Nanoshell
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A nanoshell is a 100 nanometer spherical shell of metal (often gold) surrounding a core of silicon dioxide atoms. Naomi Halas, a professor at Rice University, is the inventor of the nanoshell. Nanoshells have special optical properties with various promising applications; these applications are primarily being investigated at Rice University. Nanoshells are currently being investigated as:
- a treatment for cancer similar to chemotherapy but without the toxic side-effects [1]
- inexpensive, quick analysis of "samples as small as a single molecule" and builds on Raman spectroscopy [2]
Nanoshells featured in the fictional Alex Rider book Scorpia, where they were filled with cyanide to kill thousands.
See also
Links
- [1] Best nanotechnology discoveries of 2003 (http://nanotech-now.com/2003-Awards/Best-Discoveries-2003.htm)
- [2] Nanoshell Sensor Opens Door For New Methods To Examine Single Molecules (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/01/030110185639.htm)
- [3] PBS NOVA Q&A interview with Halas on nanoshells (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3209/03-ask.html)Template:Physics-stub