We apply chemical engineering fundamentals to the rational design, synthesis, and application of novel nanoparticle systems and macromolecular materials. In particular, we are interested in designing and applying advanced materials based on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and nanocomposites. Magnetic nanocomposites are a relatively new class of advanced materials, which have attracted interest as intelligent materials for biomaterial and other applications. In our lab, we are primarily interested in MNPs due to their ability to respond to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) resulting in local energy delivery and potentially localized heating. We have incorporated MNPs into nanocomposites that exhibit new and unique properties such as remote actuation, and the resultant properties of the nanocomposite can be easily tailored by manipulating the composition of the polymer and the nanoparticulate material.
Here, some of our recent activities in the development and application of MNPs and their nanocomposites will be presented. In particular, the application of functionalized MNPs for cancer therapy and environmental remediation will be highlighted. For potential cancer therapy applications, we have been particularly interested in determining the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) catalytically generated from the surface of iron oxide MNPs, and using a methylene blue degradation assay, we demonstrated that magnetically mediated energy delivery (MagMED) is capable of enhancing the Fenton-like generation of ROS. Here, further studies of the surface reactivity of MNPs and the enhancement of this reactivity with AMF exposure will be presented, as well as the effects of small molecule and macromolecular coatings. These demonstrations illustrate the potential of AMF-induced ROS in cancer therapy. For environmental applications, AMF exposure and the associated energy delivery can be used to carry out various functions. For example, we will present data showing the AMF exposure being used to change the binding properties of an MNP coating
