Mimicking Mother nature Flashcards
what is a Biomaterial?
A biomaterial is a material used in a device, intended to interact with
biological systems”
what is “nanobiomaterials” and “nanobiotechnology”?
are
often concerned with the interface of nanomaterial science
and biology and no actual biological system may be involved…
Nanomaterials
Hierachy of structures
nm to macro scale
Biology
Hierarchy of functionality
protein to organs
what is the lotus effect?
The lotus effect refers to self-cleaning properties that are a result of ultrahydrophobicity as exhibited by the leaves of Nelumbo, the lotus flower
what are ultrahydrophobic (or superhydrophobic) surfaces?
extremely difficult to wet. The contact angles of a water droplet on an ultrahydrophobic material exceed 150°.
why does the lotus leaf effect happen?
- Micro-scale mound-like structures
of several micrometres tall protruding from the leaf - Nanoscale hair-like structures covering the leaf surface.
what causes the lotus leaf effect?
Dirt particles are picked up by water droplets due to the micro- and nanoscopic architecture on the surface, which minimizes the droplet’s adhesion to that surface.
what is lotus effect spray used for?
BASF’s lotus-effect aerosol spray combines nanoparticles with hydrophobic polymers such as
polypropylene, polyethylene and waxes.
As it dries, the coating develops a nanostructure through self-assembly
what is a sensor?
A device that detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates or otherwise responds to
it
what is a biosensor?
A sensor that uses a biological sensing element such as an antibody, enzyme or whole cell for
measurement and detection
what is a nanobiosensor?
A biosensor that utilizes size-dependant effects of nanomaterials for detection.
application in Medical?
glucose, alcohol, DNA, RNA, proteins, hormones, aspirin,
paracetamol, penicillin
application in Industrial bio-processes?
amino acids, yeast, lactic acid, ethanol, etc.
environmental applications?
pesticides, fertilizers, oestrogen mimics, CO, CO2
