Recent Patents on Nanotechnology - Volume 8, Issue 2, 2014

Selected nanoparticles and nanocomposites on the basis of radioactive elements are reviewed. Isotopes of metallic gold, iodine and technetium salts, CeO2 and other lanthanide and actinide compounds, as well as several p- (P, C, F, Te) and d- (Fe, Co, Cu, Cd, Zn) elements form most common radioactive nanoparticles. Methods for their fabrication, including dopation with radionuclides and neutron/proton/deuteron activation, are discussed. These nanocomposites possess a series of useful applications, in particular in biology and medicine, including cancer therapeutics, drug delivery systems and radiotracers, as well as in the studies of several catalytic processes and materials structure.

The aim of this paper is to present current status and future prospects of nano-enabled tribological thin film coatings based on worldwide patent landscape analysis. The study also presents an overview of technological trends by carrying out state-of-the-art literature analysis, including survey of corporate websites. Nanostructured tribological coatings encompass a wide spectrum of nanoscale microstructures, including nanocrystalline, nanolayered, nano-multilayered, nanocomposite, nanogradient structures or their unique combinations, which are composed of single or multi-component phases. The distinct microstructural features of the coatings impart outstanding tribological properties combined with multifunctional attributes to the coated components. Their unique combination of remarkable properties make them ideal candidates for a wide range of applications in diverse fields such as cutting and metalworking tools, biomedical devices, automotive engine components, wear parts, hard disc drives etc. The patent landscape analysis has revealed that nano-enabled tribological thin film coatings have significant potential for commercial applications in view of the lion’s share of corporate industry in patenting activity. The largest patent portfolio is held by Japan followed by USA, Germany, Sweden and China. The prominent players involved in this field are Mitsubishi Materials Corp., Sandvik Aktiebolag, Hitachi Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd., OC Oerlikon Corp., and so on. The outstanding potential of nanostructured thin film tribological coatings is yet to be fully unravelled and, therefore, immense opportunities are available in future for microstructurally engineered novel coatings to enhance their performance and functionality by many folds.

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles hold much promise for applications in biomedical fields, such as targeted drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging, therapeutic agents and bioseparation. The core/shell architectures designed by combining magnetic nanoparticles core with silica shell make it possible for in vivo applications. The core/shell structures with different types will have different application prospects. This review provides a brief overview of recent progress in the synthesis and nanotheranostic applications of magnetic materials/silica core/shell nanoparticles with different configurations.

Polyelectrolyte complexes are getting more attention owing to their formation by the interaction of opposite charges with the help of electrostatic force. Polyelectrolyte complexation reduces the toxic effects of the cross-linking agents. Polyelectrolyte complexescan be classified on various bases. The current report highlights properties, factors affecting it and various technologies. In the present report we intend to discuss the applications of polyelectrolyte complexes such as biomedical, controlled delivery, medicine, and area which can cause controlled release in different aspects. Patents related to these inventions are added along with their pivotal roles.

Ternary vanadate one-dimensional nanomaterials exhibit great application potential in the fields of lithium ion batteries, photocatalysis and electrochemical sensors owing to their good electrochemical and photocatalytic properties. The article reviews the recent progress and patents on the vanadate one-dimensional nanomaterials. The synthesis of the vanadate nanorods, nanobelts and nanotubes by hydrothermal method, template method and room temperature wet chemical process is demonstrated. The application of the vanadate one-dimensional nanomaterials for lithium ion batteries, electrochemical sensors and photocatalysis is discussed. The possible development direction of the vanadate one-dimensional nanomaterials for the synthesis and application is also analyzed.