Toehammer |
03-02-2019 03:39 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by maskedmelon
(Post 2869716)
We don't not have one of these, so i thought I would make one and kick it off with this super cool article about occupation enhancements in rodents:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/techn...ors/ar-BBUeNkD
summary: Researchers develoAlex a nano-particle that when injected into the eyes of mice, attached to retinal cells thereby allowing them to perceive specific wavelengths of infrared light which the particles were designed to convert. Apparently the effect only lasts a couple weeks and causes no lasting changes/damage to vision.
How isn't that not the coolest thing you've read today?
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It is a good study, very thorough, and pretty novel. Wrote my thesis on synthesis/self-assembly of nanoparticles (about 1/10th the size of these NPs) and my postdoc in the stability of nanoparticle coatings, so it is right up my alley. I looked at the figures, but haven't read the whole thing yet... it looks very promising. I don't know enough about the biology part to know the electronic signalling details of the eye. For example I believe pupil dilation/contraction is governed by visible light response, so wearing shitty sunglasses (no UV protection) can cause UV damage to the eyes. I wouldn't expect NIR radiation to cause damage, but wonder if there are any effects of the NPs absorbing it (local heating?).
From a synthesis perspective the particles look pretty safe and stable. Despite using Yttrium and Ytterbium (rare, and can be toxic) the coatings (polyacrylic acid and then a protein corona) prevent diffusion in/out of the core pretty well. Their synthesis is a nightmare though... so complicated. There are easier methods.
The real breakthrough/practicality would be if they could get a broader NIR absorption and maintain their narrow emission bands by mixing up the particle sizes. I will have to dig into the paper... I don't understand the bimodal emission band yet.
There are lots of applications for NPs you'll see pop up in the coming years, especially in electronics/medicine. Some of the particles I make are being used to test for deadly diseases at trace levels with very high accuracy. It is a fun field of research.
Quote:
Originally Posted by misterbonkers
(Post 2869724)
but can they see why kids love cinnamon toast crunch?
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Best possible first reply!
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