NanomedicineCenter.com

Are quantum dots toxic

Scientists from Texas have reported that a recent research they’ve conducted showed that quantum dots may be toxic under certain conditions — acidic or alkaline. Products based on quantum dots are spreading in many areas — electronics, medical diagnostics and solar cells, and that’s why these results are very concerning.

The research showed that quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals made of a metal core surrounded by a shell composed of zinc or cadmium sulfide. Researchers are concerned that these submicroscopic dots could decompose during normal use or after disposal. That decomposition could release toxic metals into the environment, posing a health risk to humans and animals.
To explore this further, scientists exposed two types of bacteria to quantum dots under different conditions – acidity and alkalinity. At near neutral pH levels, bacteria exposed to quantum dots experienced decreased rates of growth, but did not die. However, at moderately acidic or alkaline conditions, many of the quantum dots-exposed bacteria died as quantum dot’s shells decomposed, releasing their content of toxic metals. However, proteins and natural organic matter may be able to mitigate toxicity by complexing metal ions or coating particles.

Source: ACS

Iran among top 25 in the world of nanotechnology

In 2000, Iran was 60th on the list of most advanced countries in the nanotechnology field. It didn’t really seem that the rank will improve, but it did — significantly. Iran managed to improve its rank to the 25th place in just 8 years, and they are holding the 1st place among the Muslim countries for several years now.

Chairman of the Nanotechnology Association of Iran, Dr. Mojtaba Shariati Niasar, said that Iran’s research in this field during the post-Islamic revolution era can’t be compared with that before the Islamic Revolution. He also said that Iranian researchers published more than 1,100 ISI articles in the nanotechnology field over the past seven years and more than 10 universities all across the country are now involved in the nano-related sciences and technology.
“Over 2,250 MA and Ph.D. theses were compiled and hundreds of scientific and specialized meetings were held on the issue,” added Dr. Niasar.

Everybody knows that Iran is heavily investing in nano-related fields, and they will probably approach the top 15 in the very near future.

Source: payvand.com/news/09/jan/1275.html

Indonesia will invest in nanotechnology

According to a study conducted by the US National Science Foundation, the market value of nanomaterials will reach US$1 trillion by 2015. This industry branch is predicted to create jobs for over two million people all around the world. These facts urged the Indonesian government to find funds to support local scientists and researchers and thus make Indonesia an important factor in this field.

“We want nanotechnology to become a national priority,” said chairman of the Indonesian Society of Nanotechnology Nurul Taufiqu Rochman.
Jarnuzi Gunlazuardi from the University of Indonesia said that they can now produce an output level that suits their needs. The industry should no longer waste materials unnecessarily, and now they can maximize the quality of products. But Indonesian people aren’t fully aware of these possibilities, unfortunately.
“In our recent survey across 30 industries including textile, ceramics, chemicals and automotive, only 35 percent have applied nanotechnologies to their production process,” said Nurul.

In this moment, Indonesian scientists aren’t capable of doing many research due to a lack of funding. “There are several technologies that have been developed by Indonesian researchers, but so far they can only produce around one milligram of nano particles, whereas to be able to support an industry we will need at least several kilograms of the same material. We will give our best to find the funds and to support our researchers in order to find our place on the global nanotechnology map,” said Nurul.

New biosensor developed

Scientists from the Purdue University have developed a new biosensor, based on nanomedicine standards, which is able to detect glucose in blood and potentially many more molecules.

The device is a tiny cube-shaped tetherball, and uses hollow structures called single-wall carbon nanotubes anchored to gold-coated nanocubes.
“Each tetherball is a sensor and is anchored to electronic circuitry by a nanotube, which acts as both a tether and ultrathin wire to conduct electrical signals,” said Professor Timothy Fisher, who lead the research. He also said that this device detects glucose in blood better than any other device on the market and that it could be used in various branches of medicine to detect numerous biological molecules.

“It might be part of a catheter to continuously monitor blood glucose for diabetics,” said Associate Professor Marshall Porterfield. “And it might have many other applications, including basic scientific research to study diseases and biological processes.”

The research is published in ACS Nano.

Source: upi.com/Science_News/2009/01/22/Precise_nanotechnology_biosensor_developed/UPI-41801232652682/