Biological factories for nanoparticle synthesis

Summary

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The aim of the project is to investigate this new method of nanoparticle synthesis.

Supervisor

Professor Andrew Harris.

Research location

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Program type

N/A

Synopsis

At the cutting edge between materials science and biotechnology lies the emerging field of bio-nano-technology, where the relationship between living systems and advanced materials is being explored. This project seeks to investigate one of the more interesting results to emerge from this research in recent years. Researchers have discovered that the plant species Medicago sativa is able to extract gold and other metals from solutions containing very small quantities of the metal. The metal forms discrete, nano-sized spherical particles within the cellular structure of the plant.The project makes extensive use of advanced electron microscopy and neutron beam analysis facilities to detect and analyse the nanoparticles produced.

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Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 350