Description:
Reference #: 01023
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for this novel method of synthesizing iron oxide/silica core-shell magnetic nanoparticles.
Invention Description:
This invention is a new method to synthesize iron oxide/silica core-shell magnetic nanoparticles with a high saturation magnetization and controllable size under mild operation conditions, which is extremely significant for scale-up fabrications for industry uses. The traditional methods to prepare the iron oxide/silica shell magnetic nanoparticles cannot generate high magnetization nanoparticles, or need harsh condition-high temperature around 265ºC, which is an obstacle for its scale-up fabrication in industry.
The invention also uses a very simple technique to prepare fluorescent PMAA grafted magnetic nanoparticles, which is much easier than traditional methods requiring multi-steps harsh chemical process. The fluorescent PMAA grafted magnetic nanoparticles provide a great universal platform for biomedical applications, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), drug delivery, and therapy.
Advantages and Benefits:
This technology generates controlled size iron oxide/silica core-shell magnetic nanoparticles with an extremely high saturation magnetization under mild operation conditions, which is significant for scale-up fabrications for industry uses. The traditional techniques require harsh operation condition-high temperature around 265 oC, which is an obstacle for its scale-up fabrication in industry.
Thus, the products of the invention are expected to have a low manufacturing cost, enhance the productivity and increase the revenue. The simplified technique for fabrication of the PMAA grafted magnetic nanoparticles are expected to greatly lower the expenses.
Potential Applications:
Magnetic nanoparticles can be applied in many industries, such as biomedical, magnetic identification and data-storage systems, depending on the size and magnetic properties. More specifically, magnetic nanoparticles can be used as contrast agents in MRIs by using the interaction between the magnetic field and hydrogen nucleus. Magnetic nanoparticles can also be used as a local heater to kill tumor cells under magnetic field with a certain frequency. Magnetic nanoparticles with long relaxation times can be used as information recorder in data-storage field.