ABSTRACT:The novel thiourea-functionalized silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been successfully synthesized using allylamine and sulforaphane, an important anticancer drug, followed by a hydrosilylation reaction on the surface of hydrogen terminated SiNPs. Their physiochemical properties have been investigated by photoluminescence emission, FTIR and elemental analysis. MTT assay has been employed to evaluate in vitro toxicity in colorectal cancer cells (Caco-2) and primary normal cells (CCD). The results show significant toxicity of thiourea SiNPs after 72 h incubation in the cancer cell line and the toxicity is concentration dependent and saturated for concentrations above 100 µg/mL. Confocal microscopy images have demonstrated the internalization of thiourea-functionalized SiNPs inside the cells. Flow cytometry data has confirmed receptor-mediated targeting in cancer cells. This nanocomposite takes advantage of the EGFR active targeting of the ligand in addition to the photoluminescence properties of SiNPs for bioimaging purposes. The results suggest that this novel nanosystem can be extrapolated for active targeting of the receptors that are overexpressed in cancer cells such as EGFR using the targeting characteristics of thiourea-functionalized SiNPs and therefore encourage further investigation and development of anticancer agents specifically exploiting the EGFR inhibitory activity of such nanoparticles.

In this work, we demonstrate doping graphene oxide (GO) films using a low power atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) with subsequent tuning of the work function.

Integration of nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing processes presents an attractive route to produce devices for adaptive biomedical device technologies.

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A process was developed to disperse β-SiC nanoparticles (NPs), with a high propensity to agglomerate, within a matrix of A356 aluminum alloy. A suitable dispersion of 1 wt.% SiC NPs in the A356 matrix was obtained through a hybrid process including a solid-state modification on the surface of the NPs, a two-step stirring process in the semi-solid and then the liquid-state, and a final hot-rolling process for fragmentation of the brittle eutectic silicon phase and porosity elimination. Titanium and nickel where used as the nanoparticle SiC surface modifiers. Both modifiers were found to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting material, however, the highest improvement was found from the nickel surface modification. For the nickel modification, compared to the non-reinforced rolled alloy, more than a 77 %, 85 %, and 70 % increase in ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and strain % at the break, respectively were found with respect to the unreinforced rolled A356. For the rolled nanocomposite containing 1 wt. % SiCnp and nickel modification, an average YS, UTS, and strain % at the break of 277MPa, 380 MPa, and 16.4% were obtained, respectively, which are unique and considerable property improvements for A356 alloy.