This week, nanomaterials and their impact continue to fuel scientific discussions, driven by their technological promises but also by their environmental and health implications. Nanoparticles exist in nature too… and they have superpowers there as well. Let’s recap the highlights from the nanoworld this week.
A Revolutionary Graphene Implant for Brain Tumors
Researchers have developed a graphene implant designed for brain tumor surgery, particularly for tumor resections. This cutting-edge device, created by INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, a company specializing in brain-machine interfaces, improves differentiation between healthy and cancerous tissues. The result: enhanced surgical precision and the possibility of implementing targeted treatments.
(Source: Science & Vie, 2024)
Tire Wear and Nanoparticles: An Alarming and Overlooked Pollution Source
A recent investigation by the environmental organization Agir pour l’environnement, conducted with the independent laboratory Emission Analytics, highlights the scale of pollution caused by tire wear. According to their findings, each kilometer driven by a car generates between 1,000 and 10,000 billion fine and ultrafine particles, 99.97% of which are smaller than 2.5 microns.
Moreover, between 92% and 97% of the particles identified are smaller than 100 nanometers (PM0.1), largely escaping current monitoring systems. These nanoparticles contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), classified as carcinogenic, as well as other toxic chemical compounds.
The study also underscores the impact of vehicle weight and power. For instance, an electric SUV can release up to 86 milligrams of plastic particles per kilometer more than a lighter compact car, demonstrating that even electric vehicles are not free from pollution.
(Source: Agir Pour l’Environnement Report, 2024)
“Nanoparticle Showers” in the Amazon Rainforest
In northern Brazil, the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO), a 325-meter-high structure in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, has led to a significant breakthrough in understanding cloud formation. According to a study published in Nature Geoscience, rainfall introduces ozone into the forest canopy, which oxidizes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like terpenes emitted by plants. These oxidation products create nanoparticles that rise to form condensation nuclei, essential components in cloud formation.
Researchers found that this dynamic persists throughout the wet season, with maximum concentrations just above the canopy. These findings highlight the crucial role of tropical forests in the precipitation cycle and their influence on global climate.
(Source: GEO, 2024)