Aculon, Inc. specializes in inventing and commercializing unique molecular-scale surface and interfacial coatings leveraging nanotechnology discoveries made at Princeton University. These coatings can be classified into three functional areas; non-stick, pro-stick/adhesion, and anti-corrosion. The company has formulated coating solutions and processes for numerous markets including optical, display, electronics, consumer products and industrial coatings. These specialized coatings outperform all known alternatives in characteristics such as adhesion, stain resistance, and scratch resistance. Fueling the company’s commercialization efforts are its proprietary Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonates (SAMP) technology. The commercialization of SAMP treatments can be used for a variety of applications including imparting hydrophobicity, adhesion, or corrosion inhibition to numerous substrates. For surface treatments to be effective, they must be mechanically and chemically stable under conditions experienced in the intended area of use. Aculon’s proprietary Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonates methodology can impart any of these properties as desired to metals, metal oxides and even some polymer surfaces by drawing on its library of structurally tailored phosphonic acids. The secret to the commercialization is covalent bonding, which creates a uniquely strong attachment between the SAMP and the substrate. Because the SAMP is one approximately 1.5 nm thick, it completely covers the material to which it is applied, and assures total surface coverage regardless of the type or texture of that material. The composition of the SAMP determines the properties that it imparts to its substrate. In 1998, Professor Jeffery Schwartz of Princeton University discovered that well-ordered monolayers of phosphonates could be formed by self-assembly on a wide variety of oxide and oxide-terminated surfaces. At that time Professor Schwartz and his team also discovered that a simple dip process enabled SAMP formation on substrates of complex structures and geometries, as well as traditionally “unreactive” surfaces. The research showed that SAMP adhesion to oxides was mechanically strong and resisted removal by hydrolysis and oxidation. It showed further that by using the dip method, SAMPs of a variety of molecular structures, including aliphatic, aromatic, and heteroaromatic, could be prepared. Commercialization of SAMPs proves that such surface-bound phosphonates can dictate control of the surface properties of myriad substrates and that they can be implemented using well-known industrial techniques and conditions. These processes can be scaled to meet the needs of large or small facilities, and can be applied to surfaces of nearly any size or shape without special needs. Based on the needs of the producer, surface modification can be completed during the time of manufacturing or can be performed as a post-production step.

Nanotechnology has the potential to greatly improve our lives through medical, environmental and consumer products. Properties at the nanoscale are being exploited in new products, but they could also influence how the particles interact with humans and the environment. There is increasing consensus that for nanotechnology to reach its maximum potential, we must work to understand the hazards and exposure routes in order to minimise the risks. Good practice, founded on the principles of risk assessment and industrial hygiene, are applicable to a wide range of nanomaterials and nanostructured materials including nanoparticles, nanofibres, nanopowders, nanotubes, as well as aggregates and agglomerates of these materials. There is still considerable uncertainty about many aspects of effective risk assessment of nanomaterials, including the hazardous potential of many types of nanoparticles and the levels below which individuals might be exposed, with minimal likelihood of adverse health effects. It is prudent therefore to understand how to develop an appropriate strategy for the risk assessment, handling and disposing of nanomaterials, in the light of known and unknown hazards and exposures. This paper presents a perspective of the key components of risk assessment applicable to nanotechnology and novel materials.

Rosette nanotubes (RNTs) are novel, biomimetic, synthetic, self-assembled drug delivery agents. Because of base stacking and hydrophobic interactions, the RNT hollow-tube structure can be used for incorporating drugs. Another advantage of using RNTs is their ability to be injected and become solid at body temperatures for orthopedic applications without the use of any external stimuli (such as UV light or crosslinking agents). The nano-features of RNTs create a favorable, biologically-inspired, cellular environment. In this study, methods to incorporate dexamethasone (DEX, a bone growth promoting drug) into RNTs were investigated. The drug-loaded RNTs were characterized using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy (DOSY) and Ultraviolet-visible Spectroscopy (UV-vis). Results showed that small molecular drugs with hydrophobic aromatic rings were incorporated into RNTs. Subsequent drug release experiments demonstrated that DEX was released from the RNTs and had a positive impact on osteoblast functions. Importantly, compared to other drug carriers, RNTs increased the total drug loading and was the highest when DEX was incorporated during the RNT self-assembly process. Thus, this study offered a novel drug delivery device that itself is bioactive and can be used to deliver a variety of drugs for various orthopedic applications.

The process of Advanced Science Convergence is to understand how different disciplines, focusing on discrete problems and applications, can be coalesced into a system to solve an intractable problem. It requires understanding of far-reaching end goal that is not yet defined but can be described in terms of desired actions or qualities. Institute of Advanced Sciences Convergence (IASC) provides an early monitoring and identification of emerging scientific advances across multiple disciplines that create revolutionary, integrated and cross-cutting technologies to break through existing solution paradigms. The objective of IASC is to support federal agencies by providing cutting-edge, functional, and advanced technological solutions in support of national security by employing emerging areas in nanotechnology, biotechnology, information processing, and cognitive sciences. Our team is supported by professionals with extensive background in academia, military, federal agencies and international organizations. The IASC value proposition is based on assessment derived from data collected from various resources. The IASC business model provides invaluable information in support of national security based on staff experience without the expense of laboratory infrastructure. Due to rapid developments in nanotechnology, IASC seeks to reach out to identify partners through research collaboration as SMEs to support objectives through identifying advances in NBIC areas and develop strategic investments for technology/science roadmap.

Nanoparticles, nanowires, nanorods and other kinds of nanostructures have been of great interest to scientific field. Semiconducting nanowires have attracted much attention due to the fact that reduced dimensional confinement of electrons, holes and photons make them particularly attractive as potential building blocks for nanoscale optoelectronic devices, highly quantum efficient lasers and non-linear optical converters. It is generally accepted that the low dimensional structures (where the size in one direction is equivalent to or smaller than the de Broglie wavelength) are useful materials for investigating the dependence of electrical and thermal transport or mechanical properties on the dimensionality and quantum confinement. Nanomaterials also play an important role as functional units in fabricating the electromechanical devices. Semiconductor nanostructures of different materials and shapes are investigated due to their size dependent electronic properties observable at dimensions comparable to or less than Bohr radius of exciton in these materials. Especially various oxides and sulphides have generated interests in variety of applications. In this paper, the recent progress in various nanostructures, paradigms in implementation and technology hurdles in implementing nanostructures are discussed

Alginate based microparticle drug delivery systems were prepared for the sustained release of antitumor drugs. Two drugs, cyclophosphane and 5-fluorouracil, were encapsulated into the microparticles. The drug loaded microparticles were fabricated using a very convenient method under very mild conditions by the gelation of alginate with calcium cation. Modified microparticles were obtained by syringed dropwise a solution of drugs in sodium alginate into chitosan solution in calcium chloride. The effect of polymers concentration and the drug loading (1.0, 5.0 and 10%) on the release profile of drugs were investigated. The amount of drug release was much higher initially (approximately 25%), followed by a constant slow release profile. All the release data show the typical pattern for a matrix controlled mechanism. The cumulative amount of drug released from alginate gels was linearly related to the square root of the time and the release rate decreased this time. The process is controlled by the diffusion of antitumor drugs through the chitosan coating. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis revealed differences between the formulations as to their appearance and size distribution. The experiments for anticancer action of alginate microparticles were determined at 120 inbreeded white rats (females, weight 120-125 g, age 2-3 month) infected by malignant Rhabdomyoma strain at the dose of 10 000 cells. Medical-biological tests show that the duration of anticancer activity for the drug-containing alginate microparticles increases at 5-8 times in comparison of free drugs. Such systems may have potential for controlled delivery of antitumor drugs for the treatment of eye cancer

Silver clusters (4-150 nm) anchored on nanostructured silica particles (300-400 m2/g) with closely controlled Ag content and size were made in one-step by scalable flame spray pyrolysis of Ag-nitrate and hexamethyldisiloxane containing solutions. Composite Ag/SiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by S/TEM, EDX spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption. The activity of such nanoparticles against the Gram negative bacterium Escherichia coli was investigated by monitoring the recombinantly synthesized green fluorescent protein. It is shown that higher Ag content particles exhibit a stronger antibacterial effect.

Engineered nanoparticles that offer unique physical and chemical properties are rapidly flooding the market for commercial applications. The applications include, but are not limited to, cosmetic products, light emitting diodes, solid state display, drug delivery, disease diagnosis, nanoscale drug reformulations, MRI contrast agents, and new treatments. Predictions have indicated a dramatic increase in the market for nanotechnology and corresponding products to reach $1 trillion in 2012. As a result of the predicted increase in the use of NPs as components of consumer product, the presence of engineered nanoparticles in the environment has sparked human health safety concerns. NPs may be introduced to organisms by inhalation, intravenous (usually purposefully), ingestion, or absorption through the skin. It is projected that the total production of NPs will reach 58,000 tons/year in 2011-2020 which assures human exposure to NPs at the workplace, in food and drinking water, and wearable consumer products. This paper addresses the QD distribution when plants are exposed to NPs. Mung beans were incubated with aqueous solutions of quantum dots and allowed to grow for 21 days. The seedlings were sectioned and observed under the microscope to establish the locations of NPs with respect to the roots, stem, and leaves.

PLGA (poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid) has been widely used as a biomaterial in regenerative medicine due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability properties. Previous studies have shown that cells (such as bladder smooth muscle cells, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and vascular smooth muscle cells) respond differently to nano-structured PLGA surfaces (such as those with surface features less than 100 nm in at least one dimension) compared to nano-smooth surfaces. The purpose of the present in vitro research was to prepare PLGA films with various nanometer surface features and determine, for the first time, whether lung cancer epithelial cells respond differently to such topographies. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) molds prepared by placing PDMS onto various polystyrene monolayers and two solution evaporation methods were used to create nanometer surface features on PLGA. The intended spherical surface nano-topographies on PLGA with RMS values of 2.23, 5.03, 5.42 and 36.90 nm were formed, while PLGA surfaces with RMS values of 0.62 and 2.23 nm were obtained by different solution evaporation methods. Most importantly, lung cancer epithelial cells adhered less on the PLGA surfaces with an RMS value of 0.62, 2.23 and 5.42 nm after 4 hours of culture compared to any other PLGA surface created here. After three days, PLGA surfaces with an RMS value of 0.62 nm had much lower cell density than any other sample. In this manner, PLGA with specific nanometer surface features may inhibit lung cancer cell density which may provide for an important biomaterial for the treatment of lung cancer for a wide range of applications (from drug delivery to regenerative medicine).

The idea that nanotechnologies have the potential to transform different industry sectors and impact on various market segments is receiving large support and contributions from international economic organisations’ reports, research institutions’ newsletters, academics’ and management scholars’ papers and consulting firms’ articles. The patent landscape, with its burgeoning number of patent filings, and the patent offices worldwide reporting on the increasing number of patent applications in the nanotechnology field, appear as complementary indicators of this trend. As nanosciences research and engineering efforts made feasible the attractive promise of closing the gap between research and industrialization, research outcomes and applications were protected for exclusive exploitation via patent filing and patent portfolio building.

The present work details, to our knowledge, the first examination of the influence of blue-light radiation on the optical properties of organic luminescent films in attempting to develop an indicator dosimeter for phototherapy of neonatal jaundice. Jaundice is the most common problem encountered in newborns due to immature functioning in the liver. The operating principle of the device is based on the optical response of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylene (MEH-PPV) and tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq3) materials dispersed in polystyrene (PS) matrix (denoted as PS/MEH-PPV/Alq3). It is observed a blue-shift on the photoluminescence of PS/MEH-PPV/Alq3 system from red to orange-yellow, and then to green as function of the blue-light radiation exposure time. The result is attributed to the spectral overlap between emission of Alq3 and absorption of MEH-PPV. The optical response of PS/MEH-PPV/Alq3 to radiation was investigated to design a low-cost (< US$ 0.05) “smart” sensor to represent easily the radiation dosage normally used in blue-light phototherapy. The basic idea behind this concept considers the sensor as a traffic light device, where red represents underdose and green the prescription dose or overdose, while orange-yellow suggests that radiation therapy is an ongoing process. This personal real-time radiation dosimeter appears here as a key requirement for successful development of innovations in effective management of the radiation dose planning before treatment of neonatal where control of dose absorption of infants is extremely important.

Two common problems with implantation after cancerous tumor resection are cancer recurrence and bacteria infection at the implant site. Tumor resection surgery sometimes can not remove all the cancerous cells, thus, cancer can return after implantation. In addition, bacteria infection is one of the leading causes of implant failure. Therefore, it is desirable to have anti-cancer and anti-bacterial molecules which both rapidly (for anti-infection purposes) and continuously (for anti-cancer purposes) are available at the implant site following implantation. Therefore, the objective of the present in vitro study was to create a multi-functional coating for anti-cancer and anti-bacterial orthopedic implant applications. Elemental selenium was chosen as the biologically active agent in this effort because of its known chemopreventive and anti-bacterial properties. To achieve that objective, titanium (Ti), a conventional orthopedic implant material was coated with selenium (Se) nanoclusters. Different coating densities were achieved by varying Se concentration in the reaction mixture. Titanium substrates coated with Se nanoclusters were shown to enhance healthy osteoblast (bone-forming cell) and inhibit cancerous osteoblast proliferation in co-culture experiments. Functions of S. epidermidis (one of the leading bacteria that infect implants) were inhibited on Ti coated with Se-nanoclusters compared to uncoated materials. Thus, this study provided for the first time a coating material (selenium nanoclusters) to the biomaterials’ community to promote healthy bone cells’ functions, inhibit cancer growth and prevent bacteria infection.

Recent research has found that cell spreading on materials affects cell functions, including proliferation and differentiation. Also, cell spreading is related to filopodia extension which has been shown to be dependent on substrate topography. To better understand this correlation, live-cell imaging was used here to investigate osteoblast (bone forming cell) filopodia extension and cell spreading on two different kinds of diamond. Nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) and submicron crystalline diamond (SMCD) were fabricated to possess similar surface chemistry but different topographies, consisting of nanoscale spherical grains in NCD and submicron polyhedral grains in SMCD. The filopodia extension and cell expansion results showed that cells on nanoscale topographies had faster filopodia extension and greater expansion area than on submicron topographies. Results indicated that substrate topography has an impact on cell filopodia extension and cell spreading, and NCD promoted filopodia extension and cell expansion better than SMCD.

Various bone defects, caused by trauma, disease or age-related degeneration, represent a crucial clinical problem all over the world. However, traditional implant materials may cause many complications after surgeries, leading to intense patient pain. Thus, the objective of this in vitro study was to develop a biologically inspired coating on conventional titanium with materials that possess biomimetic nanostructured architectures and favorable surface chemistry. Specifically, self-assembled rosette nanotubes (RNTs) functionalized with various osteogenic peptides and amino acids (such as lysine-arginine-serine-arginine (KRSR), arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) and lysine (K)) were designed as coatings. Results revealed excellent cytocompatibility properties of these RNTs towards enhancing osteoblast (bone forming cell) and endothelial cell adhesion. In particular, KRSR and RGD functionalized RNTs coated on titanium promoted the greatest osteoblast densities when compared to uncoated titanium. In addition, the KRSR functionalized RNTs selectively improved osteoblast adhesion but not endothelial cell adhesion when coated on titanium. From this study, it can be speculated that the biologically inspired nanotubular structure and osteogenic surface chemistry of RNTs altered the surface properties of titanium to transform it into a more favorable environment for orthopedic applications.

T lymphocytes are a key regulatory component of the adaptive immune system. Understanding how the micro- and nano-scale details of the extracellular environment influence T cell activation may have wide impact on the use of T cells for therapeutic purposes. In this article, we examine how the micro- and nano-scale presentation of ligands to cell surface receptors, including microscale organization and nanoscale mobility, influences the activation of T cells. We extend these studies to include the role of cell-generated forces, and the rigidity of the microenvironment, on T cell activation. These approaches enable delivery of defined signals to T cells, a step toward understanding the cell-cell communication in the immune system, and developing micro/nano- and material- engineered systems for tailoring immune responses for adoptive T cell therapies.

The necessity of materials development which is not limited to materials that can achieve their theoretical limits, but makes it possible to raise theoretical limits by changing the fundamental underlying physics and chemistry while keep the fabrication cost to a minimum is crucial. Materials nanotechnologies based on chemical fabrication approaches is one of the immediate answer to the enormous need for cost-effective new materials for energy, environment, and health. R&D exploiting chemical nanoscience and nanotechnology has the greatest potential to efficiently contribute to such challenging goals. Indeed, the creation of new materials with higher performance and improved stability achieved by atomic, molecular and nanostructural design and control using unique nanoscale phenomena such as quantum confinements is the key. A synthesis involving the aqueous condensation of metal ions from solutions of metal salts for the low-cost fabrication of engineered arrays consisting of oriented nanorods of metal oxides orientations onto various substrates as well as the ability to control the surface acidity of quantum dots from acidic to neutral to basic by size effect are presented.

Powder processing of thermoplastic polymer composites offers multiple advantages for both micro- and nano-scale systems. A high degree of component homogenization is achieved prior to melt forming of the composite, thus minimizing degradation associated with extended thermal processing at high shear. Polymer blends can be prepared that would otherwise not be possible due to thermodynamic incompatibility. Initial evaluation of this concept was conducted by processing PMMA and HDPE micron size powder prepared by emulsion polymerization. Spherical silica particles of comparable size (mean size = 5 μm) were added to a 30/60 PMMA/HDPE blend at the 10 volume percent concentration and mixed in an aqueous medium prior to drying and extrusion. Analysis of optical and electron microscope images of the raw mixture shows good homogeneity and distribution of the small inorganic particles around the larger matrix phase particles by the process of interstitial filling. The melt-processed composite was observed by SEM and consisted of a three-phase system of dispersed silica and PMMA particles in a HDPE matrix.

To further our understanding of nanoparticle interactions with biological systems, it is important that highly sensitive, reliable and robust methods for labelling particles are established. We report here the application of a series of bi-functional cage ligands to radiolabel a range (i.e. shapes and sizes) of titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles. The cages were covalently attached to the surface of the particles via the use of a dopac derivative and then radiolabelled with a gamma emitting radioisotope. The final radiolabelled nanoparticles proved to be stable in solution and the method easy and robust. The application of a gamma emitter allows the radiolabelled particles to be tracked in vivo and in the environment.

Going from a small scale laboratory invention or discovery to a large scale application is not a trivial task and incorporating them into a product for a viable business is even more difficult. As technologies approach final products and applications, the number of criteria it must meet increases exponentially. Economics of the manufacturing process, environmental issues, intellectual property management, etc. needs to be assessed and monitored carefully. Bridging the gap from research to business not only needs multi-disciplinary understanding of the various aspects of the technology, but also how and what it could potentially enable or replace in current technologies and how to go about it through partnerships with global business entities. Especially with new materials, such as nano-scale materials, technology push needs to be rigorous and often the end results are uncertain. One needs to start from a large number of end user applications and narrow down to 1-2 high value-add or high volume opportunities. This process also requires constant development of the existing products to meet the exact needs for the high opportunity end markets. Timing for such efforts is crucial and the resources needed for such activities are often under-estimated by small start-up firms. Even for materials with well understood end products and established markets, significant market pull requires huge investments in product reliability demonstrations, cost of manufacturing, etc. Innovation, flexibility, change, educated risk, adaptability, focus and excellence are all key drivers and necessary ingredients for a successful and sustainable start-up venture. While scientific and engineering innovations are absolutely necessary, the metric for success for any business is revenue generation. Finding the right mechanisms for closing this gap (so-called the valley of death) is where the innovations of entrepreneurs lies. In this paper, I will share some of my personal learning experiences through the start-up company Applied Nanoworks Inc., (now Auterra Inc.).

In the present paper a novel method of manufacturing mobile emission control catalysts (MECC) is presented. The manufacturing of these novel catalysts consists of three steps: In a first processing step micron sized powders consisting of an oxide powder, typically Al2O3 or SiO2 or the like, and micron sized precious metal powders, Pt, Pd, Rh or the like, are co-fed into a DC plasma gun. Inside the gun the powders are vaporized at temperatures of approximately 25,000 K. After the powders are vaporized the vapor is rapidly quenched at rates of approximately 1,000,000 K/s. This process step yields so-called Nano on Nano Catalysts™, where nano clusters of precious metals atoms are condensed onto the nano sized oxide particles. In a second processing step these Nano on Nano Catalysts™ are dispersed in water. This step is followed by a third, and final processing step, where the Nano on Nano Catalysts™ are integrated onto the final support, i.e. the monoliths (or honeycombs), which ultimately are canned and located downstream of a vehicle’s engine. Catalysts manufactured under the above conditions are then tested against reference catalysts, both under fresh and aged conditions. Test results show that the plasma based catalysts have better light off temperatures after aging than the reference catalysts if they contain the same amount of precious metals as the reference catalyst. If the precious metal amount for the plasma based catalysts is reduced to approx. half the amount of the reference catalysts then both catalysts show approx. the same light off temperatures after aging. Above results show that with catalysts based on plasma technology one can either lower the light off temperatures while maintaining the precious metal content compared to reference catalysts, or match the performance of the reference catalysts while reducing the precious metal content to approx. 50%, compared to the reference catalysts.