Startup uses lasers to produce 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/