Nanotech and silver antibacterial combine
Another example of a Bayh-Dole effort is NanoHorizons (State College, PA), which initially developed silver nanoparticles in conjunction with a medical manufacturer that makes devices that get implanted in a person's body. The company (12 people) has received funding from, among others, Pulsar Ventures and Life Sciences Greenhouse.
NanoHorizons is largely promoting its silver and gold nanoparticles, which come in solutions that range in price from $100 to $400 a liter. The silver and gold particles themselves range in size from 10 nanometers to 90 nanometers.
The use of silver particles of colloidal size as antibacterials is well-known in the art. Further, the antibacterial properties of silver have been known for some time (e.g., silver spoons). Whether silver itself (i.e., Ag(0)) or some form of ionic silver on the surface of elemental silver is not clearly established. Additionally, whether the antibacterial properties are regenerable is a significant issue, especially for nanoparticles.
NanoHorizons is largely promoting its silver and gold nanoparticles, which come in solutions that range in price from $100 to $400 a liter. The silver and gold particles themselves range in size from 10 nanometers to 90 nanometers.
The use of silver particles of colloidal size as antibacterials is well-known in the art. Further, the antibacterial properties of silver have been known for some time (e.g., silver spoons). Whether silver itself (i.e., Ag(0)) or some form of ionic silver on the surface of elemental silver is not clearly established. Additionally, whether the antibacterial properties are regenerable is a significant issue, especially for nanoparticles.
posted by Lawrence B. Ebert at 5:48 AM
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