Impact Of Nanotechnology Research Articles

Influence of ZnO nanoparticle ratio and size on mechanical properties and whiteness of White Portland Cement

The impact of nanotechnology on the cement industry has been extensively studied. Much work remains needed to improve product quality, decrease cost, and minimize the negative environmental impact. The present study explores the influence of ZnO nanoparticles on physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of White Portland Cement (WPC). Zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by simple ball-milling to reach average particle sizes of 70, 37, 27, and 24 nm. For each of the four size groups, ZnO nanoparticles were added to WPC at each of four concentrations (0.1, 0.4, 0.7, and 1.0 wt%). Whiteness, setting time, expansion, and compressive strength of resulting mortars were investigated. The crystal structure and morphology of mortars were respectively characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Hydration progress was inspected using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry. The results show that addition of ZnO to WPC pastes increases the amount of water required for normal consistency and setting time. The addition of 37 nm ZnO nanoparticles to WPC mortars at a specific weight percentage of 0.4% ZnO enhanced compressive strength at 28 days by up to 28% via filler effects. The characterizations and physicomechanical parameters for high-ZnO (1.0 wt%) mortar indicate less hydration products before 28 days but improved at 28 days.

Uncovering the Diversification of Tissue Engineering on the Emergent Areas of Stem Cells, Nanotechnology and Biomaterials.

Damaged or disabled tissue is life-threatening due to the lack of proper treatment. Many conventional transplantation methods like autograft, iso-graft and allograft are in existence for ages, but they are not sufficient to treat all types of tissue or organ damages. Stem cells, with their unique capabilities like self-renewal and differentiate into various cell types, can be a potential strategy for tissue regeneration. However, the challenges like reproducibility, uncontrolled propagation and differentiation, isolation of specific kinds of cell and tumorigenic nature made these stem cells away from clinical application. Today, various types of stem cells like embryonic, fetal or gestational tissue, mesenchymal and induced-pluripotent stem cells are under investigation for their clinical application. Tissue engineering helps in configuring the stem cells to develop into a desired viable tissue, to use them clinically as a substitute for the conventional method. The use of stem cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) is being studied to replace the stem cells, which decreases the immunological complications associated with the direct administration of stem cells. Tissue engineering also investigates various biomaterials to use clinically, either to replace the bones or as a scaffold to support the growth of stemcells/ tissue. Depending upon the need, there are various biomaterials like bio-ceramics, natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers to support replacement or regeneration of tissue. Like the other fields of science, tissue engineering is also incorporating the nanotechnology to develop nano-scaffolds to provide and support the growth of stem cells with an environment mimicking the Extracellular matrix (ECM) of the desired tissue. Tissue engineering is also used in the modulation of the immune system by using patient-specific Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and by modifying the physical features of scaffolds that may provoke the immune system. This review describes the use of various stem cells, biomaterials and the impact of nanotechnology in regenerative medicine.

Environmental and Societal Impact of Nanotechnology

The ability to measure, understand, manipulate, organize, engineer and control matter on the nanoscale has been opening up the wealth of possibilities that were otherwise non - existent at higher scales. At this scale, basic research principles and tools in biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering converge and have led to all-inclusive applications of nanotechnology. Despite the innovative applications and promising potentials of nanotechnology, there are concerns about its short and long-lasting impacts on humans, nature and the environment. In an attempt to address these concerns, a number of researches have been conducted. Evaluations of studies addressing the issues of nanotechnologies and their impacts are necessary to give insights for further studies that will advance the technology for the true benefit of mankind and nature. This study, thus, provides a detailed review of studies on nanotechnology applications and the positions of stakeholders on the impact of nanotechnology. Among other things, the outcome of this survey shows that there are numerous successful applications of nanotechnology. Public perceptions are pivotal in determining the extent of revolution and transformation that nanotechnology will have on the environment. Religious beliefs and moral concerns; trust in governmental regulatory agencies and the industry; the level of inclusion of the society in the product design, development, and commercialization process is critical to the extent of acceptance of nanotechnology inventions. Expression of objective views concerning the benefits, limitations & risks, and adequate education of the public, risk regulators & all stakeholders are crucial in determining the fate of nanotechnology.

Practical considerations on detectability of electrically active nanoparticles in environmental samples

Environmental impact of nanotechnologies is among the most important global concerns because these technologies have introduced a completely new class of artificial pollutants with very diverse biological effects. Detection and characterization of nanoparticles in environmental samples requires highly sensitive methods and laboratory equipment. Recently introduced chronoamperometry of single nanoparticles has a potential to measure parameters of nanoparticles of different kinds, including organic and inorganic substances, metals and their oxides.This paper reports practical considerations on factors limiting the level of detection (LOD) for the chronoamperometry of single nanoparticles, successfully used to characterize electrically active nanoparticles. The influence of two major sources of electrical current noise on LOD was studied. It was shown that electrochemical noise dominates over the noise of electronic components. The LOD for a typical laboratory potentiostat was calculated. The overall background current noise (root mean square value) for a typical ultra-low input current potentiostat is between 10−13 – 10−12 A, that allows detecting silver nanoparticles with radius of 10 – 15 nm, LOD for nanoparticles of -Fe2O3 is 60-80 nm. The theoretical limit of minimum detectable size of nanoparticle is at least 10 times lower, but to achieve this limit very complicated technical issues should be resolved.

Perceived knowledge and perception on nanotechnology among university students

The main objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and perceptions of nanotechnology among health science students of UniKL RCMP in terms of knowledge, source of information, social impact, benefits, and risks of nanotechnology. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among health science students, which included students from pharmacy, nursing, radiography, and physiotherapy of UniKL RCMP, Ipoh, Perak. Responses were recorded through a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of four sections: the first section recorded the socio-demographic data, the second section was used to validate the knowledge about nanotechnology, the third section was related to the social impact of nanotechnology, and the fourth section recorded the perceptions of the benefits and risks of nanotechnology. A convenience sampling technique was adopted to collect the responses from 300 respondents. This study showed that the knowledge on nanotechnology was moderate among respondents. The main source of information about nanotechnology was the internet. With regard to the social impact, the majority of respondents agreed that nanotechnology could have an economic and occupational impact. The majority of the respondents considered that the nanotechnology will bring the highest benefits in the next two decades in health and medicine, while almost half of them believed that nanotechnology will be a risk in human health. The student community lacks information on nanotechnology, and it is required to increase awareness about the benefits of nanotechnology in the field of medicine and health care settings.

Therapeutic Strategies for Erectile Dysfunction With Emphasis on Recent Approaches in Nanomedicine.

This review addressed erectile dysfunction, regarding pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies. The line of treatment includes phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors and other types of therapy like topical and stem-cell transplant. Scientific literature was assessed to investigate the impact of nanotechnology on erectile dysfunction therapy. Various nanotechnology approaches were applied, like vesicular systems, lipid-based carriers, nanocrystals, dendrimers, liquid crystalline systems and nanoemulsions. Smart nano-systems can alter the landscape of the modern pharmaceutical industry by re- investigation of pharmaceutically suboptimal but biologically active entities for treatment of erectile dysfunction which were previously considered undeveloped.

Impact of Nanotechnology on Enhanced Oil Recovery: A Mini-Review

The major challenges facing oil production during/after secondary recovery include oil entrapment by water and high water mobility. Hence, currently, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is considered a key...

Exposure of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana B.) to silver nanoparticles in vitro: transport and accumulation

The impact of nanotechnology in the field of agricultural sciences creates the need to study in greater detail the effect of products offering nanoparticles for application in plant species of agricultural interest. The objective of this study was to determine the response of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana B.) in vitro to different concentrations of AgNPs (silver nanoparticles), as well as to characterize and identify their absorption, translocation and accumulation mechanisms. Nodal segments of stevia grown in MS medium supplemented with AgNPs (0,12.5, 25, 50,100 and 200 mg L−1) were used. After 30 days of in vitro shoot proliferation, the number of shoots per explant, shoot length, chlorophyll content, dry matter content and the metallic silver (Ag) content of the plants were quantified. In addition, characterization, transport and accumulation of silver nanoparticles were performed by microscopic analysis. AgNPs were shown to be present in epidermal stem cells, within vascular bundles and in intermembrane spaces. In leaves, they were observed in ribs and stomata. The current and future use of AgNPs in agricultural sciences opens up the possibility of studying their effects on different plant species.

Effect of small forces on microsphere under optical trap

In this era of technological development, greater impact of nanotechnology now can be seen in many fields due to better properties and precise control. Many functions are being executed by bio nano-materials or biomolecules in living systems in a very efficient manner. The functional behaviour and their properties need to be examined to use them for various nano-device applications. The mechanical properties of the biomolecules can be studied by attaching them with microspheres and measuring forces on these microspheres through optical trap. Microspheres of three-micrometer diameter were trapped at the focus of infrared laser and viscous drag forces were applied to measure the effect of these forces on the trapped microsphere. It was observed that with 28mW intensity Laser, the trapped microsphere was displaced by 0.19 μm at 2.1 pN force and trap stiffness was determined as 0.011pN/nm. The findings can be useful while attaching these microspheres as cargos along the bionanomotors for nanorobotics and drug delivery applications.

Technologies for the functionalization of textile mats with nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is the science of materials with extremely small dimensions (one nanometer is one billionth meter), but it is a major developing industry with an estimated annual market of about one trillion US dollars by 2017[1]. Nanoparticles are used or evaluated for use in many areas, which is currently demonstrated on the market for over 1,000 nano-products. The impact of nanotechnology extends from its medical, ethical, mental, legal and environmental applications to areas such as engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, materials science and communications [2-3]. Potential risks include environmental, health and safety issues; transient effects, such as the reallocation of traditional industries as nanotechnology products, are becoming dominant and are a cause for concern for privacy lawyers [4-5]. Textile of 100% cotton, 55% polyester / 45% cotton and 100% polyester, white and dyed, were functionalized by spraying technology on a test device made at UT Dresden after oleofobization with Rucostar EEF6 or Nuva N 2114 and impregnation by applying oleophobic treatment simultaneously with the functionalization with Ag NP. Analysis of the size and form of Ag NP was achieved by using SEM electronic microscopy, TEM and dynamic light scattering (DLS) transmission microscopy. The uniformity, dispersion and migration of Ag NP from the surface of the textile materials for the initial samples compared with those tested for acid / alkaline perspiration, washing and wear (rubbing) revealed by AAS determinations that the acidic sweat test is the most aggressive leading to decreases in the amount of Ag NP of approx. 25% versus untreated sample.The amount of Ag NP deposited on the textile by the two technologies did not differ significantly. Compared to untreated knits with treated ones the size of the agglomerations does not change significantly; from the point of view of the uniform distribution of Ag NP on the surface of the knits after the acid / alkaline sweat tests, the best values (agglomeration distances) are highlighted in the case of 100% polyester knitted.

The Impact of Nanotechnologies on developing the printing of natural fabrics with pomegranate peel

In present work, different natural fabrics (cotton, wool and silk) were printed via pomegranate peel dye. The dye solution subjected to ultrasonic to reach the nano size. Two techniques of mordanting were used, (pre-mordanting and simultaneous mordanting); substrates were mordanted prior to printing process using two ecofriendly mordants separately: Alum and tannic acid, other substrates were printed via paste incorporated with mordant for comparison. Pomegranate peel natural dye was studied to clarify the impact of nature of nano-size color particles on size, shape, and particle distribution of the natural dye with comparative studies of the K/S and over all fastness properties of printed samples. Results showed that the K/S values of nano samples are higher than original samples, irrespective of the nature of the fabric used and /or the concentration of the coloring matter. Nano-pomegranate peel dye could be used successfully instead of the original dye incorporated with Alum mordant irrespective of the fabric used. In addition, pre-mordanting technique acquired the higher K/S values than the simultaneous mordanting technique. There is a tendency of improvement of the perspiration fastness while keeping the washing and rubbing fastness unaltered after miniaturization of the pomegranate dye.

Propolis nanoparticles prevent structural changes in human hemoglobin during glycation and fructation

Nowadays diabetes, as a metabolic disorder, is increasing at an alarming rate. Glycation and production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is the most important factor involved in diabetic complications. Due to the side effects of synthetic drugs, the demand for natural anti-diabetic herbal medicines has increased. Propolis is a natural and resinous material, which iscollected by honeybees. Due to the impact of nanotechnology in medicine and the advantageous role of nanoparticles in treatment, nano-propolis particles (PNP) were prepared. The anti-glycation effect of PNP at various concentrations was investigated on human hemoglobin (Hb) glycation and fructation and compared with aspirin as a common anti-glycation agent using glycation specific AGE fluorescence, AGE-specific absorbance and circular dichroism (CD) methods. Fluorescence spectroscopy results showed that PNP inhibited the formation of AGEs in Hb glycation and fructation by glucose and fructose, respectively. CD results revealed that PNP caused an increase in Hb beta-sheet content while decreasing the alpha helical content. Additionally, the results of UV-Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence emission of heme degradation products revealed the protective effect of PNP on heme during glycation and fructation of human Hb. It is notable that the synergistic effects of combined propolis nanoparticles and aspirin is more than either of them alone. However, having said that, PNP as a natural product has a potential to be an effective drug in the treatment of diabetes.

SMALL THINGS HAVE A BIG IMPACT: NEW TRENDS IN IMPLANT DENTISTRY

In the twenty first century, nanotechnology has already offered numerous possibilities in implant dentistry. One nano step for man has resulted in a giant leap in implant dentistry. The advent of nanotechnology had created an opportunity for the engineering of new dental implant materials. This technology has also been used to enhance osseointegration by surface modifications of dental implants. Nanometre-controlled surfaces have ultimately directed the nature of peril-implant tissues and improved the clinical success rate of implant therapy. The possibilities introduced by nanotechnology now permit the tailoring of implant chemistry and structure. Nanotechnology in dental implantology has emerged as a frontier research area of interest in this decade. Long thought to be commercially uninhabitable, the once-barren nanotechnology landscape suddenly looks fertile. With the support of some brightest minds in science and engineering, this emerging field of super small is now firmly on the shortlist of technologies poised to produce big things in implant dentistry. In this article, we have made an attempt to review the current trends and future prospects on the impact of nanotechnology in implant dentistry.

Safety opportunities for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles and short-cut approach to workplace risk evaluation

Notwithstanding the extensive use of engineered nanomaterials in various industrial and research settings, the impact of nanotechnology on the environment and its safety implications on the industrial production are still a challenging task. To date, the databases about nano-toxicology have a limited amount of information to establish suitable and widely accepted workplace safety regulations, both in relation with the toxicological/hazardous properties, lifecycle assessment, potential exposure pathways and the actual estimation of the number of workers exposed. Application of nano-materials in the process industries became an everyday practice in the last decade. However, the potential health hazard in producing, processing and using them has not been known exactly, yet. Accordingly, evaluating the hazard and calculating risk in their application leads to safer usage. Additionally, the development of cleaner production routes for nano-materials also contributes to minimizing the risk during their production. This paper introduces a critical discussion on cleaner and inherent safer approaches to the chemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles and outlines two novel synthesis processes for nano bismuth, a semimetal widely exploited in heterogeneous catalysis, microelectronic and thermoelectric applications, magnetic field sensors etc. The methods for Bi nano synthesis, which are inherently much safer, are subsequently analysed by a short-cut tool offering a semi-quantitative estimation of the hazards for workers employed in the given research environment, starting from the concepts borrowed by the layer of protection analysis. Additionally, the screening tool, by comparing the hazardous character of processes, can help choosing the safer, cleaner and more eco-friendly one.

Supercritical Fluid-Assisted Decoration of Nanoparticles on Porous Microcontainers for Codelivery of Therapeutics and Inhalation Therapy of Diabetes.

The impact of nanotechnology and its advancements have allowed us to explore new therapeutic modalities. To this end, we designed nanoparticles-inlaid porous microparticles (NIPMs) coloaded with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) using the supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) technology as an inhalation delivery system for diabetes therapy. siRNA-encapsulating chitosan (CS) nanoparticles were first synthesized by an ionic gelation method, which resulted in particles with small sizes(100-150 nm), high encapsulation efficiency (∼94.8%), and sustained release performance (∼60% in 32 h). These CS nanoparticles were then loaded with GLP-1-dispersed poly-l-lactide (PLLA) porous microparticles (PMs) by SC-CO2-assisted precipitation with the compressed antisolvent (PCA) process. The hypoglycemic efficacy of NIPMs administered via pulmonary route in mice persisted longer due to sustained release of siRNA from CS nanoparticles and the synergistic effects of GLP-1 in PMs, which significantly inhibited the expression of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 mRNA (DPP-4-mRNA). This ecofriendly technology provides a convenient way to fabricate nanoparticle-microparticle composites for codelivery of a gene and a therapeutic peptide, which will potentially find widespread applications in the field of pharmaceutics.

Nanotechnological foundations of a “new” Nephrology

After contextualizing the generic frameworks of nanotechnology and nanomedicine, the 2 disciplines are discussed in the field of Nephrology. The potential downside to nanonephrology is the renal clearance of nanoparticles, the use of which is ever-increasing both for nanomedicinal purposes and in nanofoods. The positive impact of nanotechnology in Nephrology is centered on the development of renal nanodiagnostics for basic renal function studies, the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury, reliable and simple follow-up of chronic kidney disease and the improvement of magnetic resonance imaging. Renal drug nanotherapies comprise an important and dual-faceted area: the protection of drugs and nephrotoxic agents (e.g. antibiotics, antiretrovirals, contrast media, etc.) on the one hand, and the development of new kidney disease medications on the other. Renal ‘nanotheranostics’ is a promising but little-studied area. The impact of nanostructured supports on renal tissue regeneration is also discussed. The article concludes with a brief analysis of the various nanonephrology perspectives.

Nanoceuticals governance and market review

Nanoceuticals are pharmaceuticals or natural supplements, also known as nutraceuticals, designed using nanotechnologies. Benefits of nanoceuticals as therapeutics include better aqueous solubility and permeability, and reduced side effects. Nanoceuticals are designed using a wide variety of formulations such as nanoemulsions, micelles, nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanocochleates and nanocrystals. The article is a snapshot of the impact of nanotechnology on nutrition and food; it discusses regulations and risks.

Editorial: Environmental Impact of Nanotechnology: Analyzing the Present for Building the Future

Editorial: Environmental Impact of Nanotechnology: Analyzing the Present for Building the Future

Bases nanotecnológicas de una «nueva» Nefrología

After contextualising the generic frameworks of nanotechnology and nanomedicine, the 2disciplines are discussed in the field of Nephrology. The potential downside to nanonephrology is the renal clearance of nanoparticles, the use of which is ever-increasing both for nanomedicinal purposes and in nanofoods. The positive impact of nanotechnology in Nephrology is centred on the development of renal nanodiagnostics for basic renal function studies, the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury, reliable and simple follow-up of chronic kidney disease and the improvement of magnetic resonance imaging. Renal drug nanotherapies comprise an important and dual-faceted area: The protection of drugs and nephrotoxic agents (e.g. antibiotics, antiretrovirals, contrast media, etc.) on the one hand, and the development of new kidney disease medications on the other. Renal ‘nanotheranostics’ is a promising but little-studied area. The impact of nanostructured supports on renal tissue regeneration is also discussed. The article concludes with a brief analysis of the various nanonephrology perspectives.

Status and future directions in the management of pancreatic cancer: potential impact of nanotechnology.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is typically diagnosed at a late stage, has limited treatments, and patients have poor survival rates. It currently ranks as the seventh leading cause of cancer deaths globally and has increasing rates of diagnosis. Improved PDAC treatment requires the development of innovative, effective, and economical therapeutic drugs. The late stage diagnosis limits options for surgical resection, and traditional PDAC chemotherapeutics correlate with increased organ and hematologic toxicity. In addition, PDAC tumor tissue is dense and highly resistant to many traditional chemotherapeutic applications, making the disease difficult to treat and impeding options for palliative care. New developments in nanotechnology may offer innovative options for targeted PDAC therapeutic drug delivery. Nanotechnology can be implemented using multimodality methods that offer increased opportunities for earlier diagnosis, precision enhanced imaging, targeted long-term tumor surveillance, and controlled drug delivery, as well as improved palliative care and patient comfort. Nanoscale delivery methods have demonstrated the capacity to infiltrate the dense, fibrous tumor tissue associated with PDAC, increasing delivery and effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents and reducing toxicity through the loading of multiple drug therapies on a single nano delivery vehicle. This review presents an overview of nanoscale drug delivery systems and multimodality carriers at the forefront of new PDAC treatments.