In U.S. Patent 7,993,541, Nanocrystals Technology LP (Briarcliff Manor, NY) reveals a process to make nanomagnets using rare earth elements including dysprosium. The patent details a new class of nanoparticles that contain a single Quantum Confined dopant. A QCA nanocrystal comprises of a plurality of host atoms in a nanocrystal of a size of less than 10 nm with a single atom of a dopant (or activator).
This single QCA dopant, when confined, becomes polarized and creates a large magnetic-moment in a nanosize host that contains atoms of unpaired spins. The quantum confined atom (QCA) which is now pinned, triggers the alignment of the host atoms resulting in nanosize magnetic domain. Engineering of nanomagnets based on QCA nanoparticles can be used in different applications such as: sensors, drug delivery, bio-tagging, cell/DNA tagging, magnetic memories and others.
The control and modulation of a single atomic ion in cage of 2 to 5 nm has allowed the company to develop nanomagnets that will have several novel applications particularly in the area of biology and bio-technology. The properties of the Quantum confined atom (QCA) based nanomagnet materials are dictated by both the choice of the atom and the host.
This single QCA dopant, when confined, becomes polarized and creates a large magnetic-moment in a nanosize host that contains atoms of unpaired spins. The quantum confined atom (QCA) which is now pinned, triggers the alignment of the host atoms resulting in nanosize magnetic domain. Engineering of nanomagnets based on QCA nanoparticles can be used in different applications such as: sensors, drug delivery, bio-tagging, cell/DNA tagging, magnetic memories and others.
The control and modulation of a single atomic ion in cage of 2 to 5 nm has allowed the company to develop nanomagnets that will have several novel applications particularly in the area of biology and bio-technology. The properties of the Quantum confined atom (QCA) based nanomagnet materials are dictated by both the choice of the atom and the host.
The discovery of QCA has allowed the company to modify the properties of a single atomic ion and its nanosize host utilizing quantum effects at room temperature. This breakthrough is based upon that: (i) The quantum confinement of a single atom modifies the property of the atomic-ion and (ii) The confined atom, in turn, creates QCA-nanoparticles with unique properties such as large magnetic moment and efficient luminescence. The magnetic interaction among the nanomagnets in a solvent or viscous media can result in self-assembled practical device structures. The rare earth nanomagents can also be used in magneto-optical devices and sensors
In particular, the development of 2-10 nm size nanomagnets that show single magnetic domain have applications not only in magnetic memories, spintronics based devices, magneto-optical devices, MEMS, MRAM, GMR but also have other applications in targeted drug delivery and bio-sciences.
The bio-tag having luminescent signature and magnetic control could help the company to develop novel bio-materials. Controlled self-assembled structures based on magnetic properties of QCA-nanomagnets could be one of the biggest nanotechnology breakthroughs. Thus in the coming decade, Nanocrystals Technology LP scientists expect control of nanoparticles by incorporation of a single dopant-ion, i.e. atomic engineered nanoparticles. for self-assembled microstructures for different novel devices.
The self-organized magnetic devices will have impact in sensors, particularly in the realm of biological and medical applications. The QCA's with their enhanced magnetic properties are ideally suited for all bio-tagging applications. The advent of nanomagnets will trigger numerous applications such as targeted drug delivery as well as cell/DNA delivery, sensors, magnetic memories and other semiconductor based integrated devices.
As an example, for targeted drug delivery applications, the nanomagnets are attached to the drug using chemical bonds (ligand). Because of the size of the nanomagnets, the drug medicinal properties are not modified by the presence of nanomagnets except that the drug becomes magnetic. Under external magnetic field, the `magnetic drug` can be moved to a given location and concentrated for an effective treatment.
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