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Monday, 21st August 2006 (5759 views)

Scientists at IT firm Hewlett-Packard and the University of California have discovered a simple method of manufacturing arrays of nanoparticles very quickly, Technology Review reports.

Researchers including Regina Ragan of the University of California coated nanowires with platinum and found that, following exposure to plasma, tightly-spaced platinum nanoparticles were created. The method used could be carried out quickly and cheaply, she said.

She added that the method could be adapted to create gold nanoparticles as well, using Raman spectroscopy – whereby molecules scatter light and certain chemicals can be identified.

This new technique of fabrication could be used in the detection of explosives in war zones or at airports – including liquid explosives, which are notoriously difficult to identify.

Northwestern University's Chad Western believes that the technology could have wider uses too.

The technique is "a clever way of arranging particles on a surface," he said. "And the ability to do that can impact many areas, ranging from catalysis to optics and electronics."

Gold nanoparticles have also been used in various emerging cancer therapies.

 

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