Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology
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New nanomaterials have been developed with unique properties related to size, surface area, and quantum mechanical effects. Quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes have widespread potential applications in basic biomedical research as well as for new diagnostic and therapeutic devices. Brown University has significant strength in chemistry, physics, and engineering in the creation and characterization of these materials at the nanoscale. New opportunities are emerging for technology transfer and development of nanoengineered devices and systems. In addition, a core group of researchers in the Division of Biology and Medicine is exploring biocompatibility and potential toxicity of these nanomaterials. With recent funding from US EPA, NSF, and the Superfund Basic Research Program, the faculty in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and in the Division of Engineering are developing new interdisciplinary research projects and a new course for students in engineering and biology — Small Wonders: The Science, Technology, and Human Health Impacts of Nanomaterials that was first offered in the Spring Semester of 2006.
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New nanomaterials have been developed with unique properties related to size, surface area, and quantum mechanical effects. Quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes have widespread potential applications in basic biomedical research as well as for new diagnostic and therapeutic devices. Brown University has significant strength in chemistry, physics, and engineering in the creation and characterization of these materials at the nanoscale. New opportunities are emerging for technology transfer and development of nanoengineered devices and systems. In addition, a core group of researchers in the Division of Biology and Medicine is exploring biocompatibility and potential toxicity of these nanomaterials. With recent funding from US EPA, NSF, and the Superfund Basic Research Program, the faculty in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and in the Division of Engineering are developing new interdisciplinary research projects and a new course for students in engineering and biology — Small Wonders: The Science, Technology, and Human Health Impacts of Nanomaterials that was first offered in the Spring Semester of 2006.
These carbon nanofibers were synthesized by graduate students Lin Guo and Kengqing Jian in the Division of Engineering. A macrophage, which protects the body from infection and foreign substances is enmeshed with the nanofibers. Dr. Agnes Kane is collaborating with Dr. Robert Hurt in the Division of Engineering to study the biocompatibility of carbon nanomaterials.