Metal quantum clusters are evolving as excellent systems for a wide range of biological applications due to their small size (∼2 nm), tunable optical properties, including optical absorption, photoluminescence (UV to NIR), nonlinear optical properties (two-photon absorption, two-photon fluorescence, and second/third harmonic generation), ultrafast dynamics (relaxation kinetics, electron–phonon coupling, and radiative emission), and magnetism. These excellent properties have resulted in their use in a broad range of applications, including the sensing of ions (heavy metal ions, anions), biomolecules (proteins, DNA, miRNA, and enzymes), biological cells, diagnosis, and therapy. This article presents an introduction to metal quantum clusters, including a brief history of research in this system and an overview of the existing theories to understand their properties. We also discuss the synthesis methods, the various properties of quantum clusters and present a broad and updated overview of the applications of metal quantum clusters in biology.

Fluorescent metal quantum clusters: an updated overview of the synthesis, properties, and biological applications

Fine metal clusters have attracted much attention from the viewpoints of both basic and applied science for many years because of their unique physical/chemical properties and functions, which differ from those of bulk metals. Among these materials, thiolate (SR)-protected gold clusters (Aun(SR)m clusters) have been the most studied metal clusters since 2000 because of their ease of synthesis and handling. However, in the early 2000s, it was not easy to isolate these metal clusters. Therefore, high-resolution separation methods were explored, and several atomic-level separation methods, including polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), were successively established. These techniques have made it possible to isolate a series of Aun(SR)m clusters, and much knowledge has been obtained on the correlation between the chemical composition and fundamental properties such as the stability, electronic structure, and physical properties of Aun(SR)m clusters. In addition, these high-resolution separation techniques are now also frequently used to evaluate the distribution of the product and to track the reaction process. In this way, high-resolution separation techniques have played an essential role in the study of Aun(SR)m clusters. However, only a few reviews have focused on this work. This review focuses on PAGE, HPLC, and TLC separation techniques, which offer high resolution and repeatability, and summarizes previous studies on the high-resolution separation of Aun(SR)m and related clusters with the purpose of promoting a better understanding of the features and the utility of these techniques.

/pdf/atomic-level-separation-of-thiolate-protected-metal-clusters-1or1o1b7tr.pdf

Atomic-level separation of thiolate-protected metal clusters

<italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Objective: Wireless capsule endoscopy has been well used for gastrointestinal (GI) tract diagnosis. However, it can only obtain images and cannot take samples of GI tract tissues. In this study, we designed a magnetically-actuated biopsy capsule (MABC) robot for GI tract diagnosis. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Methods: The proposed robot can achieve locomotion and biopsy functions under the control of external electromagnetic actuation (EMA) system. Two types of active locomotion can be achieved, plane motion refers to the robot rolling on the surface of the GI tract with a rotating uniform magnetic field. 3D motion refers to the robot moving in 3D space under the control of the EMA system. After reaching the target position, the biopsy needle can be sprung out for sampling and then retracted under a gradient magnetic field. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Results: A pill-shaped robot prototype ( <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\phi$</tex-math></inline-formula> 15 mm×32 mm) has been fabricated and tested with phantom experiments. The average motion control error is 0.32 mm in vertical direction, 3.3 mm in horizontal direction, and the maximum sampling error is about 5.0 mm. The average volume of the sampled tissue is about 0.35 mm <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{3}$</tex-math></inline-formula> . <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Conclusion: We designed a MABC robot and proposed a control framework which enables planar and 3D spatial locomotion and biopsy sampling. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Significance: The untethered MABC robot can be remotely controlled to achieve accurate sampling in multiple directions without internal power sources, paving the way towards precision sampling techniques for GI diseases in clinical procedures.

Design and Control of a Magnetically-Actuated Capsule Robot With Biopsy Function

<italic>Objective:</italic> Wireless capsule endoscopy has been well used for gastrointestinal (GI) tract diagnosis. However, it can only obtain images and cannot take samples of GI tract tissues. In this study, we designed a magnetically-actuated biopsy capsule (MABC) robot for GI tract diagnosis. <italic>Methods:</italic> The proposed robot can achieve locomotion and biopsy functions under the control of external electromagnetic actuation (EMA) system. Two types of active locomotion can be achieved, plane motion refers to the robot rolling on the surface of the GI tract with a rotating uniform magnetic field. 3D motion refers to the robot moving in 3D space under the control of the EMA system. After reaching the target position, the biopsy needle can be sprung out for sampling and then retracted under a gradient magnetic field. <italic>Results:</italic> A pill-shaped robot prototype (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\phi$</tex-math></inline-formula>15 mm×32 mm) has been fabricated and tested with phantom experiments. The average motion control error is 0.32 mm in vertical direction, 3.3 mm in horizontal direction, and the maximum sampling error is about 5.0 mm. The average volume of the sampled tissue is about 0.35 mm<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{3}$</tex-math></inline-formula>. <italic>Conclusion:</italic> We designed a MABC robot and proposed a control framework which enables planar and 3D spatial locomotion and biopsy sampling. <italic>Significance:</italic> The untethered MABC robot can be remotely controlled to achieve accurate sampling in multiple directions without internal power sources, paving the way towards precision sampling techniques for GI diseases in clinical procedures.

Mixed-ligand copper complexes with unsymmetrical tridentate Schiff base ligands and 2,2′-bipyridine: Synthesis, x-ray crystallography and antibacterial properties

Silicone-based composite materials simulate breast tissue to be used as ultrasonography training phantoms.

Chiral mixed ligand silver nanoclusters were synthesized in the presence of a chiral and an achiral ligand. While the chiral ligand led mostly to the formation of nanoparticles, the presence of the achiral ligand drastically increased the yield of nanoclusters with enhanced chiral properties.

Synthesis and characterization of mixed ligand chiral nanoclusters

https://research.sabanciuniv.edu/28812/1/CerInt-Greenbody-alumina-2015.pdf

A PCE-based rheology modifier allows machining of solid cast green bodies of alumina

https://www.omicsonline.org/conference-proceedings/1948-5956-C1-096_018.pdf

Silicone-based Composites as Surgical Breast Models for Oncoplasty Training☆

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Silicone-based composite materials simulate breast tissue to be used as ultrasonography training phantoms.

Synthesis and characterization of mixed ligand chiral nanoclusters

A PCE-based rheology modifier allows machining of solid cast green bodies of alumina

Silicone-based Composites as Surgical Breast Models for Oncoplasty Training☆