Carbon Nanotubes For Biomedical Applications

This book explores the potential of multi-functional carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications. It combines contributions from chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and medicine. The complete overview of the state-of-the-art addresses different synthesis and biofunctionalisation routes and shows the structural and magnetic properties of nanotubes relevant to biomedical applications. Particular emphasis is put on the interaction of carbon nanotubes with biological environments, i.e. toxicity, biocompatibility, cellular uptake, intracellular distribution, interaction with the immune system and environmental impact. The insertion of NMR-active substances allows diagnostic usage as markers and sensors, e.g. for imaging and contactless local temperature sensing. The potential of nanotubes for therapeutic applications is highlighted by studies on chemotherapeutic drug filling and release, targeting and magnetic hyperthermia studies for anti-cancer treatment at the cellular level.

Recent advancements and research in nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials engineering the applications of nanomaterial are evolving. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and CNT-based systems possess unique chemical, physical, and biological properties that make them good candidates in biomedical applications, but they also have some inherent properties that cause great concern about their biosafety. This volume explores the practical applications of carbon nanotubes in biomedical science and human health. It discusses the synthesis, properties, modification, and recent progress of carbon nanotubes and their applications for biosensing, cancer treatment, antibacterial therapy, tissue engineering, targeted drug delivery, and toxicity. It relays the potential and promise of carbon-based nanomaterials for host of applications while also looking at the challenges in synthesis, characterization, and applications of nanomaterials and how to overcome them.

FUNCTIONALIZED CARBON NANOTUBES FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS The book highlights established research and technology on current and emerging trends and biomedical applications of functionalized carbon nanotubes by providing academic researchers and scientists in industry, as well as high-tech start-ups, with knowledge of the modern practices that will revolutionize using functionalized carbon nanotubes. Nanotechnology suggests fascinating opportunities for a variety of applications in biomedical fields, including bioimaging and targeted delivery of biomacromolecules into cells. Numerous strategies have been recommended to functionalize carbon nanotubes with raised solubility for efficient use in biomedical applications. Functionalized carbon nanotubes have unique arrangements and extravagant mechanical, thermal, magnetic, optical, electrical, surface, and chemical properties, and the combination of these features gives them widespread biomedical applications. Functionalized carbon nanotubes are relatively flexible and interact with the cell membranes and penetrate different biological tissues owing to a “snaking” effect, therefore both the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of functionalized carbon nanotubes have gathered much attention in recent times. This book covers a broad range of topics relating to carbon nanotubes, from synthesis and functionalization to applications in advanced biomedical devices and systems. As they possess unique and attractive physical, chemical, optical, and even magnetic properties for various applications, considerable effort has been made to employ functionalized carbon nanotubes as new materials for the development of novel biomedical tools, such as diagnostic sensors, imaging agents, and drug/gene delivery systems for both diagnostics and clinical treatment. Audience The book is intended for a very broad audience of researchers and scientists working in the fields of nanomaterials, nanomedicine, bioinspired nanomaterials, nanotechnology, and biomedical application of nanomaterials.

Carbon nanotubes belong to new nanomaterials and have been known for almost 20 years, but their history is somewhat lengthier. They have been identified as promising candidates for various applications.High-temperature preparation techniques are conventional techniques for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes using arc discharge or laser ablation, but today these methods are being replaced by low-temperature vapor deposition techniques, since orientation, alignment, nanotube length, diameter, purity, and density of carbon nanotubes can be precisely controlled. The synthesis of carbon nanotubes by chemical vapor deposition on catalyst arrays leads to nanotube models grown from specific sites on surfaces. The controlled synthesis of nanotubes opens up interesting possibilities in nanoscience and nanotechnologies, including electrical, mechanical and electromechanical properties and devices, chemical functionalization, surface chemistry and photochemistry, molecular sensors, and interfacing with moderate biological systems.Carbon nanotubes are used in many applications due to their unique electrical, mechanical, optical, thermal, and other properties. Conductive and high-strength composite materials, energy saving and energy conversion devices, sensors, visualization of field emissions and sources of radiation, means for storing hydrogen, and nanoscale semiconductor devices, probes, and interconnections are some of the many applications of carbon nanotubes.

This book represents a critical evaluation of the most recent discoveries about carbon nanotubes and includes a cautious description of their impact on personal health and environmental pollution. It also offers an overview of the main research groups around the world which have been focusing their efforts on the exploitation of this intriguing material, with the purpose of inspiring young scientists to follow their pathway.

This book explores the potential of multi-functional carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications. It combines contributions from chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and medicine. The complete overview of the state-of-the-art addresses different synthesis and biofunctionalisation routes and shows the structural and magnetic properties of nanotubes relevant to biomedical applications. Particular emphasis is put on the interaction of carbon nanotubes with biological environments, i.e. toxicity, biocompatibility, cellular uptake, intracellular distribution, interaction with the immune system and environmental impact. The insertion of NMR-active substances allows diagnostic usage as markers and sensors, e.g. for imaging and contactless local temperature sensing. The potential of nanotubes for therapeutic applications is highlighted by studies on chemotherapeutic drug filling and release, targeting and magnetic hyperthermia studies for anti-cancer treatment at the cellular level.

Industrial Applications of Carbon Nanotubes covers the current applications of carbon nanotubes in various industry sectors, from the military to visual display products, and energy harvesting and storage. It also assesses the opportunities and challenges for increased commercialization and manufacturing of carbon nanotubes in the years ahead. Real-life case studies illustrate how carbon nanotubes are used in each industry sector covered, providing a valuable resource for scientists and engineers who are involved and/or interested in carbon nanotubes in both academia and industry. The book serves as a comprehensive guide to the varied uses of carbon nanotubes for specialists in many related fields, including chemistry, physics, biology, and textiles. Explains how carbon nanotubes can be used to improve the efficiency and performance of industrial products Includes real-life case studies to illustrate how carbon nanotubes have been successfully employed Explores how carbon nanotubes could be mass-manufactured in the future, and outlines the challenges that need to be overcome

Since their discovery more than a decade ago, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have held scientists and engineers in captive fascination, seated on the verge of enormous breakthroughs in areas such as medicine, electronics, and materials science, to name but a few. Taking a broad look at CNTs and the tools used to study them, Carbon Nanotubes: Properties and Applications comprises the efforts of leading nanotube researchers led by Michael O’Connell, protégé of the late father of nanotechnology, Richard Smalley. Each chapter is a self-contained treatise on various aspects of CNT synthesis, characterization, modification, and applications. The book opens with a general introduction to the basic characteristics and the history of CNTs, followed by discussions on synthesis methods and the growth of “peapod” structures. Coverage then moves to electronic properties and band structures of single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs), magnetic properties, Raman spectroscopy of electronic and chemical behavior, and electromechanical properties and applications in NEMS (nanoelectromechanical systems). Turning to applications, the final sections of the book explore mechanical properties of SWNTs spun into fibers, sidewall functionalization in composites, and using SWNTs as tips for scanning probe microscopes. Taking a fresh look at this burgeoning field, Carbon Nanotubes: Properties and Applications points the way toward making CNTs commercially viable.