#Nanotechnology news

[reasonsforhope]

"When bloodstream infections set in, fast treatment is crucial — but it can take several days to identify the bacteria responsible. A new, rapid-diagnosis sepsis test could cut down on the wait, reducing testing time from as much as a few days to about 13 hours by cutting out a lengthy blood culturing step, researchers report July 24 [2024] in Nature.

“They are pushing the limits of rapid diagnostics for bloodstream infections,” says Pak Kin Wong, a biomedical engineer at Penn State who was not involved in the research. “They are driving toward a direction that will dramatically improve the clinical management of bloodstream infections and sepsis.”

Sepsis — an immune system overreaction to an infection — is a life-threatening condition that strikes nearly 2 million people per year in the United States, killing more than 250,000 (SN: 5/18/08). The condition can also progress to septic shock, a steep drop in blood pressure that damages the kidneys, lungs, liver and other organs. It can be caused by a broad range of different bacteria, making species identification key for personalized treatment of each patient.

In conventional sepsis testing, the blood collected from the patient must first go through a daylong blood culturing step to grow more bacteria for detection. The sample then goes through a second culture for purification before undergoing testing to find the best treatment. During the two to three days required for testing, patients are placed on broad-spectrum antibiotics — a blunt tool designed to stave off a mystery infection that’s better treated by targeted antibiotics after figuring out the specific bacteria causing the infection.

Nanoengineer Tae Hyun Kim and colleagues found a way around the initial 24-hour blood culture.

The workaround starts by injecting a blood sample with nanoparticles decorated with a peptide designed to bind to a wide range of blood-borne pathogens. Magnets then pull out the nanoparticles, and the bound pathogens come with them. Those bacteria are sent directly to the pure culture. Thanks to this binding and sorting process, the bacteria can grow faster without extraneous components in the sample, like blood cells and the previously given broad-spectrum antibiotics, says Kim, of Seoul National University in South Korea.

Cutting out the initial blood culturing step also relies on a new imaging algorithm, Kim says. To test bacteria’s susceptibility to antibiotics, both are placed in the same environment, and scientists observe if and how the antibiotics stunt the bacteria’s growth or kill them. The team’s image detection algorithm can detect subtler changes than the human eye can. So it can identify the species and antibiotic susceptibility with far fewer bacteria cells than the conventional method, thereby reducing the need for long culture times to produce larger colonies.

Though the new method shows promise, Wong says, any new test carries a risk of false negatives, missing bacteria that are actually present in the bloodstream. That in turn can lead to not treating an active infection, and “undertreatment of bloodstream infection can be fatal,” he says. “While the classical blood culture technique is extremely slow, it is very effective in avoiding false negatives.”

Following their laboratory-based experiments, Kim and colleagues tested their new method clinically, running it in parallel with conventional sepsis testing on 190 hospital patients with suspected infections. The testing obtained a 100 percent match on correct bacterial species identification, the team reports. Though more clinical tests are needed, these accuracy results are encouraging so far, Kim says.

The team is continuing to refine their design in hopes of developing a fully automated sepsis blood test that can quickly produce results, even when hospital laboratories are closed overnight. “We really wanted to commercialize this and really make it happen so that we could make impacts to the patients,” Kim says."

-via Science News, July 24, 2024

[cbirt]

Scientists present a modular bond-centric strategy for designing protein nanomaterials that are motivated by the wide range of chemical configurations that may be produced from a limited number of atomic valencies and bonding interactions. Through the application of basic geometric concepts, researchers from the University of Washington create protein building blocks with regular coordination geometries and bonding interactions that facilitate the assembly of a broad range of closed and opened nanomaterials. 

Electron microscopy data closely matches the appropriate design models, and experimental characterization verifies the successful production of over twenty multi-component polyhedral protein cages, 2D arrays, and 3D protein lattices, with a high success rate of 10–50%. Due to its modular design, individual building blocks can be assembled with various partners to create unique regular assemblies. This leads to a reduction in the number of parts needed and makes it possible to develop reconfigurable systems.

Continue Reading

[thenotsolittlemisspeculiar]

WHO says mpox outbreak in Africa is international public health emergency

(Source).

[simcardiac-arrested]

AND IT’S FROM JAPAN?

[themilkcrate]

New Thing :D

New colored film (inspired by butterfly wings) could revolutionize cooling technology.

[kingdrawcse]

Space Elevator and NanoTechnology in The Three-Body Problem

👩‍🚀💙👨‍🔬

Nanotechnology is a highly cross-cutting and comprehensive discipline, which covers a wide range of modern science and technology including nanophysics and nanochemistry. If you have seen the movie Wandering Earth 2, you might be shocked by the "space elevator"! Actually, it is a frequent guest in the best sci-fi novel of the century, Liu Cixin 's The Three-Body Problem works. The nano-abrasive wear mechanism of Wang Miao's research is the basis for producing the space elevator!

The concept of Nanotech is also popular in chemistry. American chemist James Tour designed and synthesized NanoPutians in 2003 for use in chemistry education for young students. NanoPutian is a portmanteau of nanometer and Lilliputian, which is a series of organic molecules with a structure similar to that of the human body.

[newsbuck]

Latest Technology News and AI Innovations Today – Newsbuck

Stay at the forefront of technological advancements and AI innovations with Newsbuck's latest coverage of the dynamic world of technology. Our dedicated team brings you the most up-to-date news, trends, and breakthroughs in the tech industry.

[mastergarryblogs]

Get Sample Report Copy From Here: https://www.acumenresearchandconsulti... The Global Biomimetic Materials Market, valued at USD 41.8 billion in 2023, is projected to reach USD 72.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2024 to 2032. Biomimetic materials, inspired by natural systems and biological processes, are designed to mimic the properties and functions of natural materials. These materials are revolutionizing industries such as healthcare, construction, automotive, and aerospace due to their superior properties, including high strength, lightweight nature, self-healing capabilities, and enhanced durability. Related Reports: https://www.acumenresearchandconsulti... https://www.acumenresearchandconsulti... https://www.acumenresearchandconsulti... https://www.acumenresearchandconsulti...

[mariafiliat8]

Nano Defense Pro: Revolutionizing Skincare and Nail Care with Nanotechnology

It seems like you're referring to "Nano Defense Pro" in relation to skincare and nail care, possibly highlighting its innovative use of nanotechnology. If you're looking for an introduction or description, here's a refined version:---Nano Defense Pro: Revolutionizing Skincare and Nail Care with NanotechnologyNano Defense Pro is at the forefront of innovation, utilizing advanced nanotechnology to transform the skincare and nail care industries. With its unique formulations, Nano Defense ensures deeper penetration and more effective delivery of active ingredients, resulting in superior protection and rejuvenation. This cutting-edge approach provides users with enhanced results, promoting healthier, stronger nails and radiant skin

[reasonsforhope]

"A team at Northwestern University has come up with the term “dancing molecules” to describe an invention of synthetic nanofibers which they say have the potential to quicken the regeneration of cartilage damage beyond what our body is capable of.

The moniker was coined back in November 2021, when the same team introduced an injection of these molecules to repair tissues and reverse paralysis after severe spinal cord injuries in mice.

Now they’ve applied the same therapeutic strategy to damaged human cartilage cells. In a new study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the treatment activated the gene expression necessary to regenerate cartilage within just four hours.

And, after only three days, the human cells produced protein components needed for cartilage regeneration, something humans can’t do in adulthood.

The conceptual mechanisms of the dancing molecules work through cellular receptors located on the exterior of the cell membrane. These receptors are the gateways for thousands of compounds that run a myriad of processes in biology, but they exist in dense crowds constantly moving about on the cell membrane.

The dancing molecules quickly form synthetic nanofibers that move according to their chemical structure. They mimic the extracellular matrix of the surrounding tissue, and by ‘dancing’ these fibers can keep up with the movement of the cell receptors. By adding biological signaling receptors, the whole assemblage can functionally move and communicate with cells like natural biology.

“Cellular receptors constantly move around,” said Northwestern Professor of Materials Sciences Samuel Stupp, who led the study. “By making our molecules move, ‘dance’ or even leap temporarily out of these structures, known as supramolecular polymers, they are able to connect more effectively with receptors.”

The target of their work is the nearly 530 million people around the globe living with osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease in which tissues in joints break down over time, resulting in one of the most common forms of morbidity and disability.

“Current treatments aim to slow disease progression or postpone inevitable joint replacement,” Stupp said. “There are no regenerative options because humans do not have an inherent capacity to regenerate cartilage in adulthood.”

In the new study, Stupp and his team looked to the receptors for a specific protein critical for cartilage formation and maintenance. To target this receptor, the team developed a new circular peptide that mimics the bioactive signal of the protein, which is called transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFb-1).

Northwestern U. Press then reported that the researchers incorporated this peptide into two different molecules that interact to form supramolecular polymers in water, each with the same ability to mimic TGFb-1...

“With the success of the study in human cartilage cells, we predict that cartilage regeneration will be greatly enhanced when used in highly translational pre-clinical models,” Stupp said. “It should develop into a novel bioactive material for regeneration of cartilage tissue in joints.”

“We are beginning to see the tremendous breadth of conditions that this fundamental discovery on ‘dancing molecules’ could apply to,” Stupp said. “Controlling supramolecular motion through chemical design appears to be a powerful tool to increase efficacy for a range of regenerative therapies.”"

-via Good News Network, August 5, 2024

[theleadersglobe]

Nanotechnology in Medicine: Tiny Innovations with Big Impacts on Healthcare

What Is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is manipulating the atomic or molecular level of matter to create or alter devices and products. It is a field whose potential is growing and becoming transformative to various sectors such as health, electronics, cosmetics, sports equipment, and textiles. Nanomaterials have unique physical and chemical features, leading to increased reactivity, strength, and conductivity, driving advancements in this field.

Nanotechnology in Healthcare

Transformative Potential:

Nanotechnology has enormous potential for healthcare since it operates on the nanoscale, which is the same as cellular processes. Nanotechnology significantly impacts the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.

Read More:(https://theleadersglobe.com/life-interest/health/nanotechnology-in-medicine-tiny-innovations-with-big-impacts-on-healthcare/)

[displaycia]

Are you interested in the latest trends, applications, challenges, and advancements in biosensors? Join the Global Webinar on Biosensors, where researchers, scientists, doctors, practitioners, students, and industry professionals will come together to discuss the fundamentals of biosensors, the role of nanotechnology, various types of biosensors, and their applications in fields such as medical and healthcare, drug discovery, environmental monitoring, food industry, and more. Displaycia webinar will also cover topics such as wearable and implantable biosensors, immunosensors, MEMS-based biosensors, nucleic acid-based biosensors, enzyme-based biosensors, and 3D printing technologies in biosensor production. Don't miss this opportunity to acquire vital insights into this quickly growing industry and explore the newest technologies and trends that are driving growth and innovation. Register now and be part of this dynamic platform for cross-sectoral collaboration!

Learn more about us or feel free to contact us at info@displaycia.com for additional details.

[martival000]

I love Shuri, but no one in the MCU is smarter than Tony.

[fadi123]

sand battery

What Is a ‘Sand Battery’ 2023?

A “sand battery” is a high temperature thermal energy storage that uses sand or sand-like materials as its storage medium. It stores energy in sand as heat. 

Its main purpose is to work as a high-power and high-capacity reservoir for excess wind and solar energy. The energy is stored as heat, which can be used to heat homes, or to provide hot steam and high temperature process heat to industries that are often fossil-fuel dependent.

As the world shifts towards higher and higher renewables fraction in electricity production, the intermittent nature of these energy sources cause challenges to energy networks. The sand battery helps to ambitiously upscale renewables production by ensuring there’s always a way to benefit from clean energy, even if the surplus is massive.

The first commercial sand battery in the world is in a town called Kankaanpää, Western Finland. It is connected to a district heating network and heating residential and commercial buildings such as family homes and the municipal swimming pool. The district heating network is operated by an energy utility called Vatajankoski.

The term “sand battery” was introduced to grand audience by a BBC News story published the 5th of July 2022. The story was written by BBC News’ Environmental Correspondent Matt McGrath.

Read the story: BBC News: Climate change: 'Sand battery' could solve green energy's big problem

Watch the video: BBC News: How the world's first sand battery stores green power

UPDATE: We’ve been getting a lot of attention after our sand battery went viral. Due to a massive amount of requests and messages, our reply times can be very long. We appreciate your patience. Thank you! Please also note that we don’t have products for individual homes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of your heat storage?

It is an insulated silo made of steel housing, filled with sand and heat transfer pipes. Additionally, equipment outside the storage is required, such as automation components, valves, a fan, and a heat exchanger or a steam generator.

How do you heat the sand?

With electricity from the grid or from local production, in both cases from fluctuating sources such as wind and solar. We charge it when clean and cheap electricity is available. The electrical energy is transferred to the heat storage using a closed loop air-pipe arrangement. Air is heated up using electrical resistors and circulated in the heat transfer piping.

How hot is the sand?

The maximum temperature in the Kankaanpää heat storage is about 600 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature may even be higher depending on customer needs. In practice, the maximum temperature of a sand-based heat storage is not limited by the properties of the storage medium, but by the heat resistance of the materials used in the construction and control of the storage.

How do you get heat out of the heat storage?

The heat storage is unloaded by blowing cool air through the pipes. It heats up as it passes through the storage, and it can be used for example to convert water into process steam or to heat district heating water in an air-to-water heat exchanger.

Why do you use sand?

Many solid materials, such as sand, can be heated to temperatures well above the boiling point of water. Sand-based heat storages can store several times the amount of energy that can be stored in a water tank of a similar size; this is thanks to the large temperature range allowed by the sand. So, it saves space and it allows versatile use in many industrial applications.

What kind of a sand you are using?

The heat storage is not very sensitive to sand grain size. We prefer high density, low-cost materials that are not from scarce sources. Someone else’s dirt could be our heat storage medium. We prefer to use materials that are not suitable for construction industry.

Does it matter what the grain size of the sand is?

Not much, we prefer to use those grain sizes that are not suitable for construction industry.

How is the heat storage insulated?

The heat storage is made of steel and insulated with standard, heat resistant insulating materials. The insulation is all around the heat storage between the outer steel layer and the inner one.

How long does the sand stay hot in the winter?

It can stay hot for months if needed, but the actual use case of the heat storage in Kankaanpää is to charge it in about 2-week cycles. The heat storage has its best range of use when it is charged and discharged 20 to 200 times per year, depending on the application.

Is the outer surface of the heat storage hot?

The surface of the storage is not hot, because the heat stays inside the storage—where it should be.

Can it store electricity?

Not as such, as it stores energy in the form of heat. The heat can be converted back to electricity using turbines like the ORC-turbine or a steam turbine. This requires additional investments to the turbine technology, and the conversion to electricity has inherent losses, thus complicating the economical side.

Is this a new technology?

Well, yes and no. The idea of heating sand to store energy is not new. Our way of doing things and commercializing it in large scale applications is.