Nanoparticles, including carbon nanotubes and other high-aspect-ratio nanomaterials, are of interest for a vast array of biomedical applications, including drug delivery, high-contrast bioimaging, electrophysiological recording, neural/retinal prosthetics, and reinforced tissue engineering scaffolds, among many others. While the integration of nanotechnology with the biomedical field holds great promise, there are significant challenges that must be addressed before widespread innovation, development, and implementation of nanostructures in the health care industry can occur. NIST’s Materials Reliability Division is particularly interested in the issue of nanomaterial degradation due to mechanical, thermal, and chemical stresses encountered in-vivo. Development of new methods to evaluate, verify, and predict changes in particle surfaces; coatings; functionalized layers; physical and electrical contacts; and other interfaces are of particular interest. Quantifying the impact of such changes on the effectiveness of the nanostructure, its interaction with the surrounding cells and tissue, and its overall biocompatibility are also needed.

 

Keywords:

Carbon nanotubes; Drug delivery; Electrophysiological recording; Medical devices; Nanoparticles; Surface coatings;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants