Spot delivery of drugs and chemicals

Nanotechnology is used to develop products that control pests, such as microorganisms on surfaces besides offering ways to target pesticides more effectively so as to reduce usage and otherwise develop lower-risk pesticides. These developments have important implications for future pesticide development and use.Principle of nanoscale capsulesResearchers at Rutgers have shown the potential of nanotechnology for delivering drugs to organs or tissues where they are needed without causing harm elsewhere by cage-like molecules. These cage-like molecules are called nanocontainers or nanoscale capsules because they measure a mere 3.2 nanometers wide. Using common organic chemicals and straightforward techniques nanocontainers have been created. These octahedral (eight-sided) capsules, with their cavity volume of almost two cubic nanometers, could enclose one or more molecules of a medicine, pesticide or intermediate in a chemical manufacturing process that, if left uncaged, might prematurely decay or interact with other substances during travel. Also it could make pesticides less hazardous to handle, filter toxic substances out of wastewater and regulate the pace of reactions in chemical production. While the concept of chemical cages is not new, components were created and advanced by the assembly process to increase the chance that they'll become practical. A way has been shown to securely link molecules together in a cage using an efficient, one-step process that creates tight chemical bonds, surpassing earlier approaches in simplicity and efficiency.. The Rutgers process involves combining six larger bowl-shaped molecules with 12 smaller linear molecules, or bridges, that link the bowls together, insides facing each other. Atoms at four sites along each bowl's rim bond to atoms on the ends of the bridges. The atomic structure and properties of these molecules ensure that they naturally assemble themselves into capsules and do so with high yield when combined in proper proportions. Early research suggests that the connections between the bridges and bowls can be broken and reattached under controlled conditions to introduce "payload" molecules – such as a drug or pesticide – into the cage and extract them when needed.