Here are some relevant links to publications of the Argonne National Laboratory, Office of Technology Transfer, for further information:
How Industry Can Work with Argonne National Laboratory
Small Business Resource: SBIR, STTR, and Other Government R&D Funds
Resources for Technology-Based Small Businesses in the Midwest Region
Dr. Tijana Rajh
NanBio Interface Group
Center for Nanoscale Materials
Argonne National Laboratory
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
From Energy Applications to Advanced Medical Therapies
Future breakthroughs in nanoscience and nanotechnology rely upon the creation of new classes of functionally integrated hybrid materials that incorporate nanoparticles, three-dimensionally tuned nanoscale architectures, and biologically active molecules, offering opportunities for impact in diverse applications ranging from quantum computation, energy, and advanced medical therapies. Important elementary steps in energy relevant processes such as energy conversion, electronics and catalysis, occur at the nanoscale and require electron exchange within hierarchical structure.
However, nanoscale materials absorb, propagate, and dissipate energy very differently than bulk materials. Within this framework, there is great opportunity to realize advances in the conversion, transfer, and storage of energy at the nanoscale. The exchange of electrons in these multiphase systems, designed and assembled to carry out a specific process, defines the functions of the system. Argonne, and the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM) in particular, has unique strengths in understanding how deliberate tailoring of materials on the nanoscale can lead to novel and enhanced functionalities. This strong core area has evolved and matured from breakthroughs in the study of elemental processes in the natural and artificial photosyntheis at Argonne that made pioneering contributions to the field of solar energy conversion.
We developed hybrid biomolecule-semiconductor systems that use semiconductor nanoparticles for initial light-induced charge separation while using biomolecules for subsequent chemical/electrical conversion. In the same manner we use photoinduced charge separation in order to control and manipulate processes within living cells. Site selective redox processes occurring upon irradiation of hybrid systems are used to alter cell functioning. The main goal of this research is to achieve control of chemical processes of biomolecules and supramolecular entities within the living cells in order to develop new tools for advanced medical therapies.