Nanoparticles technology > Overview

In the past decade, nano-particles have attracted intensive interest by many different fields, including chemistry, biology, pharmacology and drug delivery.
 
Generally, particles below 100nm (nanometers) are referred to as nano-particles. Such particles possess unique properties (due to their increased surface to mass ratio), enabling their use for a variety of novel applications. The definition of a nano-particle is at times expanded to sub - micron particles (smaller than 1000nm).
 
In the domain of pharmacology, the high surface area of materials in their nano-sized configuration leads to improved the solubility properties, accelerates their dissolution kinetics, and results in higher bioavailability and improved drug efficacy.
 
On this basis it is evident that the process of nano-sizing (particle size reduction to the nano-metric level) is significant due to its ability to improve the properties and consequently the usage potential of a product.