Latest news with #nanotechnology
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Carbon Dot Technology opens up endless potential for agriculture — Ahmad Ibrahim
JUNE 28 — Agriculture, though taking a back seat to manufacturing, remains a significant contributor to the economy. Agriculture contributes more than just food for the world. Much of the world's demand for raw materials look to agriculture for supply. In Malaysia, natural rubber has been the key raw material for tyres. As the world continues embracing netzero to mitigate climate change, renewable materials from agriculture are preferred. The oil palm, now dominating the global supply of edible oil, is increasingly supplying the world with renewable oleochemicals. Much of the petrochemical-based detergents have been replaced by the more environmentally-friendly oleochemicals. Now attention is also paid to the economic potential of oil palm biomass. Though renewable in nature, agriculture is not spared from a share of the environmental challenges. The overuse of chemical fertilisers is one concern. The other relates to the handling of wastes from agriculture. New technologies in agriculture are evolving. Precision agriculture is one. Nanotechnology has stirred up much interest thanks to its potential to ramp up agricultural productivity. Interest in carbon dot technology, for example, has created new possibilities. Carbon dots (CDs) are a class of carbon-based nanoparticles, typically less than 10 nanometers in size, known for their fluorescent properties, biocompatibility, and eco-friendly nature. They are sometimes referred to as carbon quantum dots due to their quantum-scale effects. Carbon dots have some key features. Fluorescence is one. CDs can absorb light and emit it in different colours. This property makes them valuable in imaging, sensing, and optoelectronics. Their biocompatibility renders CDs non-toxic and safe for biological systems, unlike many traditional nanoparticles. Next is what is termed as surface functionalisation. Their surface can be easily modified with various chemical groups, allowing them to carry other molecules like drugs, nutrients, or pesticides. CDs can be synthesised from organic waste materials such as fruit peels, agricultural byproducts (e.g., oil palm biomass), and sugars, making the process sustainable and cost-effective. They can be synthesised through top-down and bottom-up methods. Top-down involves breaking down larger carbon structures (e.g., graphite, carbon soot). Whilst bottom-up involves carbonising small organic molecules or biomass under heat or pressure. These methods produce tiny, highly stable carbon nanoparticles with useful optical and chemical properties. Apart from agriculture, CDs are also being explored in biomedical imaging and drug delivery, environmental sensors, photocatalysis and energy (e.g., solar cells), and even LEDs and display technologies. The oil palm, now dominating the global supply of edible oil, is increasingly supplying the world with renewable oleochemicals. — AFP pic It is a cutting-edge nanotechnology focused on producing ultra-small, fluorescent, carbon-based nanoparticles that are safe, sustainable, and versatile. Its applications are vast, ranging from precision agriculture to advanced healthcare and it's especially promising in creating green solutions for a more sustainable future. Carbon dot technology is an exciting frontier in nanotechnology, and its potential in agriculture is gaining increasing attention. Studies have shown that carbon dots can stimulate plant growth by promoting photosynthesis and nutrient uptake. CDs can act as light converters, absorbing UV and blue light and re-emitting it in red regions—optimal for photosynthesis. CDs may also facilitate more efficient transport and assimilation of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. The impact is seen in improved biomass, chlorophyll content, and overall plant productivity. CDs can serve as carriers for the controlled release of nutrients or micronutrients. Their high surface area and functional groups enable binding to fertilizers or growth regulators. Benefits include reduced fertilizer loss through leaching or volatilization. Also site-specific and time-controlled nutrient release. CDs can be functionalised with antimicrobial agents or pesticides for targeted delivery. The intrinsic antimicrobial activity of some CDs can help combat bacterial or fungal pathogens. The positive outcome includes reduced chemical usage and lower environmental toxicity. Not to mention potential resistance management due to targeted action. Use in soil health monitoring and remediation has been shown. CDs exhibit strong fluorescence, making them suitable for real-time monitoring of soil pH, moisture, or heavy metal contamination. On remediation CDs can help in adsorbing or breaking down pollutants in soil. CDs can be synthesised from agricultural waste (e.g., coconut husk, rice husk, or palm biomass), supporting circular economy principles. Their use can help reduce dependence on synthetic agrochemicals. There are challenges. Future directions are shaped by toxicological studies where long-term environmental and ecological effects are still under-researched. Their economical large-scale synthesis and integration into farming systems need optimisation. Regulatory frameworks which involve guidelines for nanomaterials in agriculture are still developing in many countries. Carbon dot technology undoubtedly offers a promising, eco-friendly, and multifunctional platform to revolutionise modern agriculture, from improving crop productivity to enabling precision farming and sustainability. As research progresses, it could become a key enabler in smart and sustainable agri-tech solutions. Good to know that Malaysia is actively funding research in carbon dots. *Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and is an associate fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. He can be reached at [email protected]. **This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Arab News
a day ago
- Science
- Arab News
KAIN welcomes 60 students as part of Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program
RIYADH: The King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, established by King Saud University, will welcome 60 'gifted students' on Sunday as part of the Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program, a four-week initiative aimed at developing scientific skills and research experience among Saudi youth, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Run in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), the program 'harnesses the potential of gifted students, offering them hands-on experience in laboratories and production facilities, while introducing them to the fundamentals and ethics of scientific research under the supervision of specialized researchers,' the SPA wrote. Hamad Abdulaziz Albrithen, general supervisor of KAIN, explained that the institute's overarching goal is 'to serve the community by transferring knowledge to younger generations through the use of advanced laboratory equipment and the expertise of distinguished researchers from diverse scientific disciplines.' Ahmed bin Abdulkarim Al-Saleh, head of the Mawhiba program at KSU for 2025, highlighted the importance of such programs in providing exceptional students with the opportunity to conduct scientific research at KSU's top-tier research chairs and centers. Al-Saleh also noted that the program offers 'a wide range of skill-building activities, including Python programming, AI and its scientific applications, as well as enrichment trips to research centers beyond the university campus.'
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Precision in a shot: transforming gold nanocubes into diagnostic-grade spheres
GA, UNITED STATES, June 16, 2025 / / -- Gold nanospheres play a pivotal role in point-of-care diagnostics, but manufacturing them at scale with uniform size and shape has long posed a technical hurdle. A new study reports a simplified one-shot synthesis technique that overcomes this challenge by transforming gold nanocubes into consistently sized 35 nm nanospheres through heat-induced surface reactions. This approach bypasses the need for slow, dropwise precursor addition—long considered necessary for precision—using instead a high-temperature incubation process that triggers bromide ion desorption, oxidative etching, and atom migration. The result is a reproducible, scalable method that delivers high-quality nanospheres ideally suited for biomedical applications such as rapid pathogen detection. Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs), best known for their use in home COVID-19 tests, rely heavily on the optical properties of gold nanoparticles to produce fast, visible results. However, traditional synthesis methods often yield particles with inconsistent morphology, compromising test accuracy. Uniform gold nanospheres larger than 30 nm are particularly desirable, as their sharp optical signals and large surface areas enhance both sensitivity and binding efficiency. But achieving this uniformity typically requires time-consuming dropwise chemical dosing, which complicates scale-up. Because of these limitations, there is a pressing need for a more efficient, controllable synthesis route to produce diagnostic-grade nanospheres at industrial scale. In a study published March 29, 2025, in Precision Chemistry, researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology introduced a novel one-shot precursor injection method to synthesize uniform 35 nm gold nanospheres—eliminating the traditional need for stepwise precursor addition. By leveraging elevated temperature and bromide ion chemistry, the team achieved a cube-to-sphere transformation process that yields particles with exceptional uniformity. The synthesized nanospheres rival or surpass those produced by slower, less scalable techniques, signaling a major step forward in nanomaterial manufacturing for next-generation diagnostic tools. The synthesis strategy unfolds in three stages. First, small 10 nm gold spheres are formed via rapid one-shot precursor injection. These serve as seeds, which are then grown into 30 nm nanocubes using a single-step method involving potassium bromide to selectively cap certain crystal facets and control growth. In the final stage, the nanocubes undergo thermal incubation in a CTAC solution at 97°C. This triggers bromide desorption from the surface, setting off a dual mechanism of oxidative etching and surface atom migration, which reshapes the cubes into highly uniform spheres. Spectroscopic data confirmed a gradual blue-shift and narrowing of the plasmon resonance peak, signaling a successful transition to the desired spherical morphology. Comparative tests showed that these spheres exhibit better or equal uniformity, optical clarity, and colloidal stability than those produced by dropwise techniques. Moreover, the compatibility of this approach with continuous-flow systems highlights its potential for commercial-scale production without compromising quality or consistency. This research was to streamline gold nanosphere synthesis while maintaining top-tier quality. And results show by unlocking the role of bromide in the shape transformation process, it was able to design a method that's not only scientifically elegant but also commercially practical. This one-shot approach connects fundamental nanochemistry with scalable engineering, making it possible to manufacture high-performance nanoparticles that meet real-world diagnostic needs. The ability to mass-produce uniform gold nanospheres has wide-ranging implications, especially for medical diagnostics where speed, accuracy, and scalability are essential. These particles can be tailored with biomolecular coatings to detect specific pathogens with high precision, making them valuable in outbreak scenarios or remote healthcare settings. Beyond diagnostics, the method could also benefit fields like drug delivery, biosensing, and photothermal cancer therapy, where particle consistency directly influences effectiveness. As the demand for precision nanomaterials accelerates, this breakthrough offers a scalable, reproducible path to meet the growing needs of next-generation biomedical technologies. References DOI 10.1021/prechem.4c00105 Original Source URL Funding information This work was supported in part by a sponsored project from the Gemina Laboratories for the synthesis, a research grant from the NSF (CHE-2002653) for the SERS measurements, and start-up funds from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Lucy Wang BioDesign Research email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists create world's tiniest violin —and it's only visible with a microscope
British physicists claim they've created the 'world's smallest violin' — and, by the looks of it, they could take a bow for their masterpiece invention. The brainy bunch at Loughborough University used nanotechnology to build the teeny instrument, which is no bigger than a speck of dust and can only be seen with a microscope. Made of platinum, the mini-instrument measures 35 microns, one-millionth of a meter long, and 13 microns wide. Loughborough explained on its website that it's tiny enough to fit within the width of a human's hair. The scientists created the violin, which is just a microscopic image and isn't playable, as a test of the school's new nanolithography system, which allows them to build and study structures at the nanoscale. The project references the expression 'Can you hear the world's smallest violin playing just for you?' which pokes fun at people being overly dramatic. 'Though creating the world's smallest violin may seem like fun and games, a lot of what we've learned in the process has actually laid the groundwork for the research we're now undertaking,' Kelly Morrison, professor of experimental physics at the university, said on its website. 'Our nanolithography system allows us to design experiments that probe materials in different ways – using light, magnetism, or electricity – and observe their responses. Once we understand how materials behave, we can start applying that knowledge to develop new technologies.' The violin was made by a NanoFrazor, a nano-sculpting machine that uses a technique where a heated, needle-like tip writes patterns. First, a chip was coated with a gel-like material and then placed under the machine, effectively burning the violin pattern into the surface. After the pattern was etched, the underlayer of the gel dissolved, and a violin-shaped hole remained. A thin layer of platinum was then inserted into the chip, which was then rinsed with acetone to remove any remaining particles. The prototype took three hours to create. However, the team's final version took several months. 'Depending on how you engage with technology, there are people who are always looking to have something that runs faster, better, more efficient,' Morrison said in a YouTube video. 'That requires … finding a way to scale down.'
Malay Mail
12-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
DRT-Sand: The First Step of Civilization in the Desert, Powered by Nanotechnology
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 June 2025 - As the construction industry faces material shortages and climate-driven infrastructure needs, an unexpected resource is gaining importance: desert and sea sand. Once considered unsuitable, this abundant material is now reimagined through advanced technology as a high-performance input with transformative response to this opportunity, Thailand's Doctor T Company Limited—a recognized leader in nanotechnology innovation across multiple industries—has announced a strategic expansion into advanced construction materials. The company's latest breakthrough,, is engineered for new growth opportunities across dry-sand regions worldwide, where harsh environmental conditions and infrastructure needs intersect. Designed for flexibility, DRT-Sand also works with ocean sand, expanding its relevance in coastal and dry a global shortage of high-quality river sand and rising construction demand,introduces a proprietary nanofilm-coated desert sand substrate. This breakthrough transforms previously unusable sand into a water-resistant, dust-proof, and weather-tolerant material ideal for cement mixes or use with alternative binders. It addresses the escalating "sand crisis" while aligning with Doctor T's commitment to a platform for scalable, sustainable infrastructure in desert regions. It enables the construction of roads, pathways, blocks, and water basins—without the environmental cost of river sand extraction or the logistical burden of imported cement. It can also be made into sand-colored paint for harsh environments. By leveraging local resources,reduces construction costs and opens pathways for desert economies to emerge as global suppliers of high-value building T is launching projects across MENA with local partners to demonstrate performance in water management, rural connectivity, and low-carbon civil our vision to turn overlooked resources into strategic assets," said Jirawatcharakorn, CEO of Doctor T. "We're proud to lead with sustainable solutions that meet real-world needs."For investors, this initiative blends ESG value with material innovation, creating a new revenue stream alongside Doctor T's TPoxy and synthetic-wood (VoidWood) segments, which generate over 85% of revenue. Doctor T targets pilot deployments in late 2025, rollout in 2026, and global scaling by 2027– T invites strategic investors, distributors, and partners to support deployment and commercialization. Interested parties should contact Doctor T to explore partnership opportunities and help shape the future of sustainable more: Hashtag: #DRTSand The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
