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Biomedical sensors
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- Insert a semiconductor chip inside patient body to monitor health parameters. The acquired data is transmitted to a wearable which inturn directs the chip to deliver drug.
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Optical Tweezers
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- Uses light to manipulate nano-sized objects. A flash of light from laser is beamed on nano-sized objects which exerts a force upon it due to radiation pressure. Now we are able to exert precise amount of force to manipulate, move around nano-objects.
- Application: Assemble and manipulate nanoparticles, study biomolecules at the level of cells and tissues to better understand diseases and develop new treatments.
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Nano-cosmetics
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- Nanosomes nano-objects 800-times thinner than human hair are used to deliver useful nutrients to cells below the skin layer. Eg: Prevention of greying
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Textiles
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- Hydrophobic silicon nanofilaments used to fabricate wrinkle-free, stain free textiles
- Polytetrafluoroethylene nanomaterials used in fabric as filters for liquid water to pass through them, Used in raincoats.
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Silver nanoparticles
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- anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties: are use in socks to avoid infection of toe nail and odour-free.
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Nanosensors
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- Natural world – Dogs have receptors that are sensitive to nanoscale chemicals
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Biosensors
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- Nanosensors are used detect specific cells and their properties including their temperature, their fluid concentration, volume etc. Eg: CdSe nanocrystals
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Chemical Sensors
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- Nanosensors can be used to detect presence of a molecule.
- CNTs are used to detect the presence of glucose
- ZNO is used to determine the presence of hydrogen and ethanol
- Some sensors are used to detect harmful gases
- Carbon nanotubes wrapped with DNA are used to monitor anti-cancer drugs in the body
- Gas sensors are used to detect LPG leaks, environmental pollution, breathalyzers etc
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Drug Delivery
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- A good drug delivery system is the one that targets specific parts which require the drugs
- It is able to distribute the drug wherever required.
- Success of delivery depends on efficient liberation, distribution and absorption
- Most disease targets are within the cell. When you use large drug molecule they cannot break the barrier as the cell rejects these molecules owing to their size. Biocompatible nano drug particles have had a huge impact in this area. Liquid dendimers can be used here.
- Note: Dendimers are spherical polymers that are capable of moving in and out of molecules. They have hooks that can attach to different types of molecules.
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Cancer Therapy
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- Nano-sized drugs with efficient targeting and reduced side effects. Disadvantage of Chemo and radiation therapy is that it releases more than required and is not area-specific. If we can somehow recognise cancer cells from healthy cells cancer therapies can be much more effective.
- Here is where size-dependent properties of nanoparticles can be used both to image and develop drug delivery system. Fluorescent quantum dots have size-dependent emission properties. Eg: Cadmium Selenide Quantum dots are known to seep into cancer cells. When you shine UV light on it these quantum dots glow. This can be used to target the surgery.
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Kanzius RF therapy
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- When I use gold nanoparticles to attach to cancer cells. I can shine radio waves. The gold nanoparticles absorb radio waves readier than healthy cells. As they absorb RF they get heated and burn the attached cells. This is of course because metals absorb light more readily than living tissues.
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