Magnetic nanomaterials have been developed for a wide range of exciting new applications from magnetic media in electronics to next generation biomedical imaging and delivery. We look at the companies leading the way.
Nanoscale iron, nickel, magnesium oxide, yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide, manganese oxide, copper and cobalt find application utilizing their magnetic properties across a range of industries,including magnetic recording media, spin electronics, sensors, biomedicine, catalysis, imaging, remediation and filtration, high-frequency magnetic-rod antenna and magnetic device fillers. Other magnetic nanomaterials exploited in these industries include quantum dots and dot arrays, nanowires and nanojunctions.
Giant magnetoresistive (GMR)
Applications for Giant Magneto-Resistance include spin-electronics, high density data storage, on-chip GMR sensors for diverse as solid-state compasses, electrical sensors, automotive sensors. Nanomaterials have potential to meet a wide range of memory device needs including speed, power consumption, density, reliability, non-volatility, and cost. There are a number of nanotechnology-based approaches to the development of data storage; Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), Ferroelectric RAM, (FeRAM), Resistive RAM (RRAM), and NRAM (Nanotube RAM). GMR and TMR effects has been observed in multilayered nanostructures of the form FM (Å)/NM(Å)/FM(Å), which FM is a transition-metal ferromagnetic layer (Fe,Co,Ni or alloys) and NM is a non ferromagnetic metal (Cr, Cu, Ag etc.) or an isolating (tunnel) barrier in case of Tunnel Magneto-Resistance Effect.
Biomedical
In recent years, there has widespread R&D in the use of magnetic nanoparticles in bio-medical applications, such as in vivo cell tracking by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) , tissue engineering, magnetic cell sorting, drug delivery) and magnetic mediated hyperthermia. A major challenges in medicine is the rapid and accurate measurement of protein biomarkers, cells, and pathogens in biological samples. A number of new
diagnostic platforms have been developed to measure biomolecules and cells with high sensitivity that could enable early disease detection or provide valuable insights into biology at the systems level. Most biological samples exhibit negligible magnetic susceptibility; therefore, magnetic nanoparticles have been used for diverse applications including biosensing, magnetic separation, and thermal ablation therapy.
Nanoscale iron compounds are used in therapeutics to treat anaemia and as novel imaging agents to aid in the diagnosis of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Magnetic or metallic nanoparticles can be used as noninvasive imaging agents (MRI). Metallic nanoparticles (silver, gold and magnetic nanoparticles) are being developed as carrier agents in cancer treatment. Gold nanoparticles/nanoshells are used in treatment of tumour cells, where they bind to the cells, allowing for cell death by laser activation. Companies developing products include Nanoprobes, Inc., Nanosphere, Inc., Strem Chemicals, Inc., Nucryst Pharmaceuticals, AcryMed and Antibodies Incorporated
Data Storage
Iron oxide nanoparticles have attracted extensive interest due to their superparamagnetic properties and their potential applications in many fields (although Cu, Co and Ni are also highly magnetic materials, they are toxic and easily oxidized). Applications of iron oxide nanoparticles include terabit magnetic storage devices, catalysis, sensors, and high-sensitivity biomolecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for medical diagnosis and therapeutics. They are also widely used in the manufacture of magnetic storage devices.
Separation agents
The high magnetic content of nanoparticles is utilized in magnetic separation media in life sciences. Trapping of cells is essential to perform basic handling operations in cell-based microsystems, such as media exchange, concentration, cell isolation and cell sorting. Magnetic nanoparticles have been utilized for concentration, separation, purification and identification of molecules and specific cells and are particularly suitable for integration in microfluidic devices.
NANOMAGNETICS COMPANIES
• Ademtech
The company has developed superparamagnetic nanoparticlesfor in vitro diagnostic and life sciences. Ademtech manufactures calibrated particles (CV<20%) of 100 to 500 nm, with high magnetic content (70% of iron oxides) and controlled surface bearing various functionalities – carboxylic acids and amine – and biological activities brought by streptavidine, antibodies or proteins A and G. www.ademtech.com
• Aduro BioTech
Aduro is developing proprietary cancer treatments that use iron oxide nanoparticles that generate heat when exposed to an externally applied alternating magnetic field. www.adurobiotech.com
• AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The company’s core technology is based on the characteristic properties of coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Ferumoxytol is being developed for use as an intravenous iron replacement therapeutic agent for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia and as a diagnostic agent for vascular-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to assess peripheral arterial disease. www.amagpharma.com
• ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
The company is developing FeTa nano-oxide layers for giant magnetoresistance sensors. www.alps.com
• Aspen
The company is developing iron oxide nanoparticles that, when energized remotely by an alternative magnetic field, emit heat to ablate solid tumours. The magnetic field frequency range required can penetrate the body deeply without tissue attenuation or tissue interface reflection. www.aspenmedisys.com
• Bangs Laboratories, Inc.
The company is a manufacturer of uniform polymer, silica, and magnetic nano- and microsphere products for diagnostic, research, and flow cytometry applications. www.bangslabs.com
• Bilcare
NonClobableTM technology uses magnetic nanoparticles for unique fingerprints that are attached onto products. www.bilcaretech.com
• Biophan Technologies, Inc
The company is developing a novel nanomagnetic particle-based technology that will provide physicians with a higher degree of control than is currently on the market and can selectively bind drugs to these nanoparticles to enable targeted delivery. www.biophan.com
• Chemicell GmbH
PolyMAG is a universally applicable magnetic particle preparation for high efficiency nucleic acid delivery. It is mixed in a one-step procedure with the nucleic acid to be transfected and has been used successfully with plasmid DNA, antisense oligonucleotides and siRNAs. www.chemicell.com
• Crocus Nano Electronics
The company is developing MRAM technology based on magnetic nanomaterials. www.crocusnano.com/en/
• Dowa Electronics Materials Co., Ltd.
The company supplies metal powders, with a particle size of 30 nanometers (0.03 micrometers). www.crocusnano.com/en/
• Eeonyx Corporation
Eeonyx Technology develops heat resistant nano-coated magnetic fabrics and conductive plastics for healthcare, athletics, defence and consumer products. www.eeonyx.com
• Everspin Technologies, Inc.
The company develops and manufactures magnetic RAM or Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), including stand-alone and embedded MRAM products. Everspin became the world’s first volume MRAM supplier in 2006 with the launch of its commercial 4Mb part. Everspin’s MRAM is broadly used in data storage, industrial automation, gaming, energymanagement, communications, transportation and avionics. www.everspin.com
• Ferrotec (USA) Corporation
Ferrotec offers a Magnetic Nano-Particle Developer’s Kit, a set of solutions that are specially suited for synthesis of microbeads used for in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications. The Ferrotec MNP Developer’s Kit is a collection of seven samples of nano particle suspensions that are optimized for synthesizing microbead polymers with different performance characteristics. www.ferrotec.co.uk
• MagForce Nanotechnologies AG
Develops nanotechnology-based cancer treatment. Its patented therapy allows the targeted destruction of tumours using magnetic nanoparticles. MagForce’s nanotechnology represents a revolutionary approach to the future successful treatment of solid tumours. www.magforce.de
• MagnaMedics Biodiagnostics BV
The company is developing magnetic nanoparticles for diagnostics. www.magnamedics.com
• micromod Partikeltechnologie GmbH
The main product categories are nanomag® (magnetic polysaccharide particles), micromer® (polystyrene-copolymer particles) and sicastar® (silica particles). These particle types are complimented by various types of biodegradable particles and highly specialized particles, e.g. BNF (Bionized NanoFerrite) particles with being thermally blocked at room temperature and IDA latex with a very high binding capacity for trace metal ions. Nanomag® particles have unique surface properties combined with a high magnetomobility for a preferred use in nucleic acid separation. The fluorescent sicastar® and micromer® particles are also of interest to applications in Life Sciences because of their intense fluorescence activity and variable surface chemistry. www.micromod.de
• n3D Biosciences, Inc.
The Bio-Assembler™ combines nanoparticle-based hydrogels with designed magnetic fields needed to levitate cells and provide the 3D cell growth environment. www.n3dbio.com
• NanoBioMagnetics
NanoBioMagnetics technology leverages magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) manipulated by external magnetic fields to cause or drive a desired physiological event. Constructed arrays and configurations of permanent magnets are used to extend and shape the magnetic field. www.nanobmi.com
• Nano-C
The company is developing fullerene polymers with specifiable physi cal, optical, electrical or magnetic properties for use in data recording and storing. www.nano-c.com
• NANOGAP
The company’s products exhibit antimicrobial, conductive and magnetic properties making them suitable additives for a wide variety of applications including coatings & inks, plastics and nanocomposites, printed electronics, medical devices and molecular diagnostics. www.nanogap.es
• Nanomag Co., Ltd.
Nanomag manufactures and research CeO powder for CMP for semiconductor manufacturing. ATO(Antimony Tin Oxide) and ITO(Indium Tin Oxide) sol coatings are used for transparent conductive coating sol, electromagnetic wave absorbing, shielding and magnetic materials, electromagnetic wave absorbing and shielding sheets. www.nanomag.co.kr
• Nanum Nanotechnologica
The company produces nano oxides and also a magnetic nanoparticle colloidal solution for electric/electronics purpose in replacement of solid parts and the preparation of surfaces with magnetic identification and memory. www.nanum.com.br
• Nisshin Engineering, Inc.
The company creates nano size particles of carbides and nitrides for application in catalysts and magnetic recording materials. www.nisshineng.co.jp
• Sahnghai Allrun Nano Science & Technology
AllMag Superparamagnetic Polymer Nanospheres have a core-shell structure of magnetite-rich core and polymer shell. These nanoparticles are modified to provide carboxyl groups permitting the covalent attachment of proteins or ligands onto the surface of the nanoparticles, and can be used for protein extraction, affinity chromatography, cell isolation, Immuno-chromatography test and clinical diagnostic, etc. www.allrunnano.com
• TurboBeads Llc.
TurboBeads carboxy/amine are highly magnetic nanoparticles with diameters of below 50 nm. The surface of the particles is covalently functionalized with carboxyl or amine groups (>0.1 mmol/g) and can be used for further functionalization and for the recovery of chemical and biological compounds from complex mixtures. www.turbobeads.com
• WaveSense, Inc.
WaveSense’s nanobiotechnology platform is Xenographic Retention ChromatographyTM (XRC), which uses superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. http://wavesense.net
Multinational corporations with products and R&D in nanomagnetics include Fuji, Fujitsu, Hitachi, GE HEalthcare, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Roche Diagnostics and Seagate. Main applications are in magnetic storage media and biomedicine.
