In the 2009 movie ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’, a form of microscopic robot, known as ‘nano-mites’, was hailed as an ultimate devastating device capable of devouring a tank in seconds. In another media-driven hype on nanotechnology, Apple has been rolling out newer generations of Ipod Nano. In this case, the term nano is merely used to emphasize the miniature size of the system.

Nanotechnology involves length scale in the range of 1 to 100nm, although the definition is never strictly adhered. Why is there so much interest in these infinitesimal objects?

Think about pants that stay dirt-free! Stain-resistant fabrics that repel oil and water due to nanoscale whisker features have been developed. Tennis rackets and bikes made of carbon nanotubes are stronger than steel and much lighter. Can bullet-proof vest be as light as normal clothing? Nanoparticle-liquid mixture is usually liquid and turns solid when a bullet or sharp knife penetrates it.

http://www.nanooze.org/english/article_listings_dailylife.html

For cancer patients, non-specific chemotherapy and radiotherapy result in the death of healthy cells whilst removing the tumors. Using nanoparticles attached with recognition molecules, drugs can be specifically delivered to the tumors, without affecting healthy cells. In the realm of tissue engineering, nanotopography can be used to control the fate of stem cells. Stem cells exposed to different nano-features will differentiate into a specific lineage. Hence, this consideration is critical when regenerating tissues or growing whole organs. Tissue engineering is a solution to the perpetual shortage in organ donors.

For more applications of nanotechnology:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nanotechnology_applications

Kangyi graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with an honors degree in Biomedical Engineering in 2009. He obtained his Masters of Science from Northwestern University in 2012.

http://www.n-base.org/

Research Interest: Oral Cancer, Tissue Engineering, Drug Delivery, Biomaterials, Nanoparticles, Nanodiamonds

List of Publications

Ni M, Teo JC, Ibrahim MS, Zhang K, Tasnim F, Chow PY, Zink D, Ying JY.

Biomaterials. 2011 Feb;32(6):1465-76

Conferences

Nanodiamond therapeutic delivery vehicles for cancer treatment and regenerative medicine

Zhang K, Kim HJ, Gatica M, Moore L, Chow EK, Ho D
International Association for Dental Research (20-23th Mar 2013) Seattle WA

Awards and Honorary Societies