Engineered nanoparticles refer to tiny particles that are intentionally created and carefully designed to have specific properties and functions. These particles are usually very small in size, typically less than 100 nanometers. They are engineered or manufactured using advanced techniques to have precise characteristics such as shape, size, and composition.
Engineered nanoparticles are used in various fields such as medicine, electronics, and energy, due to their unique properties and abilities at the nanoscale.
Full definition
The rapid synthesis
of engineered nanoparticles and their incorporation into consumer products ensures that nanoparticles will be released into the environment, where they will interact with organisms, including bacteria.
Researchers from the University of Washington have used mice to test a vaccine with the potential to make on - demand human vaccination cheaper and quicker,
using engineered nanoparticles.
The researchers
engineered the nanoparticles so that they glow in the presence of an enzyme associated with cell death, allowing them to signpost effective cancer treatments (Credit: BWH)
The scientists demonstrated the technique to
engineer nanoparticle architectures using an octahedral scaffold with particles positioned in precise locations on the scaffold according to the specificity of DNA coding.
A breakthrough study conducted by PNNL and researchers from the University of Washington and Oregon Health & Science University shows how using a relatively simple method
for engineering nanoparticle heavy - metal sorbents may lead to an advanced method for eliminating toxic heavy metals from aquatic systems and drinking water.
This can be accomplished by custom - designed or
engineered nanoparticles that overcome common challenges, such as the presence of a dense tissue surrounding the pancreas cancer cells.
Researchers have
engineered nanoparticles to produce chemicals that render bacteria more vulnerable to antibiotics.