting but now dentists might be able to guarantee life long fillings and all the applause for this goes to nanotechnology. This technology can reduce incidences of cracking by producing tooth restoration which is tougher as compared to any decay fighting fillings available. Normally pure liquid resin is mixed with a powder containing coloring and reinforcement which packs the paste into the cavity and hence illuminates the teeth with a light which causes the polymerization of the paste and hardening but it tends to get weakened over a period of time. Now a spray drying technique has been introduced which uses dicalcium phosphate anhydrous which are fifty nanometers and twenty times smaller and since these nanoparticles have a higher surface to volume ratio it turns out to be quite effective in releasing ions and therefore offers more strength to the final filling. In order to make this possible nanoscale silica-fused fibers have been produced which are twice stronger as compared to the commericial variety available. image Via azonano

Identification of bacteria possible with fluorescent nanoparticles

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Tiny fluorescent particles have been developed by University of Florida scientists which can be used for quick identification of bacteria by color coding them. It can certainly help in testing contaminants in food and prevention of bio terror attacks. The team at the university created nanoparticles with three colors – purple for Samonella typhimurium, blue for Escherichia coli and orange for Stapphylococcus aureus. As antibodies consist of proteins which stick to just one thing here nanoparticles containing antibodies cling onto a single type of bacteria. When these nanoparticles are put along with three different types of bacteria they are color coded by these nanoparticles so that it could be easy to identify them with the aid of a confocal microscope. These findings have already been published in Bioconjugate Chemistry. Image Via wired

Nanotechnology marine teak coating can increase the life of a boat

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The boating industry stands to benefit from nanotechnology that is offering it a number of environmental and performance advantages. A new Teak Guard Marine coating product has been released by Nanovations Teak Guard Division which utilizes nanotechnology for absorbing harmful Sun rays and shields wood of the boat from harmful solar radiation. The development of this product involved four years of extensive research. Developed using a blend of nanoscale active ingredients Teak Guard Marine penetrates deeper into the wood grain and improves the life of the wood. It not only offers an attractive finish but also increases the strength and water resistance properties of the teak used for constructing boats. The nanoscale UV absorber of the coating maintains the natural properties of the wood and it even prevents graying of the wood. The coating dries up pretty fast. The micropores also prevent water vapor from escaping from the teak and therefore prevent peeling, flaking and cracking of the wood. Due to its high stain resistance and water repellant properties it is being labeled as a multifunctional all in one solution for the boating industry. Via prweb

Indian government gives a go ahead to the nanotechnology mission

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Nanotechnology is the future and the Indian government can not ignore it. The government has given a go ahead to the launch of a mission on Nano Science and Technology. The mission will cost around Rs.1000 crore and will be spread across a span of 5 years. The nodal agency for this mission will be the Department of Science and Technology. The utmost priority for the Nano Mission will be the Capacity-building. This is a step to put India on the map of Nanotechnology. The national mission has been designed in a way that there exists a synergy between the efforts of various agencies and the national research agencies. In case a need for international collaboration is felt then steps will be taken to facilitate it. Till now around 100 research projects have been funded. A lot of centers on nanoscience and nanotechnology have also been established also a number of post-doctoral fellowships have been awarded. The effort of the government of India will soon put India on the map of Nanoscience where India will be at par with any other developed country. image Via nanowerk

Tiny nanogenerator helps you power small electronics on the move

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Earlier we introduced you special light-emitting nanofibers in the size of viruses and tiny bacteria that would surely light up the nano world. Now, another breakthrough in nanoscience discovered by Professor Zhong Lin Wang is a tiny device that can be planted in your shoes to generate your own small current to power miniature electronics when you walk. These archetype nanogenerators are made of tiny wires those are free to bend till some extent and also captures the output of large numbers of nanowires in motion to produce 4 watts per cubic centimeter miniscule direct current output. The device can produce energy from ultrasonic waves, mechanical movement or even blood flow and can be said as another advanced exposure in today’s nanoscience. Via: Medlaunches

Nanotechnology based packaging can solve pollution problems

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Packaging waste problem may be a thing of the past as researchers are implementing nanotechnology for bringing down carbon dioxide emissions. Researchers from Europe are working towards modified natural fibre based intelligent packaging to put brakes on environmental pollution. Researchers are working on SustainPack packaging project in order to bring fibre based packaging in the mainstream by application of biotechnology and nanotechnology for delivering value added fibre based packaging. This is expected to bring nature based packaging into focus and besides controlling pollution it can also bring down the amount of energy required for producing packages. Additon of Nanoaddiitives is expected to add strength to the natural packaging based project. Developing sustainable packaging that can compete effectively with packaging derived from petrochemical-based polymers is extremely challenging. Sustainpack is addressing this challenge by creating a European research community focused on sustainable packaging which will pressure retailers to accept natural packaging as the way forward. A number of companies are showing interest in this project and it seems this nanotechnology based packaging may soon hit the streets. Image Via: nanowerk

Nanosonatas: Blending nanotechnology with classical music

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For the crazy scientists, there is nothing impossible like converging hard science with art, music and musical notes! And, with a recent work, a scientist has led the extremes merge ‘ nanotechnology and classical music! If it means, hearing the sweeter tones of ‘nano-music’, it’s it. Milton Schlosser, a University of Alberta music professor will soon be performing music using biomolecular nanomachines. If you are a music-lover, and are ready to take up exciting challenges of refocusing your music senses, Schlosser’s ‘nanosonatas’ are just the right experiment for you. American composer Frederic Rzewski have created the ‘Nanosonatas, Volume 1′ by essentially compressing the form of 20- to 40-minute — the 19th-century sonatas into 7 three-minute segments. Describing the entire collection of nanosonatas as avant-garde, Schlosser said, In terms of sound, the music of the first nanosonata imitates the changing pace of the nanomotor. Although the blending of technology with arts is impressive, what is left to be seen is if the new concept can actually bridge the rift between art and science?

Carbon nanohorns can replace altered viruses as intracellular delivery vehicle

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Up till now altered viruses were used as common carrier vehicles for delivering therapeutic drugs but one of the side effects of this technique was that the virus infected the cells but now with the aid of nanotechnology nonviral nanocarriers it has become possible to deliver gene and drugs. Besides virus even inorganic nanomaterials and polymeric systems are being considered for nonviral delivery vehicles. Carbon nanohorn or CNH have a dahlia flower like structure and large surface area can be fabricated with large purity and it offer benefits over and above nanorods and nnaoparticles for serving as synthetic intracellular delivery vehicles. CNHs have higher adsorbability for holding therapeutic drugs and they can dissolve quickly in water. Incubation of modified CNHs along with human cervical cancer cells was used for studying the cytotoxicity of CNHs. This has proved that CNHs are toxic and high purity can be achieved without using metallic catalysts. Further studies are being undertaken for making it a success. image Via nanowerk