Nanoparticle Applications

A survey of nanoparticle applications under development:

Nanoparticles are particles that have one dimension that is 100 nanometers or less in size.The properties of many conventional materials change when formed from nanoparticles. This is typically because nanoparticles have a greater surface area per weight than larger particles; this causes them to be more reactive to certain other molecules.

Nanoparticles are used, or being evaluated for use, in many fields. The list below introduces many of the uses under development. Click on any of the links to go to a detailed explanation.

Iron oxide nanoparticles can used to improve MRI images of cancer tumors. The nanoparticle is coated with a peptide that binds to a cancer tumor, once the nanoparticles are attached to the tumor the magnetic property of the iron oxide enhances the images from the Magnetic Resonance Imagining scan.

Using gold nanoparticles embedded in a porous manganese oxide as a room temperature catalyst to breakdown volatile organic compounds in air.

Nanoparticles coated with proteins that attach to damaged portions of arteries. This could allow delivery of drugs to the damaged regions of arteries to fight cardiovascular disease.

Magnetic nanoparticles that attach to cancer cells in the blood stream may allow the cancer cells to be removed before they establish new tumors.

A layer of closely spaced palladium nanoparticles that detect hydrogen. When hydrogen is absorbed the palladium nanoparticles swell, causing shorts between nanoparticles which lowers the resistance of the palladium layer.

Quantum Dots (crystalline nanoparticles) that identify the location of cancer cells in the body.

Combining gold nanoparticles with organic molecules to create a transistor known as a NOMFET (Nanoparticle Organic Memory Field-Effect Transistor).

Nanoparticles that deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to cancer cells.

Iron nanoparticles used to clean up carbon tetrachloride pollution in ground water.

Silicon nanoparticles coating anodes of lithium-ion batteries to increase battery power and reduce recharge time.

Silicate nanoparticles used to provide a barrier to gasses (for example oxygen), or moisture in a plastic film used for packaging. This could reduce the possibly of food spoiling or drying out.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles dispersed in industrial coatings to protect wood, plastic and textiles from exposure to UV rays.

Silicon dioxide crystalline nanoparticles filling gaps between carbon fibers strengthen tennis racquets.

Silver nanoparticles in fabric that kills bacteria making clothing odor-resistant.

Porous silica nanoparticles used to deliver chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells.

Semiconductor nanoparticles applied in a low temperature printing process that results in low cost solar cells.

Nanoparticles, when activated by x-rays, that generate electrons that cause the destruction of cancer cells to which they have attached themselves. This is intended to be used in place radiation therapy with much less damage to healthy tissue.

Iron oxide nanoparticles used to clean arsenic from water wells.

A nanoparticle cream that releases nitric oxide gas to fight staph infections.

Nanoparticle Company Directory

Company	Products
CytImmune	Gold nanoparticles for targeted delivery of drugs to tumors
Invitrogen	Qdots for medical imaging
Evident	Quantum Dots
American Elements	Nanoparticles and Quantum Dots
Applied Nanotech	Palladium nanoparticle-based hydrogen sensor.
Antaria	Zinc oxide nanoparticles used in coatings to reduce UV exposure
Nanoledge	Epoxy resins strengthened with nanoparticles
NanoHorizons	Fabric treatments containing silver nanoparticles
Nanocs	Gold and silver nanoparticles
Nanosolar	Solar cells manufactured in a low temperature process using semiconductor nanoparticles
SiREM	Iron nanoparticles to treat groundwater pollutants
NanoEner Technologies	Electrodes composed of nanoparticles on a substrate for use in batteries. Partner company Enerdel is developing Li Ion battery packs for use in electric and hybrid vehicles
BASF	Fabric enhanced with nanoparticles
Schoeller Technologies	Fabric enhanced with nanoparticles (NanoSphere®)
Nanosphere	Diagnostic testing using gold nanoparticles to detect low levels of proteins indicating particular diseases
Nanotherapeutics	Nanoparticles for improving the performance of drug delivery by oral or nasal methods
Oxonica	Diagnostic testing using gold nanoparticles (biomarkers)
T2 Biosystems	Diagnostic testing using magnetic nanoparticles
Z-Medica	Medical gauze containing aluminosilicate nanoparticles which help blood clot faster in open wounds.
ApNano Materials	Lubricants enhanced with nanoparticles
Nanomaterials Company	Nanopowders and nanostructured materials
Energenics	Diesel additive containing cerium oxide nanoparticle catalyst to reduce fuel consumption
Nanophase	Metal oxide nanoparticles
Meliorum Technologies	Metal, oxide and silicon nanoparticles
Nanoshel	Metal and oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes
Nanopartz	gold, platinum and palladium nanoparticles

Click here for information on the Applications of Nanotubes