Recent advances in the use of carbon nanotubes as smart biomaterials

There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have outstanding properties that can be used to produce intelligent devices to detect pathogens, delivery drugs, and replace bone and dental parts. Therefore, CNTs have been extensively studied as medical devices.

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have remarkable mechanical, thermal, electronic, and biological properties due to their particular atomic structure made of graphene sheets that are rolled into cylindrical tubes. Due to their outstanding properties, CNTs have been used in several technological fields. Currently, the most prominent research area of CNTs focuses on biomedical applications, using these materials to produce hybrid biosensors, drug delivery systems, and high performance composites for implants. Although a great number of research studies have already shown the advantages of CNT-based biomedical devices, their clinical use for in vivoapplication has not been consummated. Concerns related to their toxicity, biosafety, and biodegradation still remain. The effect of CNTs on the human body and the ecosystem is not well established, especially due to the lack of standardization of toxicological tests, which generate contradictions in the results. CNTs’ toxicity must be clarified to enable the medical use of these exceptional materials in the near future. In this review, we summarize recent advances in developing biosensors, drug delivery systems, and implants using CNTs as smart biomaterials to identify pathogens, load/deliver drugs and enhance the mechanical and antimicrobial performance of implants.

Related collections

Most cited references 135

Record: found
Abstract: not found
Article: not found

Helical microtubules of graphitic carbon

Sumio Iijima (1991)

0 comments Cited 1833 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Carbon nanotubes: present and future commercial applications.

Michael F. L. De Volder, Sameh H Tawfick, Ray Baughman … (2013)

Worldwide commercial interest in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reflected in a production capacity that presently exceeds several thousand tons per year. Currently, bulk CNT powders are incorporated in diverse commercial products ranging from rechargeable batteries, automotive parts, and sporting goods to boat hulls and water filters. Advances in CNT synthesis, purification, and chemical modification are enabling integration of CNTs in thin-film electronics and large-area coatings. Although not yet providing compelling mechanical strength or electrical or thermal conductivities for many applications, CNT yarns and sheets already have promising performance for applications including supercapacitors, actuators, and lightweight electromagnetic shields.

0 comments Cited 1033 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Global Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates and Trends--An Update

L. A. Torre, R L Siegel, E Ward … (2016)

There are limited published data on recent cancer incidence and mortality trends worldwide. We used the International Agency for Research on Cancer's CANCERMondial clearinghouse to present age-standardized cancer incidence and death rates for 2003-2007. We also present trends in incidence through 2007 and mortality through 2012 for select countries from five continents. High-income countries (HIC) continue to have the highest incidence rates for all sites, as well as for lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer, although some low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) now count among those with the highest rates. Mortality rates from these cancers are declining in many HICs while they are increasing in LMICs. LMICs have the highest rates of stomach, liver, esophageal, and cervical cancer. Although rates remain high in HICs, they are plateauing or decreasing for the most common cancers due to decreases in known risk factors, screening and early detection, and improved treatment (mortality only). In contrast, rates in several LMICs are increasing for these cancers due to increases in smoking, excess body weight, and physical inactivity. LMICs also have a disproportionate burden of infection-related cancers. Applied cancer control measures are needed to reduce rates in HICs and arrest the growing burden in LMICs.