Journal article

The state of nanoparticle-based nanoscience and biotechnology: Progress, promises, and challenges

B Pelaz, S Jaber, DJ De Aberasturi, V Wulf, T Aida, JM De La Fuente, J Feldmann, HE Gaub, L Josephson, CR Kagan, NA Kotov, LM Liz-Marzán, H Mattoussi, P Mulvaney, CB Murray, AL Rogach, PS Weiss, I Willner, WJ Parak

ACS Nano | Published : 2012

Abstract

Colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) have become versatile building blocks in a wide variety of fields. Here, we discuss the state-of-the-art, current hot topics, and future directions based on the following aspects: narrow size-distribution NPs can exhibit protein-like properties; monodispersity of NPs is not always required; assembled NPs can exhibit collective behavior; NPs can be assembled one by one; there is more to be connected with NPs; NPs can be designed to be smart; surface-modified NPs can directly reach the cytosols of living cells. © 2012 American Chemical Society.

University of Melbourne Researchers