Category Archives: Nanotechnology

May 17, 2022(Nanowerk News) Magnetic nanostructures are promising tools for medical applications. Incorporated into biological structures, they can be steered via external magnetic fields inside the body to release drugs or to destroy cancer cells. However, until now, only average information on the magnetic properties of those nanoparticles could be obtained, thus limiting their successful implementations in therapies.Now a team at HZB conceived and tested a new method to assess the characteristic parameters of every single magnetic nanoparticle (ACS Nano, "Magnetic Anisotropy of Individual Nanomagnets Embedded in Biological Systems Determined by Axi-asymmetric X-ray Transmission Microscopy").TEM image of a M. blakemorei MV-1 bacterium with several magnetic nanoparticles forming a chain-linke structure. The scale bar is 500 nanometers. (Image: L. Marcano / HZB)Imagine a tiny vehicle with a nanomagnetic structure, which can be steered through the human body via external magnetic fields. Arrived at its destination, the vehicle may release a drug, or heat up cancer cells without affecting healthy tissue. Scientists of different disciplines are working on this vision to come true.A multidisciplinary research group at Universidad del Pas Vasco, Leioa, Spain, explores the talents of so-called magnetotactic bacteria, which have the surprising property to form magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles inside their cells. These particles, with diameters of around 50 nanometers (100 times smaller than blood cells), arrange, within the bacterium, into a chain.The Spanish team is pursuing the idea of using such "magnetic bacteria" as magnetic hyperthermia agents to treat cancer: Steered to the cancer site, the magnetic nanostructures are to be heated by external fields in order to burn the cancer cells.Now, they have cooperated with a team of physicists led by Sergio Valencia at HZB to explore their magnetic properties in detail. The degree of success for all these applications depends sensitively on the magnetic properties of the individual nanomagnets. But since the signals originating from these super tiny magnetic structures are quite weak, it is necessary to average values over thousands of such structures in order to get meaningful data.Average values are not enoughUntil now, only these averaged values can be measured, which puts some constraints in the design of customized nanomagnet applications. But this has changed.Spanish physicist Lourdes Marcano has developed a new method during her postdoctoral stay in the team of Valencia at BESSY II: "We can now obtain precise information on the magnetic properties of several individual nanomagnets in a simultaneous way" she says.Magnetic anisotropy for every single particleThe method allows to measure magnetic properties of individual magnetic nanostructures, even when embedded within biological entities. Magnetic imaging at the scanning transmission X-ray microscope MAXYMUS at BESSY II with the help of theoretical simulations permits to obtain information about the so-called magnetic anisotropy of each single nanoparticle within the field of view of the microscope.The nanoparticles have a specific geometric form, shown by the TEM image. The scale bar is 100 nanometers. (Image: L. Marcano / HZB)The method has been proven by determining the magnetic anisotropy of magnetic nanoparticles inside a bacterium. The magnetic anisotropy is an important parameter for controlling and steering magnetic nanoparticles as it describes how a magnetic nanoparticle reacts to external magnetic fields applied at an arbitrary direction.Future standard lab technique"Actually, magnetic imaging of magnetic nanoparticles inside a biological cell with enough spatial resolution requires the use of X-ray microscopes. Unfortunately, this is only possible at large scale research facilities, like BESSY II, providing sufficiently intense X-ray radiation. In the future, however, with the development of compact plasma X-ray sources, this method could become a standard laboratory technique," says Sergio Valencia.

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Magnetic nanoparticles in biological vehicles individually characterized for the first time - Nanowerk

Global Nanotechnology market Forecast from 2021-2028

The new record on the global Nanotechnology market is centered on offering a benefit to the business major parts in the serious grounds over the business space by giving bits of knowledge about the angles that assume a significant part in the business development and assists them with taking clear choices about their methodologies in the business space. The data is accumulated from a couple of sources and the models apparent from the bona fide data and the current business floats that are happening in this market space. It joins granular experiences concerning the huge market drivers, advancement openings, pay possibilities, and huge challenges and threats that imperatively influence the augmentation of the business space.

Please click here to register for Sample Report @https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2358?utm_source=PT

The global Nanotechnology market report provides detailed analysis, revenue insights, and other related information for the market along with recent trends, drivers, challenges, restraints, threats, and opportunities. The report includes market size, share, and forecast in terms of volume and value based on key industry players, regions, and segments including historical data for forecast period of 2021 to 2028.

As analytics have become an inherent part of every business activity and role, form a central role in the decision-making process of companies these days is mentioned in this report. In the next few years, the demand for the market is expected to substantially rise globally, enabling healthy growth of the Nanotechnology Market is also detailed in the report. This report highlights the manufacturing cost structure includes the cost of the materials, labor cost, depreciation cost, and the cost of manufacturing procedures. Price analysis and analysis of equipment suppliers are also done by the analysts in the report.

Scope of the Global Nanotechnology market:

This research report represents a 360-degree overview of the competitive landscape of the Nanotechnology Market. Furthermore, it offers massive data relating to recent trends, technological advancements, tools, and methodologies. The research report analyzes the Nanotechnology Market in a detailed and concise manner for better insights into the businesses.

The top companies in this report include:Kleindiek Nanotechnik GmbH, Altair Nanotechnologies Inc., Thermofisher Scientific, Applied Nanotech Holdings Inc., Bruker Axs, Imina Technologies Sa, Advanced Nano Products, eSpin Technologies Inc Biosensor International, Nanoics Imaging Ltd.

The report, with the assistance of nitty-gritty business profiles, project practicality analysis, SWOT examination, and a few different insights about the key organizations working in the Nanotechnology Market, exhibits a point-by-point scientific record of the markets competitive scenario. The report likewise displays a review of the effect of recent developments in the market on markets future development prospects.

The study will include the overall analysis of the Nanotechnology market and is segmented

Market Segmentation: By Type:by Product Type (Nanosensor, Optical Nanosensor, Chemical Nanosensor, Physical Nanosensor, Biosensors, Nanodevice, Nanomanipulator, Nanomechanical test instruments, and Nanoscale infrared spectrometers)

Market Segmentation: By Application:Application (Electronics, Energy, Chemical manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare)

Geographic analysis:

The global Automotive Diesel Fuel Injection System market has been spread across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and the rest of the world.

Regional Analysis

The overview of the report is carried on various primary and secondary data sources. North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific by region are estimated to dominate the Market during the forecast period.

The US, Germany, UK, France, Spain, and Canada have been some the major markets in the region. Asia Pacific is estimated to register one of highest CAGR for Market during the forecast period.

This region has witnessed strategic investments by global companies to cater the growing demand in the recent years. China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Australia are amongst some of the major countries for Market in the region. Other regions including Middle East, are estimated to be emerging markets for market during the forecast period.

We have covered two proprietary models in the market report, the analyses players competitive marketplace in terms of product satisfaction and business strategy they follow to sustain in the market. In terms of applications, markets, and geographies, the competitive strategic window analyses the competitive landscape.

The report includes information on the recent developments, product portfolios, and strategies adopted by the key companies in the market. The data included in the report is backed by industry analysts with benchmarking and competitive intelligence to demonstrate the go-to-market strategies.

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Adroit Market Research is an India-based business analytics and consulting company. Our target audience is a wide range of corporations, manufacturing companies, product/technology development institutions and industry associations that require understanding of a markets size, key trends, participants and future outlook of an industry. We intend to become our clients knowledge partner and provide them with valuable market insights to help create opportunities that increase their revenues. We follow a code Explore, Learn and Transform. At our core, we are curious people who love to identify and understand industry patterns, create an insightful study around our findings and churn out money-making roadmaps.

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Nanotechnology Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth During 2021 | Leading Key Vendors Kleindiek Nanotechnik GmbH, Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.,...

May 20, 2022(Nanowerk News) High temperature superconductivity is something of a holy grail for researchers studying quantum materials. Superconductors, which conduct electricity without dissipating energy, promise to revolutionize our energy and telecommunication power systems. However, superconductors typically work at extremely low temperatures, requiring elaborate freezers or expensive coolants.For this reason, scientist have been relentlessly working on understanding the fundamental mechanisms at the base of high-temperature superconductivity with the ultimate goal to design and engineer new quantum materials superconducting close to room temperature.Fabio Boschini, Professor at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), and North American scientists studied the dynamics of the superconductor yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO), which offers superconductivity at higher-than-normal temperatures, via time-resolved resonant x-ray scattering at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) free-electron laser, SLAC (US).The research was published in Science ("Enhanced charge density wave coherence in a light-quenched, high-temperature superconductor"). In this new study, researchers have been able to track how charge density waves in YBCO react to a sudden quenching of the superconductivity, induced by an intense laser pulse.We are learning that charge density wavesself-organized electrons behaving like ripples in waterand superconductivity are interacting at the nanoscale on ultrafast timescales. There is a very deep connection between superconductivity emergence and charge density waves, says Fabio Boschini, co-investigator on this project and affiliate investigator at the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (Blusson QMI).Up until a few years ago, researchers underestimated the importance of the dynamics inside these materials, said Giacomo Coslovich, lead investigator and Staff Scientist at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California. Until this collaboration came together, we really didnt have the tools to assess the charge density wave dynamics in these materials. The opportunity to look at the evolution of charge order is only possible thanks to teams like ours sharing resources, and by the use of a free-electron laser to offer new insight into the dynamical properties of matter.Owing to a better picture of the dynamical interactions underlying high-temperature superconductors, the researchers are optimistic that they can work with theoretical physicists to develop a framework for a more nuanced understanding of how high-temperature superconductivity emerges.Collaboration is keyThe present work came about from a collaboration of researchers from several leading research centres and beamlines. We began running our first experiments at the end of 2015 with the first characterization of the material at the Canadian Light Source, says Boschini. Over time, the project came to involve many Blusson QMI researchers, such as MengXing Na who I mentored and introduced to this work. She was integral to the data analysis.This work is meaningful for a number of reasons, but it also really showcases the importance of forming long-lasting, meaningful collaborations and relationships, said Na. Some projects take a really long time, and its a credit to Giacomos leadership and perseverance that we got here.The project has linked at least three generations of scientists, following some as they progressed through their postdoctoral careers and into faculty positions. The researchers are excited to expand upon this work, by using light as an optical knob to control the on-off state of superconductivity.

See the article here:
Collaboration reveals interplay between charge order and superconductivity at the nanoscale - Nanowerk

Nanotechnology is one of the engines of the fourth industrial revolution. The global market of nanotechnology-enabled products stood at approximately US$1.6 trillion in 2014. In one estimate, the industry could generate 6 million jobs and account for 10% of global GDP by 2030.

Nanotechnology creates, uses and studies materials at nanoscale - one nanometre is a billionth of a metre. Some of these materials occur in nature. DNA, proteins and viruses are examples. Others can be created by slicing larger molecules into smaller ones or by building up atoms into nanoparticles.

Nanomaterials have special physical, optical, biological, chemical, electrical and mechanical attributes. For instance, graphene is a very light nanomaterial but is several hundred times stronger than steel.

The field of nanotechnology has blossomed to encompass physics, chemistry, engineering, materials and biological sciences. It has applications in agriculture, industry, medicine, the environment and consumer products.

The big players in nanotechnology investments are the US, Japan, the EU and South Korea. Along with China, they accounted for 72.12% of the nanotech patents in the US patent and trademark office in 2016. Brazil, Russia and India are also very active.

Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia, Nigeria and Algeria lead the field in Africa. Since 2006, South Africa has been developing scientists, providing infrastructure, establishing centres of excellence, developing national policy and setting regulatory standards for nanotechnology. Companies such as Mintek, Nano South Africa, SabiNano and Denel Dynamics are applying the science.

In contrast, Nigerias nanotechnology journey, which started with a national initiative in 2006, has been slow. It has been dogged by uncertainties, poor funding and lack of proper coordination. Still, scientists in Nigeria have continued to place the country on the map through publications.

In addition, research clusters at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and others have organised conferences. Our research group also founded an open access journal, Nano Plus: Science and Technology of Nanomaterials.

To get an idea of how well Nigeria was performing in nanotechnology research and development, we turned to SCOPUS, an academic database.

Our analysis shows that research in nanotechnology takes place in 71 Nigerian institutions in collaboration with 58 countries. South Africa, Malaysia, India, the US and China are the main collaborators. Nigeria ranked fourth in research articles published from 2010 to 2020 after Egypt, South Africa and Tunisia.

Five institutions contributed 43.88% of the nations articles in this period. They were the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Covenant University, Ota; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso; University of Ilorin; and University of Lagos.

The number of articles published by Nigerian researchers in the same decade was 645. Annual output grew from five articles in 2010 to 137 in the first half of 2020. South Africa published 2,597 and Egypt 5,441 from 2010 to 2020. The global total was 414,526 articles.

The figures show steady growth in Nigerias publications. But the performance is low in view of the fact that the country has the most universities in Africa.

The research performance is also low in relation to population and economy size. Nigeria produced 1.58 articles per 2 million people and 1.09 articles per US$3 billion of GDP in 2019. South Africa recorded 14.58 articles per 2 million people and 3.65 per US$3 billion. Egypt published 18.51 per 2 million people and 9.20 per US$3 billion in the same period.

There is no nanotechnology patent of Nigerian origin in the US patents office. Standards dont exist for nano-based products. South Africa had 23 patents in five years, from 2016 to 2020.

Nigerian nanotechnology research is limited by a lack of sophisticated instruments for analysis. It is impossible to conduct meaningful research locally without foreign collaboration on instrumentation. The absence of national policy on nanotechnology and of dedicated funds also hinder research.

The size of Nigerias economy points to great potential for research and the development of patents and products.

Nanotechnology would benefit Nigeria in several ways. In agriculture, nanomaterials can be exploited as slow release fertilisers and eco-friendly agents against pests and diseases. There are applications in renewable and clean energy generation, through biofuels and solar panels.

Read more: How new energy technologies can help South Africa ease its energy crunch

In security, nanomaterials in gadgets and vehicles can enhance protection and capabilities of personnel. For example, there is potential for smart uniforms with ultraviolet protection, antimicrobial properties, camouflaging, and resistance to water and fire.

Nanomaterials can make drinking water safe through disinfection and removal of chemical pollutants. In healthcare, antimicrobial nanofabrics can help prevent hospital-acquired infections.

Read more: Nanomedicine could revolutionise the way we treat TB. Here's how

Through numerous applications, Nigeria can use nanotechnology to deliver on development goals. Ending poverty and promoting sustainable industrialisation are just two.

In February 2018, Nigerias science and technology minister unveiled a national steering committee on nanotechnology policy. But the policy is yet to be approved by the federal government. In September 2021, I presented a memorandum to the national council on science, technology and innovation to stimulate national discourse on nanotechnology.

Government should implement the outcomes of these efforts without delay. It can:

approve a national policy,

set up an agency to coordinate implementation,

make funds available for infrastructure, and

establish a centre of excellence.

The countrys trading and diplomatic partners may be of aid. The private sector also has a part to play. It can provide funds for research, offer scholarships and donate instruments. Adopting nanotechnology in commercial activities will also promote its development in Nigeria.

Link:
Nanotechnology has much to offer Nigeria but research needs support - The Conversation

Researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) are analyzing the need for increased resilience in nanotechnology supply chains.

Manufacturing and distribution of products require a complex network of suppliers and distributors that constitute supply chains. In todays world, most people are aware of supply chains and have probably been affected by supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supply chains are pivotal in the production of both military and civilian products and technologies, said Dr. Igor Linkov, senior scientific technical manager for ERDCs Environmental Laboratory (EL). Our team looked at two questions: a) how do you assess the impacts of supply chain disruptions on the manufacturing bottom line and product availability to consumers, and b) how do you mitigate supply chain disruption and increase their ability to recover, particularly when the various secondary or tertiary contributors to a supply chain are poorly characterized?

In the past, supply chains were optimized to be efficient and lean. Companies like suppliers with low labor costs and predictable and inexpensive material availabilities; suppliers having mature capabilities to ship basic or composite materials to manufacturing centers and consumers alike are also popular. However, when there is a crisis and supply chains are disrupted, efficiency may not equal the ability to recover from the disruption.

For example, it is efficient to have one supplier that covers all the material requirements for a given product, but it is not resilient because if that supplier is disrupted then the whole supply chain is impacted. On the other hand, having multiple suppliers for each component may not be efficient because of the extra costs required to maintain multiple suppliers with variable product lines, but if one supplier is disrupted, other suppliers are available, and the supply chain is less disrupted and far more capable of expeditious recovery.

The biggest thing is to understand how to balance efficiency and resilience in supply chains, Linkov said. Understanding this, organizations can work to create a more resilient supply chain for the products and services they provide.

In addition to analyzing supply chains in general, the ERDC research team also looked at supply chains as they relate to the nanotechnology industry and specifically to COVID vaccine production. Their results are published in recent paper in the journal Vaccine (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X22001724?via%3Dihub), as well as in Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8549437/).

This research, as well as other ERDC work related to climate response and recovery, is led by Dr. Benjamin Trump, a research social scientist in ELs executive office.

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that is the manipulation of matter on an almost atomic scale to produce new structures, materials and devices. Nanotechnology is helping to improve many technology and industry sectors, including medicine, transportation and environmental science.

One thing we looked at was the nanotechnology supply chain as it applied to vaccines, said Trump. Nano-enabled components are quickly becoming vital to vaccine production. COVID-19 vaccine candidates, for instance, used nano-enabled components to improve vaccine efficacy and delivery in vivo.

Nanotechnology allows properties of materials to be changed in a controlled way to address specific needs. In military applications, nanomaterials are used to make warfighters clothing waterproof and self-cleaning. Nanomaterials can also be used to heal wounds nanomaterials can make a shirt automatically act as an antiseptic if the warfighter is wounded.

We have tried to attract attention to the problem that in manufacturing nano-enabled products, supply chain operations are foundational logistical challenges that require careful governance, Trump said. We tried to look at how supply chain works for nano-enabled products and use this as a way to illustrate the importance of resilience and efficiency in supply chains.

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ERDC researchers analyze resilience in nanotechnology supply chains - The Vicksburg Post - Vicksburg Post

Apr 26, 2022(Nanowerk Spotlight) Researchers from the Central University of Kerala, India, have developed a point-of-care, portable, rapid, and cost-effective test for clinical diagnosis of sodium, which uses a paper printed colorimetric sensor that is based on Curcumin-functionalized copper nanoparticles.Sodium is a vitally important electrolyte present in all body fluids and it plays a crucial role in maintaining normal body function, including nerve and muscle function. It is also referred to as natrium or Na+.Electrolytes are minerals that carry a charge and exist in your body fluids. Sodium along with other electrolytes helps cells to function normally and it helps to regulate the amount of fluid (water and electrolyte) balance in the body. It stimulates muscle contraction and maintains a stable acid-base balance in blood and tissue cells.Low blood sodium hyponatremia is occurring commonly in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion. Severe hyponatremia can cause seizures, coma and even death.Blood sodium measurement is used to detect the cause and help monitor treatment in persons with dehydration, oedema, or with a variety of symptoms. The blood sodium concentration is abnormal in many diseases, particularly, if the patient has symptoms of illness involving the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidney, thyroid, or adrenal glands.The most serious symptoms of high blood sodium hypernatremia result from brain dysfunction. Severe hypernatremia can lead to confusion, muscle twitching, seizures, coma, and death. Similarly, regular diagnosis of sodium concentration in excreted urine can help to detect the cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.Point of Care test (POCTs) are portable, rapid, and cost-effective analysis and diagnosis in modern healthcare. They are a radical departure from the conventional clinical laboratory techniques to self or bedside diagnostic methods, which can be operated without experienced technicians.The largest benefit of POCTs are that they can be done rapidly and be performed by clinical personnel who are not trained in clinical laboratory procedures. Rapid test results can provide a physician and other clinical personnel with answers that can quickly help determine a course of action or treatment for a patientUrine sodium concentrations are typically tested in patients who have abnormal blood sodium concentrations, to help determine whether an imbalance is due to taking in, or losing, too much sodium. Urine sodium is also used to see if a person with high blood pressure is eating too much salt. This test is often used in persons with abnormal kidney tests to help the doctor determine the cause of kidney disease, which can help guide treatment.However, ions like potassium ion (K+), Mg2+ and Zn2+ do interfere with the Na+ in the conventional test, which poses a major hurdle in sodium detection.A variety of methods are used for the determination of sodium present in urine such as ion-selective electrodes and ion chromatography which are very accurate and free of errors. However, these are expensive methods, the testing process takes a long time of about 24 hours, and the quantity of sample required is relatively large.In contrast, paper-based dipsticks are more convenient to use, affordable, and provide quick results.In view of this, various nanoparticle-based approaches are also being developed for the detection of sodium ion concentration in the body fluid. However, interfering ions are posing a major obstacles in the case of ion sensing. In the case of sodium ion detection, particularly, Ions like K+, Mg2+ and Zn2+ cause major interference, which shows indiscernible nature in nanoparticle-based colorimetric sensing.Extensive research activities are in progress on novel sensing technologies like lateral flow strips and microfluidic pads for early diagnosis of diseases. Among the newly emerging sensing technologies, colorimetric sensing is of paramount importance because it is an easy, economical and reliable method that is amenable to the visual detection.The presence of metal ions, proteins, amino acids and specific biomarkers can be detected using colorimetric sensing. Also, paper-based strips can be used, which are inexpensive, and they are easy to use in devices for patients for diagnostics and emergency applications.The colorimetric sensing technique involves changes in color that make it possible to detect analytes in an expeditious manner with the naked eye and without the use of any complicated instrument. This provides a simple yet powerful detection mechanism that is well-suited to the development of low-cost and low-power sensors.Generally, the sensing mechanism is based on the molecular interaction attractive or repulsive forces between molecules and between non-bonded atoms between the specific analytes and the nanoparticles surface that is decorated with suitable surfactants. Nanoparticles, as label-free systems, exhibit efficient chemical or biological sensing properties. The availability of the finest colloidal metal nanostructures with meticulously engineered surfaces makes the detection endowed with high selectivity and sensitivity.Metal nanostructures depending on their size and shape possess noteworthy attributes, including catalytic, optical, electrical, and chemical properties; hence they are excellent candidates as sensors for optical, and catalytic and various other functional applications. They possess unique structural and optical properties, including quantum size effects, Surface plasmon resonance (SPR), along with large surface to volume ratio, which makes them ideally suited for broad areas of material applications.Recently, metal nanoparticles are being used for biomedical applications, including biosensing, immunotherapeutics, drug delivery, regenerative medicine, bioimaging, and wound healing.Among metal nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) have emerged as promising candidates for biomedical applications, especially biosensing, owing to the Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectra occurring in the visible range and fluorescence properties with favorable quantum yield.Nanoparticles are easily prone to surface oxidation, because copper oxides are more stable in the atmosphere. So, in general, synthesis methods using efficient surface modification agents are more appealing to prevent the oxidation of Cu NPs. Surfactants or ligands like citric acid, glutathione and cysteine, are normally used for protecting the surface of metal nanoparticles, especially Cu NPs. These surface modified Cu NPs hold great potential for the fabrication of colorimetric and fluorescence-based sensor strips.In the present study (Scientific Reports, "Development of a paper printed colorimetric sensor based on Cu-Curcumin nanoparticles for evolving point-of-care clinical diagnosis of sodium."), the research team has synthesized Curcumin functionalized Cu nanoparticles (CuC) and examined their application in sodium metal ion detection.Schematic illustration of the formation of curcumin capped Cu NPs (CuC). (Image: Adapted from Scientific Reports, Springer Nature)Curcumin is the active component of turmeric with bright yellow color In the present investigation, the researchers have used curcumin to protect the Cu NPs from oxidation and agglomeration. They observed that the sensing system made up of CuC exhibits high levels of selectivity for sensing and quantifying Na+ ions.In this work, paper-based sodium sensor strips were fabricated, and it was found that visual detection of Na+ is possible in the physiological range using the same system. Using chemical reduction technique, the researchers synthesized nanoclusters of 39 nm-size consisting of highly stable, pure copper nanoparticles surface-functionalized with curcumin.TEM image of curcumin capped Cu NPs (CuC). Inset figure shows the curcumin cage and inner core. (Image: Adapted from Scientific Reports, Springer Nature)Each nanocluster of particles is encapsulated with a curcumin layer, which is clearly visible in TEM images. The researchers found that these curcumin functionalized Cu NPs (CuC) are highly selective to the colorimetric detection of Na+. The ions like K+, Mg2+ and Zn2+ did not interfere with the Na+ in this sensing technique.In this work, low-cost paper-based sensor strips are fabricated and calibrated for the sensing of sodium in the physiological range and shade cards were developed as a calorimetric guide for estimation of Na+, which makes them ideal point of care diagnostic platform.The authors demonstrate that the proposed CuC paper strip can be used for detecting Na+ concentration within the whole physiological range in both blood serum and urine.By Yashwant Mahajan, Associate Editor, Nanowerk

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Nanotechnology-enabled low-cost, point-of-care, self-test of sodium in the comfort of your home - Nanowerk