What is nano silver used for?

As the frontier technology of the 21st century, nanotechnology is defined as the understanding and control of matter at the sizes of 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable new applications. In a time frame of about half a century, nanotechnology has become the basis for superior industrial applications and exponential growth.

However, despite its bactericidal ability, nano silver still damages the human body and internal organs.

Effects on the skin

Nanosilver particles can penetrate through intact skin into the dermis. In tests with damaged skin, the penetration capacity of nanosilver particles increases by almost five times. These nanoparticles reaching the dermis can be transferred to the lymph nodes in the area and eventually to the blood circulation and other tissues and organs.

Effects on the respiratory system

The amount and clearance of nanoparticles in the respiratory system affects the degree of respiratory damage.

With a small size, metal nanoparticles have a high diffusion capacity in air and are therefore easily deposited in all parts of the respiratory system (nasopharynx, bronchi, and alveoli).

Effects on the immune system

Nanosilver is often used as an immunomodulator to promote wound healing and to treat immunogenic skin diseases, probably due to the mechanism by which Ag X binds metallothionein and inhibits inflammatory cytokines such as IL12 and TNFa. Bursa is the primary site of migration and proliferation of lymphoid B cells and the destruction of bursa by nanosilver implies a detrimental effect on the immune system (function).

Effects on the nervous system

Nanosilver can enter astrocytes through the blood-brain barrier, triggering neuronal degeneration.

Through histochemical autoradiography, it was confirmed that nano-silver can be deposited into the ventricles of the brain and the arachnoid membrane, and enter glial and neuronal cells, which provides a theoretical basis for the neurotoxicity study of nano-silver.

There is considerable concern about potential health and environmental risks due to widespread human exposure to nanoparticles. These concerns have brought about the emergence of other scientific disciplines, including nanotoxicology and nanomedicine. But the potential impact on human health remains a major concern in the absence of reliable toxicity data. 

Therefore, we at Innovation Forever sincerely hope that the relevant talents and research institutes can contribute actively, and JMN welcomes researchers, physicists, research institutions and others to present your authoritative, innovative and insightful works through this journal publication to advance the knowledge of nanoscience or nanoengineering.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

Biology and medicine, electronics and photonics, nanoscale energy, patterning and nanomechanics, sensing and execution, Materials: synthesis or self-assembly, Materials: properties, representations or tools, etc.