Nanotechnologies in Medicine and Cosmetic Industry
Nanotechnology is the creation of functional materials, devices and systems. Nanotechnology makes use of minuscule objects – whose width can be 10,000 times narrower than a human hair – known as nanoparticles. A scientific and technical revolution has just begun based upon the ability to systematically organize and manipulate matter at nanoscale.
An atom has a diameter of about 0.1 nm. An atom’s nucleus is much smaller – about 0.00001 nm. Atoms are the building blocks for all matter in our universe. You and everything around you are made of atoms. Nature has perfected the science of manufacturing matter molecularly. For instance, our bodies are assembled in a specific manner from millions of living cells. Cells are nature’s nanomachines. At the atomic scale, elements are at their most basic level. On the nanoscale, we can potentially put these atoms together to make almost anything.
You might be surprised to find out how many products on the market are already benefiting from nanotechnology. Upwards of 600 products on store shelves today contain them, including transparent sunscreen, lipsticks, anti-aging creams etc.
- Many sunscreens contain nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Older sunscreen formulas use larger particles, which is what gives most sunscreens their whitish color. Smaller particles are less visible, meaning that when you rub the sunscreen into your skin, it doesn’t give you a whitish tinge.
- Nanoscale iron oxide powder is now being used as a base material for rouge and lipstick. A French manufacturer, for instance, is working on an experimental lipstick that looks transparent. The lipstick uses layers of nanoparticles to create the illusion that the lipstick changes colors when lighting changes, according to media and analyst reports.
- Anti-aging cream has microscopic nano particles that deliver the vital ingredients directly to where they are needed. The nano-sized emulsified particles in Speciale are just 40 nanometers, while the particles in a regular emulsified cream or lotion are about 5,000 nanometers. It allows the active ingredients to pass through a 50 nanometer cell space to work on the deeper layers of the skin.
For example, L’Oreal, the world’s largest cosmetics company is devoting most of its massive $650 million research budget to nanotechnology presumably because it’s “worth it”.
Nanoscale science and technology could have a continuing impact on biomedical areas such as therapeutics, diagnostic devices, and biocompatible materials for implants and prostheses.
Patients will drink fluids containing nanorobots programmed to attack and reconstruct the molecular structure of cancer cells and viruses.
Scientist Robert Burrell created a process to manufacture antibacterial bandages using nanoparticles of silver. Silver ions block microbes’ cellular respiration. In other words, silver smothers harmful cells, killing them.
There will continue to be opportunities for the use of nanomaterials in drug delivery systems.