Application Of Nanotechnology Research Articles

Nanotechnology in healthcare, and its safety and environmental risks.

Nanotechnology holds immense promise in revolutionising healthcare, offering unprecedented opportunities in diagnostics, drug delivery, cancer therapy, and combating infectious diseases. This review explores the multifaceted landscape of nanotechnology in healthcare while addressing the critical aspects of safety and environmental risks associated with its widespread application. Beginning with an introduction to the integration of nanotechnology in healthcare, we first delved into its categorisation and various materials employed, setting the stage for a comprehensive understanding of its potential. We then proceeded to elucidate the diverse healthcare applications of nanotechnology, spanning medical diagnostics, tissue engineering, targeted drug delivery, gene delivery, cancer therapy, and the development of antimicrobial agents. The discussion extended to the current situation surrounding the clinical translation and commercialisation of these cutting-edge technologies, focusing on the nanotechnology-based healthcare products that have been approved globally to date. We also discussed the safety considerations of nanomaterials, both in terms of human health and environmental impact. We presented the in vivo health risks associated with nanomaterial exposure, in relation with transport mechanisms, oxidative stress, and physical interactions. Moreover, we highlighted the environmental risks, acknowledging the potential implications on ecosystems and biodiversity. Lastly, we strived to offer insights into the current regulatory landscape governing nanotechnology in healthcare across different regions globally. By synthesising these diverse perspectives, we underscore the imperative of balancing innovation with safety and environmental stewardship, while charting a path forward for the responsible integration of nanotechnology in healthcare.

Mechanical Writing of Polar Skyrmionic Topological States via Extrinsic Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya-like Flexoelectricity in Ferroelectric Thin Films.

Exploring complex topological structures in condensed matter has shown promising applications in nanotechnology. Although polar topologies such as chiral vortices and skyrmions have been observed in ferroelectric heterostructures, their existence in simple systems has posed challenges due to the absence of intrinsic noncollinear interaction (like Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in ferromagnetics). Here, we demonstrate that a nanoindentation mechanically switches local polarizations to stable polar topologies, including skyrmions, within a room-temperature PbTiO3 thin film via the flexoelectric effect as a noncollinear (Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya-like) driving force using phase-field simulations. In addition, by moving the indenter, the continuous polarization switching leads to the "writing" of arbitrary polar patterns (such as donut-like skyrmionium). Furthermore, the written topologies can be "erased" by applying a voltage with the same conducted indenter. Therefore, this study shows the writing and erasing process of room-temperature polar topologies in a ferroelectric thin film, which significantly advances their potential applications.

Nanotechnology in Cosmetics: An Overview

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing the treatment of skin diseases in cosmetics, offering safe and targeted delivery of active medications and cosmetic ingredients. The use of carrier systems in nanotechnology improves skin penetration and sustained drug action. Formulators are using technology exclusive to cosmetic products, such as vesicular, particulate systems, emulsions, nano capsules, nanotubes, nanocrystals, and dendrimers. Nanomaterials are also used in hair care products and nail formulations. Nanomaterials are used in modern cosmetic products, particularly in sunscreens due to their ability to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation which is carcinogenic. This review explores nanotechnologies in the cosmetic industry and their potential as next- generation smarter carrier systems. It highlights the advances in nano cosmeceuticals and the applications of nanotechnology in cosmetics. It also focuses on the regulations of nanotechnology in cosmetics and describes various routes of exposure to nano particles in the human body. Keywords: Nanotechnology, cosmetics, nanoparticles, regulations, advances

Nanotechnology-Enhanced Orthopaedic Surgery

Nanomaterials hold significant promise for the future of orthopaedic implants due to their ability to mimic the nanoscale components of the bone, such as collagen fibrils and hydroxyapatite. Nanomaterials can regulate cell behaviour while offering mechanical strength and biocompatibility, making them ideal for bone repair and tissue regeneration. This comprehensive review explores the key existing and potential applications of nanotechnology in orthopaedics, including bone tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, systems combatting implant-related infections, and the surface preparation of implants to enhance osseointegration. These innovations are poised to revolutionise orthopaedic care by improving implant durability, reducing infection risks, and promoting bone regeneration to deliver personalised treatment and create better patient outcomes.

New strategies for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment: applications and advances in nanotechnology.

Lung cancer leads in causing cancer-related mortality worldwide, continually posing a significant threat to human health. Current imaging diagnostic techniques, while offering non-invasive detection, suffer from issues such as insufficient sensitivity and the risks associated with radiation exposure. Pathological diagnosis, the gold standard for confirmation, also faces challenges like invasiveness and high costs. In treatment, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are the main modalities, each encountering challenges related to precision, environmental adaptability, and side effects. Nanotechnology's advancement provides new solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, promising to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce side effects during treatment. This article introduces the main types of nanomaterials used in the field of lung cancer, offering a comprehensive overview of current research on the application of nanotechnology in early screening, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of lung cancer, and summarizing ongoing clinical research findings.

Tailored Nanoarchitectures: MoS₂/Graphene and MoS2/Graphene Oxide Thin Films via Liquid-Liquid Interfacial Route.

The nanostructured assembly of different two-dimensional (2D) materials in specific organization is crucial for developing materials with synergistic properties. In this study, we present a general methodology to prepare thin, transparent and self-assembled films of 2D/2D composites based on molybdenum sulfide (MoS2)/graphene oxide (GO) or MoS2/reduced graphene oxide (rGO), through the liquid/liquid interfacial route. Different nanoarchitectures are obtained by changing simple experimental parameters during the thin film preparation steps. The films were characterized by UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry, evidencing that the experimental route used plays a role in the organization and properties of the assembled nanoarchitectures. Likewise, nanostructures of MoS2/GO and MoS2/rGO prepared through the same route have different organizations due to the different interactions between the materials. This showcases the potential of the technique to prepare tailored nanoarchitectures with specific properties for various applications, paving the way for innovative nanotechnology and materials science applications.

Prospects and challenges of nanomaterials in sustainable food preservation and packaging: a review.

Nanomaterials play a pivotal role in food preservation and its safety, offering ingenious solutions for sustainable food packaging. Nanomaterials enable the creation of packaging materials having unique functional properties. It not only extends the shelf life of the foods by releasing preservatives but also enhances food safety by preventing microbial contamination or food spoilage. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the various applications of nanotechnology in food packaging, highlighting its key advantages. We also delve into the safety considerations and regulatory issues involved in developing nanotechnology-based food packaging materials. Additionally, advancements in the field of nanotechnology-based packaging have the potential to create safer, more sustainable, and high-quality packaging with greater functionality that delivers essential benefits to manufacturers and consumers.

Controlling the orientation of ellipsoidal nanoparticles using fractional vector beams

In the field of nanotechnology, achieving precise manipulation of ellipsoidal nanoparticles presents a significant challenge because it requires controlling five degrees of freedom, including three spatial dimensions (position in 3D space) and two angular dimensions (polar and azimuthal angles). In this work, we investigate both the optical forces and trapping potentials on an ellipsoidal nanoparticle produced by tightly focused fractional vector beams (FVBs). Unlike the integer vector beams (IVBs), which manipulate only three spatial dimensions of ellipsoidal particles, FVB with an initial phase not only provides spatial position control but also enables precise manipulation of spatial orientation. Moreover, by adjusting the topological index and initial phase of the incident FVBs, arbitrary orientations in the 3D space of ellipsoidal nanoparticles can be achieved. Our results may find interesting applications in microfluidics, biomedical engineering, and nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology-enhanced Phytonutraceuticals: Innovations in Characterization, Formulation, and Therapeutic Applications

Nanotechnology refers to the branch of science and engineering devoted to designing, producing, and using structures, devices, and systems by manipulating atoms and molecules at nano-scale, having one or more dimensions of the order of 100 nanometres (100 millionth of a millimetre) or less. Nanotechnology is the exploitation of the unique properties of materials at the nanoscale. Nanotechnology has gained popularity in several industries, as it offers better built and smarter products. The ability to manipulate structures at the atomic scale allows for the creation of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials have unique optical, electrical and/or magnetic properties at the nanoscale, and these can be used in the fields of electronics and medicine, amongst other scenarios. Nanomaterials are unique as they provide a large surface area to volume ratio. Unlike other large-scaled engineered objects and systems, nanomaterials are governed by the laws of quantum mechanics instead of the classical laws of physics and chemistry. Nanotechnology is the engineering of useful objects and functional systems at the molecular or atomic scale. Nano-formulations are widely used for phyto-nutraceuticals and drug delivery systems. These substances are generally having low solubility, leading to their poor absorption and bioavailability in the human body. In this regard, one of the most important applications of nanotechnology in food sector has been the formulation of novel neutraceutical compounds with improved properties viz., enhanced solubility, stability, bioavailability and efficacy. This is achieved by encapsulation of neutraceutical by nanoparticles, which modifies their pharmacokinetics (PK) and biodistribution (BD). Nano-formulations widely used for the purpose are nanoliposomes, nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, nanofibres. The particles are characterized by scanning probe microscope (SPM), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis spectrophotometer, SEM, TEM, Dynamic light scattering (DLS).

Nanotechnology for Nasopharyngeal Cancer Therapy and Improving Drug Stability and Biodistribution

AbstractNasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a challenging malignancy with a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and resistance to conventional treatments. Nanotechnology offers promising solutions to address these limitations by enabling targeted drug delivery, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and facilitating multimodal treatment strategies. By leveraging the unique properties of nanomaterials and nanocarrier systems, innovative approaches for early detection, targeted treatment, and multimodal therapy can be developed, paving the way for more effective and personalized management of NPC. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments and applications of nanotechnology in NPC therapy, focusing on improving drug stability, biodistribution, and targeted delivery to NPC tumors.

Review of Heavy Metal Removal from Soil: Methods and Technologies

Soil health is vital for ecosystem functioning, agriculture, and human well-being, yet heavy metal contamination poses significant risks to environmental and public health. This review examines various methods for removing heavy metals from contaminated soils, focusing on physical, chemical, and biological remediation techniques. Sources of contamination, including industrial activities, mining, and improper waste disposal, are discussed, alongside the environmental and health impacts of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury. Physical techniques such as soil washing and excavation effectively reduce contamination but generate secondary waste and incur high costs. Chemical methods, including soil stabilization and chemical leaching, immobilize or extract metals but may risk recontamination. Biological approaches like phytoremediation and bioremediation leverage natural processes for eco-friendly remediation, though they often require longer timescales for significant results. Emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology and biochar application, show promise for enhancing remediation efficacy. However, challenges remain, including economic constraints, regulatory inconsistencies, and the need for sustainable, long-term solutions. Future directions include integrating various remediation techniques, developing eco-friendly technologies, and emphasizing long-term monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of remediation efforts. This comprehensive overview aims to inform future research and policy development to address heavy metal contamination sustainably.

Peptide‐Guided Self‐Assembly: Fabrication of Tailored Spiral‐Like Nanostructures for Precise Inorganic Templating

AbstractSelf‐assembling peptides (SAPs) are versatile building blocks in the creation of hierarchical nanostructures. Although SAPs promise precise control over assembled morphology and dimensions, experimental validation is still crucial. In this sense, recent efforts have focused on nanospiral structures, which mimic natural architectures and hold potential for biomedical and nanotechnological applications. Here, it is demonstrated that SARS‐CoV‐2 fusion peptides are able to form specific spiral‐like structures using interfacial assembly as a fabrication methodology, along with fine‐tuning of the spiral ensembles through an imposed interfacial flow due to the uniaxial compression in a Langmuir–Blodgett trough. Molecular characterization by atomic force microscopy, neutron reflectometry, interfacial shear rheology, and infrared spectroscopy, highlighted how variations in fusion peptide sequences influence assembly, highlighting the importance of molecular design. These spiral structures are subsequently modified to serve as templates for metallic replicas, expanding the potential of peptide‐guided self‐assembly in fabricating tailored nanostructured surfaces with sub‐10 nm dimensions over cm2 areas.

Nano-resolutions for Environmental Salvation: Leaping to Sustainability

Abstract: Nanoparticles have emerged as a transformative technology in environmental remediation, addressing the pressing challenges of pollution across air, water, and soil. Nanoparticles, particularly metal oxides, carbon-based materials, and polymers, demonstrate remarkable capabilities in addressing water, air, and soil contamination. Their high surface area to volume ratio enhances their efficiency in pollutant removal while minimizing toxicity, making them suitable alternatives to conventional methods. As traditional remediation methods often carry their environmental risks, there is a pressing need for innovative and sustainable solutions. This review delves into the mechanisms and applications of nanoparticles in various remediation techniques, including photocatalysis, Nanoadsorption, and nanomembranes for water treatment, as well as their effectiveness in soil and air purification. The findings underscore the potential of nanomaterials to enhance remediation efficiency while reducing environmental toxicity. By integrating these innovative solutions into existing environmental management frameworks, nanoparticles can play a crucial role in achieving sustainable environmental practices and mitigating contamination. This review advocates for continued research, development, and application of nanotechnology as a promising avenue for fostering a cleaner, healthier environment and contributing to global sustainability goals.

Micro/nanorobots for gastrointestinal tract

The application of micro/nanomotors (MNMs) in the gastrointestinal tract has become a Frontier in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. These miniature robots can enter the gastrointestinal tract through oral administration, achieving precise drug delivery and therapy. They can traverse mucosal layers and tissue barriers, directly targeting tumors or other lesion sites, thereby enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic effects of drugs. Through the application of nanotechnology, these MNMs are able to accomplish targeted medication release, regulating drug release in response to either external stimuli or the local biological milieu. This results in reduced side effects and increased therapeutic efficacy. This review summarizes the primary classifications and power sources of current MNMs, as well as their applications in the gastrointestinal tract, providing inspiration and direction for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases with MNMs.

Application of nanotechnology in the negative electrode of Si-based lithium-ion batteries

Modern electronics and electric cars frequently employ lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of their excellent energy density, safety, and environmental friendliness. The anode of LIBs is typically composed of carbon. Nevertheless, it loses a lot of energy when charging and draining. Lithium metal precipitates quickly from the surface of carbon electrodes and forms dendrites. These can pass through the diaphragm and cause short circuits inside the battery, posing a public safety risk. The advantages of the silicon-based anode are excellent safety, low operating voltage, and high theoretical specific capacity. It is among the most critical potential materials for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries. However, its drawbacks, such as volume expansion and poor electrical conductivity, limit the development of LIBs. In recent years, the emergence of nanotechnology has well solved these problems. This paper first explains how silicon-based lithium-ion batteries work and summarizes the challenges of silicon-based anodes. Then, it explores the application of nanotechnology in silicon-based anode, including different dimensions of silicon nanomaterials. After the group, the paper analyzes the shortcomings of current research and proposes future directions.

Uptake, Translocation, Toxicity, and Impact of Nanoparticles on Plant Physiological Processes

The application of nanotechnology in agriculture has increased rapidly. However, the fate and effects of various nanoparticles on the soil, plants, and humans are not fully understood. Reports indicate that nanoparticles exhibit positive and negative impacts on biota due to their size, surface property, concentration within the system, and species or cell type under test. In plants, nanoparticles are translocated either by apoplast or symplast pathway or both. Also, it is not clear whether the nanoparticles entering the plant system remain as nanoparticles or are biotransformed into ionic forms or other organic compounds. Controversial results on the toxicity effects of nanomaterials on the plant system are available. In general, the nanomaterial toxicity was exerted by producing reactive oxygen species, leading to damage or denaturation of various biomolecules. The intensity of cyto- and geno-toxicity depends on the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles. Based on the literature survey, it is observed that the effects of nanoparticles on the growth, photosynthesis, and primary and secondary metabolism of plants are both positive and negative; the response of these processes to the nanoparticle was associated with the type of nanoparticle, the concentration within the tissue, crop species, and stage of growth. Future studies should focus on addressing the key knowledge gaps in understanding the responses of plants to nanoparticles at all levels through global transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome assays and evaluating nanoparticles under field conditions at realistic exposure concentrations to determine the level of entry of nanoparticles into the food chain and assess the impact of nanoparticles on the ecosystem.

First-principles studies of strain-tunable InN monolayer: applications for switching and optoelectronic devices

Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) materials are attracting significant attention for their potential applications in the post-Moore era. In this work, we systematically investigate the effect of strains on the electronic structure, transport and optoelectronic properties of 2D Indium nitride (InN) monolayer using density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green’s function methods. The results show that strains can modulate the electronic properties. Specifically, biaxial strain triggers the transition from semiconductor to metal and indirect to direct band gap. On this basis, the constructed InN-based nanodevice exhibits current switching ratios up to 1010. In addition, the optoelectronic device based on InN monolayer exhibits a robust photoelectric response in the red light. Meanwhile, biaxial strain can improve the optoelectronic performance of InN-based optoelectronic devices. The compressive strains blue-shift the photocurrent peaks of the InN monolayer, which effectively modulates its detection range in the visible light region. These findings underscore the potential applications in nanotechnology, particularly in nano-switches and optoelectronic devices.

Applications of Nanotechnology in Combating Fungal Diseases in Humans: An Updated Review

In recent years, fungal infections caused by filamentous fungi have posed a serious threat to public health worldwide. Fungi such as Aspergillus, Coccidioides, and Mucorales (the most common filamentous fungi), as well as Candida auris (a non-filamentous fungus), can cause infections in humans. It can cause serious life-threatening diseases in individuals with weakened immune systems, patients infected with HIV/AIDS, uncontrolled diabetes, blood disorders, organ transplants, and chemotherapy. In this review, we describe the available nan formulations (metallic and polymeric nanoparticles) that have been developed to enhance efficacy and reduce the number of adverse effects following the administration of conventional antifungals. The burden posed by fungal infections on human health is increasing worldwide. Fungi such as Aspergillus, Candida, and Cryptococcus are among the most common pathogens responsible for human diseases, accounting for over 90% of infection-related deaths. Moreover, effective antifungal treatments are not available, primarily due to host toxicity, pathogen resistance, and immunodeficiency. In recent years, nanomaterials have proven to be not only more efficient antifungal therapeutic agents but also capable of overcoming fungal drug resistance".

Therapeutic potential and agricultural benefits of curcumin: a comprehensive review of health and sustainability applications

AbstractTurmeric (Curcuma longa L.), the plant from which curcumin is derived, is renowned for its wide range of therapeutic and agricultural benefits. Curcumin, the key bioactive compound, is highly valued for its potent anti-provocative, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which contribute to its effectiveness in treating various human diseases and improving plant resilience to environmental stresses. The therapeutics potential of curcumin is notable owing its abilities to combat microbes act as an oxidant and reduce inflammation. Its effectiveness in treating a range of human disease such as tumor, cardiac problems, and brain degenerative ailments stems from its ability to modulate various cellular process and signaling pathways. Despite its low bioavailability, innovations in delivery system such as nanoparticles and liposomal formulations, have enhanced its therapeutic efficacy by improving solubility and systemic absorption. In agriculture, curcumin's antimicrobial properties provide a natural alternative to chemical pesticides, offering protection against pathogens and enhancing plant resilience to specific environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, and oxidative stress. Nanotechnology applications have furthered these benefits by facilitating the efficient uptake and distribution of curcumin within plant tissues, promoting growth and stress tolerance. This review also highlights curcumin's nutritional benefits, including its impact on gut health and metabolic syndrome. Synergistic interactions with dietary nutrients can amplify its health benefits, making it a valuable dietary supplement. However, ongoing research is needed to fully understand curcumin's mechanisms of action and long-term safety. Overall, curcumin holds promise as a versatile agent in both medical and agricultural fields, supporting sustainable practices and advancing health outcomes. Future research should focus on optimizing curcumin formulations and translating preclinical findings into clinical successes. Graphical abstract

Guanidine-Derived Polymeric Nanoinhibitors Target the Lysosomal V-ATPase and Activate AMPK Pathway to Ameliorate Liver Lipid Accumulation.

Current research efforts in polymer and nanotechnology applications are primarily focused on cargo delivery to enhance the therapeutic index, with limited attention being paid to self-molecularly targeted nanoparticles, which may also exhibit significant therapeutic potential. Long-term and anomalous lipid accumulation in the liver is a highly relevant factor contributing to liver diseases. However, the development of the reliable medications and their pharmacological mechanisms remain insufficient. Herein, a polyguanide nanoinhibitors (PGNI) depot is constructed by copolymerizing biguanide derivatives in different proportions onto prepolymers. The nanoinhibitors for their ability to ameliorate lipid accumulation in vitro and in vivo is screened, and subsequently demonstrated that covalently polymeric guanidine chains exhibit superior efficacy in ameliorating hepatic lipid accumulation via heterogeneous mechanisms compared to small-molecule guanidine. It is found that PGNIs stabilize guanidine metabolism in the liver, preferably for biosafety. More importantly, PGNI is ingested and localized in hepatocyte lysosomes and is locked to interact with vesicular adenosine triphosphatase (V-ATPase) on lysosomes, leading to the inhibition of V-ATPase and lysosomal acidification, thereby activating the AMPK pathway, reducing fatty acid synthesis, and enhancing lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. These results imply that polymer-formed nanoparticles can serve as targeted inhibitors, offering a novel approach for therapeutic applications.