The Nanomedicine Delivery Challenge

You have learned that some sunscreen products contain nanoscale structures. You have learned that some sunscreen products contain nanoscale structures.

Nanoscale structures in sunscreen include clusters of zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide Different number of ions can cluster together. ZnO always has equal numbers of Zn and O ionsZnO always has equal numbers of Zn and O ions TiO 2 always has twice as many O ions as Ti ionsTiO 2 always has twice as many O ions as Ti ions ~100 nm TiO2 particle ~200 nm TiO 2 particle Source: Images adapted from

The unbalanced chemical equation below describes the formation of iron oxide structures commonly called magnetite. FeCl 3 + FeCl 2 + NH OH Fe 3 O 4 + NH 4 Cl FeCl 3 + FeCl 2 + NH OH Fe 3 O 4 + NH 4 Cl Water is used to rinse off the ammonium chloride.

A surfactant is then mixed with the iron oxide so that nanoscale clusters of iron oxide form.

The magnetite clusters can be put into a demonstration cell that contains an organic liquid. The clusters can be manipulated in a magnetic field and behave like a fluid. The magnetite clusters can be put into a demonstration cell that contains an organic liquid. The clusters can be manipulated in a magnetic field and behave like a fluid.

Ferrofluids as a model of a nanoscale medicine The goal for your group is to use the materials in the plastic containers to propose methods for delivering a nanoscale medicine to a specific location in the human body. The activity has been adapted from the November 2006 Science Scope Journal articleNanomedicine: Problem Solving to Treat Cancer co-authored by Melissa A. Hemling, Lauren M Samuel, Greta Zenner, Amy C. Payne, and Wendy C. Crone.

There are Three Data Tables In Data Table #1 you need to describe the effectiveness of medicine delivery devices. In Data Table #2 you need to compare the behaviors of nanoscale and larger than nanoscale particles in a magnetic field. In Data Table #3 you need to describe the possible advantages and disadvantages of a medicine that responds to a magnetic field.

Credits Slide 1: A manipulated nanoscale structure: Nanomedicine: Problem solving to treat cancer by Melissa A. Hemling, Lauren M. Samuel, Greta Zenner, Amy C. Payne, and Wendy C. Cron Science Scope Journal; November 2006 Slide 5 : FerroFluid Structure; Page 944 Journal of Chemical Education Vol. 76 No. 7 July 1999 JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu Slide 6: A FerroFluid display cell available from Educational Innovations Inc. At: YouTube video at: