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Thursday, 27th April 2006 (6298 views)

US researchers have found that gold melts at lower incident laser intensities when gold nanoparticles are embedded in it.

The team used a near-field scanning optical microscope to examine the -20 degree Celsius ice sample, parts of which contained 50nm diameter gold nanoparticles.

It was found that a 532nm laser at 50mW could not melt the ice containing no particles, but with a single nanoparticle it was possible to melt the ice with a power of 4mW.

Hugh Richardson, part of the research team from Ohio University, said: "The amount of heat generated from gold nanoparticles depends upon the number, geometry and density of the particles."

The scientists believe that the most obvious use for the technology would be in the field of nanomedicine.

They believe that the nanoparticles could be used to bind with target membrane in the body, where they could be excited with light, producing heat and causing a change in the membrane that is desirable.

 

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