When a good nanoparticle goes bad

November 11, 2008

Understanding how nanoparticles change form may help solve energy needs

Researchers at Cornell University recently made a major breakthrough when they invented a method to test and demonstrate a long-held hypothesis that some very, very small metal particles work much better than others in various chemical processes such as converting chemical energy to electricity in fuel cells or reducing automobile pollution.

The breakthrough, reported in this week's edition of the journal Nature Materials, also came with a surprise. By devising a way to watch individual molecules react with a single nanoscale particle of gold in real time, researchers confirmed that some gold particles are better at increasing the rate of a chemical reaction than others, but they also found that a good catalyst sometimes spontaneously turns bad.

Understanding why these particles change and how to stabilize the "good" particles may lead to solutions for a wide range of problems such as the current global energy challenge.

National Science Foundation

---

---

	Nanoparticles: From Theory to Application by Günter Schmid (Editor) Offers an introduction to the science of nanoparticles, from fundamental principles to their use in novel applicationsThe second edition is completely revised, updated and enlarged and includes four new chaptersIncludes numerous examples from the recent literature - this is a prime reference for chemists and materials scientists working with and developing nanoparticle systems
	Drug Delivery Nanoparticles Formulation and Characterization (Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Sciences) by Yashwant Pathak (Editor), Deepak Thassu (Editor) Explore the fundamental concepts of drug delivery formulation and characterization. Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery Systems II presents key aspects of nanoparticulate system development for various therapeutic applications and provides advanced methods used to file for regulatory approval. This comprehensive guide features: 100 high quality images Process Analytical Techniques (PAT) used in manufacturing Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of NDDS applications of novel techniques used in formulation development and characterization, such as microscopic and nonmicroscopic techniques
	Magnetic Nanoparticles: From Fabrication to Clinical Applications by Nguyen TK Thanh (Editor), Mostafa A. El Sayed (Editor) Offering the latest information in magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) research, Magnetic Nanoparticles: From Fabrication to Clinical Applications provides a comprehensive review, from synthesis, characterization, and biofunctionalization to clinical applications of MNPs, including the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. This book, written by some of the most qualified experts in the field, not only fills a hole in the literature, but also bridges the gaps between all the different areas in this field. Translational research on tailored magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications spans a variety of disciplines, and putting together the most significant advances into a practical format is a challenging task. Balancing clinical applications with the underlying theory and foundational...
	China takes a lead on carbon nanotubes. (Window On Nanomaterials In China).(Column): An article from: Nanoparticle News by David Reisner (Author), James Hsiao (Author) This digital document is an article from Nanoparticle News, published by Business Communications Company, Inc. on January 1, 2003. The length of the article is 694 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: China takes a lead on carbon nanotubes. (Window On Nanomaterials In China).(Column) Author: David Reisner Publication: Nanoparticle News (Magazine/Journal) Date: January 1, 2003 Publisher: Business Communications Company, Inc. Volume: 5 Issue: 12 Page: 13(1) Article Type: Column Distributed by Thomson...
	BUSINESS.(Telomolecular Corp. has signed licensing agreement with UNeMed)(Zyvex Corp. and Diabetech, LP to develop wireless sensor implant)(Starpharma ... product): An article from: Nanoparticle News by Gale Reference Team (Author) This digital document is an article from Nanoparticle News, published by Thomson Gale on February 1, 2006. The length of the article is 647 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: BUSINESS.(Telomolecular Corp. has signed licensing agreement with UNeMed)(Zyvex Corp. and Diabetech, LP to develop wireless sensor implant)(Starpharma Pooled Development Ltd. and Dendritic Nanotechnologies Ltd. to develop polymer nanodendrimer based product) Author: Gale Reference Team Publication: Nanoparticle News (Magazine/Journal) Date: February 1, 2006 Publisher: Thomson...
	Catalysis and Electrocatalysis at Nanoparticle Surfaces by Dekker No description available
	Tio2 Nanoparticles by Flame Cvd Method: Synthesis, Characterization, Simulation and Application by Hongyong Xie (Author), Shi Chen (Author) The scientific and technological issues of nanostructured particles and materials are currently attracting considerable attention. The reason for this is that nanostructured particles and materials, and the physical or chemical combination of substances at the nanometer or subnanometer scale, can lead to innovative materials with improved or even unexpected properties. Applications which could have a great impact can be anticipated in fields like catalysis, technical ceramics, membrane technology, optoelectronics and solid-state ionics with emphasis on systems for clean energy conversion and storage. However, progress in these fields will largely depend on the pace of advance of the fundamental research on nanostructured particles and materials in solid-state chemistry, solid-state...
	Nanobiotechnology, Volume 4: Inorganic Nanoparticles vs Organic Nanoparticles (Frontiers of Nanoscience) by Jesus M. de la Fuente (Editor), V. Grazu (Editor) Nanotechnology is considered the next big revolution in medicine and biology. For the past 20 years, new research groups have been involved in the development of new applications of novel nanomaterials for biotechnological applications. Nanomaterials are also becoming increasingly important in medical applications. New drugs and diagnostic tools are being discovered using nanotechnology as the base. Every year, hundreds of new ideas using nanomaterials are applied in the development of biosensors. Increasing numbers of new enterprises are also searching for market opportunities using these technologies. Nanomaterials for biotechnological applications is a very complex field. Thousands of different nanoparticles could potentially be used for these purposes. Some of them are very...
	Magnetic Nanoparticles: Properties, Synthesis and Applications by Beate Acklin (Editor), Edon Lautens (Editor) Magnetic nanoparticles have been attracting much interest in the fields of advanced biological and medical applications such as drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging, and array-based assaying as well as in the fields of separation science. This book presents current research in the study of the properties, synthesis and applications of magnetic nanoparticles. Topics include the synthesis of organic based magnetic nanoparticles-polymers and calixarene based magnetic nanoparticles; ferromagnetism in carbon and boron nitride nanostructures; and, computer simulations, chemical syntheses and biomedical diagnosis using magnetic nanoparticles.
	Nanoparticles in Anti-Microbial Materials: Use and Characterisation (RSC Nanoscience & Nanotechnology) by Fiona Regan (Author), James Chapman (Author), Timothy Sullivan (Author), Harry Kroto (Series Editor), Paul O'Brien (Series Editor) Many nanomaterials exhibit anti-microbial properties and demand for such materials grows as new applications are found in such areas as medicine, environmental science and specialised coatings. This book documents the most up to date research on the area of nanoparticles showing anti-microbial activity and discusses their preparation and characterisation. Further materials showing potential anti-microbial properties are also discussed. With its user-friendly approach to applications, this book is an excellent reference for practical use in the lab. Its emphasis on material characterisation will benefit both the analytical and materials scientist. Frequent references to the primary literature ensure that the book is a good source of information to newcomers and experienced...