aluminum oxide nanopowder – Silver Nanoparticles Antimicrobial,Copper Oxide Nanoparticles,Gold Nanopowder

December 29, 2015

How Using Gold Nanoparticles Develop Novel Nanosurgery Technique?

Nanotechnology in today’s society are more and more mature, the future development of new technologies provide a higher standard of living, the scientists are trying hard to explore new areas. A research team led by Professor Michel Meunier from the Polytechnique Montréal has developed a novel transfection technique using gold nanoparticles and a femtosecond laser to change cancer cells’ genetic material.

In this technique, silver nanoparticle and gold nanoparticles are deposited on the cells to concentrate the laser energy and enable it conduct a nano-scale surgery in a highly accurate non-invasive manner. This method is capable of changing the gene expression in the cancer cells to slow down their movement, thus preventing metastases formation. This pioneering achievement in nanosurgery paves the way to advance cancer treatments and other innovative medical applications.

This technique is a promising replacement for traditional cellular transfection techniques like lipofection. In the experiment on malignant human melanoma cells, this method showed an optoporation efficacy of 70% and a transfection performance three folds better than that of lipofection treatment. Moreover, contrary to traditional treatments that destroy the cells’ physical integrity, the novel technique ensures cellular viability with below 1% of toxicity.

This significant scientific advancement opens the door to develop promising applications such as novel therapeutic methods in cardiology, neurology, and oncology. The Polytechnique Montréal team works in partnership with scientists from the Department of Medicine at the McGill University Health Centre.

This project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canada Research Chairs program, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Fonds Québécois de la Recherche sur la Nature et les Technologies.

The research team has reported their findings in the journal Biomaterials.

December 14, 2015

Some Risk of Tiny Nanoparticles

Nanotechnology poses a question for occupational health and safety professionals. Does this technology, and the tiny nanoparticles that are its tools, pose an unintended risk of illness or injury for workers employed in the industry?

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in an effort to understand the health and safety consequences of nanomaterials forefront of work. A growing number of scientific publications of large research institutions, including just this week, the address of one type of nano-materials, especially Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes issued a new study, and seek to determine whether they have biological behave like asbestos. That is, if inhaled, is likely to cause irreparable nanotubes and deadly effects, such as those associated with asbestos exposure? Effects of asbestos, including severe lung fibrosis, or scarring, lung cancer, including lung or pleura called mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining.

The question of a comparison between carbon nanotubes and asbestos arises for several reasons. Some varieties of carbon nanotubes are similar in shape to asbestos fibers, and like asbestos, some varieties of carbon nanotubes have been shown in laboratory studies to persist in the lungs of laboratory animals. Some animal studies have even shown effects similar to those of asbestos.

Carbon nanotubes are tiny, cylindrical, manufactured forms of carbon. There is no single type of carbon nanotube. One type can differ from another in terms of shape (single-walled or multi-walled) or in chemical composition (pure carbon or containing metals or other materials). Carbon nanotube exposures can potentially occur not only in the process of manufacturing them, but also at the point of incorporating these materials into polymer composites, medical nanoapplications, and electronics.

The question of whether carbon nanotubes pose a toxicological hazard has been investigated since at least 2003. A challenge has been in determining if carbon nanotube materials used in the workplace have the same characteristics as those associated with biological responses in laboratory studies. Earlier studies used materials with high levels of other forms of carbon such as carbon black and high levels of metal catalyst.

Carbon nanotubes can vary widely in diameter, length, number of layers, and structures. They can also vary widely in surface composition, since certain carbon nanotubes may be “coated” with specific metals or other materials in order to perform specific functions. Also, they can clump together or agglomerate, which can affect their potential for settling in the lungs if inhaled, their ability to penetrate the body’s membranes and consequently move from the lungs to other organs, and their interaction with cells and tissue. Such variations bring an additional degree of complexity to risk assessment analysis for carbon nanotubes.

Asbestos-like responses to carbon nanotubes may not be entirely surprising to scientists, given previous toxicological and epidemiological studies of other biopersistent fibers since such studies show that once fibers are deposited in the lung, they stay there.6 However, questions have been raised about using these research findings for risk assessment analysis in the light of study limitations such as use of model animals, artificial administration methods, and sometimes extremely high doses, which are not representative of those exposures usually present in the workplace environment. Such limitations are not unusual for pioneering scientific studies. They simply mean that at this stage of the research, gaps remain that need to be closed by further study before quantitative risk assessment can be conducted.

December 10, 2015

About Antimicrobial Silver Nanoparticles

“Nano Silver” is “silver nanoparticles” is abbreviated or commonly known, refers to the particles of silver atoms, the particle size is generally in the range of 1-100 nm. Silver chunks of material surface having antibacterial properties already well known, the mechanism is located on the surface of the silver atoms in the oxygen environment may be slow oxidation, releasing free silver ions (Ag +), the silver ions with the wall of the bacteria mercapto binding, blocking the bacterial respiratory chain, eventually killing bacteria adhered to the surface of the material. For bulk material is silver, the oxidation process is extremely slow, the amount and rate of release of silver ions very low.

Some people are claiming for Silver Nanoparticles Antimicrobial and solutions to be bad without any proof. Dr. Flavin from the FDA actually stated that silver is in fact safe and can benefit the immune system.

Silver Nanoparticles are tiny particles of silver and are made with a very low application of electricity to pure silver. If the amount of electricity applied is too much, the silver particles will not be nano sized and it’s important that they are nanoparticles because they are small enough to affect viruses.

As far as the claims of silver being “toxic”. Have you ever seen any any effects from holding silver in your hand. The answer to that would be no. If silver were toxic, we couldn’t hold it with our bare hands safely.

In the air there are heavy metals like lead, mercury and cadmium we breathe in all the time. Most of this comes from industry and past weapons testing in the 1940’s and 1950’s. These metals also show up in our water supply. They are very dangerous metals and are proven to be toxic. Yet we are still alive.

Silver is not proven to be toxic at all.
There is a condition called argyria. This condition is real and used by organizations to scare people away. Argyria turns the skin a blue/gray color. This is caused from large amounts of impure silver build up in the skin. Impure silver has other material in it that is not supposed to be there like proteins, other metals, salt, etc.

The truth about argyria is that it is extremely rare. The only way to get argyria is to take poorly made impure silver solutions. Dr. Flavin, a former science assistant to the Director of Toxicology at the FDA, made a signed statement that says pure silver solutions are not toxic and admits that silver nanoparticles, are in fact proven to help the immune system. The link to this document is below.

All silver solutions should be nano sized and made from.999 pure silver. Any good pure silver nanoparticle solution provider will state the silver particle size and the ppm (parts per million) amount on the bottle or they will tell you if asked. Some companies have effectively made silver particles at.8 microns which is smaller than a nanoparticle.

Most providers will recommend taking 1/2 a teaspoon or smaller. Any silver that is not used by the body will be expelled through the urine when taken in small amounts.

Silver nano particles working the body.
The immune system can be preoccupied with other germs and bacteria. Even more if there is a virus present. When the immune system is working overtime, this can weaken the bodies defenses and allow germs, viruses and bacteria to grow since the immune system can’t keep up and kill them. This makes us sick.

The introduction of silver nanoparticles. Silver with positive charge viruses and harmful bacteria like negatively charged. Thus, when silver nanoparticles come into contact, it inhibits the viruses and bacteria, and kill them with natural anti-bacterial silver, antibiotics and anti-viral properties. When viruses and bacteria are put out of commission, which makes the natural immune system to grow and grow, what then take care of the rest. Very simple, but very effective.

November 23, 2015

Zinc Oxide Nanotechnology for Future

Nano Zinc Oxide is a new high for the 21st century, the function of high value-added fine inorganic chemical products. Its diameter is between 1100 nm, also known as ultrafine zinc oxide. Since the fine crystal grains, the surface electronic structure and crystal structure changes, resulting in a surface effect macroscopic objects do not have the volume effect, quantum size effect and macroscopic tunnel effect and high transparency, high dispersion characteristics. In recent years, we found that it demonstrated in catalysis, optics, magnetism, mechanics and so on a number of special features that make it in many areas of ceramics, chemicals, electronics, optics, biology, medicine and other important application value, can not have an ordinary zinc oxide compare specificity and purposes. Due to a series of nano zinc oxide rods are excellent and very attractive prospect, and therefore has become the focus of many research and development of nano-zinc oxide scientific and technical personnel concerned.

Nanotechnology is the science of constructing components, devices, materials and systems at a nanometer level which means “near-atomic.” The word “nano” is synonymous with one-billionth. So, in nanotechnology, the works and operations happen at the scale of 1/1,000,000,000 (one over one billionth) of a total meter. Such dimension or size is so small and thin. It is about 100,000 times smaller and slimmer than a strand of hair.

An atom, which is the building block of matter, is about this small. For instance, a DNA molecule, life’s blueprint and basic foundation of human genetics, is two nanometers in length. If a material is of this size, it is expected to have unique chemical and physical properties which are caused by several factors such as the significant increase in the surface area of the material as compared to its volume which happens when a particle becomes smaller.

Why is Nanotechnology Important?

Nanotechnology is playing a very important role today and in the future to change and improve every aspect of human activities. Nanotechnology influences a lot of materials used for manufacturing important items. These materials include biomaterials, ceramics, metals and polymers. The new and improved materials formed through nanotechnology are the source of most important technological advances. As of today, nanotechnology is used on following commercial applications:

Sunscreen Lotion – Through zinc oxide particles which have a “nano” size, ultraviolet (UV) rays are absorbed and reflected. As a result, sunscreen lotions appear transparent and are smooth when applied. Before, a sunscreen lotion is white and really sticky. Through, nanotechnology, these lotions are more attractive to customers.

Self-cleaning and scratch proof window – This kind of window is actually coated with a special material that has distinctive chemical properties. Once the sun shines on these self-cleaning windows, the material starts to have a chemical reaction and results to breaking down the dirt on it. Also, if there is rain, no droplets are formed. The rainwater is evenly spread on the window panel and it washes away the dirt that was broken down. The nanoscale controls the thickness of the layer.

Stain-repellent cloth or fabric – This is actually a fabric made of dipped woven rolls of cotton fabric in liquid form that has trillions of nanotechnology fibers. The cotton is dried inside an oven that binds these infinitesimal fibers of the cotton thread. As a result, the fabric becomes resistant to liquid although its physical appearance does not change.

Bouncing tennis ball – These balls are specially coated with a nano-sized material. The molecular barrier of the ball that formed because of these minute particles traps the molecules of air, thus, making the tennis ball bouncier.

Other Remarkable Uses of Nanotechnology:

– Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) – for monitor or TV screen displays
– Photovoltaic Film – for conversion of light to electricity
– Hip Joint – formed through biomaterials
– Bucky Tube Frame – this is light but remarkably very strong material
– Nano-particle paint – used to avoid corrosion
– Thermo-chromic glass – regulates light
– Magnetic Layers – used for compressed data memory storage
– Carbon Nanotube – fuel cells used to operate vehicles and electronics

In the future, nanotechnology can change the theories and applications we believe and use. The fields of manufacturing, information technology, electronics and communications have very advance future if nanotechnology is further enhanced.

November 6, 2015

Discovery of Silicon Carbide

Silicon carbide (SiC) with quartz sand, petroleum coke (or coal), wood chips (the production of green silicon carbide need to add salt) and other raw materials by high temperature resistance furnace smelting. Silicon carbide also exists in nature, rare mineral moissanite. Silicon carbide, also known as Moissanite. In contemporary C, N, B and other high-tech non-oxide refractory materials, and silicon carbide is the most widely used, most economical, can be called emery or refractory sand. China’s industrial production of silicon carbide is divided into two kinds of black silicon carbide, and green silicon carbide, are hexagonal crystals, a specific gravity of 3.20 – 3.25, the hardness of 2840 ~ 3320kg / mm2.

Silicon carbide was accidentally invented by Edward G. Acheson different field in 1891, while trying to manufacture artificial diamonds. A mixture of fine sand and charcoal brick is about the inner conductor resistance furnace carbon. Current passing through the furnace to bring the carbon in the coke and silica sand, a chemical reaction to form the compound of SiC and carbon monoxide gas. In the end you have a green and black crystal like components, these components after crushing and grinding into various sizes each use. The crystals were deeper, smaller purity. Some natural silicon carbide was found in Arizona Grand Canyon Diablo meteorite. Most of the sales to the worldwide silicon carbide is synthetic.

Acheson patented the method of making silicon carbide in 1893. Silicon carbide is also called carborundum because Acheson was trying to dissolve carbon in molten corundum (alumina) when this material was discovered,and now silicon dioxide nanoparticles is popular very much. It was first put to use as an abrasive and later used in electronic applications. It was also used as a detector in radios in 20th century. In 1907 LED was first produced by Henry Joseph Round by applying high voltage to silicon carbide crystals.

This chemical has low density, high strength, low thermal expansion, high thermal conductivity, high hardness, excellent thermal shock resistance, and fantastic chemical inertness. Due to its properties it is widely used in suction box covers, seals, bearings, ball valve parts, hot gas flow liners, heat exchangers, semiconductor process equipment and fixed and moving turbine components.

In today’s world it is commonly used in abrasives such as grinding, water-jet cutting, sandblasting etc. Particles of the silicon carbide are used in sandpaper. It is also found in various automobile parts such as brake disks due to its resistance to extreme temperatures. The compound is also used in the mirror of the astronomical telescope because of its rigidity and hardness and thermal conductivity. It is also used to melt glass and non-ferrous metals, production of ceramics, float glass production, steel production, as catalyst support, graphene production etc.

It is also used as a gemstone in jewelery and is referred to as “moissanite” and is similar to diamond in its hardness with a Mohs hardness rating of 9. It is much more resistant to heat and lighter than diamonds and hence has more shine, sharper facets. It has also become a very popular diamond substitute.

October 16, 2015

Application Status of Nano Nickel Oxide

1、catalyst
Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles is a better catalytic oxidation catalyst, Ni2 + has a 3d orbital, has a tendency to multi-electron oxygen adsorbed preferentially on the other reducing gases have the effect of activating and reducing gas O2 plays a catalytic decomposition of organic matter synthesis, conversion processes, such as gasoline hydrocracking, petrochemical processing hydrocarbon conversion, heavy oil hydrogenation process, NiO is a good catalyst. In the catalytic combustion of natural gas, in order to avoid the reaction temperature is too high in the air oxidation of N2 NOx, and unburned CO produced entirely using NiO / CuO-Zr02 composite catalyst to improve its high temperature stability. In the process of the preparation of carbon nanotubes, used in the NiO / Si02 composite catalyst and higher Ni content, high yielding synthesis of carbon nanotubes, the diameter distribution is narrow, and NiO content and shape directly affects the carbon nano Yield and Characters tube. In wastewater treatment, NiO is remove CH4, cyanide, N2, prompting NOx decomposition catalyst. NiO as Photocatalytic Degradation of Acid Red catalyst, in the treatment of organic wastewater, the effect is very significant.

2、glass ceramic additives and colorings
Ceramics by NiO to increase its impact, when added to NiO (O.02 (wt)%), can also improve the electrical properties of materials, such as piezoelectric properties and dielectric properties. Plus NiO in the glass is mainly controlled color glass can absorb ultraviolet in brown coloration stable on transparent glass containing a small amount of NiO. Transparent glass mirrors and decorative glass, are added the right amount of NiO as a coloring agent.

3、Battery Electrode
With the continuous development of communication and information technology, the capacitor has also been an unprecedented development. Because ultracapacitors now has a much higher energy density than electrostatic capacitors and much higher power density than traditional chemical power becomes a hotspot. According to the research showed that ruthenium oxide is the most studied, the best performance of an electrochemical capacitor electrode material, but because it’s very expensive hindered its large-scale application. Activated carbon resistance and larger features make it sights on transition metal oxides. The transition metal oxide because of its own quasi-capacitance phenomenon as an electrode material for supercapacitors. Currently, the use of Ni, Mn, Co and other oxides of resistance is small, inexpensive, and is larger than the capacity and other characteristics, battery electrode materials made of concern. Molten carbonate fuel cell using NiO as the cathode, with gas or natural gas as fuel, is a power generation efficiency than conventional thermal power of clean energy. And nano-NiO battery Compared with ordinary NiO battery has obvious advantages discharge, the discharge capacity significantly increased, electrochemical performance is improved.

4、Sensor
NiO is more and more attention in recent years, gas sensor material. At present, made into nano NiO formaldehyde sensor, CO sensor, H2 sensors used in actual production.

August 18, 2015

All About Aluminum Oxide Nanopowder

Nano-aluminum oxide, fumed silica is the use of the BET surface area obtained by gas-phase process is similar to the particle diameter of 100 ± 15 aluminum oxide 13 nm. Has all the advantages of hydrophilic fumed silica, improve static friction powder of positive chargeability.Nano aluminum oxide diameter distribution, high resistivity, with good insulation properties, widely used in plastics, rubber, ceramics, paints and other fields requiring high insulation performance.

A-MITE™ powders and dispersions are recently developed inorganic aluminum oxide nanopowder with unique abrasion resistance properties for use in optical lenses, windows, flooring and other surfaces and coatings prone to scratching. A-MITE-A™ products are uncoated and hydrophilic. A-MITE-O™ products are coated with an organic silane (1-4%) and are hydrophobic. Our oxide nanopowders are typically around 10nm, 50nm, 100nm, and/or 200nm. They are also available as a nanofluid through the AE Nanofluid production group. Nanofluids are generally defined as suspended nanoparticles in solution either using surfactant or surface charge technology. Nanofluid dispersion and coating selection technical guidance is also available. Other nanostructures include nanorods, nanowhiskers, nanohorns, nanopyramids and other nanocomposites. Surface functionalized nanoparticles allow for the particles to be preferentially adsorbed at the surface interface using chemically bound polymers.

Development research is underway in Nano Electronics and Photonics materials, such as MEMS and NEMS, Bio Nano Materials, such as Biomarkers, Bio Diagnostics & Bio Sensors, and Related Nano Materials, for use in Polymers, Textiles, Fuel Cell Layers, Composites and Solar Energy materials. Nanopowders are analyzed for chemical composition by ICP, particle size distribution (PSD) by laser diffraction, and for Specific Surface Area (SSA) by BET multi-point correlation techniques. Novel nanotechnology applications also include Quantum Dots. High surface areas can also be achieved using solutions and using thin film by sputtering targets and evaporation technology using pellets, rod and foil. For technical, research and safety information A-MITE™ or for more information on nanotechnology, please contact our customer service department.

Aluminum (Al) atomic and molecular weight, atomic number and elemental symbolAluminum, also known as Aluminium, (atomic symbol: Al, atomic number: 13) is a Block P, Group 13, Period 3 element with an atomic weight of 26.9815386. It is the third most abundant element in the earth’s crust and the most abundant metallic element.Aluminum Bohr ModelAluminum’s name is derived from alumina, the mineral from which Sir Humphrey Davy attempted to refine it from in 1812. It wasn’t until 1825 that Aluminum was first isolated by Hans Christian Oersted. Aluminum is a silvery gray metal that possesses many desirable characteristics. It is light, nonmagnetic and non-sparking. It stands second among metals in the scale of malleability, and sixth in ductility. It is extensively used in many industrial applications where a strong, light, easily constructed material is needed. Elemental Aluminum Although it has only 60% of the electrical conductivity of copper, it is used in electrical transmission lines because of its light weight. Pure aluminum is soft and lacks strength, but alloyed with small amounts of copper, magnesium, silicon, manganese, or other elements it imparts a variety of useful properties. Aluminum was first predicted by Antoine Lavoisierin 1787 and first isolated by Friedrich Wöhler in 1827. For more information on aluminum, including properties, safety data, research, and American Elements’ catalog of aluminum products, visit the Aluminum element page.

August 12, 2015

An Introduction of Silicon Carbide Whisker

Silicon carbide whiskers is a little flawed, there is a certain aspect ratio of single crystal fibers, it has a very good temperature resistance and high strength. Mainly used for applications requiring high temperature high-strength material toughening occasions. Such as: aerospace materials, high-speed cutting tool. Currently, with high cost performance.

Silicon carbide whisker belong to a diamond crystal, is now synthesized whiskers highest hardness, modulus maximum, maximum tensile strength, heat resistance temperature of the highest whiskers products, divided the α type and β type two forms, which is superior to α-type β-type and has a higher hardness (Mohs hardness of 9.5 and above), better toughness and conductivity, wear resistance, high temperature, particularly resistant to earthquake , corrosion resistance, radiation has been applied on and engine, high-temperature turbine rotor, special parts on aircraft, missiles shell.

Cubic silicon carbide whisker whiskers, and belong to a diamond crystal, is now synthesized whiskers highest hardness, modulus maximum, maximum tensile strength, heat resistance temperature of the highest whiskers products, divided the α type and β type in two forms, including β-type performance than α type. β type than the α type having a higher hardness (Mohs hardness of 9.5 and above), better toughness and conductivity, wear resistance, high temperature, especially earthquake-resistant, corrosion-resistant, resistant to radiation, have housing in aircraft, missiles on and engine, high-temperature turbine rotor, has been applied on special parts.

Silicon carbide is extremely anisotropic crystal growth is achieved by a catalyst on the basis of silicon carbide particles on the surface along the crystal growth of the short fibers, there are two main methods currently producing a gas phase reaction method and a solid material, which method is more solid material It is economical and suitable for industrial production.

Japan and the United States show the synthesis of silicon carbide of a high enthusiasm, in terms of reducing costs and improving the quality of work done a lot of research. Ramsey and other American to amorphous silica as silicon source rice husk species (obtained from burning carbonized rice husk), were mixed in pulverized petroleum coke carbonized rice husk and powder sintering to produce a silicon carbide products. Japan Tanaka and other acid-boiled rice husk, cleaning, carbonation, sintering and other steps to obtain high-purity silicon carbide products.

The first production of silicon carbide whiskers of manufacturers, production of silicon carbide whiskers is a high strength beard shape (one-dimensional) single crystal, high strength, high modulus, and many other excellent mechanical properties, it is widely used in metal matrix, ceramic matrix composite. Mainly used in ceramic cutting tools, high temperature components in the field of aerospace, main bearing strong, large mud pumps, etc. Add to this new material has obtained a more excellent high temperature components, wear resistance, widely used as a structural material in aviation, aerospace, automotive, machinery, petrochemical and other, known as the king of whiskers said. In particular, it has a special significance in the automotive, aerospace engines, housing and so on.

In addition, it was added as an enhanced component plastic matrix, metal matrix or ceramic matrix and play a role in enhancing toughening, high thermal conductivity Sic use of nano materials, high insulation resistance, as large scale integrated circuit substrates in the electronics industry and packaging materials. As an optical material information in the television show, fields of modern communications and the Internet with a high value.

Silicon carbide whiskers in the manufacture of high-strength plastic, metal and ceramic applications work, you can speed up the upgrading of key traditional products. As the nano-silicon carbide whiskers of outstanding features, it has a special role in the aerospace industry industry sectors, namely in aircraft, missile applications and engine housing, the high temperature turbine rotor, special components, military industry and so it huge demand for civilian industry.

July 27, 2015

Information of Most Versatile Precious Metal Ruthenium

Ruthenium metal powders are called “two ruthenium Foix.” When sunlight, molecular diRuthenium Foix will change shape into a semi-stable state, but this state is very safe. They can be stored indefinitely heat by means of a catalyst, which in turn can be restored to its original shape, releasing tremendous heat stored. The heat can be used to heat the house.

Although alphabetically last in a list of precious metals, ruthenium is considered to be the most versatile of this group of elements. There is a total of six precious metals found within the platinum group, with ruthenium being the most versatile.

Ruthenium is a hard white-colored metal that has four crystallization varieties. Ruthenium does not tarnish under general circumstances, but will quickly oxidize quickly with exposure to air. Two methods of plating will improve its durability, these are known as electrodeposition and thermal decomposition.

Alloys comprised of ruthenium and palladium or ruthenium and platinum are commonly used as materials for electrical contacts because of the excellent wear resistance. Ruthenium is known to be very effective when used as a hardener when used as an alloy for palladium or platinum products. Adding ruthenium to titanium, the resulting alloy has a significantly improved resistance to corrosion.

There are other applications for ruthenium, including manufacture of film chip resistors, as an alloy with gold for high end jewelry, industrial turbine blades for aircraft engines (because it is a high temperature super alloy), tips for high end fountain pens, as part of a chemical process for mixed-metal oxide anodes or removal of hydrogen sulfide during industrial manufacture; parts of optical sensor devices; and radiography equipment (such as that required for eye sensors).

Ruthenium is found in various ores in the Ural Mountain range in Russia, as well as parts of North America and South America. Other locations, including Sudbury in Ontario, Canada, in pentlandite, (which is an sulfide comprised of iron and nickel) as well as small areas of South Africa, in pyroxenite (which is an ultrabasic igneous rock formation) also contain sources of ruthenium. This precious metal is found alongside the other five precious metals that are included within the platinum group.

Ruthenium is derived for commercial purposes as a by- product when nickel and copper is processed. This is similar to the way that the other platinum family precious metals are obtained. Direct processing of certain platinum ores can also be a way to obtain ruthenium. Isolating ruthenium can only be done following a complex chemical process. This process will ultimately yield a powder form which can be consolidated through argon arc-welding techniques.

Ruthenium is rather rare, ranking 74th among all of the chemical metal elements, making it one of the most rare elements. Worldwide, there are approximately 5000 tons available, and this amount is mined at a rate of approximately 12 tons per year. Ruthenium is valued at around $1000 USD per troy ounce.

July 14, 2015

The Antimicrobial Features of Nano Silver

Antibacterial coating nano silver is regarded as a new generation of antibacterial agents and has great potential to be utilized in antibacterial surface coatings for medical devices, food package and industrial pipes. However, disadvantages such as easy aggregation, uncontrollable release of silver ions and potential cytotoxicity greatly hinder its uses. Recently, polymers possessing unique functions have been employed to fabricate nanocomposite coatings with nanosilver for better biocompatibility and enhanced antibacterial activity. This review starts with progress on antibacterial mechanism and cytotoxic effects of nanosilver. Antibacterial functions of polymers are subsequently discussed. Advances of fabrication of polymer/nanosilver composite coatings for antibacterial applications are surveyed. Finally, conclusions and perspectives, in particular future directions of polymer/nanosilver composite coatings for antibacterial applications are proposed. It is expected that this review is able to provide the updated accomplishments of the polymer/nanosilver composite coatings for antibacterial applications while attracting great interest of research and development in this area.

Nanometer (nm) is the second smallest micron unit of measurement, a nanometer is a millionth millimeter, namely nanometer, which is one billionth of a meter. Nano-silver is the use of cutting-edge nanotechnology silver nano, nanotechnology have enabled the state of nano silver sterilization ability to produce a qualitative leap, little nanosilver can have a strong bactericidal effect, can kill in minutes Death 650 kinds of bacteria, broad-spectrum bactericidal without any resistance, to promote wound healing, cell growth and repair of damaged cells without any toxicity, skin irritation also did not find any, which gives wide Application to antibacterial nano silver has opened up broad prospects, is the latest generation of natural antibacterial agent, nano-silver sterilization has the following characteristics:
Broad-spectrum antibiotic

Silver nanoparticles directly into the cell and oxygen metabolizing enzymes (-SH) combine to make cell suffocated unique mechanism of action, can kill most bacteria in contact with, fungi, mold spores and other microorganisms. After eight domestic authorities found: their drug-resistant pathogens, such as E. coli, resistant Staphylococcus aureus resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes resistant enterococci, anaerobic bacteria, which are full of antibacterial activity; surface burns and trauma of common bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and other G +, G- pathogens have a bactericidal effect; Chlamydia trachomatis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae also has a strong bactericidal effect.

An antibiotic can kill about six kinds of pathogens, and nano-silver can kill hundreds of pathogenic microorganisms. Kill bacteria, fungi, trichomoniasis, branch / chlamydia, gonorrhea, strong bactericidal effect of antibiotic resistant bacteria have the same role in the killing!
Potent bactericidal

It found, Ag 650 kinds of bacteria can kill within minutes. Nano silver particles and pathogens in the cell wall / membrane-bound, directly into the cell and quickly combine with oxygen metabolizing enzyme thiol group (-SH), inactivating the enzyme, blocking the respiratory metabolism to suffocate it. Unique sterilization mechanism, making silver nanoparticles at low concentrations can rapidly kill pathogens.
Permeable

Silver nanoparticles with superior permeability, can rapidly penetrate the subcutaneous 2mm sterilization, common bacteria, stubborn bacteria, resistant bacteria as well as the deeper tissue infections caused by fungi have a good bactericidal effect.
Repair and regeneration

Nano-silver can promote wound healing, promoting repair and regeneration of damaged cells, to rot myogenic, anti-inflammatory improve microcirculation trauma to surrounding tissue, effectively activate and promote the growth of tissue cells, accelerate wound healing and reduce scarring generated.
Antibacterial lasting

Silver nanoparticles use patented technology, outer layer of protective film can be gradually released in the human body, so anti-bacterial effect.
No drug resistance

Nano-silver is a non-antibiotic agents: nano-silver can kill a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, more than antibiotics, antibacterial mechanism of silver nanoparticles unique 10nm size can quickly kill bacteria directly to the loss of reproductive ability, therefore, can not produce the next generation of drug resistance, can effectively avoid drug resistance and cause recurrent permanently.

Silver used in modern medicine
In 1884, the German obstetrician F. Crede (Claude), the concentration of 1% silver nitrate solution was dropped in the eyes of newborns to prevent blindness caused by neonatal conjunctivitis, infant blindness prevalence dropped from 10% 0.2 percent, until today, many countries still using Crede prophylaxis.

In 1893, C. Von Nageli (Nag column) through a systematic study, first reported in the metal (especially silver) bacteria and other lower organisms lethal effect, so there may be a silver disinfectant. Since then, the use of silver into the modern era.

Silver used in modern medicine in many forms, including:
(1) silver: 0.5% silver nitrate standard solution for treating burns and wounds; 10-20% of the silver nitrate solution applied, can be used for the treatment of cervical erosion.
(2) Silver sulfadiazine: Columbia University Charles L. Fox (Fox) professor and sulfadiazine silver compound, silver sulfadiazine generated activity than the individual sulfa strong activity at least 50 times. 1968, silver sulfadiazine (Sulfadiazine Silver) introduced to the market, because of its variety of bacteria, fungi and efficient role in the killing has, naturally, painless way to fully repair the wound site without skin grafting, has become the treatment of trauma ( such as burn) important drugs. It has now been included in the national basic medical insurance drug list.
(3) colloidal silver or silver protein: an effective topical anti-infective substances, colloidal silver can be used for gynecological sterilization.
(4) silver plated materials: silver, founder of the research, AB Flick (Fleck), Dr. Silver has developed a product that is coated with a layer of silver on the bandage, used as a dressing. Inspired by him, people use silver antimicrobial resistance, have developed a silver-plated sutures, silver catheter. Currently the United States has a dozen silver-containing products, as a medical device received FDA marketing approval, including silver dressings, silver gelatin, silver powder and other types of medical products.