Nanotechnologies Are Becoming More Popular - Essay Example

Dr. Lvov has published more than 70 papers on layer-by-layer assembly. Nano-assembly on micro templates and nanocapsules is described. The most interesting, however, as the potential applications of halloysite, as described by Lviv: these include delivery of herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, anticorrosion agents for protective coating, plastic fillers and drug sustained release, hydrogen storage, and even catalytic materials (Lvov). This information is followed by empirical research findings.

Some authors concentrate on the analysis of nanoparticles used in medicine. Zheng et al discuss the benefits of layer-by-layer encapsulation for poorly water-soluble anticancer drugs (7679). In this study, the researchers mixed curcumin with an organic solvent miscible with water, obtained curcumin crystals of 60-100 mm size via ultrasonication, and coated them with the help of biocompatible polyelectrolytes (Zheng et al 7679). The use of layer-by-layer encapsulation proved to be effective in sustained drug release from nanoparticles (Zheng et al 7679).

Franz et al followed a similar pattern and explored nano self-assembly coating of A.vinosum, to gain better knowledge of substrate uptake in bacteria (164). The authors found out that the coated cells' surface charge does not affect sulfide uptake: obviously, defining the surface properties of bacteria has far-reaching implications for microbiological and biotechnological applications (Franz et al. 167). In a similar vein, Shutava et al prove that layer-by-layer techniques can be successfully utilized, to help the encapsulated anticancer drug material retain its biological activity and block hepatocyte growth factor (1877). Layer-by-layer techniques can also involve the use of tubular halloysite clay, to ensure the sustained release of drug-loaded halloysite tubes (Veerbadran et al. 100). In this context, Abdullayev et al. use a completely different approach and study halloysite tubes and their utility for anticorrosive performance (1437). Although the current research provides extensive information about nanotechnologies, many years will pass before society possesses sufficient knowledge of nanoparticles and their use in various fields of manufacturing. Read More