Nano-bio fusion science opened and created with plasmas

Abstract

Recent years have brought about a rapid rise in research on applications in biological and medical fields including cell and tissue inactivation, sterilization and disinfection, blood coagulation, therapy, surgery, pharmaceuticals, biosensing, and biochips by exploiting low-pressure, atmospheric-pressure, and solution plasma processes. Many of the basic constituent materials of biological organisms are nanometer-scale in size, thus presenting the possibility of a growing field of science and technology focused on a fusion between "bio" and "nano" mechanisms; we are now in the germinal stage of a new era of next-generation applied research in the biological and medical applications of nanocarbons typified by fullerenes and carbon nanotubes. In this context, the authors have proposed and implemented research utilizing nanoscopic processes in advanced gas, liquid, and gas-liquid interfacial plasmas, directed toward the creation of synthetic materials and devices composed of nanocarbons, nanoparticles, and biomolecules. This research is positioned to advance the establishment of nano-bio fusion science opened and created with plasmas to construct next-generation nanobio and medical systems relating to nanobio-electronics devices, intracellular nanoengineering, and nanomedicine. © 2011 The Japan Society of Plasma Science and Nuclear Fusion Research.