Synthesis of nanoparticle in liquid, semi-solid media and in cells and tissues using cold plasma technology
A method of forming metal nanoparticles includes applying a substance to an area of interest, applying cold plasma to the area of interest, and synthesizing nanoparticles from the substance using the cold plasma in the area of interest, wherein the substance is a solution that contains metal ions, and the nanoparticles synthesized are metallic in nature.
1 . A method, comprising:
applying a substance to an area of interest, wherein the area of interest comprises a biofilm, wherein the substance is a solution that contains metal ions, wherein the metal ions of the substance diffuse into the area of interest, and wherein the metal ions impregnate cells within the biofilm;
subsequent to diffusion of the metal ions into the area of interest and impregnation of the cells of the biofilm with the metal ions, applying cold plasma to the area of interest; and
with at least a portion of the applied cold plasma within the area of interest, synthesizing nanoparticles inside cells within the biofilm, wherein the nanoparticles synthesized are metallic in nature, and wherein the nanoparticles are synthesized when the cold plasma within the area of interest reduces the metal ions impregnated within cells within the biofilm to metal atoms such that the cells contain the metal atoms,
wherein following reduction of the metal ions impregnated within the cells within the biofilm to metal atoms such that the cells contain the metal atoms, the biofilm is incorporated into a second, targeted biofilm that is different from the biofilm.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal ions comprise silver ions (Ag+), gold ions (Au+), copper ions (Cu+ and/or Cu2+), platinum ions (Pt+), or a combination thereof.
3 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:
applying additional cold plasma to the area of interest to heat the synthesized nanoparticles to provide local heating to the area of interest.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cold plasma is generated using a hand-held device.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cells of the biofilm are bacteria cells, wherein the biofilm further comprises matrix, and wherein the metal ions impregnate the bacteria cells.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the metal ions impregnate the matrix.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal ions impregnate the cells through cellular uptake.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the metal ions comprise silver ions (Ag + ), wherein the metal atoms comprise silver atoms (Ag 0 ), and wherein following reduction of the silver ions to silver atoms, cells containing the silver atoms release silver ions.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein following incorporation of the biofilm into the second, targeted biofilm, the cells release metal ions.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles synthesized inside the cells within the biofilm decrease levels of infection within the area of interest.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles synthesized inside the cells within the biofilm reduce or inhibit biofilm formation.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal ions comprise silver ions (Ag+).
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the metal ions comprise silver ions (Ag+).
14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the metal ions comprise gold ions (Au+).
15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the metal ions comprise copper ions (Cu+ and/or Cu2+).
16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the metal ions comprise platinum ions (Pt+).
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cells within the biofilm are adhered to a surface within a body of a patient.