Plasma Balls

Tiny nanoparticles have huge potential inside our bodies. These hexagonal specks of magnesium, each 50,000 smaller than a beach ball, could be injected into our tissues then zapped by lasers – the light particles (photons) collide with electrons buzzing around the surface of the metal, generating a haze of rippling waves called plasmons around each particle. Plasmonic waves are sensitive to changes in their surroundings, so may be used to snoop on chemical reactions happening nearby, such as a patient’s metabolism. Here computer model simulations (top row), and experiments (bottom) show how different wavelengths of light create different electric field patterns around the particles. Though usually completely harmless, with a different setup, plasmonic waves could be targeted to fry cancer cells. These magnesium nanoparticles are cheaper than those made from gold or silver, and their unique shape is allowing nanoengineers to dream up useful new structures.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image by the Ringe Group/Rice University
• Department of Material Science and Nanoengineering and Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
• Image copyright held by the original authors
• Published in Nano Letters, May 2018