Wee Kit Mun, Rogers Tony N, Altan Burhanettin S, Hackney Stephen A, Hamm Christian
Chemical Engineering Department, Michigan Technological University, MI, USA
J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2005 Jan;5(1):88-91. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2005.020.
Biologists, and diatomists in particular, have long studied the properties of single-cell algae, and engineers are just discovering how to exploit features unique to these organisms. Their uniform nanopore structure, microchannels, chemical inertness, and silica microcrystal structure suggest many nanoscale applications. This paper proposes three potential research initiatives taking advantage of diatom morphology and mechanical and chemical properties: (1) embedding diatom frustules in a metal-film membrane; (2) magnetizing frustules for pinpoint drug delivery; and (3) producing silica nanopowders from frustules. The potential benefits of each initiative and its technical challenges are outlined.
生物学家，尤其是硅藻学家，长期以来一直在研究单细胞藻类的特性，而工程师们才刚刚开始探索如何利用这些生物体特有的特征。它们均匀的纳米孔结构、微通道、化学惰性和二氧化硅微晶结构暗示了许多纳米级应用。本文提出了三项利用硅藻形态以及机械和化学特性的潜在研究计划：（1）将硅藻壳嵌入金属薄膜中；（2）对硅藻壳进行磁化以实现精准给药；（3）用硅藻壳生产二氧化硅纳米粉末。概述了每项计划的潜在益处及其技术挑战。
