Startup uses lasers to produce pure nanoparticles

July 6, 2010
Hannover, Germany--Particular GmbH claims to be the first company to commercialize a novel laser-based process for making highly pure nanoparticles.

Hannover, Germany--A new nanotechnology startup, Particular GmbH claims to be the first company to commercialize a novel laser-based process for the production of highly pure nanoparticles. The company's process technology was developed at Laser Zentrum Hannover e. V. (LZH) and took five years, according to company CEO, Niko Bärsch. He said that Particular's nanoparticles will make it easier to take advantage of nanotechnology in many areas, especially in the field of medical technology.

Nanoparticles can improve such characteristics as biological compatibility, bacteria resistance, UV light absorption, or scratch resistance in many products. While they are usually generated chemically, the new company produces them physically by laser ablation in liquids.

Laser ablation in liquids basically involves placing a solid target under a thin layer of liquid and irradiating it with a pulsed laser. The technique can be used with a wide variety of materials because no chemical precursors are required. The irradiation removes particulate material (nanoparticles) from the target, which then remain in the liquid surrounding the target and produce a colloidal solution.

Particular says its technique enables new types of nanoparticles, for example for metallic surfaces with securely attached nanostructures that make implants more compatible, or for a conjugation of smallest gold particles and biomolecules for biomedical applications such as cell separations.

For more information visit http://particular.eu/

About the Author

Stephen G. Anderson | Director, Industry Development - SPIE

 Stephen Anderson is a photonics industry expert with an international background and has been actively involved with lasers and photonics for more than 30 years. As Director, Industry Development at SPIE – The international society for optics and photonics – he is responsible for tracking the photonics industry markets and technology to help define long-term strategy, while also facilitating development of SPIE’s industry activities. Before joining SPIE, Anderson was Associate Publisher and Editor in Chief of Laser Focus World and chaired the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar. Anderson also co-founded the BioOptics World brand. Anderson holds a chemistry degree from the University of York and an Executive MBA from Golden Gate University.    

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