TL;DR

• Experiments demonstrate precise delivery of nanoparticles to lung via caveolae pumping system

• Mesoporous MoS₂ strategy boosts efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells

• Simple technique can print periodic nano/microstructures on glass

• Scientists develop starch nanocomposite films that pave the way for green electronics

• Porous nanofibrous microspheres show promise for diabetic wound treatment

Nanotech Market

Nanotechnology deals with the ability to see, understand, measure, predict, produce or control matter at the nanoscale (below 100 nanometers). The realm of nanotechnology lies between 0.1 and 100 nanometers, wherein a nanometer is defined as one-thousandth of a micron. As a versatile technology with widespread applications in a wide range of end-use sectors, nanotechnology is currently facing a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the globe. With the world fighting its biggest public health crisis in history, nanotechnology healthcare applications are storming into the spotlight led by the focus on nano intervention in terms of designing effective ways to identify, diagnose, treat and eliminate the spread of COVID-19 infections. Their role as nanocarriers has the potential to design risk-free and effective immunization strategies. In the post-COVID-19 period, the use of nanotechnology solutions in the production of a multitude of devices & products will continue to grow.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Nanotechnology estimated at US$42.2 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$70.7 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 9.2% over the analysis period. Nanocomposites, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record an 8.7% CAGR and reach US$35.4 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Nanomaterials segment is readjusted to a revised 10.1% CAGR for the next 7-year period.

Global nanotechnology market to reach US $126.8 billion by the year 2027. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for nanotechnology is estimated at US $54.2 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach a revised size of US $126 billion.

Latest News & Research

Rapid precision targeting of nanoparticles to lung via caveolae pumping system in endothelium

by Tapas R. Nayak et al in Nature Nanotechnology

In recent years, bio-medical engineers have been developing promising techniques that could help diagnose diseases or precisely target specific regions inside the human body. Among these promising therapeutic strategies are methods that rely on the use of nanoparticles (NPs), tiny particles between 1 and 100 nm in size.

These tiny particles could precisely image regions inside the body or deliver drugs to targeted locations. Despite the potential of NPs, for various reasons their therapeutic advantages have so far been limited.

The first main reason is that these tiny particles’ size often limits their ability to enter and penetrate key tissues inside the body, rendering them ineffective for delivering drugs at the necessary concentrations. Moreover, when these particles are introduced into the human body, they are often rapidly captured by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), which is responsible for identifying foreign objects and eliminating them from the bloodstream.

Researchers at the Proteogenomics Research Institute for Systems Medicine recently set out to explore the potential of delivering NPs to lung tissue across cellular barriers, leveraging specialized structures known as the caveolae. Their paper, published in Nature Nanotechnology, demonstrates the feasibility of this approach in a series of initial experiments involving adult rats.

“NPs have tremendous yet unmet clinical potential to carry and deliver imaging and therapeutic agents systemically with tissue precision,” Tapas R. Nayak, Adrian Charastina and their colleagues wrote in their paper.

“But their size contributes to rapid scavenging by the reticuloendothelial system and poor penetration of key endothelial cell (EC) barriers, limiting target tissue uptake, safety and efficacy. We discover the ability of the EC caveolae pumping system to outpace scavenging and deliver NPs rapidly and specifically into the lungs.”

The researchers carried out various experiments where they tried to use metallic and dendritic NPs of different sizes to image and deliver drugs to the lungs of rats. To do this, they employed an alternative approach, which relies on the caveolae pumping system (CPS) to extract the particles from the body, as opposed to the RES.

Caveolae are small invaginations on the membrane of cells that can transport molecules across the endothelial cells lining blood vessels. The CPS is the process via which caveolae can transport these molecules to specific tissues, which the team leveraged as part of their study.

“Gold and dendritic NPs are conjugated to antibodies targeting caveolae of the lung microvascular endothelium,” wrote Nayak, Charastina and their colleagues. “SPECT-CT imaging and biodistribution analyses reveal that rat lungs extract most of the intravenous dose within minutes to achieve precision lung imaging and targeting with high lung concentrations exceeding peak blood levels.”

The initial findings are highly promising, as they found that their proposed method enabled the highly precise imaging of the rats’ lungs and the delivery of drugs to targeted lung tissues using NPs, without the issues typically associated with the expulsion of the particles. New studies could further explore the potential of delivering NPs to the lung by targeting the CPS while also shedding light on factors influencing the effectiveness of this approach, such as the size and shape of the particles used.

“These results reveal how much ECs can both limit and promote tissue penetration of NPs and the power and size-dependent limitations of the caveolae pumping system,” wrote Nayak, Charastina and their colleagues. “This study provides a new retargeting paradigm for NPs to avoid reticuloendothelial system uptake and achieve rapid precision nanodelivery for future diagnostic and therapeutic applications.”

Mesoporous structured MoS2 as an electron transport layer for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

by Donghwan Koo et al in Nature Nanotechnology

The efficiency and performance of photovoltaics (PVs) have improved significantly over the past decades, which has led to an increase in the adoption of solar technologies. To further enhance the performance of solar cells, energy researchers worldwide have been devising and testing alternative design strategies, leveraging different materials and cell structures.

A class of solar cells that have been found to attain promising results are those based on organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites, materials with various advantageous properties. While these cells have achieved efficiencies of over 25%, they are often unstable and sensitive to various external stimuli (e.g., UV light and oxygen), which hinders their large-scale deployment.

Researchers at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Korea University and other institutes recently introduced a new possible strategy to boost the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. This strategy, outlined in a paper published in Nature Nanotechnology, entails the use of mesoporous structured molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as an electron transport layer (ETL) in perovskite solar cells.

“Mesoporous structured electron transport layers (ETLs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have an increased surface contact with the perovskite layer, enabling effective charge separation and extraction, and high-efficiency devices,” Donghwan Koo, Yunseong Choi and their colleagues wrote in their paper.

“However, the most widely used ETL material in PSCs, TiO2, requires a sintering temperature of more than 500 °C and undergoes photocatalytic reaction under incident illumination that limits operational stability. Recent efforts have focused on finding alternative ETL materials, such as SnO2.”

Building on previous research efforts, Koo, Choi and their colleagues set out to improve the performance of perovskite solar cells using ETLs with a mesoporous structure. This essentially means that the material used for these layers has tiny pores (ranging from 2 to 50 nm in size).

They specifically used mesoporous MoS2, a versatile material with optoelectronic properties that has previously been used to develop batteries, photodetectors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and other technologies. The researchers found that introducing a mesoporous MoS2 ETL yielded solar cells exhibiting an efficiency above 25% and good stability.

“The MoS2 interlayer increases the surface contact area with the adjacent perovskite layer, improving charge transfer dynamics between the two layers,” wrote Koo, Choi and their colleagues.

“In addition, the matching between the MoS2 and the perovskite lattices facilitates preferential growth of perovskite crystals with low residual strain, compared with TiO2. Using mesoporous structured MoS2 as ETL, we obtain perovskite solar cells with 25.7% (0.08 cm2, certified 25.4%) and 22.4% (1.00 cm2) efficiencies.”

In initial tests, the team’s solar cells attained highly promising results, comparing favorably to solar cells with a TiO2 ETL. Notably, the perovskite solar cells with a mesoporous MoS2 were also found to retain their stability and 90% of their initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) after operating under continuous illumination for over 2,000 hours.

These encouraging findings could inform future efforts aimed at boosting the efficiency and stability of organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells by introducing a mesoporous structured MoS2 layer. These efforts could help bring perovskite solar cells’ performance up to par with silicon-based PVs, contributing to their future widespread deployment.

Syneresis‐Driven Self‐Refilling Printing of Geometry/Component‐Controlled Nano/Microstructures

by Kota Shiba et al Advanced Science

A team of researchers from NIMS and the University of Connecticut has developed a printing technique capable of forming a periodic nano/microstructure on the surface of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slab and easily transferring it onto the surface of a glass substrate.

This technique enables the creation of materials with useful functions — including water-repellency and the ability to generate structural colors — without expensive equipment and complex processes. In addition, the technique may be used to fabricate materials capable of realizing anti-fogging and/or generating structural colors on their surfaces — functions potentially useful in the development of innovative gas sensors.

Due to their diverse functional capabilities, periodic nano/microstructures have long been a focus of research and development in materials science. Fabricating them using conventional techniques is, however, a lengthy process requiring the use of large, expensive equipment. In addition, these techniques are unsuitable for creating periodic nano/microstructures over large surface areas.

Although this could be achieved using existing printing technologies, inks suitable for forming periodic nano/microstructures and methods of refilling them are still being explored. A simple technique for fabricating periodic nano/microstructures was therefore highly demanded.

This research team recently developed an easy, repeatable technique for printing a periodic nano/microstructure on a glass substrate surface using a PDMS slab. A PDMS slab contains liquid PDMS which functions as an ink when it is exuded from the slab’s surface. The slab is able to form a periodic wrinkled structure on its surface. This can then be transferred to a glass surface by bringing the PDMS slab into contact with the glass surface and then removing it, leaving the periodic nano/microstructure behind.

Other types of periodic nano/microstructures can be printed on the surface of a glass substrate in addition to winkle structure, such as columnar and wavy structures. Moreover, other substances (e.g., silicone oils and silica nanoparticles) can be dispersed in liquid PDMS, allowing the resulting periodic nano/microstructures to have properties desirable for a variety of intended purposes.

Using this newly developed printing technique, the team hopes to create periodic nano/microstructures that can be used to satisfy social demands by realizing anti-fogging or generating structural colors on their surfaces — functions potentially useful in the development of innovative gas sensors. The technique could also be used to fabricate superhydrophobic and superoleophobic surfaces and materials useful in atmospheric water harvesting.

To achieve these goals, the team first plans to optimize the experimental conditions under which it can produce various forms of printable periodic nano/microstructures.

Transient Starch-Based Nanocomposites for Sustainable Electronics and Multifunctional Sensing

by Ming Dong et al Advanced Functional Materials

Queen Mary University of London researchers have developed new nanocomposite films using starch instead of petroleum-based materials, marking a significant advancement in the field of sustainable electronics.

The study, published in Advanced Functional Materials, showcases the development of biodegradable, flexible, and electrically conductive materials that hold promise for a wide array of electronic and sensing applications.

These starch nanocomposites offer tunable mechanical and electrical properties, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based materials.

With a growing global need for sustainable solutions in electronics, this breakthrough presents a major step toward reducing e-waste and promoting eco-friendly electronics. The new nanocomposite films are made from starch, one of the most abundant natural polymers found in plants such as potato, maize, pea and corn, and MXene, a highly conductive 2D material that is manufactured in-house. These films can be tailored for various uses, such as monitoring human body movement, tactile sensing, and electronic smart skins.

A key innovation towards sustainable electronics is the fact that the starch-based films decompose within a month when buried in soil, offering a rapid degradation process that contrasts sharply with conventional non-degradable plastics.

Additionally, by adjusting MXene concentrations, researchers achieved precise control over the films’ mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and sensing capabilities. This allows for customized applications across different industries, from health care to wearable electronics. These composites use natural, abundant materials, with a production process reliant on water as a solvent, further enhancing their sustainability credentials.

Lead researcher Ming Dong, from QMUL’s School of Engineering and Materials Science, said, “Our findings have shown that sustainable electronics can be achieved through these starch-based nanocomposites, offering not just an environmentally friendly solution but also practical applications in flexible electronics.”

Dimitrios Papageorgiou, lead academic and corresponding author of the study, said, “This work represents a significant leap forward in addressing the global challenge of e-waste. By using abundant and biodegradable materials, we are opening up new avenues for sustainable electronics. These starch-based composites offer a solution that merges environmental responsibility with high-performance sensing and electronics capabilities.”

The research team believes these developments can lead to a future where electronic devices are no longer part of the environmental burden but contribute to a more sustainable and circular economy.

Granular Porous Nanofibrous Microspheres Enhance Cellular Infiltration for Diabetic Wound Healing

by Meenakshi Kamaraj et al in ACS Nano

Researchers at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) have developed a revolutionary injectable granular filler that could transform the way diabetic wounds are treated, potentially improving patient outcomes. The study, published in ACS Nano, introduced an innovative approach using specialized porous dermal fillers that accelerate tissue healing and regeneration.

The research team from TIBI and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) developed a novel method combining electrospinning and electrospraying technologies to create porous, granular nanofibrous microspheres (NMs). These microspheres, made from biocompatible materials including poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and gelatin, can be easily injected into wound sites, making the treatment minimally invasive.

“This technology marks a major breakthrough in wound care and management, impacting millions of patients globally,” said Dr. Johnson John, the principal investigator of the study. “Our approach offers a less invasive, highly advanced approach from current treatments potentially improving healing outcomes in a short period of time.”

The study presented several significant advances in the wound-healing process. For example, the newly developed dermal fillers with tunable porous microstructures demonstrated remarkable cell migration and granulation tissue formation, and neovascularization. Moreover, the dermal fillers showed enhanced strength, and maintained their shape during the minimally invasive injection process.

“This innovative approach to treating diabetic foot ulcers represents exactly the kind of clinically translational technology we need in modern health care,” said Dr. Ali Khademhosseini, CEO of Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation.

“By combining advanced biomaterials science with practical clinical applications, we’re opening new possibilities for millions of diabetic patients who suffer from chronic wounds. This research exemplifies our commitment to developing solutions that are both scientifically sophisticated and practically applicable in real-world medical settings.”

Perhaps most notably, the research demonstrates promise in promoting three crucial aspects of wound healing: host cell infiltration, formation of new blood vessels, and skin regeneration. These findings suggest that the treatment could significantly improve healing outcomes for diabetic wounds.

This new approach could potentially reduce the need for such drastic interventions while improving patients’ quality of life. The researchers are now planning further studies to advance this technology toward clinical trials.

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Main sources

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