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Researchers Create Flexible, Nanoscale ‘Bed of Nails’ for Possible Drug Delivery

Researchers at North Carolina State University have come up with a technique to embed needle-like carbon nanofibers in an elastic membrane, creating a flexible “bed of nails” on the nanoscale that opens the door to development of new drug-delivery systems.

The research community is interested in finding new ways to deliver precise doses of drugs to specific targets, such as regions of the brain. One idea is to create balloons embedded with nanoscale spikes that are coated with the relevant drug. Theoretically, the deflated balloon could be inserted into the target area and then inflated, allowing the spikes on the balloon’s surface to pierce the surrounding cell walls and deliver the drug. The balloon could then be deflated and withdrawn. (more…)

Ions Control Shape of Nanofibers Grown on Clear Substrate

By Guest PostAugust 20, 2011Scienceacetylene, acetylene gas, ammonia gas, anatoli melechko, atoms, biomedical research tools, c2h2, carbon nanofibers, catalytic action, cfd research corporation, chromium grid, dale hensley, electrode, fused silicon, gene delivery tools, gene therapy, graphite, graphitic carbon nanofibers, hexagonal structure, ions, nanofiber coatings, nanofibers, nickel nanoparticles, north carolina state university, oak ridge national laboratory, positively charged atoms, pure silicon dioxide, ryan pearce, solar cells, transparent substrate, water repellent coatings

Researchers from North Carolina State University, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and CFD Research Corporation have found a new way to develop straight carbon nanofibers on a transparent substrate. Growing such nanofiber coatings is important for use in novel biomedical research tools, solar cells, water repellent coatings and others. The technique utilizes a charged chromium grid, and relies on ions to ensure the nanofibers are straight, rather than curling – which limits their utility.

“This is the first time, that I know of, where someone has been able to grow straight carbon nanofibers on a clear substrate,” says Dr. Anatoli Melechko, an associate professor of materials science and engineering at NC State and co-author of a paper describing the research. “Such nanofibers can be used as gene-delivery tools. And a transparent substrate allows researchers to see how the nanofibers interact with cells, and to manipulate this interaction.” (more…)

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Researchers Create Flexible, Nanoscale ‘Bed of Nails’ for Possible Drug Delivery

Ions Control Shape of Nanofibers Grown on Clear Substrate