Nanotech
NASA Eyes First Carbon Nanotube Mirrors for CubeSat Telescope
Carbon nanotechnology may soon be making its way to space aboard a CubeSat in the form of a mirror made of a carbon nanotube resin. Developed by researchers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the mirror is designed to be used in a lightweight telescope that that will include spectrometers in the UV, visible, and near-IR wavelengths. So far, the 3 inch diameter mirrors are just prototypes, but their light weight, stability, and not needing to be polished could make them a relatively cheap alternatives to traditional mirrors.
Carbon nanotechnology may soon be making its way to space aboard a CubeSat in the form of a mirror made of a carbon nanotube resin. Developed by researchers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the mirror is designed to be used in a lightweight telescope that that will include spectrometers in the UV, visible, and near-IR wavelengths. So far, the 3 inch diameter mirrors are just prototypes, but their light weight, stability, and not needing to be polished could make them a relatively cheap alternatives to traditional mirrors.
Microbots can clean up polluted water
Swarms of graphene-coated nanobots could be our best hope yet of cleaning up the murky oceans, with scientists demonstrating that new microscopic underwater warriors can remove up to 95 percent of lead in wastewater in just 1 hour.By 2050, it’s estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans, and waste metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and chromium are affecting the delicate ecological balance that will make things very difficult for any animal that relies on it for food – including humans – in the near future.Developed by an international team of researchers, the newly developed nanobots have three key components: a graphene oxide exterior to absorb lead (or another heavy metal); a nickel core that enables researchers to control the nanobots’ movement via a magnetic field; and an inner platinum coating that functions as an engine and propels the bots forward via a chemical reaction with hydrogen peroxide.
Swarms of graphene-coated nanobots could be our best hope yet of cleaning up the murky oceans, with scientists demonstrating that new microscopic underwater warriors can remove up to 95 percent of lead in wastewater in just 1 hour.By 2050, it’s estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans, and waste metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and chromium are affecting the delicate ecological balance that will make things very difficult for any animal that relies on it for food – including humans – in the near future.Developed by an international team of researchers, the newly developed nanobots have three key components: a graphene oxide exterior to absorb lead (or another heavy metal); a nickel core that enables researchers to control the nanobots’ movement via a magnetic field; and an inner platinum coating that functions as an engine and propels the bots forward via a chemical reaction with hydrogen peroxide.
Once they’ve made one pass, the nanobots – which are smaller than the width of a human hair – can be deployed again for further sweeps.
LSU researchers develop ‘holy grail’ eye drop to prevent, treat cataracts without surgery
LSU AgCenter scientists have formulated a nanoparticle matrix that could be used in eye drops to both prevent and treat cataracts, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.Professor Cristina Sabliov and assistant professor Carlos Astete in the AgCenter Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering have found a way to use nanoparticles to efficiently deliver hydrophobic lutein and enhance its stability and antioxidant properties so it can be used effectively in eye drops.Lutein is a naturally occurring yellow pigment known as a carotenoid. It can be found in numerous plants, including yellow flowers and corn, as well as egg yolks and animal fats.
LSU AgCenter scientists have formulated a nanoparticle matrix that could be used in eye drops to both prevent and treat cataracts, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.Professor Cristina Sabliov and assistant professor Carlos Astete in the AgCenter Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering have found a way to use nanoparticles to efficiently deliver hydrophobic lutein and enhance its stability and antioxidant properties so it can be used effectively in eye drops.Lutein is a naturally occurring yellow pigment known as a carotenoid. It can be found in numerous plants, including yellow flowers and corn, as well as egg yolks and animal fats.
Lutein can also be found in the human eye. Studies have shown that dietary supplements can help replenish ocular lutein. But treatments using lutein have been limited in the past by the substance’s poor water solubility, its susceptibility to degradation and low absorption efficiency.
“The nanoparticle matrix can deliver lutein to the eye efficiently as an eye drop formulation,” Sabliov said. “Direct application of lutein to the eye in this formulation improves its effect against cataracts.”
Quadrapeutics combines lasers, X-rays, gold nanoparticles, and chemo drugs to kill aggressive cancers.
Researchers at Rice University have developed an approach that combines all four technologies to effectively kill aggressive cancer cells by literally exploding them. They dubbed the technology quadrapeutics, which significantly amplifies the killing effect of anti-cancer drugs and chemo, but only in cancer cells.The technique harnesses plasmonic nanobubbles, tiny droplets of vapor that form around plasmonic gold nanoparticles, which can then pop and try to destroy the cell from within. If it doesn’t, the explosion causes the delivered drug to be spread through the cells and the effect of the chemotherapy also becomes more pronounced. The three modes of action combine to be effective even against aggressive tumors.
Researchers at Rice University have developed an approach that combines all four technologies to effectively kill aggressive cancer cells by literally exploding them. They dubbed the technology quadrapeutics, which significantly amplifies the killing effect of anti-cancer drugs and chemo, but only in cancer cells.The technique harnesses plasmonic nanobubbles, tiny droplets of vapor that form around plasmonic gold nanoparticles, which can then pop and try to destroy the cell from within. If it doesn’t, the explosion causes the delivered drug to be spread through the cells and the effect of the chemotherapy also becomes more pronounced. The three modes of action combine to be effective even against aggressive tumors.
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