No one will doubt that nanotechnology has become, if not, is fast becoming an important part of our lives. Statistics have shown that there are at least 500 everyday products using nanotechnology, ranging from clothing, cosmetics, sporting goods, nutritional and personal care items, computer and telecommunication networks, and of course, the conspicuous iPod Nano. Did you know that the flash memory chip inside is developed using nano technology? Dr. Pauline Pei Li, Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, has unveiled the potential of nanotechnology in keeping water clean in an environmentally friendly way. Dr. Li has developed a specific nanomaterial "Core-Shell Nanoparticles" that have well-defined hydrophobic cores and functional hydrophilic shells. The size of these core-shell particles are in the range of nano- to submicro-scales. This unique design enables the shell to adsorb most of the unwanted organic and inorganic contaminants found in industrial wastewater and materials leached in landfills (adsorption refers to surface accumulation), while the core acts as a solid support for subsequent separation from the water. The nanoparticles, once saturated by contaminants, can be separated from the liquid by specially designed vibration ultra-filtration system. The recovered particles can be easily regenerated without affecting their capacity to remove the targeted compounds. This new breakthrough leads to a cost-effective zero discharge water treatment process. The benefits of the core-shell nanoparticles are obvious. It involves short treatment time, ease of operation, good dispersion and rapid diffusion in water and repeated recyclability, and it is particularly useful for high-speed treatment for emergency clean-up of chemical spills. The core-shell nanotechnology has won many prizes for our research team. Two US patents were granted and 3 more have been filed. It was awarded the Special Prize from International Jury and Gold Medal in The 35th International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland and was also successfully commercialized to Dunwell Enviro-Tech for recovering of dye and metals from textile and electroplating wastewater. Even with the overwhelming achievements made, our researchers are not complacent. The team has expanded their study in the application of the core-shell nanoparticles as nano-carries for delivery of drugs and genes. Results shown that the particles are an excellent vehicle for delivery of foreign DNA into cells in culture. With appropriate formulation, the nanoparticles can be applied in various ways, such as multi-functional nano-coatings and surface finishing for textiles and electronic devices, chemical separation, toxic gas removal, and bio-applications such as hair and cosmetic products, etc. Our strength lies in the ability to produce nanoparticles in an industrial scale level which at the same time is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. If you would like to explore more on how nanoparticles can be applied to your business and help you to stay competitive, please contact Dr. Pauline Li at tel: (852) 3400-8721 or Miss Kit Chan at tel: (852) 3400-2713 for further discussion.