Atmospheric pressure plasma assisted synthesis of multi-functional bionanocomposites
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen's University Belfast
Department Name: Sch Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The total economic cost of cancer in the EU was more than £99 billion in 2009 [1] and the cost of diagnosing and treating cancer in the UK is expected to reach £15.3 billion by 2021 [2]. Conventional cancer surgery treatment suffers from various complications such as pain, damage to nearby tissues and possible thrombosis. Other common cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy, have the limitation of drug resistance, lack of selectivity, and lack of solubility. Given these issues associated with treatment safety and effectiveness, scientists are applying tremendous efforts towards new approaches in the fight against cancer. The use of nanotechnology in cancer treatment offers some exciting possibilities.
The proposed research involves innovation and collaboration among cross-disciplinary experts (materials science, physics and cancer research) to resolve some of the major challenges in the application of nanotechnology to cancer. The PI proposes to develop a novel technology that allows incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles (NP) into a hydrogel without using toxic chemicals or surfactants, while ensuring the NP dispersion and stability. The resulting material will be an injectable "smart" system useful for certain cancer treatment, with multiple functions including 1) controlled drug delivery 2) inducing heat under an externally applied magnetic field and 3) facilitating bio-imaging.
[1] Luengo-Fernandez, R., et al., Economic burden of cancer across the European Union: a population-based cost analysis. The Lancet Oncology, 2013. 14(12): p. 1165-1174.
[2] Bupa Cancer diagnosis and treatment: a 2021 projection.
The proposed research involves innovation and collaboration among cross-disciplinary experts (materials science, physics and cancer research) to resolve some of the major challenges in the application of nanotechnology to cancer. The PI proposes to develop a novel technology that allows incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles (NP) into a hydrogel without using toxic chemicals or surfactants, while ensuring the NP dispersion and stability. The resulting material will be an injectable "smart" system useful for certain cancer treatment, with multiple functions including 1) controlled drug delivery 2) inducing heat under an externally applied magnetic field and 3) facilitating bio-imaging.
[1] Luengo-Fernandez, R., et al., Economic burden of cancer across the European Union: a population-based cost analysis. The Lancet Oncology, 2013. 14(12): p. 1165-1174.
[2] Bupa Cancer diagnosis and treatment: a 2021 projection.
Planned Impact
The PI and project partners have an established network of academic beneficiaries which will facilitate knowledge exchange through collaborations and in a range of disciplines beyond nanocomposites that include plasma science, biomaterials & biomedical devices and cancer treatment. Collaboration with project partners are integral components of this proposal and will directly contribute to advancement of our understanding of plasma assisted synthesis of functional nanocomposites. In order to reach out to a wider audience, dissemination plans has been laid out for; publications, participation to conferences, organization of seminar/outreach events as well as promoting the project through online media.
The project team will also actively seek engagement with charities, academic researchers, manufacturers of specialised biomedical materials/devices, and potential end-users in the biomedical and plasma technology, energy, and transport. This networking will aim to form the basis for future collaborations on research projects targeting more focused, application specific outcomes (i.e. large-scale industrial production of nanocomposite materials, multi-functional nanocomposites: e.g. conductive composites for light striking prevention).
The research activities promote collaborations with overseas institutions (e.g. China) will greatly contribute to the international development with China hence enhancing the delivery of impacts. This will also contribute to the education of a globally engaged scientific and engineering workforce capable of performing in an international environment. For instance, the PI and project partners are currently engaged with their respective departments will provide opportunities to educate students (undergraduate and postgraduate levels) in advanced subjects such as biomaterials, advanced materials processing and nanotechnology, so that future workforce generations can be adequately prepared. The project will also enhance the technical, team working and project management skills of the PhD student and research staff involved. He/She will learn about the new challenges cross the disciplinary such as plasma physics, chemistry, nanomaterials/nanocomposite synthesis as well as biomedical and healthcare technology. He/She will have access to the university's commercialization and technology transfer expertise through the Enterprise Development Office. This will enhance their potential for collaboration with industry.
A successful outcome of the project will be to have paved the way for rapid technological exploitation for innovative manufacturing of novel nanocomposites with great potential in more effective multi-modal cancer treatments to help reduce the economic burden of the NHS system. At the appropriate time, a business case will be made to warrant a successful transition from a research based technology to an industrial reality. The translation of new technology resulting from this research to commercialisation and exploitation will be explored in consultation with the Commercial Development team within the Research and Enterprise Directorate at Queen's. The training and development of a highly skilled and educated workforce in important technological sectors will also contribute to an economic impact: the PhD students and postdoctoral researcher will become skilled experts in advanced nanomaterials/functional materials and will be in an ideal position to begin their own research career or contribute in an industrial environment.
The project team will also actively seek engagement with charities, academic researchers, manufacturers of specialised biomedical materials/devices, and potential end-users in the biomedical and plasma technology, energy, and transport. This networking will aim to form the basis for future collaborations on research projects targeting more focused, application specific outcomes (i.e. large-scale industrial production of nanocomposite materials, multi-functional nanocomposites: e.g. conductive composites for light striking prevention).
The research activities promote collaborations with overseas institutions (e.g. China) will greatly contribute to the international development with China hence enhancing the delivery of impacts. This will also contribute to the education of a globally engaged scientific and engineering workforce capable of performing in an international environment. For instance, the PI and project partners are currently engaged with their respective departments will provide opportunities to educate students (undergraduate and postgraduate levels) in advanced subjects such as biomaterials, advanced materials processing and nanotechnology, so that future workforce generations can be adequately prepared. The project will also enhance the technical, team working and project management skills of the PhD student and research staff involved. He/She will learn about the new challenges cross the disciplinary such as plasma physics, chemistry, nanomaterials/nanocomposite synthesis as well as biomedical and healthcare technology. He/She will have access to the university's commercialization and technology transfer expertise through the Enterprise Development Office. This will enhance their potential for collaboration with industry.
A successful outcome of the project will be to have paved the way for rapid technological exploitation for innovative manufacturing of novel nanocomposites with great potential in more effective multi-modal cancer treatments to help reduce the economic burden of the NHS system. At the appropriate time, a business case will be made to warrant a successful transition from a research based technology to an industrial reality. The translation of new technology resulting from this research to commercialisation and exploitation will be explored in consultation with the Commercial Development team within the Research and Enterprise Directorate at Queen's. The training and development of a highly skilled and educated workforce in important technological sectors will also contribute to an economic impact: the PhD students and postdoctoral researcher will become skilled experts in advanced nanomaterials/functional materials and will be in an ideal position to begin their own research career or contribute in an industrial environment.
Organisations
- Queen's University Belfast (Lead Research Organisation, Project Partner)
- Dalian University (Collaboration)
- ULSTER UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Hainan University (Collaboration)
- Nanjing Normal University (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS (Collaboration)
- Sichuan University (Collaboration)
- University of Science and Technology of China USTC (Collaboration)
- University of Ulster (Project Partner)
- Nanjing University (Project Partner)
- Smith & Nephew plc (UK) (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
Dan Sun (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Guo Z
(2019)
Nanoscale Hybrid Coating Enables Multifunctional Tissue Scaffold for Potential Multimodal Therapeutic Applications.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
He M
(2020)
Smart multi-layer PVA foam/ CMC mesh dressing with integrated multi-functions for wound management and infection monitoring
in Materials & Design
Hou Y
(2020)
A fast UV-curable PU-PAAm hydrogel with mechanical flexibility and self-adhesion for wound healing.
in RSC advances
Nolan H
(2018)
Thermoresponsive nanocomposites incorporating microplasma synthesized magnetic nanoparticles-Synthesis and potential applications
in Plasma Processes and Polymers
Nolan H
(2018)
Metal nanoparticle-hydrogel nanocomposites for biomedical applications - An atmospheric pressure plasma synthesis approach
in Plasma Processes and Polymers
Su Z
(2021)
Chitosan/Silver Nanoparticle/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites with Multi-Drug Release, Antimicrobial, and Photothermal Conversion Functions.
in Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
Sun D
(2020)
Atmospheric Pressure Microplasma for Antibacterial Silver Nanoparticle/Chitosan Nanocomposites With Tailored Properties
in Composite science and technology
Sun D
(2020)
Atmospheric pressure microplasma for antibacterial silver nanoparticle/chitosan nanocomposites with tailored properties
in Composites Science and Technology
Description | We have established an new method of making nanocomposites through the interaction between low temperature plasma and liquid under atmospheric pressure. More specifically, we achieved one-pot synthesis of composite materials which incorporate magnetic nanoparticles in adifferent polymers and with nanocarbons. The new approach eliminated the use of harsh chemicals or capping agents that are normally required for making nanocomposite using conventional methods, and the materials obtained demonstrated multi-functional properties that may be exploited for biomedical applications. |
Exploitation Route | The platform technology established in the present project can be generalised for a wide range of material systems suitable for various applications. The findings can be taken forward by researchers from different fields, including Energy (nano-catalysts), Environment (water treatment/purification), healthcare (drug delivery, bio-imaging and sensing) and will be of great interests to sectors in relation to nanomaterials manufacturing. |
Sectors | Energy Environment Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | The research output has been disseminated to the general publish through outreach events (such as School visits), raising the public awareness to STEM subject, as well as the sustainability challenges. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Education |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Collaboration with Dr Fanhou Kong, Hainan University, China |
Organisation | Hainan University |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The application of atmospheric pressure plasma has been extended to surface modify metal transition oxides (V2O5) to enhance the materials functionality. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partner (Dr Kong) brought new knowledge of metal transition oxides and explored how the plasma processing technology could be used to modify the multi-valance of the material. |
Impact | This is a multi-disciplinary collaboration involving efforts from fields of materials science, plasma processing, physics and chemistry. Based on the outcome of this collaboration, the preliminary research outcome has been submitted to ISPC25 conference for oral presentation. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Collaboration with Dr James Mclaughlan Leeds University |
Organisation | University of Leeds |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Atmospheric pressure microplasma has been deployed by the team for the synthesis of gold nanoparticle/ carbon nanotube hyrbid materials for potential biomedical applications |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr James Mclaughlan's team contributed to the photothermal characterization of the synthesized materials and demonstrated our material has strong photothermal coversion effect under NIR laser irradiation. |
Impact | Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Synthesized Gold Nanoparticle/Carbon Nanotube Hybrids for Photo-thermal Conversion, Sun, D., McLaughlan, J. R., Zhang, L., Falzon, B., Mariotti, D., Maguire, P. & Sun, D*. Langmuir (2019) 35: 4577. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Collaboration with Dr Zheng Su, University of Science and Technology, China |
Organisation | University of Science and Technology of China USTC |
Department | Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale |
Country | China |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The research team at Queen's made contribution in providing the platform technology for micro-plasma synthesis of a novel nanocomposite. |
Collaborator Contribution | The research partner contributed to material characterization, particularly functional characterization including photothermal response and anti-microbial properties of the nanocomposites. |
Impact | The multi-disciplinary collaboration has lead to a joint publication: Z Sun et al. "Chitosan/Silver Nanoparticle/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites with Multi-Drug Release, Antimicrobial, and Photothermal Conversion Functions" Materials, 2021, 14(9), 2351; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14092351. Researchers from different disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Polymer Science and Biology have contributed to this work. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Collaboration with Prof Dongping Liu Dalian Nationality University China |
Organisation | Dalian University |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our team has contributed in the knowledge and expertise in nanomaterials synthesis/characterisation. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partners has contributed in knowledge/expertise in plasma processing and process optmization |
Impact | Multi-disciplinary collaboration covering field of Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Collaboration with Prof Li Zhang, Sichuan University, China |
Organisation | Sichuan University |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The project team contributed to the knowledge/skills in nanocomposite synthesis, surface functionlization |
Collaborator Contribution | The partner contributed to the knowledge/expertise in functional applications |
Impact | multi-disciplinary collaboration covering field of Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science and Biology. A joint paper "Amino-functionalized multi-layer core-shell mesoporous organosilica nanospheres for Cr(VI) removal" is to be submitted to Journal of Hazardous Materials. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Prof Paul Maguire, Prof Davide Mariotti |
Organisation | Ulster University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our research team has contributed in the successful synthesis of inorganic nano-particles in situ in a polymer through low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partners has contributed to the plasma instrumentation and process optimisation of the synthesis process |
Impact | This is multi-disciplinary collaboration bringing together experts from Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Chemistry, Plasma physics and biomaterials applications. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | collaboration with Yazi Liu/Associate Professor, Nanjing Normal University |
Organisation | Nanjing Normal University |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Offered knowledge and skills in regards to atmospheric pressure plasma and nanomaterials modification for the potential application in environmental applications |
Collaborator Contribution | Offered expertise in nanomaterials based catalyst design and application |
Impact | A joint multi-disciplinary journal paper is currently under preparation. Disciplines: environment, catalysis, nanomaterials |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | A talk given at the 28th Annual Conference of the European Society for Biomaterials |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | A talk will be given at the conference, to provide an update on the recent development/progress in the project. Raise the awareness of the audience from other field (biomaterials, cancer research etc) the impact of novel plasma technology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | An invited speech at the British Chinese Doctoral Forum organised by Chinese students and scholars association UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | over 50 people attended the forum, the attendees were mostly PhD students from various subject areas including social science (e.g., language studies, laws), engineering & physical sciences (e.g., Physics, chemistry, pharmacy, mechanical/electrical/civil engineering etc). There were also general public attended the talk. The audiences were extremely intrigued by the topic and discussions continued after the seminar. The outreach activity has significantly raised the awareness of people from outside the peer group on the topic of nanomaterials for bioapplications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Oral presentation at the 24th Annual Conference of the Chinese Society of Chemical Science and Technology in the UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | A talk has been given to disseminate the recent progress of the project and gauge interest from wide audience from other subject fields and initiate future multi-disciplinary collaborations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://cscst.org/Conference2017/ |
Description | Oral presentation at the International Conference on Plasmas with Liquids (ICPL 2017), Prague, Czech Republic |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | A presentation has been at the conference with more than 130 researchers from the 32 countries from all over the world attended the conference. The talk has covered the novel application of plasma for biomaterials synthesis. The talk has raised awareness of researchers from other disciplines (physics, chemists, etc) of the novel materials science and bio-application aspects of the project. Several researchers from other countries (e.g. Romanian) has expressed interest in future potential collaborations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.icpl.cz/index.html |
Description | Poster presentation at the 2nd International workshop on Nanomaterials in Health / Medicine, University of Central Lancashire |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Over 50 people attended the Nanomedicine workshop,to present and share the findings of the state-of-the art research outcome in the field of nanomaterials for healthcare and medicine. The event has a strong focus on practical applications and industrial involvement. Posters were judged by panels consisting of established professors in the field as well as industrialists. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Primary school visits Belfast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Two primary school visits have been made in March 2018, with the aim of promoting STEM subjects to the general public, particularly young school pupils. The novel materials created from this project has been brought to the school along with other Biomedical related displays, to disseminate the research activities within Queen's. These visits have received huge interest from the pupils and their teachers/headmasters, and the school has provided very positive feedback towards these visits and reported increased interest in the related subject area. The schools also requested the involvement of similar future events. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | School outreach activities (St Brides Primary School) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | The PI organised an visit to St Bride's Primary school to show case her research related activities. The event has attracted great interest from P7 pupils and teachers attending (130), raised the awareness of younger generation the importance of novel nanomaterials, composites and novel science & engineering technologies. The school reported increased interest in related subject areas and welcome future visits. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | School visit (stranmillis) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Around 60 pupils and their teachers attended the outreach event , which sparked questions and discussion during and after the event, and the school reported increased interest in related subject areas and in STEM in general. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
Description | School visit Fane street primary school |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Researcher visited Fane street primary school P7 pupils (60 pupils) to disseminate the research and promote STEM and EDI. The event sparked questions and discussion during the visit and the school reported keen interest of the pupil on the related subject areas and they welcomed similar event for future. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Talk at the 2023 UK Biomaterials Society annual conference and a panel member |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Served as Panel member on the discussion of career development for women in biomaterials research. The Panel discussion sparked question and discussion afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Talk at the MATCH dissemimation event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A talk has been given at the Material and Advanced Technologies for Healthcare (MATCH) Showcase Event to showcase the research activities carried out under this project at Queen's. MATCH brings together expertise in pharmaceutical science with complementary strengths in chemistry, materials, engineering and biology, and has the three parallel visions of Creating Smarter Materials, Developing Future Therapies, and Optimising Treatment and Community Health. About 100 participants, including colleagues/students from across the university, as well as representatives from local healthcare industries, have attended this event. The talk received immediate interest from the colleagues from School of Pharmacy and School of Physics and Mathematical Sciences and future collaboration has been planned. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Visit and invited talk at the China Medical University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A talk have been give at the CHINA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY - QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST JOINT COLLEGE symposium. The intended purpose is to disseminate our research outcome to wider audience including medical doctors /researchers, pharmaceutical researchers and related industry sectors. Over 100 delegates have attended this symposium. The talk has gauged interests from various researchers/practitioners in the medical field, and a visit has been arranged to Shenjing Hospital in Shenyang, China, for follow up the discussion on potential applications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |