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Time (CET) |
Program and Content |
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15:00 - 15:10 |
Chair Introduction Prof. Keith Stine |
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15:10 - 15:30 |
Carbon Dots Conundrum: A Chemical Perspective Speaker: Professor Mattia Bartoli Nanostructured materials have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years and the number of applications proposed for them has boomed. Their use in biological environment has become one of the ‘hot’ issues. Several applications have in fact been proposed, such as drug delivery, cancer therapy, localized heating and biolog¬ical probes. All these uses are supported by scientific reports and papers that assess nanomaterials viabilities and outstanding properties. However, when the bridge from proof of concept to real world product needs to be crossed, as human beings are involved, requirements on material characterization become very stringent. Without a thorough characterization, in fact, it is not possible to check nano particles reproducibility and hence assess that they will behave in the same way with respect to the desired application as well as biocompatibility. In this talk we will focus on carbon dots, i.e. carbon based almost 0-d (size of a few nm) nanostructures. Carbon dots can be produced in different ways, even starting from natural derived chemicals like citric acid and urea. After a brief description of a few routes to produce carbon dots we will focus on their structural composition in order to establish strong correlation between chemical features and physiochemical properties. |
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15:30 - 15:50 |
Bio-nanomaterials as Novel Fertilizers and Stimulants in the Agricultural Sector Speaker: Professor Karen Esquivel Escalante Nanomaterials (NMs) have become a significant tool in agriculture by enhancing crop production, protection, and sustainability. They offer innovative solutions to address climate change, soil degradation, and food security challenges. NMs improve the efficiency of fertilizers and pesticides, facilitating better absorption and reducing waste. Also, NMs enhance plant growth by increasing chlorophyll content, root and shoot lengths, and stress tolerance. They also aid in seed germination and nutrient uptake, leading to better crop yields. By optimizing resource use and reducing waste, nanotechnology in agriculture promotes environmental stewardship and cost-effectiveness. Several studies are showing diverse approaches to deliver NMs into the plant-soil system to have the maximum benefits and the lowest consequences, trying to make this practice as sustainable as possible. The effects depend on the type of plant/crop, then, how the NMs are delivered to the vegetal system, the concentration, the morphology or shape, their nature, surface charge, and whether the NMs may form agglomerates. However, the NMs use in agriculture also raises concerns about potential toxicity and environmental impacts, necessitating careful regulation and risk assessment. Ensuring public acceptance of nanotechnology in agriculture requires transparent communication about its benefits and risks, alongside robust regulatory frameworks. Balancing innovation with safety will be crucial for the sustainable integration of nanotechnology in agriculture. |
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15:50 - 16:10 |
Hybrid Layered Double Hydroxides as Multifunctional Platforms in Biomedicine Speaker: Dr. Gregorio Guadalupe Carbajal Arizaga This talk will present a strategy for synthesizing hybrid layered double hydroxide (LDH) particles with antioxidants, focusing on stabilizing both their biological activity and commercial formulation. It will also demonstrate how the same process can be used to obtain these compounds directly from their natural source. It will also address how LDH can be modified to preserve the low dimensionality and give rise to multifunctional materials with biomedical applications of great interest, from contrast agents for MRI to controlled drug delivery vehicles, representing an emerging approach in nanomedicine. Specific examples of antioxidants will be discussed, demonstrating how these materials enhance the stabilization and enable their commercial application. Finally, the challenges, such as the control of biocompatibility, the scalability of synthesis, and the projection towards clinical applications, will be discussed. |
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16:10 - 16:25 |
Q&A Session |
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16:25 - 16:30 |
Closing of Programme Chair: Prof. Keith Stine |