New application of functional crystals

Nanoparticles have found an ever-expanding range of applications in our society and technology. One such application is the targeted delivery of a certain agent to a certain location or process. In this research project, we aim to develop nano-sized or larger particles, based on inorganic crystals, that can be used for the targeted delivery of pharmaceutical agents to the human body, or even to specific diseased tissue.

Crystals can be made to dissolve over a pre-determined duration for gradual release of a pharmaceutical agent, or crystals can be insoluble (in the human body), to prevent release of agents that must be held in place. Targeted pharmaceutical agents can, for example, be small to very large organic molecules, or they can be radioactive nuclei.