Science & innovation

Nanotechnology

LGC's internationally recognised analytical scientists, supported by state-of the-art technology, are able to offer a range of highly specialist services and advice to customers working in nanoscience.

Manufactured nanomaterials (MN) are an exciting and promising area of research across many industry sectors. The benefits of natural nanoscale structures are found and appreciated in some everyday products (such as sunscreen and paint) while some less beneficial nanoparticles are all around us in traffic air pollution. Potential benefits of specifically engineered nanomaterials have been identified, including lighter and stronger ceramics, innovative cosmetics, more efficient cleaning products, new biomedical applications, better energy storage and food that is microbiologically safer and contains less salt, fat and sugar, but that tastes the same.

In line with the growth in nanotechnology is the need for tools to regulate this science so that consumers can be confident that benefits can be delivered without unknown risk.

Methods to characterise, analyse and track engineered nanomaterials are crucial to probing their toxicology, monitoring their spread and providing an evidence base to assess their claimed benefits.

The analytical challenges include extraction of MN in a near-native state, their relatively low concentrations in food and environmental samples and the lack of robust methods for size-based quantitative speciation. LGC is developing capabilities for nanoparticle characterisation by recently introducing asymmetric field flow fractionation (FFF) to be coupled with mass spectrometry detectors for characterisation of nanoparticle size distribution and composition.

Characterised reference materials: With the increasing presence of nanomaterials in new products and processes, there has been a substantial increase in research into their manufacture, characterisation, and applications.
Reliable research requires the use of characterised reference materials. Investigations into the impacts and effects of nanomaterials are supported by reference nanomaterials available from LGC Standards.
FFF–ICP-MS. Field flow fractionation (FFF) is a powerful tool for size-fractionation and, when used in conjunction with Inductively-coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), it has been proven to produce elemental size distributions with a great level of detail in the submicrometer range without the laborious and repetitive centrifugation steps of current methods. Click here to read more about how we are using this tool to determine the size distribution and elemental composition of nanoparticles in food.
In vitro nanotoxicity testing: Whilst methodologies have been developed to test chemicals for toxicity, there are currently no standardised methods to measure the toxic effects of nanoparticles. In response to this LGC is developing new in vitro testing regimes which can overcome the potentially midsleading results obtained from traditional toxicity assays.

For more information, please contact the NMS Helpdesk at LGC:
Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 7393
Email: nmshelp@lgc.co.uk

To request more information on our services and capabilities please click here.

Science & innovation

Nanotechnology

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