The magnetic nanoparticle revolution
Nanoparticles are microscopic particles that have widespread application in biomedical, optical, electronic, chemical and engineering fields. Their promise lies in the fact that materials take on unique properties when their sizes approach the nano scale (around a billionth of a metre). The EU-funded http://www.magneticfun.eu (MAG(NET)ICFUN) (Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and their application in chemistry and biomedicine) project aims to develop magnetic nanoparticles for chemical and biomedical uses. A consortium of six academic institutions and three companies is working on three main topics centred on specific properties of the nanoparticles. Within each topic, researchers will focus on various stages of magnetic nanoparticle manufacture and application. These stages include creating and characterising the nanoparticles, giving them a specific function and testing the newly developed particles for practical applications. MAG(NET)ICFUN is particularly interested in using magnetic nanoparticles for speeding up chemical reactions, detoxifying environmental pollutants and delivering drugs to specific cells in the body. The innovative particles' magnetic properties in particular offer an extra dimension in allowing external magnetic fields to manipulate them. For example, MAG(NET)ICFUN has already developed magnetic nanoparticles that can remove mercury from contaminated water. Potential medical uses include imaging in magnetic resonance imaging machines and directly targeting tumours in cancer sufferers. During the next few years the consortium will generate a plethora of new magnetic nanomaterials for sustainable chemical processes or new cures in medicine. In addition, MAG(NET)ICFUN will build a training programme at the interface of chemistry, materials science and biomedicine to nurture these skills in young scientists.
Keywords
Magnetic nanoparticle, chemistry, biomedicine, magnetic properties, materials science
