Nanomaterials in Commerce

Health and Medical Usages

When silver comes in contact with water, silver ions are released. Silver ions have, even at the smallest concentrations, antibacterial effects, while also being nonpoison-ous, noncarcinogenic and have a low tendency to cause allergies (as opposed to other bactericides). Nanoparticles of silver (nanosilver) have much larger surface-to-volume ratio than macroscopic particles, and therefore provide faster combined ecological and economic benefits as less resources are needed. The small size of nanosilver particles also allows for production of novel materials that would otherwise not be possible, for example in synthetic polymer fibers. Nanosilver can be used to sterilize medical instruments and equipment. It is also used in food production, as a antimicrobial wound dressing, in household items, such as washing machines or refrigerators, and kills bacteria and reduces odors in cosmetics and in textiles.

Iron nanoparticles are used in cancer therapy. They are injected in tumors, an electric field is applied, and the nanoparticles heat up, destroying the tumor cells. Manufactured targeted drug delivery solutions offer enhanced absorption rates and bioavailability.

Nanoparticles are used for targeted delivery of drugs to tumors and diseased cells. They are furthermore utilized to improve drug delivery performance using oral, inhaled, or nasal delivery methods. Antimicrobial na-noemulsions are used for nasal delivery to fight viruses (such as the flu and colds) and bacteria, drug delivery through the skin using micellar nanoparticles, oral drug delivery with propriety structures called novasomes, and targeted oral drug delivery to diseased cells using a nanocrystalline structure called a cochleate.

Catalysts with platinum nanoparticles embedded on carbon nanotubes reduce platinum usage and increase catalyst lifetime, and catalysts with platinum nanoparticles embedded in a carbon aerogel reduce platinum usage. Catalysts composed of manganese oxide nanoparticles for use in removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial air emissions are capable of destroying VOCs down to the part per billion scale.

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