Question

What is nanotechnology, how does it help treat cardiovascular disease, how are buckminsterfullerene used in nanotechnology?

Answer 1

1. Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. This science or set of knowledge study the application of extremely small things and how can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering, and it involve the ability to see and to control individual atoms and molecules.
2. Fullerenes can make excellent antioxidants; this property can be attributed to the large number of conjugated double bonds they possess and a very high electron affinity of these molecules (due to low energy of the unoccupied molecular orbital). Fullerenes can react with a number of radicals before being consumed. A single C60 molecule can interact with up to 34 methyl radicals before being used up. That is why, these molecules are also known as the 'world's most efficient radical scavengers' or 'radical sponge'. Perhaps, one of the major advantages of using these molecules as an antioxidant is that these can be localized within the cell. These molecules also act as effective cytoprotectors against the ultraviolet A irradiation. These bind to the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and prevent damage to cells. A water soluble derivative C60 with polyvinylpyrrolidone or Radical Sponge is usually added to cosmetics. This prevents skin damage and premature aging of the skin without any side effects. The biggest advantage of this molecule is that it is readily absorbed by the intact skin. Fullerene molecules also prevent lipid peroxidation by scavenging peroxy radicals, and thus, prevent cell cytotoxicity related with them. for this reason it is said that these nanostructures have a cytoprotective effect in cellular stress events, such as those that can take place in the cardiovascular system
3. Buckminsterfullerene is a spherical fullerene with 60 carbon atoms, it is an extremely stable form of pure carbon, consists of interconnected pentagons and hexagons suggestive of the geometry of a geodesic dome, and is believed to be a major constituent of soot. Fullerenes have grabbed quite a bit of attention due to their potential as antiviral agents. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this may be their ability to suppress the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and thus, delay the onset of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). They can also be used in the delivery of hydrophobic drugs. In fact, these carriers are used in the slow release of these hydrophobic drugs in the system. These are also used for the manufacture of solar cells. These solar cells basically work by transfer of electrons from a material that gets excited when irradiated with light (known as the donor). They are components of protective eye wear because it has optical limiting properties. This refers to its ability to decrease the transmittance of light incident to it.