Nanotechnology (NT) is the production and use of materials at scale of 100 nanometers or less. The physics of nanostructure materials can be very different from the macroscale properties of the same materials. The different, often superior, properties that can then occur are the driving force behind the explosion in research interest in these materials. Enhanced abilities to understand and manipulate matter at the molecular and atomic levels promise a wave of significant new technologies over the next five decades. With so many sciences having input into nanotechnology research, dramatic breakthroughs will occur in diverse areas such as medicine, communications, electronics, computing, energy, and robotics.

At Alexandria University, several researchers have started research activities concerning the preparation of nanocrystalline materials, nanofibers, biodegradable polymers and conducting polymers, and also studying the performance of drug delivery systems, sensors and photovoltaic cells.  The purpose of the present project is to create an integrated collaboration between multidiscipline in order to study the effects of preparation parameters of nanomaterials on their performance for drug delivery systems, sensors and photovoltaic applications.

This research project will tackle the following:

1-    Propose a vision for accomplishing nanotechnology’s promise that can be adapted to both  national industrial and research sectors.

2-    Synthesis methods that allow control of the size and manipulation of the nanoscale "building blocks".

3-    Characterizing and studying the materials at the nanoscale.

4-    Correlation between nanostructure and properties and investigating how these properties can be tailored for biomedical, sensors and photovoltaic applications.

In the first stage, the project will be divided into four phases:

First phase (six months): Literature survey and ordering the needed materials and equipment.

Second phase (twelve  months): Synthesis and characterization of different types of nanoparticles (metal oxides, magnetic materials, and gold) in their nanocrystalline structures. Also conducting and biodegradable polymers will be prepared. The characterization   will be performed in order to study the effects of preparation parameters on physical-chemical properties of the prepared materials. Films and nanofibers will be processed using dip coating, spin coating and electrospinning. The electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties and biocompatibility will be investigated.

Third phase (two months): Primary application of the prepared nanomaterials   for  drug delivery systems, sensors and photovoltaic devices.

Four phase (one month): Workshop

The project aims to establish a nanotechnology research group in Alexandria University capable of:

1-    Providing  cross-disciplinary research training opportunities for postdoctoral fellows devoted to biomedical or/and electronic applications of nanotechnology.

2-    Bridging the gap  between the researchers in nanotechnology and those who can adapt  this technology in the industrial and medical sectors

3-    Making use of the experience existed  and facilities available in Alexandria University to fulfill biomedical, sensing and photovoltaic  applications,

4-    Fostering the development of nanoscale particles and devices that can identify the early molecular signatures of cancer and deliver therapeutic or preventive agents that can intervene in the cancer process at early stages

5-    Disseminating the gained experience among junior staff and graduate students at Alexandria University through workshops and seminars  

6-    Keeping the sustainability of the on going research by applying for funding from national and international agencies (FP7, HEEP …). Also Narrowing the knowledge gap by connecting Egypt to the developed world in science and technology