Using Nanotechnology and Picotechnology to Increase Tissue Growth and Reduce Bacterial Infections

Inspired from biological systems, nanotechnology (and more recently, picotechnology) is beginning to revolutionize medicine including improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of numerous diseases. This talk will emphasize novel tunable properties of nano and pico‐technology derived coatings such as mechanical, magnetic, electrical, and optical, which have made these advanced materials good candidates for medical devices. This presentation will also summarize efforts over the past decade that have synthesized novel nanoparticles, nanotubes, and other nanomaterials to improve medicine. Efforts focused on the use of nanomaterials to minimize inflammation, inhibit infection, and increase tissue growth will be especially emphasized. Tissue systems covered will include the nervous system, orthopedics, bladder, cardiovascular, vascular, and the bladder. Materials to be covered will include ceramics, metals, polymers, and composites thereof. Self‐assembled nano‐chemistries will also be emphasized. Toxicity concerns of nanoparticles will be covered.