(WO/2008/156504) SELF-ASSEMBLED NANOPARTICLES - NANOTUBE STRUCTURES BASED ON ANTENNA CHEMISTRY OF CONDUCTIVE NANORODS

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Pub. No.: WO/2008/156504 International Application No.: PCT/US2007/088428 Publication Date: 24.12.2008 International Filing Date: 20.12.2007
IPC:	B81B 3/00 (2006.01)
Applicants:	WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY [US/US]; 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 (US) (All Except US). SCHMIDT, Howard, K. [US/US]; (US) (US Only). DUQUE, Juan, G. [US/US]; (US) (US Only). PASQUALI, Matteo [IT/US]; (US) (US Only).
Inventors:	SCHMIDT, Howard, K.; (US). DUQUE, Juan, G.; (US). PASQUALI, Matteo; (US).
Agent:	SHADDOX, Robert, C.; Winstead PC, P.O. Box 50784, Dallas, TX 75201 (US).
Priority Data:	60/875,907 20.12.2006 US 60/991,052 29.11.2007 US 61/007,061 11.12.2007 US

Title:

SELF-ASSEMBLED NANOPARTICLES - NANOTUBE STRUCTURES BASED ON ANTENNA CHEMISTRY OF CONDUCTIVE NANORODS

Abstract:

The present invention relates in general to nanostructured materials and processes for making same. More particularly, the present inventions relates to a nanoscale composite structure and methods for making same involving a conductive nanorod comprising a tip at each of the nanorod extrema; and a material deposited on at the least the tips, wherein the material comprises a reduced form of a redox species, wherein the redox species is adapted for electrochemical reaction with the conductive nanorod when the conductive nanorod is stimulated as an antenna by an electric field.

[0047] The present inventors observed clear evidence that SWNT behave as antennas in the presence of light, microwaves and radio frequency fields. The present inventors also found a mechanism to produce high yields of SWNT rings and novel split-ring structures. The present inventors contemplate that these results support the idea that EM-stimulated therapies based on SWNT antennas are possible, and that tunable structures may be developed to optimize RF thermoablation therapies.

[0048] The present inventors anticipate that using SWNT, or similar elongated conductive particles, to generate free radicals in solution may be useful for a variety of applications. By way of example and not limitation, one application may be as a cytotoxic agent in healthcare. In conjunction with a targeting, or localization process, the present process may include stimulating the SWNT with body-penetratine electric fields to generate high concentrations of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species). These may then have a toxic effect on local tissues. The fields may be localized further by using phased array electro-magnetic sources. This field emission mediated process may be non-linearly dependent (as all field emission processes, described by Fowler-Nordheim i-v curves are) on the applied field and the length of the antennas (length of SWNT). Further the present inventors expect that controlled precipitation/bundling of SWNT (by targeting multiple SWNT to a given target cell) may 'construct' antennae long enough to produce ROS, while individual SWNT may remain essentially inert under electric stimulation. By one or a combination of these means, the present process and nanostructured materials may readily achieve a very selective agent for destroying undesirable tissues, e.g. cancer, perhaps even at the level of individual cells. This may tend to be more desirable than the generalized cytotoxins or radiation-based treatments commonly used today.

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(WO/2008/063683) ELECTROMAGNETIC HEATING OF SINGLE WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS AND BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Pub. No.: WO/2008/063683 International Application No.: PCT/US2007/062916 Publication Date: 29.05.2008 International Filing Date: 27.02.2007 Chapter 2 Demand Filed: 28.09.2007
IPC:	C01B 31/02 (2006.01), A61B 18/12 (2006.01), B01J 19/12 (2006.01)
Applicants:	WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY [US/US]; 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 (US) (All Except US). MAREK, Irene, M. [US/US]; 3 Stagestop Circle, Houston, TX 77024 (US) (US Only). SCHMIDT, Howard, K. [US/US]; 20702 Bradford Creek Court, Cypress, TX 77433 (US) (US Only). KITTRELL, W., Carter [US/US]; 2408 N. Braeswood, No. 315, Houston, TX 77030 (US) (US Only). HAUGE, Robert, H. [US/US]; 4031 Turnberry Circle, Houston, TX 77025 (US) (US Only). CHERUKURI, Paul [US/US]; 3800 County Road 94, No. 4304, Mandell, TX 77578 (US) (US Only). MOORE, Valerie, C. [US/US]; 2255 Braeswood Park Drive, No. 139, Houston, TX 77030 (US) (US Only).
Inventors:	SMALLEY, Richard, E.. MAREK, Irene, M. [US/US]; 3 Stagestop Circle, Houston, TX 77024 (US). SCHMIDT, Howard, K. [US/US]; 20702 Bradford Creek Court, Cypress, TX 77433 (US). KITTRELL, W., Carter [US/US]; 2408 N. Braeswood, No. 315, Houston, TX 77030 (US). HAUGE, Robert, H. [US/US]; 4031 Turnberry Circle, Houston, TX 77025 (US). CHERUKURI, Paul [US/US]; 3800 County Road 94, No. 4304, Mandell, TX 77578 (US). MOORE, Valerie, C. [US/US]; 2255 Braeswood Park Drive, No. 139, Houston, TX 77030 (US).
Agent:	SHADDOX, Robert, C.; Winstead P.C., P.O. Box 50784, Dallas, TX 75201 (US).
Priority Data:	60/777,278 27.02.2006 US

Title:	ELECTROMAGNETIC HEATING OF SINGLE WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS AND BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
Abstract:	Disclosed herein is a new application of carbon nanotubes for biological environments. In various embodiments, electromagnetic field coupling of carbon nanotubes induces a local deposition of radio frequency (RF) energy along the nanotube and imparting the capability of RF ablation that can be used to target certain cells, tissues, and/or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In general, various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and systems for the heating a target, such as at least one nanotube wherein the at least one nanotube targets a desired at least one virus, at least one cell, at least one tissue, at least one retrovirus, at least one bacteria, at least one fungus, or component thereof, and/or the like. In an embodiment, a nanotube is injected about the target and radio frequency (RF) radiation is directed at or about the nanotube such that the nanotube is heated, hi various embodiments, the nanotube is heated to a temperature sufficient to kill the target. In alternate embodiment, the nanotube is heated to a temperature sufficient to modify the target, hi alternate embodiment, the nanotube is heated to a temperature sufficient to ablate the target. In general, the sufficient temperature can be any temperature capable of performing the required task.

What is claimed is:
1. A method of treating a target tissue comprising the steps of: a. dispersing at least one nanotube in a solution; b. injecting said solution into a medium containing a target; and, c. applying radio frequency (RF) radiation towards said at least one tube for a sufficient time to at least one of kill said target, ablate said target, modify said target, and/or the like.

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Kinda reminds me of Kanzius and his RF treatments for cancer using metals introduced into the cancer cells. He also is involved with CNTs as well but this looks to be the sole property of Rice from this filing. However Kanzius noted in the audio segment in this post that carbon nanotubes are a bit new and not FDA approved for anything in the human body [and suspect as well (asbestos, mesothelioma) - my thoughts!] and as gold nanoparticles have FDA approval already for other uses - Kanzius and his group will employ gold particles in trials to be attached or attracted to the cancer cells whereupon the RF field will heat these and kill the cancer cells.

Nanoparticles assemble by millions to encase oil drops

05/29/2008

CONTACT: Jade Boyd
PHONE: 713-348-6778
E-MAIL: jadeboyd@rice.edu

Designer 'nanobatons' could be used to trap oil, deliver drugs

In a development that could lead to new technologies for cleaning up oil spills and polluted groundwater, scientists at Rice University have shown how tiny, stick-shaped particles of metal and carbon can trap oil droplets in water by spontaneously assembling into bag-like sacs.

The tiny particles were found to assemble spontaneously by the tens of millions into spherical sacs as large as BB pellets around droplets of oil in water. In addition, the scientists found that ultraviolet light and magnetic fields could be used to flip the nanoparticles, causing the bags to instantly turn inside out and release their cargo -- a feature that could ultimately be handy for delivering drugs.

"The core of the nanotechnology revolution lies in designing inorganic nanoparticles that can self-assemble into larger structures like a 'smart dust' that performs different functions in the world – for example, cleaning up pollution," said lead research Pulickel Ajayan, Rice's Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. "Our approach brings the concept of self-assembling, functional nanomaterials one step closer to reality."

The research was published online today by the American Chemical Society's journal Nano Letters.

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ASAP Nano Lett., ASAP Article, 10.1021/nl080407i
Web Release Date: May 29, 2008

Copyright © 2008 American Chemical Society

Controlled Manipulation of Giant Hybrid Inorganic Nanowire Assemblies

Fung Suong Ou,^†‡ Manikoth M. Shaijumon,^‡§ and Pulickel M. Ajayan^*‡§

Department of Applied Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180

Received February 11, 2008

Revised April 28, 2008

Abstract:

The ultimate goal of nanotechnology is the design and fabrication of nanosize building blocks with multiple functionalities and their assembly into large-scale functional structures that can be controllably manipulated. Here we show that hybrid inorganic multisegmented nanowires, with hydrophobic carbon nanotube tails and hydrophilic metal nanowire heads, allow the assembly and manipulation of massive ordered structures in solution, reminiscent of the organic molecular micellar assembly. Further, properly designed assemblies can be manipulated using external stimuli such as magnetic field and light. The hybrid nanowires can have multiple segments including magnetic components, allowing the assembly to be manipulated by external magnetic field. The assembled structures can also be manipulated by modifying the hydrophobicity of the respective components via chemical functionalization and optical irradiation. This approach brings the concept of environment sensitive self-assembling nanomaterials closer to reality.

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The multisegmented nanowires, akin to "nanoscale batons," were made by connecting two nanomaterials with different properties, much like an eraser is attached to the end of a wooden pencil. In the study, the researchers started with carbon nanotubes -- hollow tubes of pure carbon. Atop the nanotubes, they added short segments of gold. Ajayan said that by adding various other segments -- like sections of nickel or other materials -- the researchers can create truly multifunctional nanostructures.

The tendency of these nanobatons to assemble in water-oil mixtures derives from basic chemistry. The gold end of the wire is water-loving, or hydrophilic, while the carbon end is water-averse, or hydrophobic. The thin, water-tight sacs that surround all living cells are formed by interlocking arrangements of hydrophilic and hydrophobic chemicals, and the sac-like structures created in the study are very similar.

Ajayan, graduate student Fung Suong Ou and postdoctoral researcher Shaijumon Manikoth demonstrated that oil droplets suspended in water became encapsulated because of the structures' tendency to align their carbon ends facing the oil. By reversing the conditions -- suspending water droplets in oil – the team was able to coax the gold ends to face inward and encase the water.

"For oil droplets suspended in water, the spheres give off a light yellow color because of the exposed gold ends," Ou said. "With water droplets, we observe a dark sphere due to the protruding black nanotubes."

The team is next preparing to test whether chemical modifications to the "nanobatons" could result in spheres that can both capture and break down oily chemicals. For example, they hope to attach catalysts to the water-hating ends of the nanowires that will cause compounds like trichloroethene, or TCE, to break into nontoxic constituents. Another option would be to attach drugs whose release can be controlled with an external stimulus.

"The idea is to go beyond just capturing the compound and initiate a process that will make it less toxic," Ajayan said. "We want to build upon the method of self assembly and start adding functionality so these particles can carry out tasks in the real world."

The research was supported by Rice University, Applied Materials Inc. and the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation.

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