Biomedical Uses of Silver Nanoparticles: From Roman Wine Cups to Biomedical Devices

Abstract

This chapter reviews the state of the art applications of silver nanoparticles in the biomedical sciences and health care, and aims to provide the reader with a general, but concise picture of the basic concepts that need to be considered when using silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in biological systems. We begin with a review of basic concepts on nanomaterials for biomedical applications. In the second part, we discuss a long-standing controversy regarding the risks versus benefits for the use of AgNP in the biomedical sciences. In the last section of this chapter, we present a discussion of future challenges regarding the use of AgNP in medicine.