Remote controlled nanoparticle heating for biomedical applications

Abstract

Paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Mauritius, 11-13 July, 2011.

Recent years see intensive interests in the synthesis and application of nanomaterials in different fields extending from energy to biomedicine sectors. Many biomedical applications involve delivering bio-modified nanoparticles to malignant cells and rapidly heating nanoparticles with an external source such as laser, ultrasound or an electromagnetic wave to produce a therapeutic effect or to release drugs. The interaction of nanoparticles with the external source and subsequent heating effect is fundamental for the successful deployment of these novel techniques. This study proposes a systematic study of remote-controlled nanoparticle heating for medical applications. Initial theoretical and experimental studies are conducted to reveal the potentials of this exciting field. The combination of gold nanoparticles with ultrasound irradiation or electromagnetic wave at radiofrequency spectrum has been shown to be a promising strategy for targeted medical applications.