Two‐Dimensional Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications: Emerging Trends and Future Prospects

Two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials are ultrathin nanomaterials with a high degree of anisotropy and chemical functionality. Research on 2D nanomaterials is still in its infancy, with the majority of research focusing on elucidating unique material characteristics and few reports focusing on biomedical applications of 2D nanomaterials. Nevertheless, recent rapid advances in 2D nanomaterials have raised important and exciting questions about their interactions with biological moieties. 2D nanoparticles such as carbon‐based 2D materials, silicate clays, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and transition metal oxides (TMOs) provide enhanced physical, chemical, and biological functionality owing to their uniform shapes, high surface‐to‐volume ratios, and surface charge. Here, we focus on state‐of‐the‐art biomedical applications of 2D nanomaterials as well as recent developments that are shaping this emerging field. Specifically, we describe the unique characteristics that make 2D nanoparticles so valuable, as well as the biocompatibility framework that has been investigated so far. Finally, to both capture the growing trend of 2D nanomaterials for biomedical applications and to identify promising new research directions, we provide a critical evaluation of potential applications of recently developed 2D nanomaterials.     

纳米复合食品接触材料研究进展

目的 为全面推进食品包装的功能化、智能化、绿色生态一体化发展，对纳米复合食品接触材料的发展现状进行深入的探究。方法 首先，概述纳米复合食品接触材料的多样性发展，并剖释纳米技术对食品接触材料的机械强度、气体阻隔、抗菌保鲜、活性智能监控和生物降解等性能的影响;紧接着，深入分析实际工况下(环境温度、接触时长、食物酸碱度等)食品接触材料中纳米物质的迁移行为规律;最后，纳米材料的毒理性作为食品接触材料安全评估的重点关注因素，还探讨纳米物质对人体细胞和组织器官等的潜在毒性。结论 现代纳米技术改善了柔性高分子聚合物的性能，实现纳米复合食品接触材料的多功能化，在肉类、面包、果蔬等食品包装中具有重要的应用前景，也为食品包装工业的发展提供重要的参考价值。     

环境友好型复合纳米材料在食品包装中的应用

目的综述环保纳米包装材料的最新进展,为食品包装行业提供理论指导。方法从活性包装、智能包装和生物基包装这3个方面进行阐述,再对其安全性进行分析。结果纳米材料因其独特的尺寸效应,优异的物理化学性能、生态性能和加工性能等,使之在包装领域,尤其是食品包装得到了广泛的关注与应用,但需重点关注其安全性问题。结论纳米材料能有效改善包装材料的性能,使包装材料智能化,虽然该研究尚处于起步阶段,但纳米技术在食品包装领域具有显著的发展前景。由于可参考的数据不够充分,纳米材料的毒性问题以及迁移到食品中的安全性等还需进一步研究。     

Nanomaterials for Neural Interfaces

This review focuses on the application of nanomaterials for neural interfacing. The junction between nanotechnology and neural tissues can be particularly worthy of scientific attention for several reasons: (i) Neural cells are electroactive, and the electronic properties of nanostructures can be tailored to match the charge transport requirements of electrical cellular interfacing. (ii) The unique mechanical and chemical properties of nanomaterials are critical for integration with neural tissue as long‐term implants. (iii) Solutions to many critical problems in neural biology/medicine are limited by the availability of specialized materials. (iv) Neuronal stimulation is needed for a variety of common and severe health problems. This confluence of need, accumulated expertise, and potential impact on the well‐being of people suggests the potential of nanomaterials to revolutionize the field of neural interfacing. In this review, we begin with foundational topics, such as the current status of neural electrode (NE) technology, the key challenges facing the practical utilization of NEs, and the potential advantages of nanostructures as components of chronic implants. After that the detailed account of toxicology and biocompatibility of nanomaterials in respect to neural tissues is given. Next, we cover a variety of specific applications of nanoengineered devices, including drug delivery, imaging, topographic patterning, electrode design, nanoscale transistors for high‐resolution neural interfacing, and photoactivated interfaces. We also critically evaluate the specific properties of particular nanomaterials—including nanoparticles, nanowires, and carbon nanotubes—that can be taken advantage of in neuroprosthetic devices. The most promising future areas of research and practical device engineering are discussed as a conclusion to the review.     

银纳米簇用于食品包装污染物的检测及其抗菌性能的应用

目的介绍荧光银纳米簇(AgNCs)的合成方法、荧光特性、抗菌活性,及其在食品包装中的应用。方法总结国内外AgNCs在食品包装检测领域的应用,以及其作为新型抗菌材料体现出的强大抗菌效力,提出AgNCs的不足之处和可能的解决方法。结论 AgNCs由于其光漂白性低、荧光量子产率高、经济效益好,可作为荧光材料设计生物传感器用于检测食品包装内的污染物。此类生物传感器具有检测快速、灵敏与特异性识别的优点。同时AgNCs具有大的表面积与体积比,高的局部表面Ag浓度、高迁移率及低毒性等特点,使其抗菌性能优于传统的银纳米材料,由此,展望了新型抗菌检测双重功效AgNCs传感器的设计。     

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Intracellular Controlled Drug Delivery

The application of nanotechnology in the field of drug delivery has attracted much attention in the latest decades. Recent breakthroughs on the morphology control and surface functionalization of inorganic‐based delivery vehicles, such as mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), have brought new possibilities to this burgeoning area of research. The ability to functionalize the surface of mesoporous‐silica‐based nanocarriers with stimuli‐responsive groups, nanoparticles, polymers, and proteins that work as caps and gatekeepers for controlled release of various cargos is just one of the exciting results reported in the literature that highlights MSNs as a promising platform for various biotechnological and biomedical applications. This review focuses on the most recent progresses in the application of MSNs for intracellular drug delivery. The latest research on the pathways of entry into live mammalian and plant cells together with intracellular trafficking are described. One of the main areas of interest in this field is the development of site‐specific drug delivery vehicles; the contribution of MSNs toward this topic is also summarized. In addition, the current research progress on the biocompatibility of this material in vitro and in vivo is discussed. Finally, the latest breakthroughs for intracellular controlled drug release using stimuli‐responsive mesoporous‐silica‐based systems are described.     

纳米材料在食品包装中的应用及安全性评价

目的阐述几种常用纳米材料在食品包装中的应用,并对其安全性进行研究。方法分别阐述Ag,Ti O2,Si O2,Zn O,蒙脱土等纳米材料在食品包装方面的应用。结论纳米材料能有效改善包装材料的特性,保持食品的品质和风味,防止微生物滋生,具有显著的意义和广阔的发展前景。     

Nanomaterials in Smart Packaging Applications: A Review

Food wastage is a critical and world-wide issue resulting from an excess of food supply, poor food storage, poor marketing, and unstable markets. Since food quality depends on consumer standards, it becomes necessary to monitor the quality to ensure it meets those standards. Embedding sensors with active nanomaterials in food packaging enables customers to monitor the quality of their food in real-time. Though there are many different sensors that can monitor food quality and safety, pH sensors and time-temperature indicators (TTIs) are the most critical metrics in indicating quality. This review showcases some of the recent progress, their importance, preconditions, and the various future needs of pH sensors and TTIs in food packaging for smart sensors in food packaging applications. In discussing these topics, this review includes the materials used to make these sensors, which vary from polymers, metals, metal-oxides, carbon-based materials; and their modes of fabrication, ranging from thin or thick film deposition methods, solution-based chemistry, and electrodeposition. By discussing the use of these materials, novel fabrication process, and problems for the two sensors, this review offers solutions to a brighter future for the use of nanomaterials for pH indicator and TTIs in food packaging applications.     

Multifunctional Photonic Nanomaterials for Diagnostic,Therapeutic, and Theranostic Applications

The last decade has seen dramatic progress in the principle, design, and fabrication of photonic nanomaterials with various optical properties and functionalities. Light‐emitting and light‐responsive nanomaterials, such as semiconductor quantum dots, plasmonic metal nanoparticles, organic carbon, and polymeric nanomaterials, offer promising approaches to low‐cost and effective diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic applications. Reasonable endeavors have begun to translate some of the promising photonic nanomaterials to the clinic. Here, current research on the state‐of‐the‐art and emerging photonic nanomaterials for diverse biomedical applications is reviewed, and the remaining challenges and future perspectives are discussed.     

纳米银的合成及其抗菌应用研究进展

病原微生物严重威胁着人类的健康安全,纳米银作为一种新型抗菌材料,其制备与应用已成为纳米材料领域的研究热点。本文综述了纳米银的主要合成方法,包括多糖法、Tollens试剂法、辐射法、生物法和多金属氧酸盐法等,具有原料广泛、反应温和、成本低廉和环境友好等优点。基于纳米银的优异抗菌性能,总结了纳米银的抗菌机理及其抗菌应用,并展望了纳米银在抗菌涂料、抗菌包装等领域的发展前景。     

纳米材料在食品包装中的研究进展

目的介绍几种常用纳米材料在食品包装中的应用,总结食品包装中纳米材料的检测技术及表征方法,并对其安全性进行评估。方法介绍纳米银、纳米氧化钛、纳米氧化锌、纳米氧化硅、纳米黏土、纳米分子筛以及其他纳米复合材料在食品包装中的应用,列举食品包装中纳米材料的表征手段,如成像显示技术、色谱质谱技术和光谱分析技术等,并对食品包装中纳米材料的迁移风险和毒理学问题进行探讨。结论纳米材料的存在能有效改善食品包装材料在保鲜效果、抗菌能力以及阻隔性能方面的特性,具有广阔的市场应用前景。此外,食品包装材料的安全性不容忽视,还应加强对食品接触用纳米材料的风险评估体系的研究。     

An overview—Functional nanomaterials for lithium rechargeable batteries,supercapacitors, hydrogen storage,and fuel cells

There is tremendous worldwide interest in functional nanostructured materials, which are the advanced nanotechnology materials with internal or external dimensions on the order of nanometers. Their extremely small dimensions make these materials unique and promising for clean energy applications such as lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, hydrogen storage, fuel cells, and other applications. This paper will highlight the development of new approaches to study the relationships between the structure and the physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties of functional nanostructured materials. The Energy Materials Research Programme at the Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, the University of Wollongong, has been focused on the synthesis, characterization, and applications of functional nanomaterials, including nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, nanoporous materials, and nanocomposites. The emphases are placed on advanced nanotechnology, design, and control of the composition, morphology, nanostructure, and functionality of the nanomaterials, and on the subsequent applications of these materials to areas including lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, hydrogen storage, and fuel cells.     

Properties and Applications of Colloidal Nonspherical Noble Metal Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles of noble metals belong to the most extensively studied colloidal systems in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Due to continuing progress in the synthesis of nanoparticles with controlled morphologies, the exploration of unique morphology‐dependent properties has gained momentum. Anisotropic features in nonspherical nanoparticles make them ideal candidates for enhanced chemical, catalytic, and local field related applications. Nonspherical plasmon resonant nanoparticles offer favorable properties for their use as analytical tools, or as diagnostic and therapeutic agents. This Review highlights morphology‐dependent properties of nonspherical noble metal nanoparticles with a focus on localized surface plasmon resonance and local field enhancement, as well as their applications in various fields including Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence enhancement, analytics and sensing, photothermal therapy, (bio‐)diagnostics, and imaging.     

Defect Engineering and Surface Functionalization of Nanocarbons for Metal‐Free Catalysis

With the advent of carbon nanotechnology, which initiated significant research efforts more than two decades ago, novel materials for energy harvesting and storage have emerged at an amazing pace. Nevertheless, some fundamental applications are still dominated by traditional materials, and it is especially evident in the case of catalysis, and environmental‐related electrochemical reactions, where precious metals such as Pt and Ir are widely used. Several strategies are being explored for achieving competitive and feasible metal‐free carbon nanomaterials, among which doping and defect engineering approaches within nanocarbons are recurrent and promising. Here, the most recent efforts regarding the control of doping and defects in carbon nanostructures for catalysis, and in particular for energy‐related applications, are addressed. Finally, an overview of alternative proposals that can make a difference when enabling carbon nanomaterials as efficient and emerging catalysts is presented.     

Current status and future prospects of nanotechnology in cosmetics

The cosmetics industry was among the first to implement nanotechnological principles in product development. Of more than one thousand registered nanotechnology-based products on the global market in 2009, more than 13% were classified as products for cosmetic use.In this review we highlight the most important scientific articles, expert opinions by regulatory authorities, and patent literature from Europe and the USA for the time period between 2000 and 2010 concerning the use of nanotechnology in dermatological, dental, and haircare products intended for improving the appearance of the user. We present current and suggested uses of nanotechnology in cosmetics with the main focus on nanomaterials as active substances, carriers and formulation aids. The new functionalities these materials are claimed to introduce are also described.We briefly discuss public opinion of nanotechnology in general, and include the most important definitions related to this emerging technology along with a summary of the general characteristics of nanoparticles and their safety aspects.The aim of the review is, thus, to provide an update on the current status and trends of research and industrial development related to the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics and to give an indication of where the field could be heading in the future.     

Using Functional Nanomaterials to Target and Regulate the Tumor Microenvironment: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

Malignant tumors remain a major health burden throughout the world and effective therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Cancer nanotechnology, as an integrated platform, has the potential to dramatically improve cancer diagnosis, imaging, and therapy, while reducing the toxicity associated with the current approaches. Tumor microenvironment is an ensemble performance of various stromal cells and extracellular matrix. The recent progress in understanding the critical roles and the underlying mechanisms of the tumor microenvironment on tumor progression has resulted in emerging diagnostic and therapeutic nanomaterials designed and engineered specifically targeting the microenvironment components. Meanwhile, the bio‐physicochemical differences between tumor and normal tissues have recently been exploited to achieve specific tumor‐targeting for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, the major players in the tumor microenvironment and their biochemical properties, which can be utilized for the design of multifunctional nanomaterials with the potential to target and regulate this niche, are summarized. The recent progress in engineering intelligent and versatile nanomaterials for targeting and regulating the tumor microenvironment is emphasized. Although further investigations are required to develop robust methods for more specific tumor‐targeting and well‐controlled nanomaterials, the applications of tumor microenvironment regulation‐based nanotechnology for safer and more effective anticancer nanomedicines have been proven successful and will eventually revolutionize the current landscape of cancer therapy.     

Dendritic Polyglycerols for Biomedical Applications

The application of nanotechnology in medicine and pharmaceuticals is a rapidly advancing field that is quickly gaining acceptance and recognition as an independent area of research called “nanomedicine”. Urgent needs in this field, however, are biocompatible and bioactive materials for antifouling surfaces and nanoparticles for drug delivery. Therefore, extensive attention has been given to the design and development of new macromolecular structures. Among the various polymeric architectures, dendritic (“treelike”) polymers have experienced an exponential development due to their highly branched, multifunctional, and well‐defined structures. This Review describes the diverse syntheses and biomedical applications of dendritic polyglycerols (PGs). These polymers exhibit good chemical stability and inertness under biological conditions and are highly biocompatible. Oligoglycerols and their fatty acid esters are FDA‐approved and are already being used in a variety of consumer applications, e.g., cosmetics and toiletries, food industries, cleaning and softening agents, pharmaceuticals, polymers and polymer additives, printing photographing materials, and electronics. Herein, we present the current status of dendritic PGs as functional dendritic architectures with particular focus on their application in nanomedicine, in drug, dye, and gene delivery, as well as in regenerative medicine in the form of non‐fouling surfaces and matrix materials.     

面向物联网食品货架期监测智能包装研究进展

目的 对智能传感器技术在智能包装果蔬等食品监测中的应用进行介绍和分类总结,为果蔬的货架期智能监测提供依据和帮助,并推动传感器技术在智能包装果蔬领域中的实际应用。方法 分别介绍湿敏型、气敏型及微生物检测这几个方面的智能传感器,以及结合NFC/RFID等智能技术在果蔬包装货架期监测中的应用。相较于传统的包装方式,此类智能包装结合当下发展势态良好的互联网,给人们的生活带来了更多的便捷。结论 智能传感器标签在果蔬等食品智能监测中发挥着重要的作用,可通过连接智能手机等终端,快速监测食品新鲜度情况。近年来,包装材料研发呈现多样化,例如多元复合纳米材料、金属有机骨架材料等,因此未来可以通过优化包装传感材料和器件结构,更好地发挥智能包装标签在果蔬智能包装中的优势。     

Recent progress in synthesis,properties and potential applications of SiC nanomaterials

As nanotechnology rapidly advanced over the past decades, a variety of nanomaterials have been developed and studied. Among them, SiC nanomaterials have recently attracted increasing attention for their demonstrated unique chemical and physical properties as well as wide potential applications. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent progress on the synthesis, novel properties, and applications of SiC nanomaterials. It begins with the introduction of various techniques used for the rational design and synthesis of SiC nanomaterials, with an emphasis on vapor-based and solution-based methods. Discussion is then made on the mechanical, luminescent, electrical, thermal, and wetting properties of SiC nanomaterials as well as the characterizations that reveal them. Thereafter, various intriguing applications particularly in composites, field emitters, field effect transistors, sensors, nanoelectromechanical devices, catalyst, supercapacitors, bioimaging probes and microwave absorbers are highlighted. Finally, this review is concluded with an outlook of future research on SiC nanomaterials, major challenges to be met and possible solutions.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes and metallic nanoparticles and their application in biomedicine

Interdisciplinary research has become a matter of paramount importance for novel applications of nanomaterials in biology and medicine. As such, many disciplines-physics, chemistry, microbiology, cell biology, and material science-all contribute to the design, synthesis and fabrication of functional and biocompatible devices at the nanometer scale. Since the most areas of cell biology and biomedicine deal with functional entities such as DNA and proteins, mimicry of these structures and function in the nanosize range offers exciting opportunities for the development of biosensors, biochips, and bioplatforms. In this report we highlight the potential benefits and challenges that arise in the manufacture of biocompatible nanoparticles and nano-networks that can be coupled with biological objects. Among the challenges facing us are those concerned with making the necessary advances in enabling affordability, innovation, and quality of manufactured nanodevices for rapid progress in the emerging field of bio-nanotechnology. The convergence of nanotechnology and biomedicine makes nanoscale research highly promising for new discoveries that can cost-effectively accelerate progress in moving from basic research to practical prototypes and products.