On the Use of Radiation Technology for Nanoscale Engineering of Silver/Hydrogel Based Nanocomposites for Potential Biomedical Application

摘要

For nanoscience to become true nanotechnology, there is a need for breakthroughs in the engineering science ofprocessing and manufacturing at the nanoscale. The radiation technology may offer a novel approaches to solving theproblems of placement, high throughput, as well as integration across multiple length scales. Furthermore, there arecritical needs for advanced materials in the area of biomaterial engineering, primarily in generating biomaterials ofenhanced specific functionalities, which can be achieved by introduction of proper functionalities at the nanoscaledimensions. The radiation techniques are uniquely suited for such task, due to their favorable characteristics and in mostcases not possible by other methods of synthesis. Therefore, we are systematically developing novel synthetic strategiesfor incorporation of noble metal nanoparticles in hydrogel networks by gamma irradiation, for possible biomedicalapplication, using liquid filled cavities in hydrogels as nanoreactors (template synthesis). The radiation process hasvarious advantages, such as easy process control, the possibility of joining synthesis and sterilization in one technologicalstep. The radiation technique does not require any extra substances, and does not need any further purification. On theother hand, in recent years nanoscale antibacterial materials, such as nanocrystalline silver, as novel antimicrobial specieshave been seen as promising candidates for application owing to their high surface to volume ratio and their novelphysical and chemical properties on the nanoscale level. Silver can be safely used even for patients who have diseases likeDiabetes Mellitus that interfere with wound healing. The recent emergence of nanotechnology has provided a newtherapeutic modality in silver nanoparticles for healing wounds.